PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zak Drezner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Drezner's choice of entrance music: Champions. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shirahama
vs
Drezner

178 cm
36
142 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

175 cm
41
158 lbs
40 - 24 - 4

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenichi Shirahama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 40 - 24 - 4, fighting out of London, Zak Drezner!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drezner throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shirahama blocks a head kick by Drezner.
Shirahama shoots in and drives through. Drezner sprawls well.
Shirahama swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Drezner counters with a nice uppercut.
A nice combination there by Shirahama.
Shirahama shoots in for a double leg but Drezner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drezner misses the shot to the body.

Shirahama has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shirahama lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Drezner working hard to break the clinch.
Shirahama avoiding damage.
Shirahama has Drezner pressed against the cage, preventing Drezner from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Drezner has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shirahama is trying to drag Drezner to the mat but Drezner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenichi Shirahama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drezner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drezner lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drezner manages to break the clinch.
Drezner darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Drezner dips to his left and cracks Shirahama with an uppercut!
A big left from Shirahama misses.
A left lands for Shirahama.
A telegraphed right hand from Shirahama misses the target.
Shirahama looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shirahama backing away here, and Drezner unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Drezner misses with a wild body shot.
Good exchange - Drezner coming out on top.
Drezner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shirahama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Drezner thinks about the counter body kick.
Shirahama takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A swing and a miss from Shirahama.
Shirahama is trying hard to land a takedown here. Drezner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left lands for Drezner.
Shirahama takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shirahama fails with a takedown attempt.
Shirahama fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Drezner lands a nice shot that snaps Shirahama's head back.
Zak Drezner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shirahama checks a low kick from Drezner.
Drezner connects with a right hand. Shirahama shakes it off.
Shirahama shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Drezner defends it nicely.
Drezner raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Drezner gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Drezner after a bit of a struggle.
Drezner is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Drezner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Drezner throws a jab when Shirahama was well out of range.
Shirahama appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Shirahama throws a shot from downtown. Drezner moves away and avoids it.
Shirahama looks to land a combination but Drezner avoids it well.
Shirahama misses with a left hand
and Drezner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shirahama lunges at Drezner with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Drezner's hand.
Drezner ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shirahama really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Drezner with a nice cross.
Shirahama tries to move into range but Drezner moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fighters circling - Drezner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shirahama throws a body punch but Drezner moves out of range.
Drezner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shirahama tries to counter with a takedown but Drezner is quick to defend against it.
Shirahama fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Drezner is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Shirahama had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes from Shirahama. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama tries to clinch up.

Shirahama shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Drezner pushes Shirahama off and gets back to his feet.
Shirahama is trying hard to land a takedown here. Drezner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shirahama fails to land the takedown.
Drezner misses with a head kick.
Shirahama tries to clinch but Drezner moves away
and Shirahama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Drezner throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Shirahama's head.
Drezner stuffs the takedown.
Shirahama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Drezner manages to avoid it.
Shirahama scores with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Drezner dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shirahama fails with the takedown
and Drezner counters with a nice uppercut.
A big left from Shirahama misses.
Drezner connects with a high kick.

Shirahama is rocked!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shirahama.
Drezner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shirahama lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A punch combination from Shirahama misses.
Drezner lands a glancing blow to the side of Shirahama's head.
Drezner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Drezner throws a head kick that Shirahama semi-blocks.
Oh Shirahama is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A lazy left from Drezner finds it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shirahama tries for a takedown but Drezner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenichi Shirahama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Drezner.
A little jabbing left from Drezner on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Drezner misses with a head kick.
It looked like Shirahama wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shirahama moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama has a takedown stuffed.
Zak Drezner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shirahama swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Drezner looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Drezner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Drezner throws a big counter head kick but Shirahama avoids it with no problem.
Drezner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Drezner throws a jab when Shirahama was well out of range.
Shirahama doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Drezner lands with a nice body kick.
Drezner misses with a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Drezner.
Drezner throws a shot from downtown. Shirahama moves away and avoids it.
Shirahama seems to have got his legs back now.
Shirahama ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drezner moves away.
Drezner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shirahama.
Drezner let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Drezner pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Shirahama shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Shirahama was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shirahama working the strikes but Drezner uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shirahama scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Drezner on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drezner tries to kick Shirahama off but Shirahama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shirahama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shirahama prevents Drezner from standing back up.
Nice strikes from Shirahama there.
Shirahama trying to control the action but Drezner is working from the bottom.
Shirahama working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drezner tries to kick Shirahama off but Shirahama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shirahama has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Shirahama stalling.
Shirahama winds up and cracks Drezner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shirahama missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Drezner is looking to escape.
Shirahama scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

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.
Shirahama wants to control but Drezner is keeping him busy.
Shirahama scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Still in half guard, Shirahama seems content to control.
Shirahama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shirahama trying to control the pace.
Drezner is staying active underneath Shirahama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Drezner avoids the body shot from Shirahama.
Drezner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shirahama is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Drezner works the jab nicely.
Shirahama uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Drezner.
Drezner slaps away a takedown attempt from Shirahama, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Drezner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Shirahama slips a jab and a cross from Drezner.
Shirahama swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shirahama misses with a body shot.

Shirahama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Shirahama struggles to land a body shot inside as Drezner controls his hands.
Shirahama pushes Drezner back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shirahama tries to stall but Drezner uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Drezner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shirahama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drezner throws out a counter right but Shirahama avoids it with no problem.
Shirahama shoots in but no luck this time.
Drezner is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drezner fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Shirahama checks it well.
Drezner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shirahama.
Drezner moves out of range of the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Drezner on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Drezner stuffs the takedown attempt from Shirahama. Shirahama gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Drezner.
Shirahama on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The fighters circling - Shirahama throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Drezner throws a hook to the side of Shirahama's head but Shirahama sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big right from Drezner misses.
Drezner tries to land a leg kick but Shirahama saw it coming and moves away.
Shirahama throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Drezner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shirahama changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Drezner tries to avoid it but Shirahama manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Drezner to the ground. Drezner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenichi Shirahama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A slow jab from Shirahama misses its intended target.
Shirahama misses with an uppercut.
Despite the aggression on Drezner's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Drezner throws a head kick that half lands.
Drezner throws a right hand that Shirahama ducks under and follows up with a left that Shirahama also avoids with ease.
Shirahama swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Drezner tests Shirahama's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Drezner lands with a good body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Drezner misses.
Shirahama throws a nice looking combination but Drezner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shirahama looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drezner jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Drezner slips a jab and a cross from Shirahama.
Drezner throws out a powerful jab.
Drezner throws a lazy uppercut
and Shirahama cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Drezner dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shirahama misses with a hook.
Shirahama swinging wildly here.
Shirahama lands a nice shot that snaps Drezner's head back.
Shirahama ducks under a wild hook from Drezner.
Drezner's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Shirahama connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Drezner scrambles back to his feet.
Shirahama tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Drezner swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drezner tries a head kick but it misses.
Drezner with a hook.
Drezner defending well as Shirahama loads up on a big left hand.
Shirahama has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Shirahama there as he acknowledges the shot.
Drezner lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shirahama at a distance.
Shirahama scores with a decent looking hook.
Drezner digs a good hook to Shirahama's body.
Drezner connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shirahama's hands.
Shirahama fails with a takedown attempt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Drezner, right into the meat.
Shirahama drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Drezner will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kenichi Shirahama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Shirahama on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Shirahama clinches with his opponent.
A bit of stalling here from Drezner.
Drezner stops a takedown attempt from Shirahama.
Drezner wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shirahama has him pressed against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Shirahama scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shirahama looking to stall.

Drezner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Drezner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shirahama.
Shirahama throwing a counter right hand but Drezner manages to avoid it.
Shirahama misses with a jab to the body
and Drezner counters with a nice body shot.
Shirahama just misses with a punch to the body.
Shirahama tries to clinch but Drezner moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zak Drezner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Drezner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zak Drezner!
A determined Zak Drezner didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!