PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Turcotte (ranked 461 p4p, 1007 weight class) and Ryuji Hatakenaka (ranked 53 p4p, 107 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ryuji Hatakenaka enters the cage!

Turcotte
vs
Hatakenaka

180 cm
33
160
34 - 20 - 0

180 cm
29
152
14 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

NARCOS

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 34 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jacques Turcotte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryuji Hatakenaka!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Mauricio Rocha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hatakenaka misses the shot to the body.
Hatakenaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Turcotte.
Hatakenaka looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Turcotte staying out of range there.
Hatakenaka's jab looks to have found its range, popping Turcotte under the eye.
Turcotte throws a shot from downtown. Hatakenaka moves away and avoids it.
Turcotte throws a looping overhand right but Hatakenaka ducks down to avoid it.
Hatakenaka explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A swing and a miss from Turcotte.
Turcotte waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hatakenaka.
Turcotte backing away here, and Hatakenaka unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Hatakenaka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Turcotte.
Hatakenaka tries a quick counter leg kick but Turcotte is wise to it.
A slow jab from Turcotte misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turcotte throws a body punch but Hatakenaka moves out of range.
Hatakenaka misses with a body kick.
Turcotte misses the jab.
Turcotte moves away from the strike by Hatakenaka.
Turcotte was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Turcotte comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatakenaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Turcotte.
Turcotte takes a jab right on the kisser.
Turcotte walks into a straight right hand from Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka looks to land a left hand but Turcotte moved out of range nicely.
Hatakenaka blocks a jab.
Turcotte ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Turcotte keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Turcotte is looking to counter punch.
Hatakenaka tries to land a leg kick but Turcotte saw it coming and moves away.
Turcotte thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hatakenaka misses with a hook
and Turcotte counters with a straight right hand.
Hatakenaka lands a nice looking body kick.
Turcotte misses the jab.
Turcotte ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hatakenaka moves away.
Hatakenaka misses with a left hand
and Turcotte cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hatakenaka misses with a straight right.
Hatakenaka misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatakenaka moves away from the strike by Turcotte.
Turcotte ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Turcotte comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
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!
Hatakenaka feints and then cracks Turcotte's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Turcotte down.
Turcotte looks to land a left hand but Hatakenaka moved out of range nicely.
Hatakenaka throws a low kick but it's checked well by Turcotte.
Hatakenaka fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Turcotte.
A low kick from Hatakenaka is predictable there
and Turcotte counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Decent striking displayed by Turcotte there.
Turcotte tests Hatakenaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Turcotte walks into a jab.
Hatakenaka blocks a jab.
A swing and a miss from Turcotte.
Turcotte pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hatakenaka scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turcotte throws a poor cross that misses
and Hatakenaka counters with a low kick, right behind Turcotte 's knee.
Hatakenaka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ryuji Hatakenaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hatakenaka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Turcotte on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hatakenaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Turcotte.
Hatakenaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Turcotte is just out of range.
Hatakenaka misses with an uppercut.
Hatakenaka slips under a jab.
Turcotte misses with a hook. Hatakenaka ducked under it nicely.
Hatakenaka misses with an uppercut.
Hatakenaka misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Turcotte wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Turcotte throws a big shot that misses.
A big left from Turcotte misses.
Turcotte uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatakenaka.
A telegraphed right hand from Hatakenaka misses the target.
Donk. Hatakenaka catches Turcotte right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatakenaka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Turcotte ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Turcotte fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Turcotte pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hatakenaka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hatakenaka staying out of range there.
Hatakenaka slips under a jab.
Hatakenaka pivots, looking for a leg kick but Turcotte is out of range and Hatakenaka settles back down.
Jab by Hatakenaka.
Turcotte missing with a left hand there. Hatakenaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hatakenaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hatakenaka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hatakenaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Turcotte has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Turcotte.
Turcotte swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Turcotte tries to clinch there but Hatakenaka circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Turcotte scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Turcotte fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hatakenaka keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hatakenaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Turcotte.
Hatakenaka gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Turcotte.
Hatakenaka moves away from the strike by Turcotte.
A looping hook to the body misses from Turcotte. Hatakenaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Turcotte throws a series of punches but Hatakenaka avoids them all with ease.
Turcotte tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hatakenaka missing with a left hand there. Turcotte was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Turcotte is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Turcotte throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, jab by Turcotte - just one landing.
Hatakenaka throws a good cross that connects.
Turcotte looks to throw the jab but Hatakenaka is out of range.
Turcotte takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Turcotte throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A countering left hand to the body from Hatakenaka misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatakenaka throws out a leg kick but Turcotte moves out of range and Hatakenaka only half commits.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka takes a swing at Turcotte's ribcage but misses.
Hatakenaka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Turcotte throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hatakenaka lands with a thumping leg kick.
A jab from Turcotte misses.
Hatakenaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hatakenaka steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Turcotte swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Turcotte throws out a loose jab but Hatakenaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Turcotte throws a big shot that misses.
Hatakenaka lands a lovely overhand right.
Hatakenaka misses with a body kick.
Turcotte throws a lazy right hand but Hatakenaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hatakenaka wants to slow Turcotte down by chopping away at his legs.
Hatakenaka lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turcotte waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hatakenaka.
Turcotte takes a swing at Hatakenaka's ribcage but misses.
Hatakenaka throws a right hand that misses
and Turcotte counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hatakenaka on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
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!
Turcotte connects with the punch.
A slow jab from Hatakenaka misses its intended target.
Turcotte connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Turcotte gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hatakenaka can't break the clinch.
Turcotte throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hatakenakas head.
Hatakenaka tries to work over Turcotte's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Turcotte swings wildly with an uppercut but Hatakenaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Our sources have told us that Turcotte has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Hatakenaka tries to break free but Turcotte pushes him back against the cage.
Turcotte scores with a shoulder strike.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Turcotte keeps control of Hatakenaka as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Turcotte prevents a body shot from Hatakenaka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatakenaka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Turcotte.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Turcotte creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Turcotte lands a shot to the body.
Hatakenaka is trying to break the clinch but Turcotte is controlling him.

Hatakenaka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slow jab from Hatakenaka misses its intended target.
Turcotte is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Turcotte throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hatakenaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Turcotte uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka ducks under a wild hook from Turcotte.
Turcotte misses with a hook. Hatakenaka ducked under it nicely.
Hatakenaka doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Turcotte throws a shot to the body.
Hatakenaka stuns Turcotte with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Turcotte throws a body punch but Hatakenaka moves out of range.
Turcotte takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hatakenaka throws an off balance right hand
and Turcotte counters with a nice uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hatakenaka.
Ryuji Hatakenaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatakenaka scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hatakenaka throws an off balance right hand
and Turcotte counters with a three punch combo that has Hatakenaka backing up. Hatakenaka nods at Turcotte to acknowledge the strikes.
Turcotte pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hatakenaka appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Turcotte scores with the left hand. Hatakenaka knows he should have avoided that one.
Hatakenaka moves forwards but Turcotte connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hatakenaka throws a leg kick
and Turcotte cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice straight punches there by Hatakenaka. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Turcotte was well out of range. Poor timing from Hatakenaka.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Turcotte, as that shot connected.
Turcotte scores with a sloppy right hand. Hatakenaka should have avoided that one.
Turcotte checks a low kick from Hatakenaka.
Turcotte fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hatakenaka manages to avoid it.
Hatakenaka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Turcotte.
Turcotte throws a right hand that Hatakenaka ducks under and follows up with a left that Hatakenaka also avoids with ease.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Turcotte dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Turcotte uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatakenaka.
Turcotte avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Turcotte thows a left - swing and a miss!
Turcotte thuds his right hand into Hatakenaka's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hatakenaka throws a lazy right hand but Turcotte sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Turcotte swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hatakenaka throws out a loose jab but Turcotte uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hatakenaka lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Turcotte throws a shot from downtown. Hatakenaka moves away and avoids it.
Turcotte slips under a jab.
Hatakenaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Turcotte.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turcotte misses with a wild body shot.
Hatakenaka drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A swing and a miss from Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Turcotte throws out a loose jab but Hatakenaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hatakenaka bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Turcotte's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turcotte steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hatakenaka.
Turcotte swings for the body but Hatakenaka moves out of range.
Hatakenaka lands with an uppercut that bounces Turcotte off the cage and back into range.
Turcotte ducks under a wild hook from Hatakenaka.
Turcotte lands a nice looking body shot.
Turcotte takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A swing and a miss from Turcotte.
Hatakenaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Turcotte.
Hatakenaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It looked like Turcotte wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hatakenaka throws a predictable looking body shot
and Turcotte counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Turcotte closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hatakenaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hatakenaka misses with a lunging right hand
and Turcotte counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab from Turcotte does it's job there.
Hatakenaka loads up on a big right hand but Turcotte slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turcotte scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hatakenaka doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Turcotte connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Good exchange - Hatakenaka coming out on top.
Turcotte throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hatakenaka.
Turcotte lands an overhand right.
Turcotte tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Turcotte throws an overhand right that lands on Hatakenaka's shoulder, as Hatakenaka tries to avoid the shot.
Nice shot by Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hatakenaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Turcotte.
Hatakenaka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Turcotte slips a jab from Hatakenaka.
Turcotte is looking to counter punch.
Turcotte slips a jab from Hatakenaka.
Turcotte fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hatakenaka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hatakenaka works the jab nicely.
Turcotte throws a jab when Hatakenaka was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Turcotte misses its intended target.
Turcotte uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka with a hook.
Turcotte misses the jab.
Hatakenaka throws a low kick but Turcotte moves out of range easily.
A jab from Hatakenaka finds it's way through Turcotte's defenses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka swings for the body but Turcotte moves out of range.
Turcotte checks a leg kick nicely.
Turcotte waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hatakenaka.
Hatakenaka slips under a jab from Turcotte.
Turcotte paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Turcotte throws a hook but Hatakenaka blocks it.
Hatakenaka misses the jab.
Hatakenaka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hatakenaka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatakenaka jabs Turcotte right on the nose. Turcotte blinks but takes it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Hatakenaka misses the target.
Hatakenaka looks to throw the jab but Turcotte is out of range.
Turcotte on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Turcotte connects with a looping right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Turcotte. Hatakenaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Turcotte pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hatakenaka feints a counter leg kick.
Hatakenaka throws a leg kick which misses Turcotte's front leg but catches the back leg as Turcotte tries to avoid it.
Turcotte blocks a leg kick.
Turcotte throws a good cross that connects.
Hatakenaka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hatakenaka takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Turcotte fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Turcotte swings for the body but Hatakenaka moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jacques Turcotte.
Well Turcotte 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jacques Turcotte!