PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kaoru Hanayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sephiroth Cooper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaoru Hanayama has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hanayama
vs
Cooper

187 cm
32
199 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

195 cm
31
198 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Wolfpack Blood Labs Q158-Q155

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 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kaoru Hanayama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sephiroth Cooper!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hanayama gets a takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Cooper looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cooper avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hanayama.

Cooper looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cooper is looking to control Hanayama's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cooper avoid being mounted?
Hanayama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cooper keeps working.
Hanayama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hanayama has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hanayama lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Cooper looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hanayama trying to control the action but Cooper is working from the bottom.
Cooper trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooper tries to get to full guard but Hanayama has control of the leg.
Cooper is staying active underneath Hanayama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hanayama prevents Cooper from improving his position.
Cooper is looking to get back to full guard here but Hanayama has managed to pass to side control instead.
Cooper is trying to control Hanayama's posture but Hanayama avoids it.
Cooper takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hanayama working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Cooper gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Cooper tries to hold on but Hanayama postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama breaks from Cooper's wrist control and lands an elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cooper wants to hold on but Hanayama pushes him away.
Hanayama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cooper is looking to escape.
A big strike lands for Hanayama! That's really hurt Cooper and he's turned his back - Hanayama keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Hanayama jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kaoru Hanayama!
Kaoru Hanayama retains his middleweight title!
Kaoru Hanayama decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.