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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Kato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!
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| 176 cm
24
167 lbs
9 - 3 - 0 |
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177 cm
24
170 lbs
10 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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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
9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenji Kato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Spencer!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer misses with a shot to the body
and Kato counters with a thumping low kick.
Spencer lands a slapping body shot.
Spencer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Spencer shoots in and gets a takedown into Kato's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Spencer controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Spencer looking to sit in guard and control but Kato gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kato wants to get up but he can't break Spencer's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Spencer is looking for a triangle here but Kato uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Spencer is looking to regain half guard here but Kato keeps moving and retains side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Spencer, who protects the arm well.
Kato working away.
Spencer looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Spencer is looking to regain half guard here but Kato keeps moving and retains side control.
Kato working away.
Kato trying to control the position but Spencer is working away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato wants to stand but Spencer is controlling his arm.
Spencer holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Kato tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Kato goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Spencer has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kato but great work by Spencer.
Kato is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Jorzi GYM, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Spencer working away.
Kato is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Spencer tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Kato!
Spencer avoids the attempt from Kato to control.
Spencer throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Spencer dominating with strikes here.
Kato working to try and regain half guard.
Spencer thowing shots but they're missing.
Spencer looking to finish with strikes here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer lands a big elbow.
Kato is trying desperately to improve position.
Spencer looking to land elbow strikes but Kato uses the position to regain 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!
Spencer is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kato avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Spencer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer stalling away here and it's allowed Kato to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Spencer trying to control but Kato is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Spencer dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Spencer looks to throw the jab but Kato is out of range.
Kato avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spencer.
Spencer lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Spencer moves out of range of the strikes.
Spencer misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kato counters with an inside leg kick.
Kato moves out of range as Spencer strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spencer. Kato does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spencer takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kato misses with a looping right.
Spencer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Spencer throws a body punch but Kato moves out of range.
Kato takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Spencer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kato counters with a thumping low kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato throws a leg kick but Spencer moved away.
Kenji Kato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Spencer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kato defending well as Spencer loads up on a big left hand.
Spencer looks to score with a jab to the body but Kato is just out of range.
Spencer takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Spencer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kato punishes Spencer's body with a nice straight punch.
Kato avoids the body shot from Spencer.
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Kato misses the shot to the body.
Good work by Kato as he checks the leg kick.
Kato slips a straight right by Spencer.
Kato is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kato cracks Spencer with an open hand slap.
Spencer swings for the body but Kato moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato throws a big shot that misses.
Spencer shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Spencer showed some decent athleticism there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spencer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kato's head.
Kato trying to control from the bottom.
Kato is looking for a sweep. Spencer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kato pushes Spencer off looking to stand but Spencer dives back in and keeps control.
Kato preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Spencer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kato is looking to control Spencer's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kato avoid being mounted?
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Spencer trying to control from Kato's half guard. Kato has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Spencer is in close to Kato's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Spencer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Spencer trying to control the position from guard on top but Kato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spencer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Spencer landing some decent shots from guard.
Spencer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kato is keeping the position for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer pushes down on Kato's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Spencer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kato's head.
Spencer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kato defending well though.
Spencer is looking to pass Kato's guard but actually Kato recovers to full guard.
Kato being controlled here, momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kato wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Spencer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Spencer throws a chopping leg kick but Kato manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kato lands a leg kick that knocks Spencer off balance momentarily.
Spencer throws a sloppy body shot
and Kato counters with an inside leg kick.
Kato bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Spencer's head backwards.
Spencer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kato rather than just go for the knockout.
Spencer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Spencer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Spencer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kato misses the jab.
Kato lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kato lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kato fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Spencer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kato.
Kato throws a chopping leg kick but Spencer manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Spencer misses with a two punch combination.
Kato slips a jab and a cross from Spencer.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spencer was well out of range. Poor timing from Kato.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kato.
Kato connects with a solid leg kick.
Kato throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Spencer stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kato looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kato misses with a wild combination.
Spencer thows a body shot but no joy.
Spencer tries to bum rush Kato with a series of wild strikes but Kato uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kato defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Spencer.
Spencer fails with a takedown attempt.
Kenji Kato is winning the standup battle so far.
Spencer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kato lands a nice shot that snaps Spencer's head back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kato was well out of range. Poor timing from Spencer.
Kato connects with a body shot that sends Spencer's belly button to the back.
Joe Spencer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Spencer's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kato connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Spencer scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kato scores with a body shot.
Spencer connects with a right hand. Kato shakes it off.
Kato moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Spencer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kato throws a chopping leg kick but Spencer manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Spencer swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kato counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Spencer fails to land the takedown.
Kenji Kato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Spencer.
Spencer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Spencer takes a swing at Kato's ribcage but misses.
Spencer connects with a single shot there.
Spencer 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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Spencer needs to keep his hands up - Kato had a free shot at his head there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Spencer checks a leg kick.
Spencer connects with a nice looking jab.
Spencer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kato.
Spencer missing with a left hand there. Kato was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Spencer shoots in looking for a takedown but Kato manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Spencer's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Spencer misses with a looping right.
Kato lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Spencer with a lazy takedown attempt
and Spencer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kato.
Spencer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kato.
Kato stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kato wants it to stay on the feet.
Kato throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kato connects with an inside leg kick.
Kato connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kato fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Spencer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Spencer moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kato walks into a jab.
Kato scores with a leg kick.
Spencer checks a low kick from Kato.
Kenji Kato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kato misses with a wild body shot.
Kato takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Joe Spencer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kato delivers a nice body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kato bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Spencer's head.
Spencer takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kato.
Spencer takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Kato showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Spencer 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Spencer!
Joe Spencer thanked the fans post fight for their support.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
72% |
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