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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Conor McConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuki Katsuo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazuki Katsuo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 172 cm
16
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0 |
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185 cm
22
156 lbs
1 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Conor McConnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuki Katsuo!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Shimada.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McConnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Katsuo.
McConnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Katsuo.
Katsuo tries to clinch up.
A little feinted left hand from McConnell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Katsuo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice defenses there by Katsuo.
Katsuo looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
McConnell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from McConnell misses the target.
McConnell lands the left hand.
McConnell misses with a two punch combination.
Katsuo tries to counter with a clinch but McConnell shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from McConnell.
Katsuo tries to counter with a clinch but McConnell shakes him off and moves away.
Kazuki Katsuo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McConnell fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Katsuo is looking to clinch.
McConnell throws a looping overhand right but Katsuo ducks down to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsuo rushes McConnell and presses him up against the cage.
Katsuo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Katsuo has his takedown stuffed
and McConnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McConnell looks to score with a jab to the body but Katsuo is just out of range.
Katsuo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Katsuo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've been told by McConnell's head coaches at Suklaa Meritähti that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Katsuo takes a jab right on the kisser.
McConnell throws a jab when Katsuo was well out of range.
Katsuo shoots in for a takedown but McConnell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Conor McConnell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuki Katsuo.
Katsuo pushes McConnell up against the cage in a clinch.
McConnell misses with a punch on the inside.
Katsuo blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from McConnell fails to land.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
McConnell avoids a wild elbow strike from Katsuo.
McConnell blocks a body shot from Katsuo.
McConnell is trying to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Katsuo.
Katsuo taking a breather.
McConnell has a couple of punches blocked by Katsuo.
A head punch on the inside from McConnell fails to land.
McConnell lands with a left to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McConnell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Katsuo's elbow.
McConnell lands a nice uppercut.
Katsuo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McConnell lands a hook to the side of the head.
McConnell lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McConnell lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Katsuo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Katsuo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Katsuo moves in looking to clinch but McConnell pushes him off.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsuo tries to clinch up but McConnell circles away and keeps his distance.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McConnell.
Katsuo misses with a lunging right hand
and McConnell counters with a nice uppercut.
Katsuo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Katsuo defending well as McConnell loads up on a big left hand.
McConnell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McConnell lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Katsuo doesn't manage to clinch there - McConnell circles away.
McConnell lands an overhand right.
Katsuo is trying hard to land a takedown here. McConnell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Katsuo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Katsuo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McConnell swings wildly with an uppercut but Katsuo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Katsuo tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell working aggressively here.
McConnell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Katsuo is trying to break free.
McConnell scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McConnell misses with a short punch on the inside.
McConnell misses with a punch on the inside.
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!
McConnell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Katsuo blocks a body shot from McConnell.
Katsuo wants to stall.
McConnell misses with some punches.
Katsuo tries to land knees in the clinch but McConnell avoids the damage to the body.
Katsuo is trying to maintain a safe position but McConnell gets an underhook and turns Katsuo into the cage.
McConnell misses with some punches.
McConnell has a couple of punches blocked by Katsuo.
Katsuo wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Conor McConnell dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Katsuo slips a jab from McConnell.
A slow jab from McConnell misses its intended target.
Good exchange - McConnell coming out on top.
Katsuo slips under a jab.
Katsuo tries to clinch up but McConnell circles away and keeps his distance.
McConnell appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Conor McConnell is winning the standup battle so far.
McConnell scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
McConnell misses with an uppercut. Katsuo saw that one coming.
Katsuo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McConnell.
Sloppy strikes from McConnell. Those never looked like landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katsuo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McConnell momentarily.
McConnell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Katsuo can do to turn this around?
Katsuo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
McConnell takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
McConnell pushes Katsuo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Katsuo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McConnell walks away with a smile on his face. Katsuo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Katsuo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Conor McConnell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McConnell misses with a straight right.
Katsuo ducks under a wild hook from McConnell.
Katsuo scores with a jab. McConnell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Katsuo staying out of range there.
McConnell thuds a left hand into Katsuo's body.
McConnell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Katsuo manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as McConnell blocks the low kick.
McConnell misses with a hook
and Katsuo counters with a nice uppercut.
McConnell is rocked!
Katsuo connects with a body shot.
Oh McConnell is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
McConnell stuffs the takedown.
McConnell appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A left and a right from McConnell both land. Nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Katsuo tries to clinch up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsuo has closed the distance and engaged McConnell in a clinch.
Katsuo lands with a left to the head.
Katsuo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Katsuo.
Katsuo cracks a nice hook into McConnell's ribs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Katsuo fails with a takedown attempt.
Conor McConnell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuki Katsuo.
Katsuo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McConnell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Katsuo.
Katsuo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McConnell, pushing him back against the cage.
Katsuo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Katsuo is looking to clinch but McConnell is avoiding it.
It looked like McConnell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Katsuo has McConnell up against the cage in a clinch.
McConnell throws a punch but it's blocked by Katsuo.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Katsuo.
Katsuo has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Katsuo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McConnell blocks it with crossed arms.
Conor McConnell has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McConnell has a couple of punches blocked by Katsuo.
McConnell seems to have got his legs back now.
McConnell lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Katsuo backwards.
McConnell swings wildly with an uppercut but Katsuo uses good head movement to avoid it.
McConnell gets through Katsuo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Katsuo throws a head punch that misses.
McConnell gets through Katsuo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McConnell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Katsuo's elbow.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Katsuo blocking some punches.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McConnell lands a right hand.
McConnell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Katsuo is looking to break free of the clinch but McConnell has double underhooks.
McConnell lands with a left to the head.
McConnell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Katsuo misses with a punch on the inside.
Katsuo lands a left hand that snaps the head of McConnell backwards.
McConnell working aggressively here.
McConnell misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from McConnell fails to land.
Katsuo is trying to break the clinch but McConnell has him pressed against the cage.
A hook to the body from McConnell.
McConnell taking a breather.
Katsuo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McConnell avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell misses with a hook to the ribs.
McConnell swings wildly with an uppercut but Katsuo uses good head movement to avoid it.
McConnell misses with some punches.
McConnell is trying to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Katsuo as McConnell tries to tie him up.
Katsuo lands a body punch.
Katsuo has a couple of punches blocked by McConnell.
Katsuo blocks an uppercut.
McConnell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Katsuo drops down looking for an ankle pick but McConnell pulls his leg out and moves away.
A big right from McConnell misses.
McConnell misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Conor McConnell dominated that second round.
That's time! McConnell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
A swing and a miss from McConnell.
McConnell throws a one two combo.
Some bone on bone action there as McConnell checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Katsuo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McConnell misses with a body shot.
Katsuo is looking to clinch but McConnell is avoiding it.
Katsuo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McConnell misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell throws a lazy right hand but Katsuo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McConnell throws a hook but Katsuo avoids it easily.
Katsuo is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McConnell with a body shot.
Katsuo takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McConnell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsuo throws the left hand but McConnell avoids the punch easily.
Katsuo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McConnell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Katsuo fails with a takedown attempt.
Katsuo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McConnell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McConnell is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Katsuo throws a hook to the side of McConnell's head but McConnell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Katsuo throws a punch but it's blocked by McConnell.
McConnell displaying some good clinch control by pressing Katsuo up against the cage.
Katsuo tries for a takedown. No joy.
McConnell lands a shot to the body.
McConnell throws a head punch that misses.
Katsuo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McConnell throws a punch but it's blocked by Katsuo.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Katsuo drags the fight down to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McConnell wants to control from the top but Katsuo keeps moving.
McConnell not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell wants to control from the top but Katsuo keeps moving.
Katsuo looking to hit a scissor sweep but McConnell is one step ahead there.
McConnell content to stall in guard here.
Katsuo looking to hit a scissor sweep but McConnell is one step ahead there.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McConnell looking to pass the guard.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Katsuo shoots for a takedown but McConnell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Conor McConnell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuki Katsuo.
Katsuo throws an overhand right that lands on McConnell's shoulder, as McConnell tries to avoid the shot.
Katsuo misses with a body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McConnell throws a poor cross that misses
and Katsuo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McConnell ducks right into an uppercut from Katsuo.
Kazuki Katsuo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McConnell slips under a jab.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Conor McConnell.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McConnell, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor McConnell!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
50% |
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