PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Louie Litt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinsuke Mitsurugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mitsurugi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Rising Sun kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Litt
vs
Mitsurugi

184 cm
26
193 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

182 cm
28
180 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Louie Litt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Shinsuke Mitsurugi!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mitsurugi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Litt throws out the jab.
Mitsurugi lands a body shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Litt, right into the meat.
Mitsurugi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Litt walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mitsurugi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A countering left hand to the body from Mitsurugi misses.
Mitsurugi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Litt staying out of range there.
Litt tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mitsurugi throws out a counter right but Litt avoids it with no problem.
Litt's corner calls for a 1-2. Litt obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Mitsurugi checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Litt tries to score with a low kick but Mitsurugi moves his leg out of the way.
Litt slips a straight right by Mitsurugi.
Litt changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Litt ducks right into an uppercut from Mitsurugi.
Mitsurugi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Litt swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Litt lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitsurugi throws the kick towards the body but Litt avoids it.
Mitsurugi misses with a straight left.
Litt feints and then cracks Mitsurugi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mitsurugi down.
Mitsurugi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Litt tries to score with a low kick but Mitsurugi moves his leg out of the way.
Litt throws a jab but it's blocked by Mitsurugi.
Mitsurugi misses with a looping right.
Litt throws a hook to the side of Mitsurugi's head but Mitsurugi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It seemed like Mitsurugi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Litt tried to score with a low kick but Mitsurugi checks it.
Mitsurugi has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Litt. That's going to slow Mitsurugi down.
Litt scores with a decent looking hook.
Litt looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Mitsurugi jabs Litt right on the nose. Litt blinks but takes it well.
Litt throws a body shot but no joy.
Litt tests Mitsurugi's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitsurugi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Litt half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Litt lands a head shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Litt keeps the fight on the outside.
Mitsurugi loads up on a big right hand but Litt slips the punch.
Litt circles away from the clinch attempt.
Litt blocks a jab.
Shinsuke Mitsurugi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mitsurugi throws a lazy uppercut

and Litt counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mitsurugi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mitsurugi working a defensive guard here.
Litt trying to control but Mitsurugi is working from the bottom.
Mitsurugi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitsurugi 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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Litt's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Litt cracks Mitsurugi with a solid left hand.
Mitsurugi can't keep his opponent in guard - Litt advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Litt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mitsurugi's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitsurugi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Litt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mitsurugi is just riding it out for now. Litt eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Litt passes the guard and advances to mount!
Litt 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.
Litt controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Louie Litt dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mitsurugi connects with a crisp jab.
A clash of legs there as Mitsurugi blocks the low kick.
Mitsurugi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Mitsurugi misses the jab.
Mitsurugi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Litt.
Litt takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mitsurugi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mitsurugi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Litt 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.
Mitsurugi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mitsurugi throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Litt shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mitsurugi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Litt digs a good hook to Mitsurugi's body.
Mitsurugi staying out of range there.
The fighters circling - Litt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Litt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mitsurugi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Litt moves away.
Mitsurugi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Litt's calf.
Mitsurugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Mitsurugi walks into a left hand.
Litt takes a jab right on the kisser.
A leg kick checked by Mitsurugi.
Mitsurugi is looking to clinch.
Mitsurugi throws a leg kick but Litt sees it coming and moves out of range.
Litt drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mitsurugi sprawls and moves away.
Mitsurugi misses with a straight right.
Mitsurugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Litt jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Litt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Litt tries to counter with a takedown but Mitsurugi is quick to defend against it.
Litt misses with an uppercut.
Mitsurugi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Litt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Louie Litt is winning the standup battle so far.

Litt shoots in and bounces Mitsurugi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Litt trying to control the position from guard on top but Mitsurugi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mitsurugi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Litt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitsurugi managing to control the position.
Litt lands a couple of digs.
Litt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Litt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mitsurugi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Litt engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Litt is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

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.
Mitsurugi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Litt sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mitsurugi's guard.
Mitsurugi wants to control but Litt is keeping busy.
Litt wants to pass to mount but Mitsurugi is defending the position.
Litt is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mitsurugi can do to turn this around?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Litt is trying to control. Mitsurugi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Louie Litt will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Litt misses with an uppercut. Mitsurugi saw that one coming.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mitsurugi checks a leg kick.

Mitsurugi has Litt up against the cage in a clinch.
Litt is struggling to control the position.
Mitsurugi pushes Litt back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mitsurugi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Mitsurugi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Litt throws a low kick, looking for Mitsurugi's leg but Mitsurugi calmly moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mitsurugi! But no joy.
Mitsurugi misses with an uppercut.
Mitsurugi tests Litt's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mitsurugi tries to clinch but Litt is having none of it.
The fighters circling - Litt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mitsurugi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Litt changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mitsurugi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Litt connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Litt throws a leg kick but Mitsurugi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Mitsurugi lands a head shot.
Litt changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mitsurugi misses with a hook. Litt ducked under it nicely.
Mitsurugi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shinsuke Mitsurugi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Litt fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Litt buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Litt slips under a jab from Mitsurugi.
Litt scores with the left hand. Mitsurugi knows he should have avoided that one.
Mitsurugi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A jab from Litt misses.
Mitsurugi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Litt blocks the low kick.
Shinsuke Mitsurugi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Litt throws a chopping leg kick but Mitsurugi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Mitsurugi flicks out a counter leg kick but Litt steps away.
Mitsurugi scoring well with a low kick there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mitsurugi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Litt misses with a low kick as Mitsurugi jumps back.
Litt misses the jab.
Mitsurugi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Litt throws a body punch but Mitsurugi moves out of range.
Litt has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mitsurugi finds it's way round the side to connect with Litt's head.
Litt's corner calls for a 1-2. Litt obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Litt connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Litt is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Litt uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mitsurugi.
Litt throws a jab when Mitsurugi was well out of range.
Mitsurugi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Litt counters with a single leg into guard. Mitsurugi didn't expect that.
Litt looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Litt landing some decent shots from guard.
Litt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Litt wants to control from the top but Mitsurugi keeps moving.
Mitsurugi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Litt preventing the sweep.

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.
Litt forces his way into half guard.
Litt lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Litt is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mitsurugi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Litt.
Litt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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 Louie Litt.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Litt, 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Louie Litt!
Our winner, Louie Litt, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.