PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sai Fukuta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Riddick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sai Fukuta has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Fukuta
vs
Riddick

175 cm
29
155 lbs
14 - 19 - 1

165 cm
23
143 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 14 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Sai Fukuta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Richard Riddick!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fukuta throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Riddick avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fukuta swinging wildly here.
Riddick just misses with a punch to the body.
Fukuta throws a half hearted mid kick.
Some wild striking there from Riddick.
Fukuta looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fukuta fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Riddick avoids it really well and circles away.
Fukuta throws a half hearted mid kick.
Riddick unleashes a big counter combination but Fukuta bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Riddick throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Riddick misses with a hook. Fukuta ducked under it nicely.
Fukuta throws a series of punches but Riddick avoids them all with ease.

Riddick moves into the clinch.
Riddick fails to pull the fight into his 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!
Fukuta wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Riddick taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Fukuta is trying to break the clinch but Riddick has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fukuta breaks from the clinch.
Fukuta misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fighters circle momentarily. Riddick darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Good shot there by Riddick.
Riddick avoids a kick to the body.
Fukuta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Riddick as he jumps to the side.
Riddick throws a right and a left that Fukuta avoids nicely.
Fukuta moves out of range as Riddick strikes.
Fukuta lands with a slapping head kick.
Riddick connects with a right hand. Fukuta shakes it off.

It looks like Sai Fukuta has been cut.
A punch lands to the side of Fukuta 's head but he takes it in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Riddick missing with a left hand there. Fukuta was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sai Fukuta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riddick takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Fukuta thows a left - swing and a miss!
Riddick 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 Fukuta misses
and Riddick counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riddick lands a nice shot to the body.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Riddick has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Fukuta drops Riddick with a beautiful combination! Riddick stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Fukuta is looking for the KO!
Fukuta moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Fukuta misses.
Fukuta throws out a leg kick but Riddick moves out of range and Fukuta only half commits.
Fukuta shoots for a takedown but Riddick saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sai Fukuta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riddick throws a hook but Fukuta blocks it.
Fukuta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Riddick paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fukuta avoids the head kick by Riddick.
Richard Riddick is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riddick throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fukuta sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Riddick keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fukuta digs a good hook to Riddick's body.
Fukuta throws a nice looking combination but Riddick bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Riddick misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fukuta.
Riddick just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFukuta.
Fukuta tries a head kick but it misses.
Riddick throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fukuta throws a series of punches but Riddick avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fukuta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Riddick on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Riddick misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Riddick displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Fukuta tries to clinch up but Riddick circles away and keeps his distance.
Riddick swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Fukuta looks to land a combination but Riddick avoids it well.
A punch combination from Riddick misses.
Fukuta thows a body kick. Riddick tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Riddick swats away the attempt to clinch by Fukuta.
A jab lands there for Riddick.
Fukuta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Riddick misses with a 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!
Fukuta rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Riddick moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Riddick throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukuta tests Riddick's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fukuta shoots in and drives through. Riddick sprawls well.
Riddick will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Fukuta takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fukuta throws a body kick that misses
enabling Riddick to counter with a crisp jab.
Fukuta throws the kick towards the body but Riddick avoids it.
Riddick throws a shot from downtown. Fukuta moves away and avoids it.
Riddick dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fukuta throws a sloppy head kick and Riddick moves out of range easily.
Riddick swings for the body but Fukuta moves out of range.
Riddick walks into a straight right hand from Fukuta.
Fukuta throws a head kick but Riddick moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fukuta fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Riddick avoids the head kick by Fukuta.

Fukuta closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fukuta lands in his opponent's guard.
Fukuta is breathing heavily.

Fukuta drops back, looking for a kneebar! Riddick looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Riddick looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Riddick!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sai Fukuta will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sai Fukuta's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Riddick tries to clinch but Fukuta is having none of it.
A jab from Riddick misses.

Fukuta fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Riddick, pushing him back against the cage.
Fukuta misses with a punch to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Riddick.
Fukuta wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Riddick breaks from the clinch.
Fukuta wants to clinch.
Riddick throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Riddick with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Fukuta to score with a decent uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fukuta lands with a nice body kick.
Fukuta is trying hard to land a takedown here. Riddick sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fukuta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fukuta misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Riddick blocks the low kick.
Riddick throws the left hand but Fukuta avoids the punch easily.
Fukuta takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fukuta lands a two punch combo.
Fukuta throws a head kick that misses.
Fukuta tries to score with a low kick but Riddick moves his leg out of the way.
Fukuta wants to clinch up but Riddick keeps it at a distance.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Riddick scores with a shot to the body.
Riddick with a nice cross.
Fukuta wants to clinch up but Riddick keeps it at a distance.
Fukuta looks to land a combination but Riddick avoids it well.
Riddick steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Riddick takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fukuta misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Riddick tries to bum rush Fukuta with a series of wild strikes but Fukuta uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Riddick comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Riddick tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riddick throws a hook but Fukuta avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Riddick misses its intended target.
Riddick throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fukuta is defended easily by Riddick.
Riddick takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Riddick throws a big shot that misses.
Riddick steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Fukuta. That one must have hurt.
Fukuta shoots in for a double leg but Riddick sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sai Fukuta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Riddick darts in and clinches Fukuta up against the cage.
Riddick gets through Fukuta's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fukuta looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Riddick looking to stall.
Riddick prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riddick breaks the clinch.
Fukuta fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fukuta.
Fukuta moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromRiddick.
A slow jab from Riddick misses its intended target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Riddick darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Richard Riddick seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut lands for Riddick. That snapped Fukuta's head back.
Riddick misses with a low kick.
Riddick avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sai Fukuta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fukuta dodges the punch combination from Riddick.
Riddick throws a nice head kick!
Riddick blocks a head kick by Fukuta.
Fukuta throws a nice looking combination but Riddick bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukuta throws a series of punches but Riddick avoids them all with ease.
Riddick connects with a body shot that sends Fukuta's belly button to the back.
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!
Fukuta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It seemed like Riddick was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fukuta feints and then cracks Riddick's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Riddick down.
Fukuta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Riddick counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fukuta thinking.
Riddick throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Fukuta's head.
Riddick throws the left hand but Fukuta avoids the punch easily.
Fukuta appears to be looking for a big counter.
Riddick throws an overhand right that lands on Fukuta's shoulder, as Fukuta tries to avoid the shot.
Riddick throws a body kick that misses.
Fukuta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Fukuta was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Riddick.
Fukuta throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fukuta avoids the body shot from Riddick.
Fukuta tries to clinch but Riddick is having none of it.
Fukuta misses with a combination
and Riddick counters with a left to the body.
Fukuta scores with a kick to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Riddick showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sai Fukuta's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Riddick lands a jab to the head.
Riddick misses with an uppercut. Fukuta saw that one coming.
Riddick swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Riddick scores with a jab to the head.
Riddick stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Fukuta.
Fukuta displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riddick throws out the jab.
Riddick cracks Fukuta with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fukuta keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Riddick.
Fukuta uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Riddick.
Fukuta sizes up Riddick with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Riddick jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fukuta scores with a one two! Riddick had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
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!
Fukuta throws a body shot but no joy.
Riddick lands with an overhand left.
Riddick fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fukuta, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Riddick.
Fukuta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fukuta blocks a low kick nicely.
Fukuta is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Riddick throws a looping overhand right but Fukuta ducks down to avoid it.
Riddick misses with an attempted mid kick.
Riddick takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fukuta has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Riddick.
Fukuta looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jab by Riddick.

Fukuta clinches with his opponent.
Fukuta can't break the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Riddick lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Riddick lands with a left to the head.

Riddick breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fukuta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Riddick 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 Fukuta has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Fukuta and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Fukuta closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fukuta is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Fukuta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Riddick misses with the body kick
and Fukuta counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Riddick defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fukuta.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Riddick is looking to slow Fukuta down with leg kicks.

Riddick forces Fukuta back against the cage and clinches.
Fukuta prevents Riddick from breaking the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Riddick.
Fukuta throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fukuta jumps guard but Riddick turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Riddick tries to circle away but Fukuta has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riddick tries to break free but Fukuta pushes him back against the cage.
Fukuta tries to throw a body punch but Riddick avoids it by throwing Fukuta back against the cage.
Riddick has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Riddick takes a knee to the side of the body.

Riddick breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fukuta looks to land a body kick but Riddick moved away.
Fukuta tries to clinch but Riddick moves out of range.
Fukuta's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Fukuta duly obliges.
Fukuta checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Fukuta appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Riddick keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Fukuta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
No joy there for Fukuta, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fukuta slips under a jab from Riddick.
Riddick misses the jab.
Fukuta moves out of range of the body kick from Riddick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukuta fails in his attempt to clinch.
Riddick throws a counter combo.
Riddick misses with a body kick.
Fukuta will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Riddick avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Fukuta throws a body kick that misses.
Fukuta falls off balance throwing a combination
and Riddick counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes from Riddick. Those never looked like landing.
Riddick throws the kick towards the body but Fukuta avoids it.
Riddick misses with an uppercut.
Riddick throws a body punch but Fukuta moves out of range.
Riddick scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fukuta doesn't seem bothered though.
Fukuta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Riddick was well out of range. Poor timing from Fukuta.
Riddick misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Richard Riddick.
I think Riddick 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Richard Riddick!