PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Keiji Hashimoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Millard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hashimoto might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Holding Out For A Hero (Japanese Version). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hashimoto
vs
Millard

172 cm
41
151 lbs
43 - 18 - 4

169 cm
29
160 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent

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 43 - 18 - 4, fighting out of Los Angeles, Keiji Hashimoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bruce Millard!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hashimoto checks a leg kick.
Hashimoto pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Hashimoto gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Millard to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hashimoto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've been hearing good reports from Hashimoto's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Millard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hashimoto is keeping the position for now.
Hashimoto trying to keep a closed guard but Millard is proving a slippery customer.
Hashimoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Millard slips nicely into half guard.
Millard prevents Hashimoto from improving his position.
Millard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hashimoto wants to get back to full guard.
Millard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hashimoto's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hashimoto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hashimoto wants to sweep but no luck.
Hashimoto is controlling Millard's posture.
Millard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Millard won't allow Hashimoto to sweep him here.
Millard being controlled here momentarily.
Hashimoto is trying to control the position but Millard postures up.
Hashimoto 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.
Millard tries to free his leg and advance position but Hashimoto is retaining full guard.
Millard throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Millard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hashimoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hashimoto has Millard pulled in close to control his posture.
Hashimoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Millard steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hashimoto. That one must have hurt.
Hashimoto tries to land a front kick but Millard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd cheers as Millard lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hashimoto doesn't seem phased though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Millard takes a swing at Hashimoto's ribcage but misses.
Millard connects with a high kick.
Millard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hashimoto moves out of range of the strikes.
Hashimoto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A punch combination from Millard misses.
Hashimoto misses with a jab to the body

and Millard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hashimoto keeping moving, preventing Millard from controlling successfully.
Millard is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Millard won't allow Hashimoto to sweep him here.
Hashimoto has his hands on Millard's head, controlling the position.
Millard pushing down on Hashimoto's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Millard is trying to control the action in half guard but Hashimoto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hashimoto is looking for a sweep. Millard is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hashimoto trying to hold on to Millard's head to control him but Millard postures up.
Millard landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hashimoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Millard is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Millard is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hashimoto tries to roll over but Millard keeps him under control.
Hashimoto trying to control here.
Hashimoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hashimoto wants to control but Millard is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hashimoto moves his hips nicely and gets into full 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!
Millard stopping the sweep attempt from Hashimoto.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Millard trying to control but Hashimoto is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Millard dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hashimoto.
Hashimoto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Millard is able to avoid easily.
Hashimoto misses with a low kick.
Hashimoto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Millard pinned against the cage. Millard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hashimoto is looking to land body kicks.
Hashimoto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hashimoto takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Millard keeps Hashimoto at a distance using the push kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hashimoto.
Millard on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hashimoto. Hashimoto obviously looking to wear him down.
Millard throws a jab but it's blocked by Hashimoto.
A big right from Millard misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Millard.
Millard swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hashimoto.
Hashimoto tries to move into range but Millard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hashimoto takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hashimoto has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Millard.
Donk. Millard catches Hashimoto right on the button with a cross.
Hashimoto throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hashimoto doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Millard throws a hook but Hashimoto blocks it.
Hashimoto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Millard has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hashimoto.
Millard 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.
A swing and a miss from Millard.
Hashimoto scores with a nice strike.
Millard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Millard jabs at Hashimoto's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice straight punches there by Millard. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Millard.
Hashimoto avoids the head kick by Millard.
Millard misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto scores with a crisp jab that stopped Millard in his tracks.
Millard misses with a low kick.
Millard moves out of range of the body kick from Hashimoto.
Hashimoto misses with a body shot.
Hashimoto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Good shot there by Millard.
Hashimoto moves in looking to clinch but Millard pushes him off.
Millard punishes Hashimoto's body with a nice straight punch.
Hashimoto throws a lazy body kick

and Millard counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hashimoto is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Millard trying to control but Hashimoto is working from the bottom.
Hashimoto 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.
Hashimoto has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto wants to sweep here but Millard controlling him for the moment.
Millard throws a strike but Hashimoto rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Millard keeping moving, preventing Hashimoto from controlling successfully.
Hashimoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hashimoto throws a big right hand that misses.
Millard looking for a sweep. Not yet Millard, not yet.
Millard is trying to control the position but Hashimoto postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto trying to control but Millard is working from the bottom.
Hashimoto slips nicely into half guard.
Millard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hashimoto.
Hashimoto tries to pass to full mount but Millard defends it.
Bruce Millard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hashimoto trying to control the action but Millard is working from the bottom.
Hashimoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Millard won't allow Hashimoto to pass to mount.

Hashimoto is working for a submission of some sort.
Millard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hashimoto is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bruce Millard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Hashimoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Millard moves out of range of the body kick.
Millard buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Millard takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Millard cracks Hashimoto with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hashimoto is looking to land body kicks.
Hashimoto misses with a low kick.
Nice body punch from Hashimoto.

Hashimoto manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Millard on his heels. He'll look to pass Millard's guard now, I'm sure.
Millard is pulling down on Hashimoto's head. It's preventing any offense from Hashimoto, at least for the moment.

Millard working for submissions but it's allowed Hashimoto to get to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Millard looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hashimoto is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Hashimoto raining down shots from the mount!

Hashimoto is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Millard can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Hashimoto punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hashimoto lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hashimoto trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Millard is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hashimoto raining down shots from the mount!
Hashimoto working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Millard wants to control but Hashimoto is having none of it.
Millard can't escape the position.
Hashimoto landing strikes, looking to finish!
Hashimoto lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Millard is looking to get to half guard.

Hashimoto goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Millard turns into him and now he's in Hashimoto's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Millard's guard.
Hashimoto sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Millard's guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hashimoto connects with a nice short shot to Millard's temple.
Hashimoto has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Millard is trying to escape the mount.
Hashimoto with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hashimoto with a couple of short strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hashimoto postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Millard looks a forlorn figure.

Millard is rocked!

Hashimoto is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Millard has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Millard!
Millard is still in real trouble! Can Hashimoto finish him?
Hashimoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Millard seems to have recovered his senses.
Hashimoto wants to sweep here but Millard controlling him for the moment.
Hashimoto is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keiji Hashimoto clearly takes that round.
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.

Hashimoto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Millard. That did some damage!
Bruce Millard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hashimoto slips a straight right by Millard.
Millard avoids the head kick by Hashimoto.
Hashimoto throws a sloppy head kick and Millard moves out of range easily.

Millard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hashimoto controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Hashimoto wants to control but Millard is keeping busy.
Millard tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hashimoto knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Millard lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Millard throwing shots but Hashimoto is blocking nicely.
Hashimoto regains full guard. Nicely done.
Millard trying to control but Hashimoto is working from the bottom.
Hashimoto working a defensive guard here.
Hashimoto is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Millard is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Millard throwing strikes but missing.
Hashimoto trying to keep a closed guard but Millard is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Millard postures up and lands a big shot to Hashimoto's brow.
Hashimoto is controlling Millard's posture.
Millard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hashimoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hashimoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Millard is just out of range.
Hashimoto throws a body kick that misses.
Hashimoto misses with a lunging right hand

and Millard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Millard postures up.

Millard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto looking for a sweep. Not yet Hashimoto, not yet.
Hashimoto working a defensive guard here.
Hashimoto keeping moving, preventing Millard from controlling successfully.
Millard postures up.
Millard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hashimoto is looking to sweep but instead, Millard has passed into half guard.
Millard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hashimoto keeps working.
Hashimoto moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto is trying to control the position but Millard postures up.
Millard trying to control but Hashimoto is working from the bottom.
Hashimoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Millard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hashimoto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Millard lands a couple of elbows.
Millard slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hashimoto sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
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.
Millard working over Hashimoto with some ground and pound. Hashimoto looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Millard misses with a head shot. Hashimoto uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hashimoto pulls Millard in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Millard dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hashimoto takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Millard comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Hashimoto scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Millard tries to get to full guard but Hashimoto has control of the leg.
Hashimoto is pressing down on Millard's thigh, looking to free his foot. Millard is holding on for now.
Millard controlling the position for now.
Hashimoto throws a strike but Millard avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Millard keeping moving, preventing Hashimoto from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hashimoto sitting in guard here, content to control.
Millard wants to sweep but no luck.
Hashimoto advances to half guard.
Millard trying to control from the bottom.
Millard taking some punishment here, with Hashimoto in his half guard.
Hashimoto wants to free his trapped foot but Millard is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Millard felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Millard is looking to control Hashimoto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Millard avoid being mounted?
Hashimoto slips a nice elbow through Millard's hands, connecting with Millard's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Millard won't allow Hashimoto to pass to mount.
Millard wants to get back to full guard.
Millard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hashimoto is working away from the top position though.
Millard has hold of Hashimoto's hands but Hashimoto slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Millard trying to control from the bottom.
Hashimoto lands strikes from half guard.
Hashimoto trying to control from half guard but Millard is working away.
Hashimoto seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Millard regains full guard. Nicely done.
Millard can't keep his opponent in guard - Hashimoto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hashimoto is just content to waste time from the top position. Millard takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Millard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hashimoto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hashimoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Millard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Millard escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hashimoto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto throws a big right hand that misses.
Hashimoto throws a big elbow that misses.
Hashimoto scoring with punches to the head and body.
Millard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hashimoto wants to pass the guard but Millard is keeping the position.
Hashimoto scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Millard is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hashimoto advances position into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Keiji Hashimoto showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Millard 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Keiji Hashimoto!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Keiji Hashimoto!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Keiji Hashimoto!

Keiji Hashimoto wins by unanimous decision!
Keiji Hashimoto retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Keiji Hashimoto thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.