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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lyman Hicks (ranked 1599 p4p, 1736 weight class) and Toshika Koga (ranked 140 p4p, 148 weight class). Hicks comes to the cage accompanied by The Chambers Brothers - Time Has Come Today. Lyman Hicks could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Toshika Koga's chin.
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| 173 cm
34
153
21 - 18 - 1 |
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169 cm
33
155
12 - 5 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Lyman Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Toshika Koga!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Daniel Blasius and Wagner Zegers.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Koga.
Koga misses with a straight left.
Some bone on bone action there as Hicks checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hicks keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Koga.
No joy there for Hicks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Toshika Koga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks throws a shot from downtown. Koga moves away and avoids it.
Koga loads up on a big right hand but Hicks slips the punch.
Koga fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hicks on the side of the head.
Koga looks to score with a jab to the body but Hicks is just out of range.
Koga on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hicks misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks misses with an uppercut
and Koga connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Koga misses with a straight left.
Koga misses with a body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Hicks misses the target.
Koga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hicks sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Koga misses with an uppercut.
Lyman Hicks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Koga misses the jab.
Koga moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Koga dives in for a single leg takedown but Hicks sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hicks swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Koga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've been told by Hicks's head coaches at Hilo Mats that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Koga throws a low kick but Hicks avoids it.
Koga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hicks sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hicks misses the shot to the body.
Koga throws a sloppy head kick
and Hicks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hicks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hicks. Koga does a little dance to reset his feet.
Koga is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Koga connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hicks. Hicks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Koga closes the distance and pushes Hicks back into the cage.
Hicks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Koga misses with a short punch on the inside.
Koga struggles to land a body shot inside as Hicks controls his hands.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koga can't find room to land a body shot as Hicks controls the action.
Hicks avoiding damage.
Koga has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hicks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Koga.
Koga misses with a body punch.
Hicks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
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!
Hicks is struggling to control the position.
Hicks lands a body shot in the clinch.
Koga throws a punch but it's blocked by Hicks.
Hicks is trying to stall.
Hicks manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hicks lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hicks slows the pace down in half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks wants to control but Koga is keeping him busy.
Koga wants to improve his position but Hicks is controlling well.
Hicks trying to control the action but Koga is working from the bottom.
Koga manages to get to full guard.
Koga keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Koga wants to sweep here but Hicks controlling him for the moment.
Koga is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hicks is aware though and is defending well.
Koga looking for a sweep. Not yet Koga, not yet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Koga keeps moving.
Koga is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hicks preventing the sweep.
Koga bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hicks's guard.
Hicks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Koga in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Koga content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koga accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
My spies in Catastrophic Contact inform me that Koga has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Hicks trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koga throws an elbow that misses. Hicks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Koga's guard. Nice move by Hicks!
Hicks preventing the sweep.
Koga looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hicks puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Toshika Koga dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Koga throws a jab but it's blocked by Hicks.
Koga stuns Hicks with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hicks getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Koga working aggressively here.
Hicks blocking some punches.
Koga has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.
Hicks is trying to drag Koga to the mat but Koga just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short uppercut from Koga.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koga misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Koga.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Koga.
Koga tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Koga tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hicks's elbow.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Koga tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hicks's elbow.
Koga tries to work over Hicks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A body shot lands from Koga.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hicks throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Koga.
Koga tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hicks's elbow.
Koga lands an uppercut.
Hicks lands with a short shot to the head.
Koga's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hicks is trying to drag Koga to the mat but Koga just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Koga fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Koga tries to throw a body punch but Hicks avoids it by throwing Koga back against the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koga tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hicks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Hicks.
Koga throws a punch but it's blocked by Hicks.
Hicks misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Koga lands with a short shot to the head.
Koga lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Koga.
Hicks manages to break the clinch.
Koga tries to clinch but Hicks is having none of it.
Koga connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Koga slips a straight right by Hicks.
Jab by Hicks.
Good exchange - Koga coming out on top.
Nice takedown defense from Hicks. No joy for Koga on that attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Hicks misses its target.
Hicks takes a swing at Koga's ribcage but misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koga scores with a body shot.
Hicks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Koga will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hicks lands a jab to the head.
Koga keeps Hicks at a distance using the push kick.
A low kick from Koga is predictable there
and Hicks counters with a straight right hand.
Koga has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hicks finds it's way round the side to connect with Koga's head.
Koga doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Koga misses with a body shot
and Hicks counters with a one-two to the body.
Koga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hicks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Koga slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Koga misses with a left hand
and Hicks counters with a nice body shot.
Hicks works the jab nicely.
Hicks catches Koga with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koga shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hicks but Hicks pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A punch lands to the side of Koga 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hicks connects with a looping right hand.
Hicks walks into a stiff left hand from Koga.
Koga connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Koga misses with an uppercut
and Hicks counters with a straight right hand.
Lyman Hicks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Koga closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hicks counters with a right hand to the body.
Koga rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Hicks to counter with a crisp jab.
Hicks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koga.
Hicks tries to bum rush Koga with a series of wild strikes but Koga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hicks throws a right hand that Koga ducks under and follows up with a left that Koga also avoids with ease.
Koga swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
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 Lyman Hicks will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Koga moves into the clinch.
Koga lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Koga.
Hicks blocks an uppercut.
Koga misses with a punch to the body.
Koga tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Koga has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.
Koga tries for a takedown. No joy.
Koga throws a punch but it's blocked by Hicks.
A nice left hand lands by Koga.
Koga tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koga tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Koga tries to work over Hicks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Koga tries a body shot but Hicks blocks it.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Koga.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Koga.
Koga misses with a shot to the kidneys.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Koga tries to throw a body punch but Hicks avoids it by throwing Koga back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Hicks.
Koga lands a shoulder strike.
Hicks blocks a body shot from Koga.
Hicks lands a shoulder strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Koga as Hicks tries to tie him up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Koga misses with some punches.
Koga scores with a shot to the side of Hicks's head.
Hicks blocks an uppercut.
Koga has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.
Koga misses with a body punch.
Koga tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Koga.
Hicks taking a breather.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koga misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hicks blocks a body shot from Koga.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Koga.
Hicks can't find room to land a body shot as Koga controls the action.
Koga doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Hicks - that landed with a thud.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hicks.
Koga goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hicks misses with a body punch.
Koga throws a head punch that misses.
Koga tries a body shot but Hicks blocks it.
Koga fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Koga goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Koga tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Koga tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Koga doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks has Koga pressed against the cage.
Koga swings wildly with an uppercut but Hicks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Koga tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hicks taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hicks.
Hicks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Koga lands with a light punch inside.
Koga misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Koga.
Koga scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Koga has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.
Hicks slows down the pace here.
Koga's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koga misses with a hook to the ribs.
Koga tries to throw a body punch but Hicks avoids it by throwing Koga back against the cage.
Toshika Koga seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Koga tries to work over Hicks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hicks.
Hicks lands a right hand.
Koga throws a head punch that misses.
Hicks tries to throw a body punch but Koga avoids it by throwing Hicks back against the cage.
Hicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koga misses with a body punch.
Hicks breaks the clinch.
Koga throws a jab when Hicks was well out of range.
It looked like Hicks wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hicks throws a looping overhand right but Koga ducks down to avoid it.
Koga fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hicks, pushing him back against the cage.
A short left from Koga.
Hicks taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Koga lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that's the end of the fight!
Toshika Koga comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Koga has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toshika Koga!
Toshika Koga opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
55% |
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