PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yuuji Hoshino (ranked 559 p4p, 1493 weight class) and Sonny Barella (ranked 38 p4p, 111 weight class). Yuuji Hoshino is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Hoshino
vs
Barella

168 cm
33
140
17 - 10 - 0

167 cm
28
135
11 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuuji Hoshino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sonny Barella!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Hoshino.
Barella doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hoshino moves into the clinch.
Hoshino misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoshino.
Barella blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hoshino lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hoshino keeps control of Barella as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Hoshino scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hoshino throws a punch but it's blocked by Barella.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoshino misses with a body punch.
Barella prevents a body shot from Hoshino.
Barella wants to get back to striking at distance but Hoshino won't allow it.
Barella tries to break the clinch but Hoshino is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino working aggressively here.
Hoshino presses Barella against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hoshino lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hoshino scores with a shoulder strike.
Barella is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hoshino to keep the fight standing.
Hoshino lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Barella.
Hoshino doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Hoshino.
Hoshino holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Barella is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hoshino is defending well.
Yuuji Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Barella.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino lands with a right to the head.
Hoshino manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoshino.
Barella blocks the elbow strike.
Barella blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoshino lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hoshino is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino pushes off an throws an elbow but Barella leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hoshino taking a breather.
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hoshino lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hoshino lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hoshino has a couple of punches blocked by Barella.
Hoshino pushes Barella back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barella tries to pull guard but Hoshino forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Barella blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino lands a right hand.
I was talking to Hoshino's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hoshino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Barella can't get the takedown.
Hoshino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Barella jumps guard but Hoshino turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hoshino working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hoshino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hoshino lands an elbow inside that Barella shrugs off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoshino tries to work over Barella's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Hoshino.
Barella is trying to force a seperation but Hoshino has the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuuji Hoshino dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hoshino fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've been informed that Barella has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Sonny Barella is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hoshino fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barella throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hoshino sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hoshino is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barella can do to turn this around?
Hoshino blocks a head kick by Barella.
Barella swings for the body but Hoshino moves out of range.
Barella swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hoshino counters with a nice uppercut.
Barella misses the shot to the body.
Sonny Barella seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barella misses with a body shot.
Hoshino takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Barella tests Hoshino's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd cheers as Hoshino lands an impressive looking overhand right. Barella doesn't seem phased though.

Hoshino closes the distance and pushes Barella back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barella blocking some punches.
Hoshino gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Barella changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hoshino fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barella throws a right and a left that Hoshino avoids nicely.
It looked like Hoshino wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Barella pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barella scores with a hook to the body. Hoshino takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Barella shoots in looking for a takedown but Hoshino manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barella's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barella fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Yuuji Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Barella.
Barella throws a body punch but Hoshino moves out of range.
Hoshino throwing a counter right hand but Barella manages to avoid it.
Yuuji Hoshino is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barella takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hoshino lunges at Barella with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barella's hand.
Barella misses with a jab to the body

and Hoshino holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hoshino throws a punch but it's blocked by Barella.
Hoshino lands with a left to the head.
Hoshino misses with an elbow over the top.
Hoshino scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barella is trying to break the clinch but Hoshino has him pressed against the cage.
Barella blocking some punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hoshino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barella's elbow.
Barella takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hoshino lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Barella or not.
Yuuji Hoshino has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hoshino stalls.
Barella blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice elbow from Hoshino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Barella is trying to pull guard but Hoshino has him pressed against the cage.
Barella blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoshino misses with a body punch.
Hoshino lands a right hand.
Hoshino effectively controlling the action here.
Barella jumps guard but Hoshino stands there with Barella around his waist. Barella gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hoshino lands a damaging elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Hoshino scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hoshino lands an elbow inside.
Barella tries to break free but Hoshino pushes him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Barella tries for a takedown but Hoshino manages to get underhooks.
Hoshino lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Barella backwards.
Barella jumps guard but Hoshino stands there with Barella around his waist. Barella gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hoshino misses with some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuuji Hoshino 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!

Barella throws a sloppy body shot
and Hoshino counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Barella looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range.
Nice body punch from Barella.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hoshino!

Barella tries to keep at a distance but Hoshino has taken the fight into the clinch.
Barella fails to pull guard.
Hoshino misses with a punch on the inside.
Barella tries for a takedown but Hoshino manages to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barella blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hoshino.
A head punch on the inside from Hoshino fails to land.
Hoshino lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands a nice uppercut.
Barella jumps guard but Hoshino stands there with Barella around his waist. Barella gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Yuuji Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Barella.
Hoshino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Barella has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hoshino uses from the top position.

Hoshino gets to his feet - Barella follows without any prompting.
Barella blocks a head kick by Hoshino.
Hoshino with the inside leg kick.
Barella throws a body shot but no joy.
Hoshino with a nice cross.
Barella misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Barella misses.
Barella throws a sloppy body shot
and Hoshino counters with a head kick. That will keep Barella thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barella lunges at Hoshino with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hoshino's hand.
The crowd cheers as Hoshino lands an impressive looking overhand right. Barella doesn't seem phased though.
Barella tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hoshino swivels and escapes.
Hoshino swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Barella fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hoshino is looking to counter the offense by Barella and move into the clinch.
Hoshino uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barella.
Hoshino takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barella throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hoshino defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barella.
Hoshino tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Barella manages to circle out of the way.
Barella takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barella tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hoshino.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hoshino.
Hoshino lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barella misses with a body shot
and Barella takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Hoshino drives through and clinches with Barella against the cage.
Barella wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A nice left hand lands by Hoshino.
Barella is trying to pull guard but Hoshino turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hoshino misses with the head strike.
Barella tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hoshino just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hoshino lands with a right to the head.
Barella is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hoshino to keep the fight standing.
Barella takes a shot to the head.
Barella tries to pull guard but Hoshino forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A short left from Hoshino.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino stalling against the cage.
Hoshino lands a hook to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Hoshino.
Hoshino can't find room to land a body shot as Barella controls the action.
Yuuji Hoshino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head punch on the inside from Hoshino fails to land.
Sonny Barella has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hoshino lands a body punch in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barella tries to pull guard but Hoshino won't allow it.
Barella wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Hoshino.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuuji Hoshino showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hoshino, 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuuji Hoshino!
Yuuji Hoshino decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.