PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Ever (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hitoshi Igarashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ever
vs
Igarashi

185 cm
18
160 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

174 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Eddie Ever!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hitoshi Igarashi!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Igarashi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ever changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Igarashi tries to avoid it but Ever manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Igarashi to the ground. Igarashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ever tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Igarashi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ever fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hitoshi Igarashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Igarashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Ever.
Ever sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ever is breathing heavily.
Igarashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No joy there for Igarashi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Igarashi misses with a double jab.
Igarashi throws a head kick that misses.
Igarashi misses with a straight left.
No luck for Igarashi with that takedown attempt.

Igarashi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ever, pushing him back against the cage.
Igarashi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ever escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ever blocks a leg kick.
Igarashi throws a front kick that sends Ever stumbling back into the cage.
Ever on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ever lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Igarashi backs up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Igarashi scores with a hook to the body. Ever takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Igarashi is looking to land body kicks.
No luck for Ever with that takedown attempt.
Igarashi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ever.
Ever looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Ever. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ever looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Igarashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Ever tries to clinch but Igarashi moves out of range.
Igarashi lands with an overhand left.
Igarashi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Igarashi misses with a hook.
Igarashi misses with a low kick.
Ever shoots in and drives through. Igarashi sprawls well.
Igarashi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ever wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ever looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ever moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ever shoots in but no luck this time.
Igarashi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ever misses with a takedown attempt
and Igarashi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Eddie Ever has been cut.
Ever looks for a takedown but Igarashi sprawls well.
Igarashi misses with a two punch combination.
Igarashi misses with the combination.

Igarashi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ever, pushing him back against the cage.

Igarashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ever has his takedown stuffed
and Igarashi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
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!
Igarashi lands a head kick. Ever smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Igarashi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ever with a lazy takedown attempt

and Igarashi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Igarashi.

Igarashi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ever looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ever shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Igarashi misses with a combination
and Ever counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Igarashi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Ever counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Igarashi's guard now.
Ever in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Igarashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Igarashi keeping moving, preventing Ever from controlling successfully.
Igarashi trying to keep a closed guard but Ever is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Igarashi is looking to stand up but Ever isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Igarashi holds on and takes a little breather.
Ever trying to control but Igarashi is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ever dodges the punch combination from Igarashi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hitoshi Igarashi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eddie Ever's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ever lands with a thumping leg kick.
Igarashi throws a leg kick that is checked

and Ever counters with a takedown into side control.
Igarashi tries to improve position but can't.
Ever prevents Igarashi from escaping the position.
Igarashi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Ever stands up from half guard.
Igarashi misses with a few strikes there.
Igarashi is breathing heavily.
Ever wants to clinch up but Igarashi keeps it at a distance.
Ever fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Igarashi thows a body shot but no joy.
Igarashi misses with a low kick as Ever jumps back.
Ever throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Igarashi's waist but Igarashi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ever off to one side.
Igarashi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ever blocks a head kick by Igarashi.
Ever shoots in for a double leg but Igarashi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Ever. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ever is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ever chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Igarashi can pounce on him.
Igarashi throws a nice looking combination but Ever bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick by Igarashi misses

and Ever counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ever stalling.
Igarashi is trying to stand.
Igarashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ever. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ever wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ever is trying to control the action in half guard but Igarashi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Igarashi is trying is best to control the position here.
Igarashi pushes Ever off looking to stand but Ever dives back in and keeps control.
Igarashi is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Igarashi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ever's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ever's back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Igarashi's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Igarashi biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Igarashi struggling to keep hold of the position.

Ever defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Igarashi's arms.
Good control from Igarashi.
Igarashi is not going to allow Ever to sit and survive in this position.
Igarashi controlling from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Igarashi doesn't have the hooks in and Ever manages to turn into his guard.
Ever is standing up over Igarashi. Igarashi looks to escape but Ever dives into side control.
Igarashi pushes Ever away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ever gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Igarashi can't do much from the bottom here.
Igarashi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Ever dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Eddie Ever's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ever lets loose with a powerful body kick. Igarashi will feel that in the morning.
Igarashi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ever tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Igarashi takes the fight into the clinch.

Igarashi decides to pull guard.

Igarashi manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Ever fails with the takedown.
Igarashi misses with a shot to the body
and Ever counters with a good low kick that Igarashi was not able to check.
Ever moves in looking to clinch but Igarashi pushes him off.
Igarashi throws a head kick that Ever semi-blocks.

Ever pushes Igarashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Igarashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Igarashi breaks the clinch.
Igarashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Ever fails with the takedown
and Igarashi makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Ever really felt that one!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Igarashi tries to land a front kick but Ever steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ever shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Igarashi pinned against the cage. Igarashi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Ever. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ever has a takedown stuffed.
Igarashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ever uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Igarashi.
Ever connects with a solid leg kick.

Ever drives through and clinches with Igarashi against the cage.
Ever wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Igarashi tries a knee to the head but Ever blocks it.
A knee to the head by Igarashi.
Ever wants a takedown.
Igarashi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Igarashi landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Igarashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ever throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Igarashi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Igarashi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Igarashi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Igarashi throws a right and a left that Ever avoids nicely.
Igarashi swinging wilding here.
Igarashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Ever.
Igarashi misses with a straight right.

Igarashi darts in and clinches Ever up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ever has had enough of the clinch but Igarashi keeps him there for the moment.
Igarashi scores with a hook to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Igarashi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ever's brow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ever throws an elbow but misses.

Igarashi breaks the clinch.

Igarashi pushes Ever up against the cage in a clinch.
Ever is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Igarashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ever has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Ever breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ever swinging wilding here.
Igarashi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ever backs up against the cage.
A low kick from Igarashi is predictable there
and Ever makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Igarashi really felt that one!
Ever tries to clinch there but Igarashi circles away.
Hitoshi Igarashi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ever throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nice sprawl there from Igarashi as Ever shoots in.
Ever tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Igarashi looks to land a right hand but Ever moved out of range.
Igarashi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Igarashi throws a push kick but Ever slaps the foot to one side.
Ever shoots in for a takedown but Igarashi shows good takedown defense.

Ever scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

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

Igarashi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Igarashi misses with a series of wild punches.
Igarashi circles away from the clinch attempt
and Igarashi counters with a body kick that stops Ever in his tracks momentarily.
Ever is looking to clinch.
Ever avoids the head kick by Igarashi.
Igarashi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Igarashi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ever scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Igarashi doesn't seem bothered though.
Ever tries to clinch up.
Ever wants to clinch but Igarashi slips to the side
and Igarashi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Eddie Ever is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ever keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Igarashi.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ever with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Igarashi to score with a decent uppercut.

Ever is rocked!
Ever avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Oh Ever is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Igarashi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Igarashi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hitoshi Igarashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Igarashi 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hitoshi Igarashi!