PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toshihiro Kai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Mama said knock you out kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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?

Kai
vs
Couture

215 cm
27
157 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

175 cm
29
156 lbs
26 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toshihiro Kai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brandon Couture!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kai tries to clinch but Couture is having none of it.

Kai closes the distance and pushes Couture back into the cage.
Kai lands with a short shot to the head.
Kai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Couture backwards.
Kai misses with some punches.
Kai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kai throws a leg kick which misses Couture's front leg but catches the back leg as Couture tries to avoid it.
Kai throws a shot from downtown. Couture moves away and avoids it.
Kai throws a right and a left that Couture avoids nicely.
Kai misses with a body punch

and Couture counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Couture accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Couture trying to control the position from guard on top but Kai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kai has control of Couture's left arm, preventing Couture from doing any damage.
Couture looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kai is pulling down on Couture's head to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Toshihiro Kai just wasn't active enough.
Couture misses with a shot to the body

and Kai counters by clinching up.
Kai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Couture changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kai fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kai checks the leg kick.
Kai feints a jab promting Couture to slip. Kai then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Couture slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kai lands with a kick to the temple. Couture shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai misses with a body shot.
Kai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kai lands a glancing blow to the side of Couture's head.
Couture takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Couture ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kai moves away.
Couture takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Couture looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kai misses with a hook.
Kai lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Couture scores with a nice right hand.
Toshihiro Kai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Couture shoots in and drives through. Kai sprawls well.
Couture throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Couture bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kai's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kai takes a swing at Couture's ribcage but misses.

Couture shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kai manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Couture is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kai is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kai has escaped and now he's on top!
Kai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Couture's guard.
Kai will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Couture looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Couture is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kai defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kai wants to stand and escape but instead Couture has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Couture throws a strike but Kai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Couture escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kai wanted to stand there but Couture had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture trying to keep a closed guard but Kai is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Toshihiro Kai will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Couture feints and as Kai raises his hands in defense, Couture changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Couture is looking to advance position but Kai has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Kai is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Couture looks to throw the jab but Kai is out of range.
Kai pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Couture back to the cage. Kai follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Toshihiro Kai is winning the standup battle so far.
Couture fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kai manages to avoid it.
Couture changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Couture fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kai is out of range.
Couture scores with a decent looking hook.
Kai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Couture throws out the jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Couture looks to score with a jab to the body but Kai is just out of range.
Kai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Couture tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kai swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Kai.
Couture misses with a leg kick.
Kai really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Couture takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kai digs a good body shot into Couture's ribs.
Couture tries to work over Kai's front leg with a kick but Kai checks it.
Couture thuds a left hand into Kai's body.
Couture finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Couture.
Some wild striking there from Kai.
Kai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kai looks to land a body kick but Couture moved away.
Couture slips under a jab from Kai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kai blocks the body kick.
Couture fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kai manages to avoid it.
Couture staying out of range there.
Kai has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kai there as he acknowledges the shot.

Kai forces Couture back against the cage and clinches.
Couture is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short uppercut from Kai.
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!
Couture stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Couture throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kais head.
Kai lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kai has a couple of punches blocked by Couture.

Couture escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch lands to the side of Kai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kai tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Couture lunges at Kai with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kai's hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kai scores with a hook.
Couture scores with a hook to the body. Kai takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Couture misses with a body shot.
Kai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Couture moves away.
Kai tries to close the distance and clinch but Couture swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kai looks to throw a body kick
and Couture counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Couture throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kai throws a hook but Couture blocks it.
Kai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Couture takes a kick to the side of the head.
Couture just misses with a punch to the body.
Couture avoids a punch combination nicely.
Couture throws a hook but Kai blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kai walks forward, straight into a front kick from Couture.
Kai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Couture misses with a leg kick
and Kai counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Couture misses with a body shot
and Kai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Couture uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kai.
Couture throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Couture takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Kai drives through and clinches with Couture against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kai struggles to land a body shot inside as Couture controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kai.
Kai lands a left hand.
Kai prevents a body shot from Couture.
Couture jumps guard but Kai turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brandon Couture will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Couture throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice shot by Kai.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt.
Couture throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Couture misses with a body kick.
Couture displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kai throws out the jab.
Kai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Couture with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Couture is looking to slow Kai down with leg kicks.
Kai avoids the body shot from Couture.
Kai misses with a head kick.
Couture looks to score with a jab to the body but Kai is just out of range.
Couture scores with a shot to the body.
Kai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kai takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kai throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kai misses with a kick to the body
enabling Couture to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Kai misses.
Kai punishes Couture's body with a nice straight punch.
Couture is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kai rather than just go for the knockout.
Kai takes a swing at Couture's ribcage but misses.
Kai scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kai thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice straight punches there by Couture. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Couture.
Kai waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Couture.
Kai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Couture lands a nice shot that snaps Kai's head back.
Couture throws a right hand that Kai ducks under and follows up with a left that Kai also avoids with ease.
Couture falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kai counters with a solid body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kai blocks a jab.
Kai throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kai scores with a jab to the body.
Couture ducks under a wild hook from Kai.
Kai loads up on a big right hand but Couture slips the punch.
Kai moves out of range of the strikes.
Kai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Couture tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Couture is looking to slow Kai down with leg kicks.
Kai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Couture is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Couture.
Kai is looking to clinch.
Kai moves out of range of the strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Kai checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Couture lands with a good body shot.
Couture misses with a straight right.
Couture takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kai scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Couture swinging wildly here.
Couture's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kai under the eye.
Kai moves in looking to clinch but Couture pushes him off.
Kai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Couture manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture cracks the inside of Kai's front leg.
Kai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kai thuds his right hand into Couture's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Couture.
Couture scores with a leg kick.
Kai throws an off balance right hand
and Couture counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Couture doesn't seem bothered though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Couture throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kai.
Kai works the jab nicely.
Kai throws a lazy right hand but Couture sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couture misses with a low kick.
Couture keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Couture wants to land a leg kick but Kai is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Toshihiro Kai did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kai throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.
Kai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Couture counters with a nice body shot.
Kai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Couture throws out the jab.
Couture keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Couture punishes Kai's body with a nice straight punch.
Couture throws a right hand that Kai ducks under and follows up with a left that Kai also avoids with ease.
Couture throws a leg kick which misses Kai's front leg but catches the back leg as Kai tries to avoid it.
Couture throws out a loose jab but Kai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Couture.
Kai scores with a one two! Couture had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kai thows a left - swing and a miss!
A slow jab from Kai misses its intended target.
Kai is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Couture misses the shot to the body.
Kai fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture shoots in looking for a takedown. Kai tries to sprawl out of it but Couture keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kai manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Couture throws a leg kick but Kai sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kai slips a jab from Couture.
Kai throws an overhand right that lands on Couture's shoulder, as Couture tries to avoid the shot.
Couture throws out a loose jab but Kai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kai tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Couture counters with an inside leg kick.
Couture ducks under a wild hook from Kai.
Kai missing with a left hand there. Couture was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Couture misses with an uppercut.
Kai throws a low kick but Couture moves out of range easily.
Kai is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Couture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kai missing with a left hand there. Couture was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Couture misses with a low kick.
A jab from Couture misses.
Couture blocks the body kick.

Couture shoots in and gets a takedown into Kai's guard.
Kai being controlled here, momentarily.
Couture trying to control but Kai is working from the bottom.
Couture is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture tries to free his leg and advance position but Kai is retaining full guard.
Couture is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Couture throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Couture trying to control the position from guard on top but Kai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Couture is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture content to stall in guard here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Brandon Couture wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kai misses with a hook
and Couture counters with a low kick, right behind Kai 's knee.
Kai lands a jab to the nose.
Couture connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A nice leg kick lands there from Couture.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kai. That's going to slow Couture down.
Kai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Couture doesn't seem bothered though.
Kai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Couture moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A combination from Kai does no damage.
Couture shoots for a double leg takedown but Kai sprawls well. He's pushed Couture's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Couture dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kai. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Couture dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

An inside leg kick lands from Couture.
Couture throws a solid leg kick but Kai takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Couture.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kai wants to clinch up but Couture keeps it at a distance.
Couture keeps the fight on the outside.
Kai connects with a crisp jab.
A slow jab from Kai misses its intended target.
Couture pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Couture throws a front kick that sends Kai stumbling back into the cage.
Kai lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Couture looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kai wants to control but Couture is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Couture is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kai looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Couture's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Couture's back!
Couture just trying to survive but Kai is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Couture turns into Kai and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Couture working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Couture looking to sit in guard and control but Kai gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Couture not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Couture has a closed guard, preventing Kai from standing up.

Couture is looking for a triangle but Kai pushes his legs off easily.
Kai has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Couture trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kai wants to stand but Couture is controlling his posture from full guard.

Kai gets to his feet. Couture looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kai tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Couture manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Couture scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Couture takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Couture throws a leg kick but Kai sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kai misses with a series of wild punches.
Couture ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kai moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kai throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Kai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Couture.
A punch lands to the side of Couture 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kai throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kai tries to clinch up.
Kai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Couture.
Couture swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Couture tries to land a leg kick but Kai saw it coming and moves away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Couture.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lull in the action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Couture swings around for an armbar but Kai sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Couture's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Couture comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Couture 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 45:50
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 47:48
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Couture!
Brandon Couture is the new lightweight champion!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Brandon Couture made sure he mentioned Punishment Nutrition - All 159Q products now $75, along with how happy he was to win his fight.