PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Oji San (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claes Fleming (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

San
vs
Fleming

189 cm
22
189 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

188 cm
29
185 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Oji San!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Claes Fleming!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
San will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
San wants to clinch.
San throws a leg kick but Fleming sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fleming takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Fleming checks a low kick from San.
Fleming fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt San.
Fleming blocks a head kick by San.
Fleming pulls out of a head kick attempt.

San gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fleming is trying to force a seperation but San has the dominant position.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as San takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fleming using the Thai plumb to throw knees but San has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Fleming misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fleming tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and San avoids it.
Fleming misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from San.
Fleming is trying to break free.
Fleming tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and San avoids it.
San tries to land knees in the clinch but Fleming avoids the damage to the body.
San goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fleming looking to throw knees to the head but San is blocking nicely.
San misses with a knee strike.

Fleming's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
San fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fleming checks it well.
San lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fleming misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fleming tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
San dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fleming. That did some damage!
Fleming takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San scores with a hook.
San cracks Fleming with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
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!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from San lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Fleming has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Fleming and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A head kick misses from Fleming.
Some wild striking there from San.
A punch lands to the side of Fleming 's head but he takes it in his stride.
San dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fleming. That did some damage!
San tries to land a leg kick but Fleming saw it coming and moves away.
San lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fleming uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by San.
San thows a body kick. Fleming tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

San drives through and clinches with Fleming against the ropes.

Fleming escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
San moves out of range of the body kick.
San moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
San misses with a few strikes there.
Fleming looks for the body kick but San saw that one coming.
San tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Fleming is able to avoid easily.
Fleming takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
San listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
San takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fleming blocks a jab.
Fleming misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San moves out of range of the body kick.
San tries to land a front kick but Fleming steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
San throws the kick towards the body but Fleming avoids it.
San connects with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
San wants to clinch
and Fleming counters with a slapping leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for San.
Fleming chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fleming avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
San throws a quick inside leg kick.
San lands with a nice body kick.
San moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oji San dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

San misses with a leg kick
and Fleming counters with an outside leg kick.
San with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
San lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
San looks to clinch
and Fleming counters with a leg kick.
Oji San is winning the standup battle so far.
Fleming uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by San.
San fails to land with a series of punches.

San instigates a clinch.

Fleming escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
San tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
San fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fleming avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
San checks a low kick from Fleming.
A low kick from San is predictable there
and Fleming counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fleming throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
San throws a shot to the body.
A low kick from San misses
and Fleming counters with an inside leg kick.
San scores with a body shot.
San tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Fleming misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
San is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fleming.
A good leg kick by San.
Fleming thows a leg kick but San checks it
and San makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Fleming really felt that one!
San misses with a head kick.
San lands a really nice looking cross but Fleming seems unphased.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San swings and misses with a hook to the body.
San lands with a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
San with a hook.
San digs a good hook to Fleming's body.
San tries a head kick but it misses.
San throws a half hearted mid kick.

San rushes Fleming and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Fleming tries to break free but San pushes him back against the ropes.
San tries to throw a body punch but Fleming avoids it by throwing San back against the ropes.
Fleming wants to break free but San has control.
San lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
San lands a shot to the body.
Fleming working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fleming trying to land knees to the body.
San lands a body shot.
San scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fleming is breathing heavily.

Fleming's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

San fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fleming, pushing him back against the ropes.
A short right from San on the inside.
Fleming tries to land knees in the clinch but San avoids the damage to the body.
San has Fleming pushed against the ropes.
San on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fleming throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fleming tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fleming is trying to break the clinch but San is controlling him.
San gets through Fleming's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fleming misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from San.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fleming missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fleming trying to land knees to the body.
San softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
San lands a nice uppercut.
San stalls.
Fleming tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
San lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fleming with an attempt at a knee that misses.
San lands with a short punch from the clinch.
San lands an elbow inside that Fleming shrugs off.
San works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
San lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fleming.
San working Fleming over with knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
San utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
San pressing his opponent against the ropes.
San lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oji San dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Fleming on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by San. San obviously looking to wear him down.
Decent striking displayed by San there.
San lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
San is looking to clinch.
Fleming looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Fleming's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
San tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
San thumps Fleming with a low kick.
Oji San seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
San blocks a head kick by Fleming.
San fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fleming is out of range.
A head kick misses from Fleming.
Fleming takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fleming looks for the body kick but San saw that one coming.
San throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fleming checks it well.
San chopping away at his opponent's legs.
San misses with a low kick as Fleming jumps back.
San tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fleming swats him away and circles back towards the center.
San lands an overhand right.
San lands a leg kick that knocks Fleming off balance momentarily.
Fleming avoids the body shot from San.
Fleming misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
San connects with a looping right hand.
San is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fleming can do to turn this around?
San lands a lovely overhand right.
Fleming pivots, looking for a leg kick but San is out of range and Fleming settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San throws a leg kick
and Fleming counters with a thumping low kick.
San lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
San throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
San throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Fleming checks a leg kick nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fleming pulls out of a head kick attempt.
San avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

San clinches.
Fleming avoids a wild elbow strike from San.
San lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fleming or not.
Fleming's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
San blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right from San on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San throws an elbow but it misses.
San lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fleming backwards.
San blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
San on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. San obliges.
San lands a hook to the side of the head.
San lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
San lands a body shot in the clinch.
San taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Oji San has scored more points in the clinch so far.
San lands a left hand.
Still in the clinch, San scores with a nice short uppercut.
San controlling the action here for a moment.
San lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
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!
Fleming tries a knee to the head but San blocks it.
San lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San works on Fleming's body with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
San throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Flemings head.
Fleming wants to break free but San has control.
A quick uppercut on the inside from San.
The referee calls for San to work.
San lands a hook that snaps the head of Fleming backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
San lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fleming.
San throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Flemings head.
San unloads a knee to the mid-section.
San lands with a short punch from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oji San clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

San shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
San walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Fleming checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A head kick by Fleming misses
and San counters with a straight right hand.
Fleming lands with a kick to the temple. San shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
San lands with a right hand.
San fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Fleming throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

San takes the fight into the clinch.
Fleming is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
San blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
San working some nice short punches in the clinch.
San lands a knee to the head.
A bit of stalling here from San.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fleming tries to break free but San pushes him back against the ropes.
Good body shot from San.
Nice body punch from San.
A short uppercut from San.
San lands a left hand.
San throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
San is working Fleming over against the ropes.
San taking a breather.
Fleming wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but San has him pressed against the ropes.
A short body shot lands from San as the two fighters clinch.
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!
A short right hand to the side of the head by San.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from San.
San seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
San makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fleming takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. San obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fleming backwards.
San digs a right hand into Fleming's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fleming's gas tank.
San working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
San makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
San landing knees to the head.

Fleming is rocked!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fleming is still on wobbly legs! Can San finish him?
San creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A right handed body shot lands from San.
Fleming seems to have recovered his senses.
San lands a body shot in the clinch.
San lands a body punch in the clinch.
San taking a breather.
San lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice body punch from San - that landed with a thud.
A nice right hand lands inside from San.
San softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
San lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San is trying to maintain a safe position but Fleming gets an underhook and turns San into the ropes.
San is stalling here.
San avoiding damage as Fleming throws knees to the body.
San looking to stall.
San managing to block the knees to the body from Fleming.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as San takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fleming missing with knees to the body.
San lands with a right to the head.
San lands a damaging elbow.
San looking to slow down the pace here.
San throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Flemings head.
Fleming with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fleming avoids the elbow strike from San, against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
San makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fleming takes an elbow to the temple.
Fleming tries to break free but San pushes him back against the ropes.
Still in the clinch, San scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Fleming obliges.
San looking to stall.
Fleming is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. San is defending well for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from San.
Fleming managing to block the knees to the body from San.
A shot in the inside from San.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
San throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nice body punch from San.
San lands with a left to the head.
San tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oji San had his way with Claes Fleming in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

San shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
San connects with a looping right hand.
San throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fleming drops his hands momentarily and San takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fleming takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
San with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fleming on the wrong end of a nice hook.
San with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from San lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Fleming has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Fleming and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
San throws a push kick but Fleming slaps the foot to one side.
Fleming takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
San tries to clinch up but Fleming circles away and keeps his distance.
San uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Fleming takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
San moves in looking to clinch but Fleming pushes him off.
Fleming swings away with a leg kick that misses.
San goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
San dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
San attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
San connects with the punch.
San looks to score with a jab to the body but Fleming is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
San tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fleming swats him away and circles back towards the center.
San thows a body shot but no joy.
San misses with the combination.
San connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fleming throws a chopping leg kick but San manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
San throws a body punch but Fleming moves out of range.
A lazy left from San finds it's target.
An inside leg kick from San misses.

San has closed the distance and engaged Fleming in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
San lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
San lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
San trying to land knees to the body.
San lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fleming backwards.
San managing to block the knees to the body from Fleming.
San lands a nice uppercut.
Fleming is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. San is defending well for now.
A short body shot lands from San as the two fighters clinch.
Fleming is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Fleming avoiding damage as San throws knees to the body.
Fleming wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
San tries to land knees in the clinch but Fleming avoids the damage to the body.
San is leaning against Fleming and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
San misses with an elbow over the top.
A left hand lands to the body for San.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fleming trying to land knees to the body.
Oji San is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fleming is trying to break the clinch but San has him pressed against the ropes.
San is struggling to control the position.
San lands with a left to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
San blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
San lands an uppercut.
San throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Flemings head.
Fleming blocks an elbow strike from San.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
San crunches a lovely knee into Fleming's ribcage.
San connects with a knee to the head.
Claes Fleming has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
San working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for San.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oji San showed his dominance in that final round.
Well San 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 50:45
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oji San!
Oji San retains his middleweight title!
Oji San was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.