PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yuki Shojumaru (ranked 3695 p4p, 3581 weight class) and Reece Cooley (ranked 204 p4p, 198 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shojumaru
vs
Cooley

150 cm
27
140
5 - 4 - 1

160 cm
25
145
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Good knees
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuki Shojumaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Reece Cooley!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shojumaru swats away the attempt to clinch by Cooley.
Cooley closes the distance but Shojumaru moves to the side
and Shojumaru counters with a stiff right hand.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shojumaru looks to land a right hand but Cooley moved out of range.
Shojumaru avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shojumaru throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Cooley to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Yuki Shojumaru has been cut.
Shojumaru looks to throw the jab but Cooley is out of range.
Cooley scores with a shot to the body.

Cooley darts in and clinches Shojumaru up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Cooley fails to land.
Cooley blocks the elbow strike.
Shojumaru is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cooley is defending well for now.
Cooley controlling the action here for a moment.
Shojumaru misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shojumaru landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojumaru.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shojumaru prevents a body shot from Cooley.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shojumaru obliges.
Cooley looks winded!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shojumaru.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooley tries to stall but Shojumaru uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Shojumaru scores with a knee to the head.
Nice body punch from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru avoiding damage.
Shojumaru lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shojumaru connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cooley's face.
A right hook to the body lands for Shojumaru.
Shojumaru tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cooley avoids it.
Shojumaru utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Cooley stalling in the clinch but Shojumaru improves position.
Shojumaru leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short right from Shojumaru on the inside.
Shojumaru throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shojumaru throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cooley blocks it with crossed arms.
Cooley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cooley looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Shojumaru misses with an elbow over the top.
Good body shot from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shojumaru tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shojumaru tries to work over Cooley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right handed body shot lands from Shojumaru.

Cooley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Cooley rushes Shojumaru and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shojumaru with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cooley misses with a body punch.
Shojumaru blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru is stalling here.
Cooley misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shojumaru.
A short right from Shojumaru.
Cooley throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Cooley fails to land.
Cooley throws a punch but it's blocked by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru with a knee to the head.
Shojumaru misses with an elbow over the top.
Shojumaru working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shojumaru stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Cooley tries to stall but Shojumaru uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Shojumaru softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cooley misses with some punches.
Shojumaru tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cooley looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cooley wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shojumaru blocks a body shot from Cooley.
A nice left hand lands by Shojumaru.
Cooley lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru pushes Cooley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shojumaru scores with a hook to the body.
Shojumaru is working Cooley over against the cage.
Cooley lands a shoulder strike.
Shojumaru lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shojumaru swings wildly with an uppercut but Cooley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shojumaru prevents a body shot from Cooley.
Shojumaru misses with an elbow over the top.
Shojumaru is leaning against Cooley and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojumaru putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cooley in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shojumaru digs a right hand into Cooley's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cooley's gas tank.
Shojumaru lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shojumaru using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cooley takes a knee to the side of the body.
Shojumaru lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Shojumaru scores with a nice short uppercut.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shojumaru is leaning against Cooley and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojumaru.
Shojumaru lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shojumaru lands a body punch in the clinch.
Shojumaru misses with an elbow strike.
Nice body punch from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cooley lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shojumaru.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shojumaru is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Shojumaru as the two fighters clinch.
Shojumaru lands a shot to the body.
Shojumaru lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shojumaru lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Shojumaru dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yuki Shojumaru's cut.
That's time! Shojumaru's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cooley gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Shojumaru.
Cooley tries to clinch but Shojumaru moves out of range.
Shojumaru digs a good body shot into Cooley's ribs.

Shojumaru tries to keep at a distance but Cooley has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cooley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojumaru's elbow.
Cooley throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shojumaru lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cooley.
Shojumaru blocks an uppercut.
Shojumaru using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Shojumaru scores with a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Shojumaru.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shojumaru misses with a knee strike.
Shojumaru lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shojumaru working Cooley over with knees to the body.
Cooley is breathing heavily.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cooley.
A frustrated look appears on Cooley's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shojumaru just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cooley's brow.
A body shot lands from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru misses with a knee to the head.
Shojumaru misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cooley lands a left hand.
Yuki Shojumaru has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shojumaru lands a shoulder strike.
Shojumaru is leaning against Cooley and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shojumaru lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cooley has a couple of punches blocked by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru crunches a lovely knee into Cooley's ribcage.
Shojumaru struggles to land a body shot inside as Cooley controls his hands.
A short right from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Shojumaru lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shojumaru lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cooley avoids a wild elbow strike from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Shojumaru.
Shojumaru misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shojumaru tries to land knees in the clinch but Cooley avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cooley misses with a punch on the inside.
Cooley swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojumaru uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shojumaru lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru lands a knee to the head.
Shojumaru scores a nice knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shojumaru is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cooley can do to turn this around?
Cooley tries to throw a body punch but Shojumaru avoids it by throwing Cooley back against the cage.
Shojumaru stalls.
Cooley blocking some punches.
Shojumaru pushes Cooley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shojumaru lands a shot to the body.
A short left from Shojumaru.
Cooley blocks a body shot from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru blocks a body shot from Cooley.
Cooley swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojumaru uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooley prevents a body shot from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shojumaru landing knees to the head.
Shojumaru lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shojumaru doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shojumaru blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cooley digs a right hand into Shojumaru's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shojumaru's gas tank.
Shojumaru misses with the head strike.
Shojumaru scores with a nice hook to the head.
Shojumaru tries a body shot but Cooley blocks it.
Cooley blocks a body shot from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cooley misses with a body punch.
Shojumaru prevents a body shot from Cooley.
Shojumaru tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cooley struggles to land a body shot inside as Shojumaru controls his hands.
Cooley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojumaru's elbow.
Shojumaru blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojumaru pushes Cooley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shojumaru lands a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shojumaru.
Cooley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shojumaru lands a body shot in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru scores with a shot to the side of Cooley's head.
Shojumaru looking to slow down the pace here.
Shojumaru lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cooley blocks an elbow strike.
Shojumaru tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cooley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojumaru's elbow.
Shojumaru misses with a knee strike.
Cooley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shojumaru blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shojumaru.
Cooley misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shojumaru creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cooley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Shojumaru dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yuki Shojumaru's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Shojumaru misses with a wild body shot.
It seemed like Cooley was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Shojumaru listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Shojumaru avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cooley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cooley looks to land a left hand but Shojumaru moved out of range nicely.
Cooley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A slow jab from Cooley misses its intended target.
Shojumaru misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cooley.
Cooley lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cooley moves out of range as Shojumaru strikes.
Cooley is looking to clinch.
Shojumaru swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojumaru throws a body shot but no joy.
Shojumaru works Cooley's body with a nice hook.
Shojumaru misses the jab.
Cooley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shojumaru misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shojumaru cracks Cooley with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cooley tries to clinch but Shojumaru moves out of range.
Shojumaru keeps the fight on the outside.
Cooley tries to clinch but Shojumaru moves away
and Shojumaru counters with a straight right hand.

Cooley closes the distance and clinches.
Shojumaru landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cooley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A hook to the body from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru lands a knee to the body.
Shojumaru looking to throw knees to the head but Cooley is blocking nicely.
Shojumaru putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cooley in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru is working Cooley over against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Shojumaru - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Shojumaru unloads a knee to the mid-section.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shojumaru holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cooley throws a punch but it's blocked by Shojumaru.
Reece Cooley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojumaru misses with a short punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Shojumaru.
Cooley fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shojumaru lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Shojumaru.
Cooley tries a body shot but Shojumaru blocks it.
Shojumaru tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shojumaru blocks an uppercut.
Cooley struggles to land a body shot inside as Shojumaru controls his hands.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shojumaru obliges.
Shojumaru connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cooley's face.
Shojumaru lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shojumaru lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shojumaru throws an elbow but misses.
Shojumaru with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Shojumaru struggles to land a body shot inside as Cooley controls his hands.
Cooley has a couple of punches blocked by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cooley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cooley tries to work over Shojumaru's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shojumaru blocks a body shot from Cooley.
Shojumaru blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Cooley fails to land.
Shojumaru tries a knee to the head but Cooley blocks it.
Shojumaru lands with a short shot to the head.
Cooley is trying to stall.
Shojumaru can't find room to land a body shot as Cooley controls the action.
Shojumaru lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shojumaru misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shojumaru is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Cooley softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cooley throws a head punch that misses.
Shojumaru landing knees to the body.
Cooley working aggressively here.
Cooley misses with the head strike.
Shojumaru struggles to land a body shot inside as Cooley controls his hands.
Cooley fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cooley throws a punch but it's blocked by Shojumaru.
Cooley avoids the elbow strike from Shojumaru, against the cage.
Cooley swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojumaru uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cooley can't find room to land a body shot as Shojumaru controls the action.
Shojumaru blocks a body shot from Cooley.
Cooley misses with some punches.
Shojumaru lands a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shojumaru tries a body shot but Cooley blocks it.
A hook to the body from Shojumaru.
Cooley scores with a shoulder strike.
Cooley wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cooley.
Shojumaru with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shojumaru misses with a punch to the body.
Cooley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojumaru's elbow.
Shojumaru blocks a body shot from Cooley.
Cooley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yuki Shojumaru is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head punch on the inside from Cooley fails to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuki Shojumaru showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shojumaru has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuki Shojumaru!