PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kuroda Atsushi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fenton Meeks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuroda Atsushi had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Atsushi
vs
Meeks

170 cm
28
159 lbs
25 - 6 - 1

171 cm
35
154 lbs
30 - 20 - 0

Great wrestler
Great low kicks
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Steel Penn's All 160

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 25 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Kuroda Atsushi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Fenton Meeks!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Winston Howard and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atsushi fails with the takedown.
Meeks misses with a lunging right hand
and Atsushi counters with a nice leg kick.
Atsushi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Meeks is able to avoid easily.
Meeks wants to clinch.
Atsushi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Atsushi slips a jab and a cross from Meeks.
Atsushi keeps Meeks at a distance using the push kick.
Meeks chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Atsushi can pounce on him.
Meeks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Atsushi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Atsushi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Atsushi misses with a low kick.
Atsushi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Meeks rushes Atsushi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meeks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Atsushi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Atsushi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Atsushi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Atsushi misses with an uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Atsushi, right into the meat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Meeks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Meeks shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Atsushi eats them both and turns towards Meeks to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Meeks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Meeks looking to slow down the pace here.
Meeks lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Atsushi blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Atsushi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Atsushi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Meeks fails in his attempt to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Atsushi.
Atsushi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Atsushi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Meeks.
Atsushi thows a body shot but no joy.

Meeks moves into the clinch successfully.
Meeks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Atsushi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Meeks misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Atsushi.
Meeks misses with a body punch.
Meeks is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Atsushi is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Atsushi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Meeks checks a leg kick.
Atsushi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Atsushi jabs Meeks right on the nose. Meeks blinks but takes it well.
Good exchange - Meeks coming out on top.
Atsushi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Atsushi throws out a loose jab but Meeks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Atsushi is looking to score with low kicks.
Atsushi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Atsushi.
Atsushi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Meeks is able to avoid easily.
Meeks jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meeks stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Meeks misses with an uppercut.
Atsushi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Meeks.
Meeks avoids the body shot from Atsushi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Atsushi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Atsushi tries to land a leg kick but Meeks saw it coming and moves away.
Meeks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Atsushi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Meeks on his heels. He'll look to pass Meeks's guard now, I'm sure.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Atsushi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Meeks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Atsushi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Meeks looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Meeks is on top in guard.
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 Kuroda Atsushi will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Atsushi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Meeks.
A big left from Meeks misses.
Kuroda Atsushi is winning the standup battle so far.
Meeks misses with a body shot.
Meeks doesn't manage to clinch there - Atsushi circles away.
Atsushi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Meeks slaps away a takedown attempt from Atsushi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Meeks tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Atsushi misses with a looping left.
Meeks looks to score with a jab to the body but Atsushi is just out of range.
A jab lands there for Meeks.
Atsushi keeps the fight on the outside.
Atsushi wants to land a leg kick but Meeks is out of range.
Kuroda Atsushi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meeks throws out a loose jab but Atsushi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Meeks walks forward, straight into a front kick from Atsushi.
A decent looking cross lands there for Meeks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Atsushi. That's going to slow Meeks down.
A swing and a miss from Atsushi.
Meeks checks the leg kick nicely there.
Meeks bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Atsushi's head backwards.
Atsushi throws a chopping leg kick but Meeks manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Atsushi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Meeks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Atsushi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Meeks scores with a jab. Atsushi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Atsushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Meeks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meeks misses with a jab, cross combination.
Meeks might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Atsushi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Atsushi misses with a low kick.
Meeks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Atsushi.
Meeks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Meeks on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice defenses there by Atsushi.
A telegraphed right hand from Atsushi misses the target.
Atsushi connects with a leg kick. Meeks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Atsushi throws a leg kick but Meeks moved away.
Meeks connects with a crisp jab.
Atsushi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Meeks avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Atsushi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Meeks.
Meeks lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Atsushi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Meeks misses with a looping left.
A big left from Atsushi misses.
Atsushi throws a shot from downtown. Meeks moves away and avoids it.
A combination from Atsushi does no damage.
Meeks defending well as Atsushi loads up on a big left hand.
Atsushi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Atsushi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Atsushi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meeks tries to close the distance and clinch up but Atsushi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Atsushi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Atsushi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Atsushi throws a shot from downtown. Meeks moves away and avoids it.
Meeks checks a leg kick nicely.
Meeks moves out of range of the body kick from Atsushi.
A nice inside leg kick there by Atsushi. That's going to slow Meeks down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Atsushi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Meeks can do anything to dispel that myth.
Meeks wants to control but Atsushi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Atsushi drops an elbow to the side of Meeks's head.
Atsushi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Atsushi trying to mount his opponent but Meeks defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushi dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

An inside leg kick lands from Atsushi.
Atsushi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Atsushi is looking to land body kicks.
Atsushi misses the shot to the body.
Atsushi connects with a body shot.
Meeks wants to clinch up but Atsushi keeps it at a distance.
Atsushi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Atsushi shoots in and drives through. Meeks sprawls well.
Atsushi connects with a leg kick. Meeks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Atsushi swats away the attempt to clinch by Meeks.
Atsushi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meeks fails in his attempt to clinch.
Atsushi misses the shot to the body.
Atsushi throws a leg kick but Meeks checks it.
Atsushi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A head kick misses from Atsushi.
Atsushi swats away the attempt to clinch by Meeks.
Meeks stalks Atsushi and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Atsushi's face. Atsushi staggers backwards, shaken.
Meeks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Atsushi.
Atsushi scores with a leg kick.
Atsushi throws a right hand that Meeks ducks under and follows up with a left that Meeks also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Atsushi throws an off balance right hand
and Meeks counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Horrible takedown by Atsushi or perhaps it was just good defense by Meeks which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kuroda Atsushi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atsushi slips a jab from Meeks.
Atsushi motions for Meeks to come forward. Atsushi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Atsushi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atsushi slips a jab from Meeks.
Meeks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Meeks misses with a hook.
Atsushi throws a right hand that misses
and Meeks counters with a nice uppercut.
Atsushi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Meeks is out of range and Atsushi settles back down.
Meeks's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Atsushi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Meeks scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meeks throws a looping overhand right but Atsushi ducks down to avoid it.
Atsushi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Meeks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Atsushi somewhat.
Meeks misses with a double jab.
Meeks tries to clinch there but Atsushi circles away.
Meeks cracks Atsushi with an open hand slap.
Atsushi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Atsushi tries to land a leg kick but Meeks saw it coming and moves away.
Atsushi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Meeks avoids it really well and circles away.
Meeks misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi connects with a looping right hand.
Atsushi shoots in for a takedown but Meeks shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Atsushi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Atsushi keeps the fight on the outside.
Atsushi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Meeks checks it well.
Jab, jab by Meeks - just one landing.
Atsushi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Atsushi moves out of range as Meeks strikes.
Atsushi ducks under a wild hook from Meeks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Meeks tries to close the distance and clinch up but Atsushi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Meeks fails in his attempt to clinch.

Meeks moves into range and clinches up with Atsushi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Fenton Meeks just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Meeks looks to land a left hand but Atsushi moved out of range nicely.
Meeks tries to clinch there but Atsushi circles away.
Atsushi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Atsushi throws a low kick, looking for Meeks's leg but Meeks calmly moves out of range.
Meeks tries to clinch up but Atsushi circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Atsushi is defended easily by Meeks.
Atsushi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Good exchange - Meeks coming out on top.
Atsushi throws a body punch but Meeks moves out of range.
Meeks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Atsushi.
Meeks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Atsushi circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meeks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Meeks uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Atsushi is looking to slow Meeks down with leg kicks.
Meeks looks to land a combination but Atsushi avoids it well.
Atsushi blocks a head kick by Meeks.
Atsushi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Atsushi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Meeks sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Meeks moves into the clinch.

Atsushi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Atsushi tries a low kick but Meeks avoids it.
Fenton Meeks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Atsushi.
Atsushi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Meeks checks it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Meeks scores with a crisp jab that stopped Atsushi in his tracks.
Meeks lands the left hand.
A slow jab from Atsushi misses its intended target.
Atsushi throws a leg kick but Meeks checks it.
Meeks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Atsushi moves away.
Atsushi throws a jab but it's blocked by Meeks.
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!
Meeks displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Atsushi throws out the jab.
Atsushi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Meeks's calf.
Meeks looks to throw the jab but Atsushi is out of range.
Meeks throws out a powerful jab.
Meeks's corner calls for a 1-2. Meeks obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meeks tries to close the distance and clinch but Atsushi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Atsushi throws a solid leg kick but Meeks takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Atsushi.
Meeks gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Atsushi.
Atsushi tries to land a leg kick but Meeks saw it coming and moves away.
Meeks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Atsushi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Atsushi.
Atsushi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Atsushi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Atsushi misses with a shot to the body
and Meeks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A decent looking cross lands there for Meeks.
Atsushi misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meeks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Atsushi circles away quickly and effectively.
A jab from Meeks misses.
Meeks blocks a leg kick.
Atsushi misses with a looping left.
Atsushi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Meeks checks it well.
Decent striking displayed by Meeks there.
A good leg kick by Atsushi.
Meeks avoids the head kick by Atsushi.
Nice uppercut there from Atsushi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Atsushi misses with a left hand
and Meeks counters with a stiff right hand.
Atsushi connects with a solid leg kick.
That kick from Atsushi tenderised Meeks's leg. Meeks is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Fenton Meeks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Atsushi ducks under a wild hook from Meeks.
Atsushi needs to keep his hands up - Meeks had a free shot at his head there.
Atsushi scores with a jab.
Atsushi looks to score with a jab to the body but Meeks is just out of range.
The fighters circling - Meeks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Meeks lands with an uppercut that bounces Atsushi off the cage and back into range.
Atsushi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Meeks takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Atsushi throws a hook but Meeks blocks it.
Meeks ducks under a wild hook from Atsushi.
A swing and a miss from Meeks.
Atsushi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meeks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Atsushi.
A head kick misses from Atsushi.
Meeks takes one to the chin there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Atsushi.
Meeks tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Atsushi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Meeks takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Atsushi looks to land a body kick but Meeks moved away.
Atsushi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Meeks swivels and escapes.

Atsushi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Atsushi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Atsushi misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Atsushi postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meeks struggling a bit here.
Atsushi cracks Meeks with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Meeks sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Meeks is looking for a sweep. Atsushi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Atsushi is pressing down on Meeks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Meeks is holding on for now.
Meeks wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Atsushi is thwarting Meeks's attempts to control the position.
Atsushi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi throwing shots but Meeks is blocking nicely.
Atsushi lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Meeks tries to get to full guard but Atsushi has control of the leg.
Meeks is not content to let Atsushi control the position.
Meeks is trying to control but can't.
Atsushi is looking to take a break and control but Meeks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Atsushi is pressing down on Meeks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Meeks is holding on for now.
Atsushi working Meeks over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Meeks has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Atsushi is working away from the top position though.
Atsushi stalling.
Atsushi working the head and body with strikes.
Meeks is pressing down on Atsushi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Meeks keeping moving, preventing Atsushi from controlling successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atsushi lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Atsushi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kuroda Atsushi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Atsushi 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 49:47
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 48:48
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Kuroda Atsushi!
Kuroda Atsushi retains his lightweight title!
Our winner, Kuroda Atsushi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.