PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Naoki Kitano (ranked 2518 p4p, 2437 weight class) and James Leary (ranked 177 p4p, 168 weight class). Kitano comes to the cage accompanied by TMGE - Drop. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kitano
vs
Leary

170 cm
19
145
3 - 1 - 0

172 cm
19
140
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Wrestler Wayfare

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Naoki Kitano!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Leary!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Chris Dean and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leary misses with a looping right.
An attempted straight right counter from Kitano misses the target.
Kitano lands an overhand right.
James Leary seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kitano takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Leary looks to land a right hand but Kitano moved out of range.
Kitano throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leary.
Leary throws a combination that misses

and Kitano counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kitano.
Kitano fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kitano tries to pull guard but Leary forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kitano tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leary just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naoki Kitano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kitano tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitano is trying to pull guard but Leary has him pressed against the cage.
Kitano fails to pull guard.
Kitano fails to pull guard.
Kitano is trying to pull guard but Leary has him pressed against the cage.
Leary is struggling to control the position.
Kitano jumps guard but Leary turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leary's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Leary slips under a jab from Kitano.
Leary throws a counter combo.
Leary scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A shot to the liver by Leary. Beautiful body shot.
Leary uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kitano.
Leary missing with a left hand there. Kitano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leary moves into range and connects with a jab.
Leary displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kitano throws out the jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Leary. That snapped Kitano's head back.
We've been told by Kitano's head coaches at Kitano Fight Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kitano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Leary.
Leary connects with a single shot there.

Kitano is rocked!
Leary scores with a jab to the body.
Leary stuns Kitano with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leary swings for the body but Kitano moves out of range.
As Leary tries to get set, Kitano tries to push him back and clinch up but Leary manages to avoid the attempt.
Kitano takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Leary misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kitano.
Leary throws a hook to the side of Kitano's head but Kitano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kitano is looking to counter punch.
Kitano throws a right and a left that both miss.
Leary is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kitano with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Leary to score with a decent uppercut.
Leary has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Leary's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kitano connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Leary scrambles back to his feet.
Leary lands with a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leary. Kitano does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leary swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Kitano counter with a right hand.
Leary is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kitano had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Leary with a nice cross.
Oh Kitano is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Leary cracks Kitano with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Leary pounces like a tiger and cracks Kitano with a vicious hook! Kitano is down but not out! Leary follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). James Leary!
James Leary is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, James Leary thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.