PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kuroda Atsushi (ranked 1349 p4p, 1017 weight class) and Laertes Royster (ranked 84 p4p, 62 weight class). Laertes Royster has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Atsushi
vs
Royster

150 cm
23
136
4 - 2 - 0

173 cm
24
136
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
PWNAGE™

PWNAGE Elite - $25 Tees
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kuroda Atsushi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Laertes Royster!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Columbo Gatti and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Royster with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Laertes Royster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Royster slips under a jab.
Royster misses with an uppercut.
Atsushi tries a low kick but Royster avoids it.
Atsushi throws a leg kick that misses.
A clash of legs there as Atsushi blocks the low kick.
Atsushi feinted with a counter takedown.
Royster bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've been hearing reports that Atsushi has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Royster throws a lazy right hand but Atsushi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Royster connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Atsushi's hands.
Royster scores with a three punch combo!
Royster connects with a solid leg kick.
Royster has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Royster throws a body shot but no joy.
A leg kick checked by Royster.
Atsushi lands with a good body shot.
Royster connects with a right hand. Atsushi shakes it off.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Atsushi moves out of range as Royster throws a body kick.
Atsushi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Royster.
Atsushi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Some bone on bone action there as Royster checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jab, jab by Atsushi - just one landing.
Atsushi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Atsushi thuds his shin into the meat of Royster's side.
Royster lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Atsushi misses with a looping left.
Atsushi misses the jab.
Royster now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Atsushi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Royster buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Atsushi tries to move into range but Royster moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Royster cracks Atsushi with an open hand slap.
Royster throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Royster swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Laertes Royster is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Royster takes one on the button.
Atsushi dives in and grabs Royster's left leg, looking for a takedown. Royster pushes down on Atsushi's head and hops out.
Atsushi misses with a body shot.
Royster has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Atsushi finds it's way round the side to connect with Royster's head.
Royster misses with a low kick.
Royster fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Atsushi manages to avoid it.
Royster has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Royster uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Atsushi.
Royster is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Atsushi with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atsushi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Atsushi scoring well with a low kick there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Royster.
A nice leg kick from Atsushi, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Royster.
Atsushi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Royster tries to avoid it but Atsushi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Royster to the ground. Royster escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It seemed like Royster was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Atsushi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Royster sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Royster lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Atsushi at a distance.
Atsushi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Atsushi scores with a jab.
Royster looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
An inside leg kick from Royster misses.
Atsushi with a hook.
Royster displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Royster throws a low kick but Atsushi avoids it.
Good leg kick by Royster.

Atsushi moves into the clinch successfully.
Royster misses with a hook to the ribs.
Royster lands a body shot.
Royster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Atsushi gets through Royster's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Atsushi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Royster gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kuroda Atsushi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Royster lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Atsushi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Atsushi lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi presses Royster against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from Royster.
Royster lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Atsushi backwards.
Atsushi misses with a punch to the body.
Nice body punch from Royster - that landed with a thud.
Royster misses with a hook from the clinch.
Royster lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Atsushi.
Atsushi has a couple of punches blocked by Royster.
Royster lands a left hand.
Royster cracks Atsushi with a nice body shot.
Atsushi has a couple of punches blocked by Royster.
Atsushi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Atsushi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Atsushi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Royster lands a body punch in the clinch.
Royster misses with a body punch.
Royster working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Atsushi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Atsushi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Royster backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atsushi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi tries to work over Royster's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Atsushi blocks a body shot from Royster.
Atsushi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Royster tries to throw a body punch but Atsushi avoids it by throwing Royster back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Royster.
Royster lands with a left to the head.
Atsushi misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Royster.
The referee calls for Royster to work.
Atsushi lands a body shot.
Royster's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Royster digs a right hand into Atsushi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Atsushi's gas tank.
Royster working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Atsushi scores with a shoulder strike.
Come on Royster - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Royster misses with a short punch on the inside.
Royster gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Atsushi.
Royster is defending well against a takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Laertes Royster dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Royster misses with a body shot.
Atsushi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Atsushi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Atsushi stuns Royster with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Royster scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Atsushi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
An attempted straight right counter from Atsushi misses the target.
Royster misses with a body shot.
Atsushi moves out of range of the body kick from Royster.
Atsushi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Royster takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Royster throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Atsushi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Atsushi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Royster.
Royster misses with a hook. Atsushi ducked under it nicely.
Royster changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Atsushi.
Atsushi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A low kick lands for Royster.
Royster with a nice cross.
Royster avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Royster is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Atsushi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi lands with a straight right. Royster didn't see that one coming.
Atsushi throws a good cross that connects.
Decent striking displayed by Royster there.
Atsushi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Royster.
Atsushi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Atsushi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Atsushi is looking to clinch.
Royster connects with the punch.
Atsushi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Royster on the side of the head.
Atsushi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Royster has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Royster moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Royster throws a chopping leg kick but Atsushi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Atsushi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Atsushi throws a leg kick but Royster checks it.
Royster takes one to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atsushi misses the jab.
Royster scores with a hook to the body. Atsushi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The fighters circling - Royster throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Atsushi just misses with a punch to the body.
Royster looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Royster works the jab nicely.
A leg kick checked by Atsushi.
Atsushi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Royster was well out of range. Poor timing from Atsushi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Royster lands with a cross.
Royster throws a leg kick that misses.
Atsushi moves away from the strike by Royster.
Royster throws a lazy right hand but Atsushi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Royster moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Atsushi missing with a left hand there. Royster was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Royster uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Atsushi.
Royster swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Royster is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Royster is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Royster scores with a jab to the jaw.
Atsushi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Atsushi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Atsushi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Royster walks into a stiff left hand from Atsushi.
Royster lands with a hook. Atsushi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Royster pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A clash of legs there as Atsushi blocks the low kick.
Atsushi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Royster counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Royster is looking to chop away at Atsushi's legs.
Atsushi takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi lands with a thumping leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Royster.
Royster connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Atsushi's hands.
Atsushi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Royster lands a jab to the head.
Royster swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Atsushi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Royster misses with a body shot.
Laertes Royster seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Decent striking displayed by Atsushi there.
A big right from Royster misses.
Royster avoids the body shot from Atsushi.
Royster fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Atsushi throws a low kick but Royster moves out of range easily.
Atsushi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Royster connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The fighters circling - Royster throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Royster with the inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Royster connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A swing and a miss from Atsushi.
Atsushi tries to score with a low kick but Royster moves his leg out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Royster lands a leg kick that knocks Atsushi off balance momentarily.
Atsushi looks to throw the jab but Royster is out of range.
Royster ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Atsushi moves away.
Royster misses with an uppercut.
Donk. Atsushi catches Royster right on the button with a cross.
Royster getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Royster checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Royster thuds his right hand into Atsushi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A chopping leg kick lands by Royster.
Royster walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Atsushi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Royster cracks Atsushi with an open hand slap.
Royster misses with a body shot.
Atsushi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Atsushi closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Atsushi.

Atsushi manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Royster struggles to land a body shot inside as Atsushi controls his hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Laertes Royster showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

An inside leg kick lands from Atsushi.
Kuroda Atsushi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Atsushi blocks a leg kick.
Royster misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Atsushi.
Atsushi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Royster swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Royster takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
An inside leg kick lands from Royster.
Royster takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Atsushi shoots in for a takedown but Royster shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Royster connects with a body shot.
Royster moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Royster misses with a hook.
Atsushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Royster wants to slow Atsushi down by chopping away at his legs.
Atsushi misses with a few strikes there.
A little jabbing left from Royster on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
An inside leg kick lands from Royster.
Royster ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice cross by Royster.
Atsushi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Atsushi throws the left hand but Royster avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Atsushi gets the takedown into side control.
Atsushi throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Atsushi tries for a kimura but Royster is defending well.
Atsushi tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Atsushi prevents Royster from escaping the position.
Royster takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Atsushi swings around for an armbar but Royster sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Atsushi's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Royster wants to stand but Atsushi is controlling his posture from full guard.
Atsushi has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Atsushi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Royster is aware though and is defending well.
Atsushi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Royster wants to stand but Atsushi is controlling his posture from full guard.
Royster wants to control from the top but Atsushi keeps moving.
Atsushi controls Royster momentarily but Royster frees himself.
Atsushi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Atsushi landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi wants to control from the top but Royster keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atsushi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Royster trying to control the position here.
Royster is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Royster utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Royster keeping full guard, as Atsushi tries to pass.
Atsushi trying to control the position from guard on top but Royster is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Atsushi passes into half guard.
Atsushi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Royster knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Laertes Royster is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Royster on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kuroda Atsushi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Royster has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Laertes Royster!
A victorious Laertes Royster thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.