PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keiji Mutou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Never More (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying More's choice of entrance music: Never More. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mutou
vs
More

188 cm
29
213 lbs
12 - 3 - 2

190 cm
31
215 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Steel Penn\'s Laundry 80% LAUNDRY IS AVAILABLE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Keiji Mutou!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Never More!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
More throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Mutou uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by More.
More throws a head kick that misses.
Mutou swats away the attempt to clinch by More.
More throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mutou shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutou has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mutou there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mutou shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mutou moves out of range as More throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutou shoots in looking for a takedown. More tries to sprawl out of it but Mutou keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. More manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Mutou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mutou dives in for a single leg takedown but More sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
More lands with a short head shot on the inside.
More throws a head punch that misses.

Mutou's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
More throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
More connects with a nice looking jab.
Mutou keeps the fight on the outside.
Mutou looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mutou checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mutou shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with More but More pushes him off and we're back to square one.
More pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mutou is out of range and More settles back down.
More tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mutou is able to avoid easily.
Mutou shoots in looking for a takedown. More tries to sprawl out of it but Mutou keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. More manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutou goes for a double leg but More avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as More continues to drive forward.
More pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from More fails to land.
Mutou blocks an elbow strike.
More throws an elbow but it's blocked.
More tries to land knees in the clinch but Mutou avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mutou is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mutou blocks a body shot from More.
More has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Mutou seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if More can turn it around.
More is defending well against a takedown attempt.
More scores with a knee to the head.
More pushes Mutou back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Mutou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
More leaves Mutou with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
More fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Never More dominated 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.

Mutou gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and More counters with a nice right hand that sends Mutou toppling to the canvas! Mutou scrambles and gets back to his feet - can More finish him?!
More throws a nice looking combination but Mutou bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mutou looks for a takedown but More sprawls well.
More misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mutou.

More closes the distance and clinches.
More misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
More misses with a knee strike.

Mutou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mutou shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Mutou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
More misses with a leg kick.
Mutou shoots in for a takedown but More shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

More moves into the clinch.
Mutou leaning his opponent against the cage.
More throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
More lands a left hand.
Mutou wants a takedown.
Mutou blocks the elbow strike.
Mutou wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but More has him pressed against the cage.
More misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mutou.
Mutou blocks a punch to the side of the head.
More swings away with an uppercut that misses.
More is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mutou is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from More.
Mutou avoids a wild elbow strike from More.
More is defending well against a takedown attempt.
More lands a nice elbow.
Mutou is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but More is defending well.
Mutou slowing the pace effectively.
Mutou on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
More is pressed up against the cage. Mutou has hold of a leg and is looking to drag More down to the mat. More avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mutou walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutou fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
More tries to clinch but Mutou is having none of it.
More thows a left - swing and a miss!
More throws out a leg kick but Mutou moves out of range and More only half commits.
More has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
More throws a combination. Mutou tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
More displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mutou.
Mutou shoots in but More avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Never More 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!

Mutou is trying hard to land a takedown here. More sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Never More seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mutou takes one to the chin there.
More tries to work over Mutou's front leg with a kick but Mutou checks it.
More tries to clinch there but Mutou circles away.
Mutou blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from More is predictable there

and Mutou counters with a nice double leg into side control. More won't be happy with that.
Mutou lands a decent elbow from side control.
More wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Check out the look on Mutou's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
More is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
More trying to get back to full guard but Mutou takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Mutou prevents More from getting the reversal.
More sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
More wants to get back to his feet.
Mutou working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mutou is looking to take a break and control but More is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mutou is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because More is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Mutou moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
More is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mutou off and has taken his back!
Mutou can't escape the position.
Mutou is working hard here to advance position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Mutou wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mutou rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
More slows the pace down in half guard.
Mutou tries to roll over but More keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Keiji Mutou did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mutou fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mutou.
More tries a low kick but Mutou avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
More tried to score with a low kick but Mutou checks it.

More moves into the clinch.
More throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutou has More pressed against the cage.
More is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mutou is defending well for now.
More lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Keiji Mutou has been cut.
Mutou has had enough of the clinch but More keeps him there for the moment.
More prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Mutou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
More with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
More tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mutou avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
More swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mutou leaning his opponent against the cage.
More working aggressively here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Mutou - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Mutou is trying to work for a single leg takedown but More pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Mutou.
More misses with an elbow over the top.
More using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
More prevents Mutou from breaking the clinch.
Mutou wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but More has him pressed against the cage.
More pushes Mutou back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mutou blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from More fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from More fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
More working aggressively here.
Mutou wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mutou avoids a wild elbow strike from More.
More throws an elbow that misses.
More can't find room to land a body shot as Mutou controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mutou.
More lands an elbow that stopped Mutou in his tracks for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
More misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mutou.
More tries to land knees in the clinch but Mutou avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Never More dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Keiji Mutou's cut.
That's time! Mutou's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mutou shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
More tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mutou paws at him with a jab and circles away.
More lands with a thumping leg kick.
More misses with a leg kick.
More moves in looking to clinch but Mutou pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutou has a takedown stuffed.
Mutou fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Mutou. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
More jabs at Mutou's body.
Mutou keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Good work by Mutou as he checks the leg kick.

Mutou shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mutou showed some decent athleticism there.
More wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
More is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mutou is keen to just control but More is a slippery customer.
Mutou thows a huge punch but More dodges it nicely.
Mutou missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mutou prevents More from standing back up.
Mutou working More over with strikes.
Mutou thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
More tries to roll over but Mutou keeps him under control.
More is looking to control Mutou's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can More avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
More moves into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now More is on top in guard.

Mutou keeping moving, preventing More from controlling successfully.
More not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mutou 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
More slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
More won't allow Mutou to sweep him here.
Mutou wants to improve his position but instead More has moved into half guard.
Mutou wants to improve his position but More is controlling well.
Mutou tries to regain full guard. Instead though, More has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
More tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Never More comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think More 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 44:49
Judge James Glass scores the fight 44:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 43:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Never More!
Never More is the new light heavyweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Never More started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.