PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giro Inhanamoto (ranked 65 p4p, 265 weight class) and Isaac Newton (ranked 9 p4p, 41 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.

Inhanamoto
vs
Newton

192 cm
23
259
13 - 2 - 0

189 cm
30
280
17 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Giro Inhanamoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Isaac Newton!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Inhanamoto cracks Newton with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Newton shoots in for a takedown but Inhanamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Inhanamoto misses with a looping right.
We've been told by Inhanamoto's head coaches at Bushido Martial Arts that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Inhanamoto loads up on a big right hand but Newton slips the punch.
Newton fails with a takedown attempt.
Inhanamoto appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Inhanamoto. Newton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Inhanamoto slips a jab from Newton.
Newton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Newton is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Giro Inhanamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Inhanamoto.
Newton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Inhanamoto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Inhanamoto lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Newton keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Inhanamoto.
A telegraphed right hand from Inhanamoto misses the target.
Newton drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.
Newton misses with an uppercut.
Inhanamoto is looking to counter punch.
Inhanamoto lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Inhanamoto is fending him off so far but Newton persists. Nope, Inhanamoto circles away and we're back to standing.
Giro Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Newton.
Newton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Inhanamoto doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Inhanamoto misses the shot to the body.
Newton misses with a takedown attempt - Inhanamoto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As Newton looks to move away, Inhanamoto throws a big counter combo but Newton just gets out of the way.
Inhanamoto sizes up Newton with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton misses with a body punch
and Inhanamoto counters with a left to the body.

Newton scores with a takedown into Inhanamoto's guard.

Newton drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Inhanamoto dives on top into guard.

Newton trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Newton looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Newton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Newton working a defensive guard here.
Inhanamoto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Inhanamoto preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Newton is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Inhanamoto is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Giro Inhanamoto dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Newton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Inhanamoto.
Inhanamoto throws a right hand that misses

and Newton counters with a nice double leg into side control. Inhanamoto won't be happy with that.

Inhanamoto explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Newton looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Inhanamoto!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Inhanamoto is looking to reverse the position.
Inhanamoto stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Inhanamoto struggling a bit here.
Newton throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Inhanamoto to see if he's OK.
Inhanamoto regains half guard.
Newton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Newton wants to control but Inhanamoto is keeping him busy.
Newton uses his free foot to push down on Inhanamoto's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Inhanamoto.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Newton cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Newton in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

It looks like Giro Inhanamoto has been cut.
My spies in Monkey Magic inform me that Newton has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Newton lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Inhanamoto wants to control but Newton is having none of it.
Newton prevents Inhanamoto from getting the reversal.
Newton trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newton looking to finish with strikes here!
Inhanamoto keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Newton looking to control but Inhanamoto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Newton moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Inhanamoto has worked his arm free - good work by Inhanamoto!
Newton in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Newton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Inhanamoto keeps working.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Inhanamoto here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Inhanamoto regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Newton throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Inhanamoto is staying active underneath Newton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Newton is looking to stall here but Inhanamoto recovers full guard.
Newton throws a big elbow that misses.
Inhanamoto working a defensive guard here.
Newton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Inhanamoto is keeping the position for now.
Inhanamoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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.
Newton is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Inhanamoto keeping moving, preventing Newton from controlling successfully.
Inhanamoto working a defensive guard here.
Newton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Inhanamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Newton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Inhanamoto misses the target.
Inhanamoto doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Newton misses with a takedown attempt - Inhanamoto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Isaac Newton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Giro Inhanamoto's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Inhanamoto displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Inhanamoto connects with a body shot that sends Newton's belly button to the back.
Inhanamoto looks to land a right hand but Newton moved out of range.
Newton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Inhanamoto sprawls well. Inhanamoto wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Newton gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Inhanamoto was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Newton.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newton punishes Inhanamoto's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Newton misses with a hook to the body
enabling Inhanamoto to counter with a crisp jab.
Newton is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Inhanamoto rather than just go for the knockout.
Inhanamoto misses with a two punch combination.
Newton scores with a jab to the body.
Inhanamoto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto ducks under a wild hook from Newton.
Inhanamoto is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A slow jab from Inhanamoto misses its intended target.
Newton with the counter takedown but Inhanamoto avoids it easily.
Nice cross by Inhanamoto.
Newton connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Inhanamoto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Newton.
Newton throws a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Newton tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Newton throws a body punch but Inhanamoto moves out of range.
Newton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Giro Inhanamoto is winning the standup battle so far.
Newton lands a nice shot to the body.
Newton ducks under a wild hook from Inhanamoto.
Newton lands with a nice body punch.
Inhanamoto throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Inhanamoto takes a swing at Newton's ribcage but misses.
Inhanamoto leaves Newton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Giro Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Newton.
Newton swings for the body but Inhanamoto moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Newton darts in looking for a takedown but Inhanamoto gets double underhooks and turns Newton into the cage.
Inhanamoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Newton.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Giro Inhanamoto clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Giro Inhanamoto's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Inhanamoto tests Newton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Inhanamoto misses with a looping left.
Newton tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Inhanamoto lands with a shot to the body.
Newton just misses with a punch to the body.
Newton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inhanamoto throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Newton.
Newton misses with a wild body shot.
Newton misses with a left hand
and Inhanamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton misses with a body shot
and Inhanamoto counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Inhanamoto connects with a crisp jab.
Newton has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Inhanamoto. Newton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Newton feints the counter takedown.
Newton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A shot to the body from Newton misses
and Inhanamoto counters with a straight right hand.
Newton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Inhanamoto swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newton closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Inhanamoto quickly recovers to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Newton is trying to control the action in half guard but Inhanamoto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Newton stops Inhanamoto from getting back to his feet.
Inhanamoto has hold of Newton's hands but Newton slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Newton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Inhanamoto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Inhanamoto is pressing down on Newton's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Inhanamoto keeping moving, preventing Newton from controlling successfully.
Newton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Inhanamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Inhanamoto wants to stand and escape but Newton is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton is looking to work some ground and pound but Inhanamoto has wrist control.
Newton trying to control but Inhanamoto is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Newton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Inhanamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Newton.
Inhanamoto throws a body punch but Newton moves out of range.
Newton tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Newton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Inhanamoto.
Newton with a lazy takedown attempt
and Inhanamoto counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Newton thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto scores with a jab to the head.
Nice straight punches there by Inhanamoto. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Inhanamoto.
Newton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Inhanamoto.
Inhanamoto throws a jab when Newton was well out of range.
Newton drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.
Inhanamoto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Inhanamoto scores with a three punch combo!
Newton takes a shot to the body in his stride.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Giro Inhanamoto had his way with Isaac Newton in that round.
The cut man is working on Giro Inhanamoto's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Newton looks to land a left hand but Inhanamoto moved out of range nicely.
Inhanamoto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Newton under the eye.
Newton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Inhanamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Newton manages to avoid it.
Newton drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.
A head kick from Inhanamoto lands but Newton takes it in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inhanamoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Newton moves away.
Newton changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Inhanamoto throws a jab when Newton was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Inhanamoto misses.
Newton with a lazy takedown attempt
and Inhanamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Newton throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Newton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Inhanamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Newton somewhat.
Inhanamoto throwing a counter right hand but Newton manages to avoid it.
Inhanamoto bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto scores with a nice head shot.
Inhanamoto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Newton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Inhanamoto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Giro Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Newton.
Newton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Inhanamoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Newton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Inhanamoto manages to avoid it.
Inhanamoto lands with a straight right. Newton didn't see that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Inhanamoto misses the target.
Newton misses with a takedown attempt - Inhanamoto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It looked like Inhanamoto wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Isaac Newton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Newton ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newton moves out of range of the strikes.
Newton is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Inhanamoto loads up on a big right hand but Newton slips the punch.
Newton misses the shot to the body.
Newton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A quick step to the side and Inhanamoto tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Newton takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Inhanamoto scores with a jab to the head.
Newton lands a slapping body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Giro Inhanamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Inhanamoto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 49:46

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