PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lager Assassin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Assassin comes to the cage accompanied by yes. Katsu Higashikuni has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Assassin
vs
Higashikuni

170 cm
36
149 lbs
35 - 15 - 1

162 cm
30
146 lbs
24 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Tormented Nutrition

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 15 - 1, fighting out of London, Lager Assassin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Katsu Higashikuni!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Assassin.
Assassin darts in looking for a takedown but Higashikuni gets double underhooks and turns Assassin into the cage.
Assassin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Higashikuni jumps guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Higashikuni working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Assassin.
Higashikuni keeping moving, preventing Assassin from controlling successfully.
Assassin throws a big right hand that misses.

Higashikuni is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Assassin is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Assassin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Higashikuni looking for a sweep. Not yet Higashikuni, not yet.
Assassin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Higashikuni has momentary wrist control but Assassin slips an elbow through the middle.
Higashikuni looking for a sweep. Not yet Higashikuni, not yet.

Higashikuni working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Assassin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Assassin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Assassin throws a big elbow that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Assassin scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assassin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Higashikuni is keeping the position for now.

Assassin drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Higashikuni manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Assassin has Higashikuni in his guard.
Higashikuni working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Assassin keeping moving, preventing Higashikuni from controlling successfully.
Higashikuni missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Higashikuni looking to pass the guard.
Higashikuni with a flurry of punches that miss.
Higashikuni throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assassin is trying to hold Higashikuni in close to prevent damage but Higashikuni has managed to pass into half guard.
Higashikuni throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Higashikuni not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Higashikuni wants to work for an arm triangle but Assassin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Higashikuni not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Higashikuni with the ground and pound but Assassin uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Higashikuni stops Assassin from standing up.
Assassin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Assassin controlling the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higashikuni with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Higashikuni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Assassin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Higashikuni trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Higashikuni cracks Assassin with a solid left hand.
Assassin wants to get back to his feet but Higashikuni is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Assassin keeping moving, preventing Higashikuni from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Higashikuni wants to pass the guard but Assassin is keeping the position.
Higashikuni in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Assassin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Higashikuni postures up in Assassin's guard and throws a big left but Assassin blocks it.
Assassin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Higashikuni is one step ahead there.
Higashikuni has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Assassin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Higashikuni is controlling him.
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.
Assassin misses with a looping right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Higashikuni dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Assassin has his takedown stuffed
and Higashikuni counters with a nice leg kick.
Higashikuni is looking to chop away at Assassin's legs.
Assassin throws a lazy right hand but Higashikuni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Katsu Higashikuni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Assassin loads up on a big right hand but Higashikuni slips the punch.
A cross from Higashikuni lands.
Higashikuni uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Assassin.
Assassin is looking to clinch.

Higashikuni closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Assassin regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Higashikuni.

Assassin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Higashikuni slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Higashikuni is trying to move to mount but Assassin reverses beautifully and ends up in Higashikuni's guard.
Higashikuni wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Higashikuni is on top in guard.
Higashikuni passes Assassin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Higashikuni trying to mount his opponent but Assassin defends it.
Higashikuni missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni thows a huge punch but Assassin dodges it nicely.
Higashikuni throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Assassin tries to kick Higashikuni off but Higashikuni keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Higashikuni is trying to control the action in half guard but Assassin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Higashikuni throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Higashikuni is thwarting Assassin's attempts to control the position.
Katsu Higashikuni has got the better of the ground game so far.

Higashikuni looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
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!
Assassin is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni is nestled in close to Assassin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Higashikuni tries to pass the half guard into mount. Assassin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Higashikuni is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nice strikes from Higashikuni there.
Higashikuni wants to take a breather but Assassin is having none of it.
Assassin taking some punishment here, with Higashikuni in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Higashikuni there.
Higashikuni seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Higashikuni trying to control the action but Assassin is working from the bottom.
Assassin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Higashikuni.
Assassin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Higashikuni.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Assassin manages to get to full guard.
Assassin wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Higashikuni forces his way into half guard.
Higashikuni is keen to just control but Assassin is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Higashikuni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Assassin as Higashikuni shoots in.
Higashikuni throws a low kick but Assassin moves out of range easily.
Higashikuni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Assassin.
Assassin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Higashikuni scores with a leg kick.
Assassin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Assassin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Higashikuni finds it's way round the side to connect with Assassin's head.
A jab lands there for Higashikuni.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Assassin is defended easily by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assassin looks to land a combination but Higashikuni avoids it well.
Higashikuni wants to slow Assassin down by chopping away at his legs.
Assassin fails with a takedown attempt.
Higashikuni goes for a double leg but Assassin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Assassin continues to drive forward.
Higashikuni is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Assassin is defending well.
Lager Assassin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsu Higashikuni.
Higashikuni throws a head punch that misses.
Assassin blocks an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Higashikuni working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Higashikuni misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Higashikuni pulls guard.
Assassin cracks Higashikuni with a solid left hand.
Higashikuni is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Higashikuni looking for a guillotine here but Assassin defends easily.
Higashikuni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Assassin is one step ahead there.
Katsu Higashikuni is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Higashikuni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Higashikuni keeping moving, preventing Assassin from controlling successfully.
Assassin slips nicely into half guard.
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!
Higashikuni avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Assassin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni trying to control but Assassin postures up.
Higashikuni gets back to full guard.
Assassin throwing strikes but missing.
Assassin throws a big right hand that misses.
Assassin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Higashikuni is adopting a defensive guard.
Assassin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Assassin throwing strikes from guard but Higashikuni blocks nicely.
Assassin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assassin postures up.
Assassin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Lager Assassin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Assassin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Assassin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Higashikuni looking for a sweep. Not yet Higashikuni, not yet.
Higashikuni pulls Assassin in close to prevent any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Assassin trying to control but Higashikuni is working from the bottom.
Assassin landing with the ground and pound.
Higashikuni avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Higashikuni looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Assassin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lager Assassin.
Well Higashikuni has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Higashikuni!
During a confident post fight interview, Katsu Higashikuni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.