PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Hayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Ellison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hayashi kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Losing My Religion. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hayashi
vs
Ellison

186 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gerard Hayashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Ellison!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Ellison.
Ellison swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A combination from Ellison does no damage.
Hayashi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ellison throws a head kick that misses.
Hayashi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hayashi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ellison.
Ellison displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Gerard Hayashi's cut is getting worse.
Hayashi defending well as Ellison loads up on a big left hand.
Hayashi fails with the takedown.
Hayashi stalks Ellison and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ellison's face. Ellison staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Justin Ellison has been cut.
Hayashi dodges the punch combination from Ellison.
Justin Ellison seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ellison throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hayashi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hayashi misses with a wild combination.
Hayashi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ellison sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hayashi somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellison throws a combination that misses
and Hayashi counters with a three punch combo that has Ellison backing up. Ellison nods at Hayashi to acknowledge the strikes.
Hayashi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ellison fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hayashi.
Hayashi is breathing heavily.
Hayashi looks to land a body kick but Ellison moved away.
Ellison misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ellison misses with a combination
and Hayashi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ellison swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Hayashi gets a clinch.

Ellison escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Horrible takedown by Hayashi or perhaps it was just good defense by Ellison which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gerard Hayashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hayashi shoots for a double leg takedown but Ellison sprawls well. He's pushed Hayashi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ellison scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Gerard Hayashi's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Hayashi keeps the fight on the outside.
Ellison buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
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!
Ellison scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ellison fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayashi throws a nice looking combination but Ellison bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ellison. That's going to slow Hayashi down.
Ellison tries to clinch up but Hayashi circles away and keeps his distance.
Hayashi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ellison shoots for a takedown but Hayashi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hayashi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A chopping leg kick lands by Ellison.
Ellison stuffs the takedown attempt from Hayashi. Hayashi gets slowly back to his feet.
Ellison tries to bum rush Hayashi with a series of wild strikes but Hayashi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big left from Ellison misses.
Hayashi shoots in but no luck this time.
Hayashi stuffs the takedown.
Ellison throws a series of punches but Hayashi moves out of range.
Hayashi is working the combinations to good effect here.
Hayashi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ellison shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hayashi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hayashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ellison.
Hayashi has his hands on Ellison's head, controlling the position.
Ellison won't allow Hayashi to get back to his feet.
Ellison works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hayashi tries to get to full guard but Ellison has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ellison trying to mount his opponent but Hayashi defends it.
Hayashi connecting with a few gentle strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellison is thwarting Hayashi's attempts to control the position.
Hayashi is in trouble now - Ellison has advanced to mount!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ellison raining down shots from the mount!
Ellison wants to control the pace but Hayashi is squirming around nicely.
Hayashi holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Ellison tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Ellison trying to control but Hayashi is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ellison throwing strikes here but Hayashi is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Ellison dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hayashi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ellison counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hayashi's knee momentarily.
Ellison avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hayashi shoots in but no luck this time.
Hayashi throws a series of punches but Ellison avoids them all with ease.
Ellison tries a head kick but it misses.
Ellison throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hayashi counters with a series of strikes. Ellison will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hayashi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ellison circles away.
Hayashi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ellison.
Ellison throws a right and a left that Hayashi avoids nicely.
Some wild striking there from Hayashi.
Ellison misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayashi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Justin Ellison seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ellison misses with a double jab
and Hayashi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellison takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ellison waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Hayashi.
Danga de danga de dang - Hayashi scores with a four punch combination!
Ellison avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ellison shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hayashi throws a solid leg kick but Ellison takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hayashi.
Ellison blocks a head kick by Hayashi.
Ellison misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ellison tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hayashi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ellison showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hayashi.
Ellison throws a lazy right hand but Hayashi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Hayashi clinches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hayashi wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellison won't allow it.

That's two 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.
Hayashi is looking to control Ellison's arms but Ellison gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hayashi has his back to the cage.
Hayashi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ellison gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gerard Hayashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ellison manages to break the clinch.
Hayashi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ellison.
Hayashi lands a two punch combo.

Ellison shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hayashi wants to improve his position but Ellison is controlling well.
Ellison looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ellison seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hayashi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hayashi is trying to stand up here but Ellison is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Ellison.
Hayashi throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Ellison controlling the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ellison misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ellison misses with a wild combination.
Hayashi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ellison but Ellison pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hayashi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ellison stuffs the takedown.
Ellison shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hayashi but Hayashi pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Hayashi instigates a clinch.
Hayashi goes for a takedown attempt but Ellison pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellison swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ellison tries to clinch there but Hayashi circles away.
Hayashi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ellison throws a series of punches but Hayashi moves out of range.
Ellison circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ellison misses with a double jab
and Hayashi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hayashi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ellison counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hayashi won't be happy with that.
Hayashi is looking for a sweep.
Ellison lands an elbow.

Ellison decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hayashi to his feet.
Ellison blocks a head kick by Hayashi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Ellison showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hayashi closes the distance and pushes Ellison back into the cage.

Ellison's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hayashi lands with a cross.
Ellison falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hayashi counters with a three punch combo that has Ellison backing up. Ellison nods at Hayashi to acknowledge the strikes.
Ellison is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Hayashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ellison.
A combination from Hayashi does no damage.
Ellison throws a series of punches but Hayashi avoids them all with ease.
Hayashi fails with a takedown attempt.

Ellison changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hayashi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Ellison tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ellison has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ellison is looking to take a break and control but Hayashi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayashi is looking to reverse the position.
Ellison works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Ellison tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ellison has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ellison wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hayashi keeps working.
I wouldn't like to be where Hayashi is right now.
Hayashi is not content to let Ellison control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ellison avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hayashi closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hayashi tries to clinch but Ellison is having none of it.
Ellison showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hayashi.
Good work by Hayashi as he checks the leg kick.
Ellison showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hayashi.
Ellison fails to land the takedown.
Ellison fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hayashi avoids it really well and circles away.

Hayashi gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ellison manages to break the clinch.

Hayashi drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hayashi throwing strikes from guard but Ellison blocks nicely.
Hayashi tries to free his leg and advance position but Ellison is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ellison tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ellison keeping moving, preventing Hayashi from controlling successfully.
Ellison wants to sweep here but Hayashi controlling him for the moment.
Hayashi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ellison works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hayashi is looking to work some ground and pound but Ellison has wrist control.

Ellison escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hayashi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hayashi stands and steps away. Ellison gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayashi ducks under a wild hook from Ellison.
No luck for Hayashi with that takedown attempt.
Ellison tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hayashi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gerard Hayashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hayashi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ellison circles away quickly and effectively.
Ellison misses with a double jab.
Ellison misses with a combination
and Hayashi counters with a left to the body.
Hayashi doesn't manage to clinch there - Ellison circles away.
Hayashi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ellison as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gerard Hayashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hayashi tries to bum rush Ellison with a series of wild strikes but Ellison uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gerard Hayashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ellison closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hayashi to the mat! Hayashi manages to get full guard.
Justin Ellison is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ellison is stalling in the full guard.

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 Gerard Hayashi.
I think Ellison 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Ellison!