PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Liko Dares (ranked 1389 p4p, 2232 weight class) and Aiko Inhanamoto (ranked 185 p4p, 275 weight class). Dares kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is I Saw the Sign. Inhanamoto comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Veruca Salt - "Stoneface" kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Aiko Inhanamoto has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Dares
vs
Inhanamoto

184 cm
27
177
10 - 5 - 0

178 cm
26
182
7 - 1 - 2

Good wrestling
Good knees
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Brooklyn Apothecary
Fantasy Threads

Seventh Circle Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liko Dares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Aiko Inhanamoto!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Inhanamoto misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Inhanamoto misses the target.

Dares has managed to clinch.
Inhanamoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dares misses with a knee strike.
Inhanamoto managing to block the knees to the body from Dares.
Dares tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dares connects with a knee to the head.
Dares scores with a knee to the head.
Dares tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dares trying to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
Inhanamoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dares throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dares lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Dares tries to land a knee to the head but Inhanamoto blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dares throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Inhanamoto blocks it with crossed arms.
Inhanamoto is trying to break the clinch but Dares is controlling him.
Inhanamoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Inhanamoto is trying to force a seperation but Dares has the dominant position.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
Dares is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dares is trying to maintain a safe position but Inhanamoto gets an underhook and turns Dares into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Inhanamoto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
Dares trying to land knees to the body.
Dares landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Dares tries to land knees in the clinch but Inhanamoto avoids the damage to the body.
Dares looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Dares leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dares lands a good knee to the midsection. Inhanamoto won't want to take too many of those.
Inhanamoto wants to break free but Dares has control.
Dares is struggling to control the position.
Inhanamoto wants to get back to striking at distance but Dares won't allow it.
Dares tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Inhanamoto avoids it.
Inhanamoto wants to get back to striking at distance but Dares won't allow it.
Dares tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Inhanamoto avoids it.
Dares using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Inhanamoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dares misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Inhanamoto.

Inhanamoto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Inhanamoto scores with a hook to the body. Dares takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Inhanamoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Inhanamoto avoids the head kick by Dares.
Dares slips a straight right by Inhanamoto.
Dares scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Inhanamoto.
A punch combination from Inhanamoto misses.
A solid body kick from Dares.
Dares lands with a slapping head kick.
Dares lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Dares lands a nice looking body kick.
Dares lands with a slapping head kick.
Dares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Inhanamoto throws out the jab.
Dares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Inhanamoto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dares lands with a thumping leg kick.
Dares throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dares lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dares defending well as Inhanamoto loads up on a big left hand.
Inhanamoto misses with a wild combination.
Inhanamoto misses with a straight right.
Dares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Inhanamoto.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dares.
Dares throws a head kick but Inhanamoto moves out of range.
Dares lands a head kick!
Inhanamoto has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Dares.
Dares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Dares explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Dares instigates a clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Liko Dares dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Inhanamoto tries to keep at a distance but Dares has taken the fight into the clinch.
Dares using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Inhanamoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Inhanamoto wants to break free but Dares has control.
Dares with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Liko Dares has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Inhanamoto tries to break the clinch but Dares is controlling the position.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
Inhanamoto has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Dares seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Inhanamoto can turn it around.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dares obliges.
Dares lands a knee to the body.
Dares connects with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dares obliges.
Dares with a knee to the head.
Inhanamoto avoiding damage as Dares throws knees to the body.
Inhanamoto is breathing heavily.
Inhanamoto avoiding damage as Dares throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dares tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dares misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Inhanamoto.
Dares misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Inhanamoto.
Dares tries to land knees in the clinch but Inhanamoto avoids the damage to the body.
Dares trying to land knees to the body.
Inhanamoto managing to block the knees to the body from Dares.
Dares missing with knees to the body.
Dares is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Dares taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Dares missing with knees to the body.
Dares tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Inhanamoto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dares has him pressed against the cage.
Inhanamoto managing to block the knees to the body from Dares.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto avoiding damage as Dares throws knees to the body.
Inhanamoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Inhanamoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Inhanamoto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Inhanamoto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Inhanamoto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dares keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Inhanamoto's efforts to push away.
Dares crunches a lovely knee into Inhanamoto's ribcage.
Inhanamoto avoiding damage as Dares throws knees to the body.
Inhanamoto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dares misses with a knee to the head.
Dares is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Inhanamoto can do to turn this around?
Dares with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
Inhanamoto tries to break the clinch but Dares is controlling the position.
Inhanamoto is trying to break the clinch but Dares is controlling him.
Dares is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Dares keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Inhanamoto's efforts to push away.
Inhanamoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Inhanamoto is trying to break the clinch but Dares has him pressed against the cage.
Dares throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Inhanamoto blocks it with crossed arms.
Dares missing with knees to the body.
Dares trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Inhanamoto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dares with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dares has Inhanamoto pressed against the cage, preventing Inhanamoto from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dares throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dares with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dares with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A bit of stalling here from Dares.
Dares using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Inhanamoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
Dares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Inhanamoto is defending well for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Inhanamoto is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dares misses with a knee strike.
Dares tries to land knees in the clinch but Inhanamoto avoids the damage to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Liko Dares dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! 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.

Inhanamoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dares lands a nice looking body kick.
Inhanamoto misses with a hook. Dares ducked under it nicely.
Dares lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Inhanamoto cracks Dares with a good jab.
A thudding body kick lands there by Dares!
Inhanamoto has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Dares.
Dares looks to land a body kick but Inhanamoto moved away.
Inhanamoto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Inhanamoto misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dares takes a shot to the body in his stride.
An inside leg kick lands from Dares.
Dares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Inhanamoto.

Dares has closed the distance and engaged Inhanamoto in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Inhanamoto is looking to break free of the clinch but Dares has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dares looking to throw knees to the head but Inhanamoto is blocking nicely.
Dares slows down the pace here.
Dares tries to land a knee to the head but Inhanamoto blocks with his arms.
Inhanamoto takes a knee to the side of the body.
Dares utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Inhanamoto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Inhanamoto wants to break free but Dares has control.
Dares has Inhanamoto pressed against the cage, preventing Inhanamoto from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dares is trying to pull guard but Inhanamoto turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dares landing knees to the head.
Dares lands a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dares stalls.
Dares will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Inhanamoto up against the cage.
Dares is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Aiko Inhanamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liko Dares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A frustrated look appears on Inhanamoto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Inhanamoto tries to circle away but Dares has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto working hard to break the clinch.
Inhanamoto wants to break free but Dares has control.
Inhanamoto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dares lands a knee to the body.
Inhanamoto wants to get back to striking at distance but Dares won't allow it.
Dares stalls.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Inhanamoto breaks from the clinch.
Dares lands a head kick. Inhanamoto smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Liko Dares is winning the standup battle so far.
Dares scoring well with a low kick there.
Inhanamoto's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dares lands a head kick!
Inhanamoto looks to land a combination but Dares avoids it well.
Dares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dares tries to clinch but Inhanamoto is having none of it.
A nice side step and Inhanamoto releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Inhanamoto looks to throw the jab but Dares is out of range.
Dares is looking to counter the offense by Inhanamoto and move into the clinch.
Inhanamoto looks to land a right hand but Dares moved out of range.
Inhanamoto lands a nice hook to Dares's body. Dares takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liko Dares showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dares, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:26
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liko Dares!
Liko Dares bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.