PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akira Ishikawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ishikawa comes to the cage accompanied by mindshift genki sudo. Akira Ishikawa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ishikawa
vs
Steamboat

150 cm
34
147 lbs
33 - 18 - 0

178 cm
31
150 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Ishikawa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Steamboat!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steamboat tries to clinch up but Ishikawa circles away and keeps his distance.
Ishikawa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Steamboat moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Steamboat attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ishikawa throws a right and a left that both miss.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steamboat. Ishikawa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ishikawa is looking to land body kicks.
A head kick by Ishikawa misses
and Steamboat counters with a slapping leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that Ishikawa has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Ishikawa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steamboat takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ishikawa tries a head kick but it misses.
Ishikawa throws a series of punches but Steamboat moves out of range.
A head kick by Ishikawa misses
and Steamboat counters with an inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Steamboat. That's going to slow Ishikawa down.
Ishikawa throws a combination that misses
and Steamboat counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat scores with a kick to the body.
Steamboat's corner calls for a 1-2. Steamboat obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Steamboat connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ishikawa momentarily.

Steamboat gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ishikawa working aggressively here.
Steamboat misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ishikawa blocks a body shot from Steamboat.

Ishikawa breaks the clinch.
Ishikawa misses with a leg kick

and Steamboat counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Ishikawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ishikawa punishes Steamboat's body with a nice straight punch.
Ishikawa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steamboat.
Ishikawa swinging wildly here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No joy there for Ishikawa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ishikawa can pounce on him.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ishikawa throws a leg kick
and Steamboat counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ishikawa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ishikawa misses with the combination.
Steamboat blocks a head kick by Ishikawa.
Ishikawa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Steamboat counters with an outside leg kick.
Steamboat on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Steamboat jabs at Ishikawa's body.
Steamboat with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat with a nice cross.

It looks like Akira Ishikawa has been cut.
Ishikawa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Steamboat finds it's way round the side to connect with Ishikawa's head.
Akira Ishikawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steamboat lands a jab to Ishikawa's midsection.
Ishikawa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Steamboat avoids the body shot from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steamboat moves away.
Ishikawa throws a leg kick but Steamboat sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ishikawa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Steamboat jabs Ishikawa right on the nose. Ishikawa blinks but takes it well.
Ishikawa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Steamboat moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steamboat is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut lands for Steamboat. That snapped Ishikawa's head back.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that misses.
Steamboat swings for the body but Ishikawa moves out of range.
Ishikawa throws a head kick but Steamboat moves out of range.
Ishikawa misses with a wild combination.
Ishikawa misses with a body punch
and Steamboat counters with an inside leg kick.
Steamboat connects with an inside leg kick.
Steamboat keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steamboat fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ishikawa on the side of the head.
Ishikawa throws a right hand that misses
and Steamboat counters with a nice leg kick.
Ishikawa needs to keep his hands up - Steamboat had a free shot at his head there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sloppy strikes from Steamboat. Those never looked like landing.
Ishikawa misses with a straight left.
Ishikawa connects with a leg kick. Steamboat looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ishikawa throws a push kick but Steamboat slaps the foot to one side.
Ishikawa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steamboat connects with a body shot that sends Ishikawa's belly button to the back.
Ishikawa throws a lazy head kick
and Steamboat counters with a nice uppercut.
Ishikawa throws a body punch but Steamboat moves out of range.
Ishikawa is looking to wear down Steamboat with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Steamboat lands a head shot.
Steamboat throws a head kick that Ishikawa semi-blocks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ishikawa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steamboat.
Ishikawa throws a lazy head kick
and Steamboat connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ishikawa throws an off balance right hand
and Steamboat counters with a nice body shot.
Ishikawa misses with a wild body shot.
Ishikawa throws a sloppy head kick
and Steamboat connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Akira Ishikawa's cut is getting worse.

Ishikawa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Steamboat, pushing him back against the cage.
Ishikawa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ishikawa lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ishikawa controlling the action here for a moment.
Ishikawa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steamboat.
Steamboat is working Ishikawa over against the cage.
Ishikawa pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Steamboat digs a right hand into Ishikawa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ishikawa's gas tank.
Steamboat scores with a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Ishikawa tries a knee to the head but Steamboat blocks it.
A left hand lands to the body for Steamboat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steamboat lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ishikawa backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Steamboat.
Steamboat lands with a left to the head.
Steamboat makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.
Steamboat misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steamboat tries to throw a body punch but Ishikawa avoids it by throwing Steamboat back against the cage.
Steamboat blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Steamboat working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Steamboat lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ishikawa.
Ishikawa misses with a knee strike.
Ishikawa takes an elbow to the temple.
Steamboat lands an elbow inside that Ishikawa shrugs off.
Ishikawa pushes off an throws an elbow but Steamboat leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ishikawa looking to throw knees to the head but Steamboat is blocking nicely.
Steamboat lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ishikawa backwards.
Ishikawa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steamboat blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ishikawa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ishikawa prevents a body shot from Steamboat.
Steamboat throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ishikawas head.
Ishikawa trying to control the position but instead, Steamboat has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ishikawa into the cage.
A short body shot lands from Steamboat as the two fighters clinch.
Steamboat stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ishikawa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Steamboat is keeping busy.
Steamboat looking to stall.
Ishikawa throws a punch but it's blocked by Steamboat.
A head punch on the inside from Steamboat fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa lands an elbow just above Steamboat 's eye.
A short right from Steamboat on the inside.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Steamboat avoiding damage.
Steamboat gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Steamboat fails to land.
Steamboat is working Ishikawa over against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ishikawa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Steamboat avoids it.
Steamboat has Ishikawa pushed against the cage.
Steamboat doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ishikawa stalling in the clinch but Steamboat improves position.
A shot in the inside from Steamboat.
Ishikawa pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Steamboat tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Steamboat.
Ishikawa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ishikawa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Steamboat - that landed with a thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa'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.

Steamboat lands a slapping body shot.
Steamboat is looking to chop away at Ishikawa's legs.
A punch combination from Ishikawa misses.
Steamboat 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.
Steamboat connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A punch combination from Ishikawa misses.
Steamboat throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ishikawa.
Ishikawa misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steamboat lands with a cross.
Steamboat lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ishikawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ishikawa moves in looking to clinch but Steamboat pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishikawa looks to throw a body kick
and Steamboat makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ishikawa throws a series of punches but Steamboat moves out of range.
Ishikawa throws a hook but Steamboat avoids it easily.
Steamboat turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Steamboat lands a nice shot to the body.
Steamboat bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Steamboat scores with a jab to the jaw.
Steamboat has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ishikawa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Steamboat's sensitive parts.
Steamboat fails to land with a series of punches.
Ishikawa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steamboat.
Akira Ishikawa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
An inside leg kick lands from Steamboat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa throws a leg kick but Steamboat moved away.
Steamboat connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steamboat catches Ishikawa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ishikawa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Steamboat makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick by Ishikawa misses
and Steamboat counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ishikawa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that misses
and Steamboat cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Steamboat throws out a powerful jab.
Steamboat moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Steamboat.
Ishikawa fails to land with a series of punches.
Ishikawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steamboat dodges the punch combination from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa wants to clinch.
Ishikawa is looking to clinch but Steamboat is avoiding it.
Ishikawa throws a head kick but Steamboat moves out of range.
Ishikawa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Ishikawa misses
and Steamboat counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Steamboat has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ishikawa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steamboat.
Steamboat scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ishikawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steamboat was well out of range. Poor timing from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa misses with a few strikes there.
Steamboat lands a head shot.

Akira Ishikawa's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Steamboat wants to clinch.
Steamboat stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steamboat cracks Ishikawa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Steamboat gets tackled into the cage by Ishikawa. Ishikawa maintains the clinch.
Ricky Steamboat seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Steamboat lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ishikawa.
Ishikawa can't break the clinch.
Steamboat prevents Ishikawa from breaking the clinch.
Steamboat keeps control of Ishikawa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Steamboat misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ishikawa blocks an uppercut.
Ishikawa has a couple of punches blocked by Steamboat.
Steamboat blocks an elbow strike from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa wants to stall.
Steamboat stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Steamboat lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Steamboat throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ishikawa is trying to force a seperation but Steamboat has the dominant position.

Ishikawa manages to break the clinch.
Ishikawa tries to clinch up
and Steamboat counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steamboat moves into the clinch.
Steamboat lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ishikawa backwards.
Steamboat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ishikawa's elbow.
Steamboat lands an elbow inside that Ishikawa shrugs off.
Ishikawa tries to work over Steamboat's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steamboat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Steamboat breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steamboat checks the leg kick.
Steamboat keeps the fight on the outside.
Ishikawa throws a lazy right hand but Steamboat sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ishikawa fakes the leg kick and cracks Steamboat in the body.
Ishikawa takes a swing at Steamboat's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa avoids the head kick by Steamboat.
Steamboat takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ishikawa misses with a hook.
A bone on bone clash there as Ishikawa blocks the leg kick.
Steamboat checks a low kick from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Steamboat circles away quickly and effectively.
Steamboat blocks a head kick by Ishikawa.
Steamboat throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steamboat scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ishikawa takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat throws a sloppy head kick and Ishikawa moves out of range easily.
Ishikawa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ishikawa is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Steamboat's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Steamboat getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ishikawa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ishikawa throws a right and a left that Steamboat avoids nicely.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Steamboat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ishikawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Steamboat moves away.
Ishikawa lands a nice shot to the body.
Ishikawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Steamboat swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steamboat lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Steamboat throws a head kick that half lands.
Ishikawa throws a nice head kick!
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!
Ishikawa throws a leg kick
and Steamboat cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Steamboat pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Steamboat with a hook.
Ishikawa misses with a few strikes there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ishikawa fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Steamboat checks it well.
Steamboat uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ishikawa.
Ishikawa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ishikawa misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Ricky Steamboat will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ishikawa throws a lazy head kick
and Steamboat counters with a one-two to the body.
Ishikawa throws a lazy head kick

and Steamboat counters by moving into the clinch.
Steamboat lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Steamboat comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ishikawa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Steamboat avoids it.
A hook to the body from Steamboat.
Ishikawa working hard to break the clinch.
Ishikawa blocks an uppercut.
Steamboat lands a body shot.
Steamboat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ishikawa's elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Ishikawa.
Steamboat wants to stall.
Steamboat has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Steamboat tries a body shot but Ishikawa blocks it.
Ishikawa prevents a body shot from Steamboat.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat avoiding damage.
Steamboat misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ishikawa avoids the elbow strike from Steamboat, against the cage.
Ishikawa takes an elbow to the forehead.
Steamboat misses with a punch to the body.

Ishikawa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ishikawa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Steamboat counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ishikawa misses with a head kick.
Steamboat is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ishikawa throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Steamboat's head.
Steamboat lands a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat takes a swing at Ishikawa's ribcage but misses.
Ishikawa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Steamboat digs a good body shot into Ishikawa's ribs.
Some wild striking there from Ishikawa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ishikawa closes the distance looking to clinch
and Steamboat counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ishikawa's knee momentarily.
Steamboat misses with an attempted mid kick.
Steamboat feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ishikawa's calf.
Ishikawa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa throws a sloppy head kick
and Steamboat counters with a thumping low kick.
Ishikawa tries to clinch up
and Steamboat counters with an outside leg kick.
Steamboat fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ishikawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steamboat blocks the body kick.
Ishikawa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ishikawa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ishikawa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Steamboat on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Akira Ishikawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ishikawa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ishikawa throws a right and a left that both miss.
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.
Steamboat lands a lovely overhand right.
Ishikawa avoids the head kick by Steamboat.
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa fails to land with a series of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ishikawa looks to throw a body kick
and Steamboat counters with a body kick that stops Ishikawa in his tracks momentarily.
Ishikawa lands a head kick!
Ricky Steamboat is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ishikawa throws a leg kick
enabling Steamboat to counter with a crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Steamboat comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Steamboat 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 45:50
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Steamboat! Ricky Steamboat retains his featherweight title!