PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kaoru Hanayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Trejo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Trejo has chosen Dire Straits- Six Blade Knife as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Hanayama
vs
Trejo

187 cm
33
199 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

191 cm
26
204 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Cyclone Nutrition Company

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

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 22 - 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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Danny Trejo!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Hanayama. Trejo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Trejo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hanayama does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hanayama scores with a jab to the jaw.
Trejo misses with a low kick.
A slow jab from Trejo misses its intended target.
Hanayama checks a low kick from Trejo.
Trejo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hanayama connects with a solid leg kick.
Trejo misses with a low kick as Hanayama jumps back.
Hanayama throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hanayama throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hanayama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hanayama.
Trejo throws a leg kick

and Hanayama counters with a nice double leg into side control. Trejo won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanayama is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Trejo will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Trejo gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Trejo is looking to escape.
Trejo avoids a series of strikes thrown by Hanayama.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A nice elbow there by Hanayama.
Hanayama throws some wild stikes that Trejo manages to avoid easily.
Hanayama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Trejo is looking to escape.
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 punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama punching from mount but Trejo doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Hanayama is stalling here but it's allowed Trejo to get half guard.
Hanayama wants to control but Trejo is keeping him busy.
Hanayama is just content to waste time from the top position. Trejo takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Trejo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hanayama sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hanayama throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama stops Trejo from standing up.
Trejo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Trejo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hanayama.
Hanayama throwing strikes but missing.
Hanayama won't allow Trejo to get back to his feet.
Hanayama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hanayama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hanayama wants to control from the top but Trejo keeps moving.
Hanayama is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trejo has momentary wrist control but Hanayama slips an elbow through the middle.
Hanayama content to stall in guard here.
Trejo wants to get back to his feet but Hanayama is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Trejo is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanayama throws a big right hand that misses.
Trejo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaoru Hanayama dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Trejo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Trejo swings widly with a right hand
and Hanayama counters with a slapping leg kick.
Trejo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hanayama is out of range and Trejo settles back down.

Hanayama shoots in and gets a takedown into Trejo's guard.
Hanayama trying to control but Trejo is working from the bottom.
Hanayama chips away with some ground and pound.
Trejo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hanayama stays in close to Trejo's body and controls the position.
Hanayama looking to pass the guard.
Hanayama looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Hanayama forces his way into half guard.
Hanayama wants to pass to mount but Trejo is defending the position.
Hanayama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Trejo's head.
Hanayama wants to pass the guard but Trejo is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama trying to control from half guard but Trejo is working away.
Hanayama drops an elbow to the side of Trejo's head.
Kaoru Hanayama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Trejo wants to get back to his feet.
Hanayama is looking to take a break and control but Trejo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hanayama is really struggling to control Trejo but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Trejo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hanayama.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hanayama wants to control but Trejo is keeping him busy.
Hanayama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Trejo's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama tries to pass to full mount but Trejo defends it.

Hanayama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Trejo defends it well.
Hanayama wants to pass to mount but Trejo is defending the position.
Trejo is staying active underneath Hanayama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hanayama wants to pass to mount but Trejo is defending the position.
Trejo is refusing to be controlled, as Hanayama sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hanayama not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hanayama throwing shots but Trejo is blocking nicely.
Trejo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hanayama scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hanayama seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Trejo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hanayama.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanayama missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaoru Hanayama dominated that second 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.

Hanayama lands an overhand right.
Hanayama scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Trejo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hanayama misses with a body shot.
Trejo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Trejo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hanayama takes a step back to recover.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Trejo - that will leave a mark!
Danny Trejo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Trejo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hanayama dives in and grabs Trejo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Trejo pushes down on Hanayama's head and hops out.
Hanayama misses with a looping left.
Hanayama on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Trejo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hanayama takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Trejo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Kaoru Hanayama has been cut.
Hanayama misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama tries for a takedown but Trejo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Danny Trejo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Trejo throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hanayama's head.
Trejo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hanayama fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaoru Hanayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Trejo.
Danny Trejo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Trejo throws a lazy head kick
and Hanayama counters with a left to the body.
Trejo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hanayama throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hanayama tried to score with a low kick but Trejo checks it.
Hanayama fails to land the takedown.
Kaoru Hanayama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hanayama is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Trejo's half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hanayama controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trejo is staying active underneath Hanayama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Trejo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hanayama is taking a breather. Trejo says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kaoru Hanayama wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hanayama looks for a takedown but Trejo sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trejo throws a head kick that misses.
Trejo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Trejo fakes the leg kick and cracks Hanayama in the body.
Hanayama lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Trejo is looking to score with low kicks.
Hanayama dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hanayama lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
That kick from Hanayama tenderised Trejo's leg. Trejo is trying to keep his angry face on.

Hanayama manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Trejo on his heels. He'll look to pass Trejo's guard now, I'm sure.
Hanayama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Trejo wants to stand up but Hanayama is controlling him.
Trejo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama trying to control but Trejo is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanayama looking to pass the guard.
Hanayama prevents Trejo from getting back to his feet.
Hanayama postures up in Trejo's guard and throws a big left but Trejo blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanayama stops Trejo from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Danny Trejo just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Kaoru Hanayama's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hanayama fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Trejo to the ground. Hanayama is now in Trejo's guard.
Trejo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hanayama controls the pace.
Hanayama trying to control but Trejo is working from the bottom.
Hanayama is looking to work some ground and pound but Trejo has wrist control.
Hanayama trying to control but Trejo is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kaoru Hanayama.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hanayama.
Hanayama checks a low kick from Trejo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hanayama lands a jab.
Trejo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hanayama avoids the body shot from Trejo.
Hanayama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Trejo.
Trejo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hanayama stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Trejo.
Trejo throws a head kick but Hanayama moves out of range.
Trejo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hanayama is looking to wear down Trejo with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Trejo is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hanayama with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hanayama is looking to slow Trejo down with leg kicks.
Trejo leaves Hanayama with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trejo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hanayama is out of range and Trejo settles back down.
Hanayama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Trejo was well out of range. Poor timing from Hanayama.
Hanayama lands with a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Horrible takedown by Hanayama or perhaps it was just good defense by Trejo which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaoru Hanayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanayama lands a nice hook to Trejo's body. Trejo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice sprawl there from Trejo as Hanayama shoots in.
Hanayama connects with a solid leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Trejo.
Trejo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Trejo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice uppercut there from Hanayama.
Hanayama fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Trejo avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trejo throws a head kick that misses.
Trejo takes one to the chin there.
Trejo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Good work by Hanayama as he checks the leg kick.
Trejo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Trejo misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sloppy strikes from Hanayama. Those never looked like landing.
Hanayama shoots in looking for a takedown but Trejo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hanayama's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hanayama waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Trejo.
Trejo punishes Hanayama's body with a nice straight punch.
Hanayama scores with a hook to the body. Trejo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trejo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Trejo slips under a jab.
Trejo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hanayama scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Trejo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hanayama will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hanayama wants to slow Trejo down by chopping away at his legs.
A head kick misses from Trejo.
Trejo throws a head kick that misses.
Hanayama looks to throw the jab but Trejo is out of range.
Hanayama scores with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Trejo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hanayama.
Hanayama takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hanayama lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaoru Hanayama had his way with Danny Trejo in that round.
The cut man is working on Kaoru Hanayama's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice shot by Hanayama.
Trejo misses with a low kick.
Trejo throws a head kick that misses.
A shot to the liver by Hanayama. Beautiful body shot.
Hanayama throws a series of punches but Trejo avoids them all with ease.

Hanayama fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Trejo to the ground. Hanayama is now in Trejo's guard.
Hanayama won't allow Trejo to get back to his feet.
Hanayama is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hanayama looking to pass the guard.
Hanayama trying to control the position from guard on top but Trejo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama is looking to work some ground and pound but Trejo has wrist control.
Hanayama throws a big elbow that misses.
Hanayama is stalling in the full guard.
Hanayama won't allow Trejo to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Trejo throws a sloppy head kick

and Hanayama counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hanayama landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Trejo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama tries to pass the half guard into mount. Trejo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Hanayama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Trejo defends it well.

Trejo is defending against the submission attempts here by Hanayama.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanayama seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Trejo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Danny Trejo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Trejo is defending against the submission attempts here by Hanayama.
Well, if Hanayama is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hanayama not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hanayama content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama is trying to control the action in half guard but Trejo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hanayama stalling away here and it's allowed Trejo to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Hanayama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Trejo is looking to stand up but Hanayama isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Trejo throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Hanayama trying to control the position from guard on top but Trejo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaoru Hanayama showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hanayama has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 49:46
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 49:45
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaoru Hanayama!
Kaoru Hanayama retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, Kaoru Hanayama thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.