PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dominik Dlask (ranked 2123 p4p, 2426 weight class) and Hirata Hitoshi (ranked 266 p4p, 291 weight class). Hirata Hitoshi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dlask
vs
Hitoshi

170 cm
23
163
8 - 7 - 0

173 cm
29
157
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dominik Dlask!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hirata Hitoshi!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dlask clinches up against the cage.
Dlask misses with some punches.
Dlask works on Hitoshi's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dlask.
Dlask lands a nice uppercut.
Hitoshi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dlask.
Hitoshi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Dlask prevents it.
Hitoshi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dlask pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dlask lands a shoulder strike.
Dlask softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Dlask lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hitoshi is looking to take this one to the mat.
Dominik Dlask has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hirata Hitoshi.
Hitoshi lands with a light punch inside.

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

Dlask moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hitoshi swings wildly with an uppercut but Dlask uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitoshi has a couple of punches blocked by Dlask.
Hitoshi is looking for a takedown.
Hitoshi tries to throw a body punch but Dlask avoids it by throwing Hitoshi back against the cage.
Dlask lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hitoshi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Dlask.
Dlask scores with a nice hook to the head.
Dlask presses Hitoshi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hitoshi wants a takedown but no success here.
Dlask lands a hook to the side of the head.

Dlask manages to break the clinch.
Dominik Dlask seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Dlask drives through and clinches with Hitoshi against the cage.
Dlask stops a takedown attempt from Hitoshi.

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

Dlask gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dlask lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dlask gets through Hitoshi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dlask fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Dlask pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hitoshi or perhaps it was just good defense by Dlask, which made it look bad.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hitoshi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dlask gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dlask lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hitoshi.
I was talking to Dlask's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Dlask lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Hitoshi turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hitoshi working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dlask is looking to reverse the position.
Hitoshi working away.

Hitoshi is trying to get an arm triangle but Dlask is defending well.
Dlask is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Dlask's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dlask manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dlask manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
My spies in The Jungle Room inform me that Hitoshi has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dlask keeping full guard, as Hitoshi tries to pass.
Hitoshi advances to half guard.
Dlask wants to control but Hitoshi is keeping busy.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hitoshi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dlask doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hitoshi.
Dlask works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hitoshi preventing the sweep.
Dlask looking to control.
Dlask manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hitoshi manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi controls Dlask momentarily but Dlask frees himself.
Dlask throws a big elbow that misses.
Dlask won't allow Hitoshi to sweep him here.
Dlask throws a big elbow that misses.
Hitoshi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dlask loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dlask is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Dlask missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dlask stands up over Hitoshi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dlask throws a big elbow that misses.
Hitoshi controls Dlask momentarily but Dlask frees himself.
Dlask trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dlask lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Dlask slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dominik Dlask dominated that round.
That's time! Dlask's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Dlask lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hitoshi swings for the body but Dlask moves out of range.

Dlask moves into the clinch successfully.
Hitoshi is working for takedown but Dlask is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hitoshi working aggressively here.
Hitoshi throws a punch but it's blocked by Dlask.
Dlask scores with a shoulder strike.
Hitoshi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dlask is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dlask digs a right hand into Hitoshi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hitoshi's gas tank.
Dlask lands with a light punch inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Dlask.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitoshi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dlask blocking some punches.
Dlask lands with a left to the head.

Dlask breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dlask moves to clinch but Hitoshi breaks away

and Hitoshi counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Dlask!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dlask struggling a bit here.
Dlask is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Dlask manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Dlask seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Dlask thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dlask lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hitoshi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dlask scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dlask throwing shots but Hitoshi is blocking nicely.
Dlask wants to control but Hitoshi is keeping him busy.
Dlask is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Dlask is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hitoshi can do to turn this around?
Dlask wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hitoshi keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi wants to get back to full guard.
Dlask landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hitoshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dlask winds up and cracks Hitoshi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hitoshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dlask lands strikes from half guard.
Dlask working over Hitoshi with some ground and pound. Hitoshi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Dlask connects with a nice short shot to Hitoshi's temple.
Dlask throwing shots but Hitoshi is blocking nicely.
Dlask lands with a punch from half guard.
Hitoshi trying to control from the bottom.
Dlask throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hitoshi is looking to improve his position.
Hitoshi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dlask scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hitoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dlask is trying to control. Hitoshi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hitoshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hitoshi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dlask is working away from the top position though.
Dlask thows a huge punch but Hitoshi dodges it nicely.
Hitoshi is positioning himself well to prevent Dlask advancing to mount.
Dlask slips a nice elbow through Hitoshi's hands, connecting with Hitoshi's forehead.
Dlask missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hitoshi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dlask.
Dlask missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dlask wants to control but Hitoshi is keeping him busy.
Nice strikes from Dlask there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dlask is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dlask seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hitoshi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hitoshi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hitoshi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hitoshi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hitoshi is trying to control the position but Dlask postures up.
Dlask throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dlask wants to control from the top but Hitoshi keeps moving.
Dlask postures up in Hitoshi's guard and throws a big left but Hitoshi blocks it.
Dominik Dlask overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dlask trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dlask missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dlask postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dlask connects with a couple of short punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dominik Dlask dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hitoshi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dlask circles away.
Dlask was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Dlask closes the distance and pushes Hitoshi back into the cage.
Dlask working aggressively here.
Dominik Dlask has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hitoshi working aggressively here.
Hitoshi wants a takedown but no success here.
Dlask lands a nice uppercut.
Hitoshi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dlask is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dominik Dlask has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hirata Hitoshi.
Still in the clinch, Dlask scores with a nice short uppercut.
Dlask throws a head punch that misses.
Dlask lands a body shot.
Dlask lands a left hand.
A short right from Hitoshi on the inside.
Dlask lands a right hand.
Dlask lands with a left to the head.
Dlask lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dlask lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hitoshi backwards.
Hitoshi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dlask lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hitoshi or not.
Dlask is working Hitoshi over against the cage.
Dlask lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dlask lands with a short shot to the head.
Dlask scores with a shoulder strike.
Dlask lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dlask lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dlask working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Dlask lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dlask lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hitoshi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Dlask on the inside.
Hitoshi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dlask fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Dlask gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dlask lands with a left to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hitoshi cracks Dlask with a nice body shot.
Dlask lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hitoshi misses with a punch on the inside.
Hitoshi goes for a takedown attempt but Dlask pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dlask closes the distance and pushes Hitoshi back into the cage.
Hitoshi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dlask lands a left hand.
Dlask lands with a left to the head.
Dlask blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hitoshi takes a shot to the head.
Dlask stops a takedown attempt from Hitoshi.
Hitoshi tries for a takedown but Dlask manages to get underhooks.
A right hand to the body from Dlask.
Dlask lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hitoshi backwards.
Dlask lands a left hand.
Dlask scores with a nice hook to the head.
Dlask pushes Hitoshi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dlask lands a hook that snaps the head of Hitoshi backwards.
Dlask works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Dlask manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dlask clinches up with Hitoshi and pushes him back against the cage.

Dlask breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dlask moves into the clinch.
Dlask gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hitoshi.
Hirata Hitoshi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A body shot lands from Dlask.
A right handed body shot lands from Dlask.
Hitoshi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dlask lands an uppercut.

Dlask escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd cheers as Dlask lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hitoshi doesn't seem phased though.
Dlask stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hitoshi needs to keep his hands up - Dlask had a free shot at his head there.
Dlask lands a jab to Hitoshi's midsection.
Dominik Dlask is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dlask tries to clinch but Hitoshi moves out of range.

Dlask clinches up against the cage.
Hitoshi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dlask pulls his leg out and moves away.

Dlask clinches up with Hitoshi and pushes him back against the cage.
Hitoshi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Hitoshi fails to land.
Dlask lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hitoshi backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hitoshi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dlask blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hitoshi misses with a punch on the inside.
Hitoshi swings wildly with an uppercut but Dlask uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dominik Dlask showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dlask 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dominik Dlask!