PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Liam Neeson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiroyuki Okamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Okamoto's choice of entrance music: Feel the Drive. This should be fireworks!

Neeson
vs
Okamoto

175 cm
31
146 lbs
11 - 18 - 0

168 cm
31
152 lbs
21 - 16 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 11 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Liam Neeson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroyuki Okamoto!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Neeson.
Neeson 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.
Okamoto thows a body shot but no joy.
Okamoto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Neeson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Okamoto is looking to slow Neeson down with leg kicks.
Okamoto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Okamoto stuffs the takedown.
Okamoto connects with a body shot.
Neeson checks a leg kick.
Okamoto turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Okamoto stuffs the takedown.
A bone on bone clash there as Neeson blocks the leg kick.
Neeson shoots in looking for a takedown but Okamoto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Neeson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Neeson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okamoto throws out a leg kick but Neeson moves out of range and Okamoto only half commits.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okamoto throws a nice inside leg kick.
Okamoto misses with a body shot.
Okamoto lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Okamoto fakes the leg kick and cracks Neeson in the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Okamoto.
Nice body punch from Okamoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Okamoto.
Okamoto 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.
Neeson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Okamoto misses with a low kick as Neeson jumps back.
Okamoto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Okamoto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Okamoto 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.

Neeson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Okamoto to the mat! Okamoto manages to get full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Okamoto holds on and takes a little breather.
Okamoto is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Hiroyuki Okamoto.
Okamoto jabs at Neeson's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A good leg kick by Okamoto.
Okamoto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Okamoto works over Neeson's head and body with a nice combination.
Neeson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Okamoto defends well and Neeson ends up having to push Okamoto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Okamoto holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Okamoto receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Hiroyuki Okamoto.
Okamoto throws a low kick but Neeson moves out of range easily.
Okamoto misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Okamoto is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Neeson rather than just go for the knockout.
Okamoto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Okamoto cracks a nice hook into Neeson's ribs.
Okamoto throws a front kick that sends Neeson stumbling back into the cage.
Okamoto works over Neeson's head and body with a nice combination.
Okamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
That kick from Okamoto tenderised Neeson's leg. Neeson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hiroyuki Okamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Neeson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Okamoto pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice sprawl there from Okamoto as Neeson shoots in.
Neeson 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.
Neeson loads up on a big right hand but Okamoto slips the punch.
Neeson checks a low kick from Okamoto.
Neeson shoots for a takedown but Okamoto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Okamoto scores with a jab 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!
Okamoto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Okamoto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Okamoto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Neeson is able to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Neeson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Okamoto.
Okamoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Neeson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Okamoto tries to avoid it but Neeson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Okamoto to the ground. Okamoto escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hiroyuki Okamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Okamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Okamoto.
Okamoto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Neeson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Okamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Neeson somewhat.
Okamoto lands a jab to Neeson's midsection.
Okamoto connects with a solid leg kick.
Neeson shoots for a takedown but Okamoto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Neeson fails with a takedown attempt.
Okamoto stuns Neeson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Okamoto connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroyuki Okamoto dominated that round.
That's time! Neeson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Okamoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Okamoto throws a leg kick which misses Neeson's front leg but catches the back leg as Neeson tries to avoid it.
Okamoto lands a leg kick that knocks Neeson off balance momentarily.
Neeson avoids the head kick by Okamoto.
Neeson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Okamoto's waist but Okamoto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Neeson off to one side.
A slapping body kick lands there for Okamoto.
Neeson checks a leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Neeson.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Okamoto - that will leave a mark!
Okamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Okamoto pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Okamoto throws a wild body kick that Neeson sees coming a mile off.
Neeson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Okamoto wants to land a leg kick but Neeson is out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Okamoto.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Okamoto as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Neeson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okamoto cracks the inside of Neeson's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okamoto lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Okamoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Okamoto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Neeson tries for a takedown but Okamoto circles away easily
and Okamoto counters with a nice leg kick.

Neeson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Okamoto working a defensive guard here.
Okamoto is controlling Neeson's posture.
Neeson stopping the sweep attempt from Okamoto.
Okamoto is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Neeson is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neeson controlling from the top position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Hiroyuki Okamoto hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A slapping leg kick lands for Okamoto.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Okamoto throws a front kick aimed at Neeson's knee but Neeson avoids it well.
Okamoto lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Okamoto misses with a few strikes there.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Okamoto. Neeson shrugs it off though.
Neeson shoots in for a double leg but Okamoto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Okamoto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Okamoto scores with a head kick.
Neeson fails to land the takedown.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Okamoto - that will leave a mark!
Okamoto throws a nice head kick!
Okamoto scores with a push kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Okamoto.
Neeson moves out of range of the leg kick from Okamoto.
Okamoto tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
An inside leg kick lands from Okamoto.
Neeson checks a leg kick nicely.
Okamoto misses with a low kick.
Okamoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Neeson checks a leg kick.
Neeson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Okamoto throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Neeson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Okamoto misses with a low kick.
Neeson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Okamoto scores with a jab to the body.
Okamoto misses with a low kick.
Hiroyuki Okamoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Okamoto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Neeson checks it well.
Okamoto throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Okamoto lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Neeson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Neeson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Okamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Neeson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Neeson. That did some damage!
Okamoto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Neeson.
Okamoto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Neeson.
Okamoto cracks the inside of Neeson's front leg.
Neeson checks a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okamoto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Okamoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Okamoto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Okamoto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Neeson shoots in for a double leg but Okamoto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Neeson.
A chopping leg kick lands by Okamoto.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Okamoto cracks the inside of Neeson's front leg.
Neeson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Okamoto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Neeson is out of range.
Okamoto scoring well with a low kick there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroyuki Okamoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Okamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Good leg kick by Okamoto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Okamoto connects with a leg kick. Neeson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Neeson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Okamoto. Okamoto obviously looking to wear him down.
Okamoto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Okamoto misses with a low kick as Neeson jumps back.
Okamoto lands a leg kick that knocks Neeson off balance momentarily.
Neeson fails with the takedown.
A good leg kick by Okamoto.

Neeson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Neeson has control of an arm but Okamoto manages to advance to Neeson's back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Let's hope that Okamoto has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neeson trying to get back to his feet but Okamoto is in full control for now.
Okamoto controlling the position well here. Neeson rolled but Okamoto kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Neeson wants to escape the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Okamoto slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Okamoto gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Neeson is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Okamoto.
Hiroyuki Okamoto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Neeson tries to escape but Okamoto has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Okamoto lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neeson can't escape the position.
Okamoto biding his time, controlling Neeson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Neeson trying to control the position but Okamoto manages to sink in the hooks.
Okamoto struggling to keep hold of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hiroyuki Okamoto was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Neeson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Okamoto stuffs the takedown.
Good leg kick by Okamoto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Neeson gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Okamoto tries to roll over but Neeson keeps him under control.
Okamoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Okamoto misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Okamoto is looking for a sweep. Neeson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Liam Neeson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Neeson is trying to control the action in half guard but Okamoto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Okamoto trying to control here.

Neeson 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.
Neeson trying to control the action but Okamoto is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto is trying to stand up here but Neeson is controlling him well.
Neeson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hiroyuki Okamoto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Okamoto regains full guard. Nicely done.
Okamoto has control of Neeson's left arm, preventing Neeson from doing any damage.
Okamoto's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
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.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Okamoto trying to control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Hiroyuki Okamoto hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A nice leg kick lands there from Okamoto.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroyuki Okamoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Okamoto 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroyuki Okamoto!
Hiroyuki Okamoto managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry), into his post fight interview.