PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kohinata Minoru Ii (ranked 41 p4p, 209 weight class) and Salomon Mukunzi (ranked 7 p4p, 27 weight class). Mukunzi has chosen Champion (ft. D Smoke) - Fireboy DML as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Minoru Ii
vs
Mukunzi

185 cm
37
186
29 - 10 - 0

178 cm
34
197
23 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
NARCOS

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kohinata Minoru Ii!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Salomon Mukunzi!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minoru Ii takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Minoru Ii lands a body shot.
Mukunzi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Minoru Ii scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mukunzi in his tracks.
Decent striking displayed by Minoru Ii there.
Mukunzi lands a nice hook to Minoru Ii's body. Minoru Ii takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Minoru Ii wants to clinch up but Mukunzi keeps it at a distance.
A cross from Minoru Ii lands.
Minoru Ii throws a lazy uppercut
and Minoru Ii takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Minoru Ii has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mukunzi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mukunzi misses with an uppercut
and Minoru Ii counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mukunzi moves out of range as Minoru Ii strikes.
A left and a right from Mukunzi both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Kohinata Minoru Ii has been cut.
Mukunzi staying out of range there.
A big right from Mukunzi misses.
Minoru Ii swings widly with a right hand
and Mukunzi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A slow jab from Minoru Ii misses its intended target.
It seemed like Mukunzi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mukunzi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Minoru Ii was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Good leg kick by Mukunzi.
Mukunzi blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mukunzi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Minoru Ii slips a straight right by Mukunzi.
An attempted straight right counter from Minoru Ii misses the target.
Mukunzi avoids the body shot from Minoru Ii.
Mukunzi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mukunzi fakes the leg kick and cracks Minoru Ii in the body.
Kohinata Minoru Ii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mukunzi moves out of range of the strikes.
Mukunzi throws out a counter right but Minoru Ii avoids it with no problem.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mukunzi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mukunzi misses the jab.
Minoru Ii throws the left hand but Mukunzi avoids the punch easily.
Mukunzi throws a right hand that misses
and Minoru Ii counters with a left to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mukunzi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mukunzi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mukunzi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mukunzi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mukunzi lands a slapping body shot.
Minoru Ii throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mukunzi! But no joy.
Minoru Ii scores with a hook.
Minoru Ii misses with a straight left.
Mukunzi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Minoru Ii.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Minoru Ii is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mukunzi throws a head kick that misses.
Minoru Ii is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Minoru Ii misses with a looping right.
Mukunzi misses with a low kick.
Minoru Ii misses with a hook to the body
and Minoru Ii takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mukunzi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Minoru Ii on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mukunzi. Mukunzi obviously looking to wear him down.
Minoru Ii stuns Mukunzi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Minoru Ii throws a big shot that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Salomon Mukunzi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kohinata Minoru Ii's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mukunzi thows a leg kick but Minoru Ii checks it
and Minoru Ii counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fight stays on the outside here - Minoru Ii looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mukunzi lands a jab.
Minoru Ii misses with a wild body shot.
Mukunzi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Minoru Ii doesn't seem bothered though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minoru Ii scores with a jab. Mukunzi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mukunzi throws a body punch but Minoru Ii moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minoru Ii throws a jab when Mukunzi was well out of range.
Minoru Ii displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mukunzi throws out the jab.
Minoru Ii swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Minoru Ii misses with a hook.
The fighters circling - Minoru Ii throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Minoru Ii tries to clinch there but Mukunzi circles away.
Minoru Ii bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mukunzi's head backwards.
Mukunzi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Minoru Ii rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mukunzi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Minoru Ii throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mukunzi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Minoru Ii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Minoru Ii looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Minoru Ii takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mukunzi connects with a right hand. Minoru Ii shakes it off.
Mukunzi moves out of range as Minoru Ii strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Minoru Ii throws a body punch but Mukunzi moves out of range.
Minoru Ii lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mukunzi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Minoru Ii is looking to counter punch.
Mukunzi scores with a body shot.
Minoru Ii sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mukunzi connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Minoru Ii.
Mukunzi ducks right into an uppercut from Minoru Ii.
Minoru Ii works Mukunzi's body with a nice hook.
Mukunzi lands a nice hook to Minoru Ii's body. Minoru Ii takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mukunzi connects with a body shot that sends Minoru Ii's belly button to the back.
Minoru Ii misses with a straight left.
Mukunzi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Minoru Ii takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii misses with a looping left.
Mukunzi slips under a jab.
Mukunzi staying out of range there.
Minoru Ii tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mukunzi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mukunzi connects with a right hand. Minoru Ii shakes it off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Minoru Ii throws out a loose jab but Mukunzi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Minoru Ii throws a body shot but no joy.
Minoru Ii throws a poor cross that misses
and Mukunzi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Minoru Ii lands a nice hook to Mukunzi's body. Mukunzi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kohinata Minoru Ii will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kohinata Minoru Ii's cut.
That's time! Minoru Ii's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Minoru Ii swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mukunzi drops his hands momentarily and Minoru Ii takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Minoru Ii throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mukunzi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab from Mukunzi misses.
Minoru Ii fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mukunzi manages to avoid it.
Minoru Ii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mukunzi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Minoru Ii displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mukunzi throws out the jab.
Minoru Ii is looking to counter punch.
Mukunzi throws a front kick that sends Minoru Ii stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mukunzi wants to slow Minoru Ii down by chopping away at his legs.
Mukunzi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Minoru Ii moves away.
Minoru Ii is looking to counter punch.
Mukunzi misses the body punch
and Minoru Ii connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Minoru Ii misses with a right hand
and Mukunzi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mukunzi lands with a good body shot.
Mukunzi throws a good cross that connects.
Minoru Ii throws an off balance right hand
and Mukunzi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Minoru Ii throws a jab when Mukunzi was well out of range.
Salomon Mukunzi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mukunzi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Minoru Ii stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Minoru Ii has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii misses with a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Minoru Ii bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Good shot there by Minoru Ii.
Minoru Ii throws a shot from downtown. Mukunzi moves away and avoids it.
Mukunzi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii scores with a shot to the body.
Mukunzi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mukunzi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mukunzi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Minoru Ii scores with a hook.
Mukunzi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mukunzi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Minoru Ii. Minoru Ii circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Minoru Ii. Mukunzi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mukunzi tries a quick counter leg kick but Minoru Ii is wise to it.
Mukunzi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Mukunzi misses.
Minoru Ii throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mukunzi misses with a straight left.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Minoru Ii connects with a body shot.
Mukunzi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Salomon Mukunzi really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kohinata Minoru Ii's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Minoru Ii throws a body punch but Mukunzi moves out of range.
Mukunzi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Minoru Ii misses with a right hand
and Mukunzi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Minoru Ii on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mukunzi. Mukunzi obviously looking to wear him down.
Minoru Ii throws a shot from downtown. Mukunzi moves away and avoids it.
Minoru Ii throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mukunzi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mukunzi misses with a hook
and Minoru Ii cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mukunzi takes a swing at Minoru Ii's ribcage but misses.
Minoru Ii throws a jab but it's blocked by Mukunzi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minoru Ii tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mukunzi was well out of range. Poor timing from Minoru Ii.
Mukunzi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Minoru Ii.
Nice defenses there by Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii moves out of range of the body kick.
Minoru Ii misses with a right hand
and Mukunzi counters with a nice body shot.
Minoru Ii avoids the body shot from Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Minoru Ii connects with the punch.
Minoru Ii has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Minoru Ii there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mukunzi throws the left hand but Minoru Ii avoids the punch easily.
Minoru Ii sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Minoru Ii takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jab by Minoru Ii.
Minoru Ii wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Minoru Ii misses the shot to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mukunzi. That's going to slow Minoru Ii down.
Minoru Ii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mukunzi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii blocks a jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Minoru Ii misses its target.
Mukunzi misses with a straight left.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mukunzi.
Mukunzi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Minoru Ii looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Minoru Ii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii scores with a sloppy right hand. Mukunzi should have avoided that one.
Mukunzi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mukunzi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mukunzi tries a low kick but Minoru Ii avoids it.
Minoru Ii walks forward, straight into a front kick from Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii misses with a hook. Mukunzi ducked under it nicely.
And Mukunzi responds with a good body kick, but Minoru Ii manages to step out the way in time.

Minoru Ii lands a left and a right that send Mukunzi crashing to the mat, dazed. Minoru Ii thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Salomon Mukunzi has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mukunzi scoring well with a low kick there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mukunzi.
Mukunzi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Minoru Ii momentarily.
Minoru Ii takes a swing at Mukunzi's ribcage but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kohinata Minoru Ii will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mukunzi lands a glancing blow to the side of Minoru Ii's head.
Minoru Ii throws a lazy right hand but Mukunzi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mukunzi scores with a shot to the body.
Minoru Ii misses with a right hand
and Mukunzi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Minoru Ii's knee momentarily.
Minoru Ii takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Minoru Ii chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mukunzi can pounce on him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mukunzi keeps Minoru Ii at a distance using the push kick.
Mukunzi thumps Minoru Ii with a low kick.
Minoru Ii is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Minoru Ii misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mukunzi staying out of range there.
Minoru Ii slips under a jab from Mukunzi.
Mukunzi misses with a wild body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mukunzi.
Minoru Ii throws a poor cross that misses
and Mukunzi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mukunzi swats away the attempt to clinch by Minoru Ii.
Mukunzi throws out a counter right but Minoru Ii avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii misses with a looping right.
Mukunzi gets off balance looking for a body kick
letting Minoru Ii counter with a right hand.
Mukunzi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Minoru Ii jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mukunzi slips a jab and a cross from Minoru Ii.
Mukunzi raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Mukunzi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Minoru Ii throws a sloppy body shot
letting Mukunzi counter with a right hand.
Mukunzi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii misses with a left hand
and Mukunzi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mukunzi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Minoru Ii scores with a jab to the head.
Mukunzi staying out of range there.
Mukunzi missing with a left hand there. Minoru Ii was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Minoru Ii just misses with a punch to the body.
Minoru Ii digs a good body shot into Mukunzi's ribs.
Minoru Ii ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mukunzi moves away.
Mukunzi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Mukunzi misses with a left hand
and Minoru Ii counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minoru Ii keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mukunzi.
Mukunzi loads up on a big right hand but Minoru Ii slips the punch.
Minoru Ii swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Minoru Ii throws a body punch but Mukunzi moves out of range.
Mukunzi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Mukunzi - that will leave a mark!
Mukunzi lands a jab.
Mukunzi lands with a nice body punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Minoru Ii takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

And that's the end of the fight!
Salomon Mukunzi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mukunzi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Salomon Mukunzi!
Salomon Mukunzi is the new middleweight champion!
A victorious Salomon Mukunzi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.