PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin (ranked 565 p4p, 1542 weight class) and Hirata Hitoshi (ranked 65 p4p, 169 weight class). Iwaga Genochin comes to the cage accompanied by Majinahanashi. Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Iwaga Genochin
vs
Hitoshi

175 cm
28
150
10 - 5 - 0

173 cm
28
157
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight 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, Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hirata Hitoshi!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iwaga Genochin misses with a wild body shot.
Hitoshi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Iwaga Genochin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hitoshi somewhat.
Iwaga Genochin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Iwaga Genochin swings away with a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitoshi slips under a jab from Iwaga Genochin.
Iwaga Genochin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Iwaga Genochin moves away from the strike by Hitoshi.
Iwaga Genochin misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwaga Genochin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hitoshi checks a leg kick.
Nice jab there from Iwaga Genochin.
Hitoshi dodges the punch combination from Iwaga Genochin.
Iwaga Genochin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Iwaga Genochin connects with a crisp jab.
Hitoshi blocks a leg kick.
Hitoshi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hitoshi misses the jab.
Iwaga Genochin's corner calls for a 1-2. Iwaga Genochin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Iwaga Genochin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hitoshi's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Hitoshi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hitoshi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Iwaga Genochin can pounce on him.

Hitoshi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Iwaga Genochin to the mat! Iwaga Genochin manages to get full guard.

Iwaga Genochin is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch on the inside from Hitoshi fails to land.
Stalling in the clinch from Iwaga Genochin.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Iwaga Genochin.
Iwaga Genochin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hitoshi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Iwaga Genochin scores with a shot to the side of Hitoshi's head.

Iwaga Genochin manages to break the clinch.
Iwaga Genochin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Iwaga Genochin wants it to stay on the feet.
Iwaga Genochin appears to be looking for a big counter.
Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hirata Hitoshi.
Hitoshi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Hitoshi with that takedown attempt.
Iwaga Genochin connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hitoshi's hands.
Jab from Iwaga Genochin.
Hitoshi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Iwaga Genochin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Iwaga Genochin throws a chopping leg kick but Hitoshi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hitoshi walks into a straight right hand from Iwaga Genochin.
Iwaga Genochin misses with a double jab.
Iwaga Genochin lands a slapping body shot.
A nice leg kick from Iwaga Genochin, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwaga Genochin with a jab.
Hitoshi takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Iwaga Genochin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hitoshi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hitoshi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hitoshi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Iwaga Genochin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hitoshi.
Iwaga Genochin connects with a single shot there.
Hitoshi has a takedown stuffed.
Iwaga Genochin lands a jab-cross combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

A jab from Iwaga Genochin does it's job there.
Iwaga Genochin cracks Hitoshi with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hitoshi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hitoshi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Iwaga Genochin misses with a body shot.
Iwaga Genochin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hitoshi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iwaga Genochin throws a lazy right hand but Hitoshi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Iwaga Genochin delivers a nice body kick.

Hitoshi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwaga Genochin pushes Hitoshi away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hitoshi gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Hitoshi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Iwaga Genochin has escaped the position, nice work there.

Hitoshi swings around for an armbar but Iwaga Genochin sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hitoshi's guard.
Iwaga Genochin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hitoshi's guard.

Iwaga Genochin stands up from Hitoshi's guard - Iwaga Genochin perhaps looking for a knockout.
Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin is winning the standup battle so far.
Iwaga Genochin lands a nice looking body shot.
Iwaga Genochin scores with the left hand. Hitoshi knows he should have avoided that one.
Iwaga Genochin getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hitoshi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hitoshi moves out of range of the body kick from Iwaga Genochin.
Hitoshi moves forwards but Iwaga Genochin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hitoshi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Iwaga Genochin cracks Hitoshi with an open hand slap.
A bone on bone clash there as Hitoshi blocks the leg kick.
Hitoshi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Iwaga Genochin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hitoshi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Iwaga Genochin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hitoshi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iwaga Genochin scores with a sloppy right hand. Hitoshi should have avoided that one.
Iwaga Genochin with the inside leg kick.
Iwaga Genochin looks to land a left hand but Hitoshi moved out of range nicely.
Hitoshi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Iwaga Genochin is fending him off so far but Hitoshi persists. Nope, Iwaga Genochin circles away and we're back to standing.
Iwaga Genochin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Iwaga Genochin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hitoshi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Iwaga Genochin circles away.
Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hirata Hitoshi.
Iwaga Genochin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hitoshi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Iwaga Genochin lands with a kick to the ribs.
Hitoshi is looking to clinch but Iwaga Genochin is avoiding it.
Hitoshi wants to clinch up but Iwaga Genochin keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwaga Genochin looks to land a combination. Hitoshi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Iwaga Genochin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A leg kick checked by Hitoshi.
Iwaga Genochin connects with a crisp jab.
Iwaga Genochin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hitoshi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hitoshi looks to clinch
and Iwaga Genochin counters with a straight right hand.
A big left from Iwaga Genochin misses.
Hitoshi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Iwaga Genochin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Iwaga Genochin is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Iwaga Genochin.
Iwaga Genochin looks to land a right hand but Hitoshi moved out of range.
Hitoshi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Iwaga Genochin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hitoshi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Iwaga Genochin works the jab nicely.
Hitoshi tries to clinch up but Iwaga Genochin circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitoshi tries for a takedown but Iwaga Genochin circles away easily
and Iwaga Genochin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Iwaga Genochin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hitoshi can do to turn this around?
Iwaga Genochin's corner calls for a 1-2. Iwaga Genochin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitoshi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Iwaga Genochin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hitoshi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hitoshi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Iwaga Genochin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hitoshi has time to react.
Iwaga Genochin throws a sloppy head kick and Hitoshi moves out of range easily.

Hitoshi drives through and clinches with Iwaga Genochin against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hitoshi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Iwaga Genochin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hirata Hitoshi.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hitoshi.

Iwaga Genochin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hitoshi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Iwaga Genochin is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Hitoshi is controlling him well.

Hitoshi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Hitoshi goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Iwaga Genochin has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hitoshi but great work by Iwaga Genochin.
Hitoshi is not content to let Iwaga Genochin control the position.
Hitoshi can't do much from the bottom here.
Iwaga Genochin tries to stand but Hitoshi is controlling his head.
Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hitoshi prevents Iwaga Genochin from moving into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iwaga Genochin wants to stand but Hitoshi has his arm trapped.
Hitoshi is trying to escape the position but Iwaga Genochin is controlling the position.
Hirata Hitoshi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hitoshi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Iwaga Genochin is looking to take a break and control but Hitoshi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hitoshi is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hitoshi keeps trying to improve his position.
Iwaga Genochin tries to stand but Hitoshi is controlling his head.

Iwaga Genochin decides to stand back up. Iwaga Genochin steps back and let's Hitoshi get back to his feet.
Hitoshi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Iwaga Genochin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Iwaga Genochin with the inside leg kick.
Hitoshi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Iwaga Genochin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Iwaga Genochin 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:26
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin!
After winning the bout, Sam Hiro Iwaga Genochin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.