PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Maciej Zegan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Ishikawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zegan comes to the cage accompanied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4B99CQV3uY&feature=related. Ishikawa has chosen mindshift genki sudo as his entrance music. Maciej Zegan has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Zegan
vs
Ishikawa

180 cm
39
153 lbs
28 - 25 - 1

150 cm
46
154 lbs
46 - 34 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 28 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Maciej Zegan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 34 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Ishikawa!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ishikawa throws a lazy head kick
and Zegan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ishikawa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zegan swivels and escapes.
Zegan lands with a good body shot.
Zegan lands a head kick!

It looks like Akira Ishikawa has been cut.
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.
Zegan misses with a body shot.
Ishikawa throws a big counter head kick but Zegan avoids it with no problem.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zegan. That's going to slow Ishikawa down.
Zegan throws a head kick but Ishikawa moves out of range.
Ishikawa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zegan pinned against the cage. Zegan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ishikawa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zegan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zegan throws a front kick aimed at Ishikawa's knee but Ishikawa avoids it well.
Ishikawa misses with a wild body shot.
Ishikawa tries to move into range but Zegan moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ishikawa jabs at Zegan's body.
Zegan scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zegan connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ishikawa fails to land the takedown.
Maciej Zegan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Ishikawa.
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.
Zegan slips a jab from Ishikawa.
Zegan throws a sloppy head kick and Ishikawa moves out of range easily.
Ishikawa lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ishikawa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zegan half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ishikawa throws a head kick but Zegan moves out of range.
Zegan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ishikawa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zegan connects with a solid leg kick.
Zegan lands with a cross.
Ishikawa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zegan blocks a head kick by Ishikawa.
Zegan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ishikawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zegan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zegan scores with a decent looking hook.
Ishikawa takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Ishikawa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Zegan throws Ishikawa to one side and escapes!
Zegan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zegan scores with a kick to the midsection.
Maciej Zegan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ishikawa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zegan.
Ishikawa takes one to the chin there.
Ishikawa tries a head kick but it misses.
Zegan pushes Ishikawa away with a front kick.
Ishikawa avoids the head kick by Zegan.
Ishikawa raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ishikawa blocks a head kick by Zegan.
Ishikawa takes one to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.
Zegan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zegan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zegan. That's going to slow Ishikawa down.
Zegan is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ishikawa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zegan lands a jab to the head.
Ishikawa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zegan stuffs the takedown attempt from Ishikawa. Ishikawa gets slowly back to his feet.
Ishikawa throws a hook but Zegan blocks it.
Zegan looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Zegan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice body kick from Zegan.
Ishikawa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zegan.
Ishikawa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
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!
Zegan explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zegan moves away.
Zegan throws a big counter combination but Ishikawa scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ishikawa throws out a loose jab but Zegan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zegan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ishikawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ishikawa. Zegan does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zegan.
Zegan throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Zegan scores with a kick to the body.
Ishikawa looks winded!
Zegan explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zegan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ishikawa's sensitive parts.
Ishikawa steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zegan. That one must have hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zegan is looking to slow Ishikawa down with leg kicks.
Zegan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Zegan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zegan blocks a head kick by Ishikawa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maciej Zegan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zegan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ishikawa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zegan as he jumps to the side.
Zegan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ishikawa appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Ishikawa closes the distance and clinches up with Zegan, looking for a takedown. Ishikawa pushes Zegan against the cage but Zegan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zegan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zegan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Ishikawa misses the target.
Ishikawa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ishikawa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zegan throws a nice looking combination but Ishikawa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zegan.
Zegan lands with a right hand.
Ishikawa takes one to the chin there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zegan scores with a body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ishikawa has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Zegan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zegan misses with an elbow over the top.
Ishikawa can't break the clinch.
Ishikawa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Ishikawa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zegan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zegan's corner calls for a 1-2. Zegan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zegan throws a wild body kick that Ishikawa sees coming a mile off.
Maciej Zegan is winning the standup battle so far.
Ishikawa takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ishikawa tries a head kick but it misses.

Ishikawa tries to keep at a distance but Zegan has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ishikawa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zegan has him pressed against the cage.
Zegan throws an elbow but it misses.

Ishikawa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Zegan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zegan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zegan. That's going to slow Ishikawa down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.
Zegan throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Zegan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ishikawa walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zegan.
Zegan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zegan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ishikawa checks it well.
Zegan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zegan blocks a head kick by Ishikawa.

Ishikawa gets tackled into the cage by Zegan. Zegan maintains the clinch.
Zegan misses with an elbow over the top.
Ishikawa is trying to break the clinch but Zegan is controlling him.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ishikawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ishikawa is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Zegan throws a head kick that half lands.
Ishikawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zegan.
Zegan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ishikawa's sensitive parts.
Zegan clobbers Ishikawa with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zegan lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ishikawa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ishikawa or perhaps it was just good defense by Zegan, which made it look bad.
Maciej Zegan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Ishikawa.
Ishikawa is breathing heavily.
Zegan throws a head kick but Ishikawa moves out of range.
Zegan misses with a body kick.
Zegan takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Zegan jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zegan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ishikawa is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Ishikawa misses with a head kick.
Ishikawa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zegan. Zegan obviously looking to wear him down.
A punch combination from Ishikawa misses.
Ishikawa checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zegan lands the left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zegan avoids the head kick by Ishikawa.

Ishikawa shoots in and gets a takedown into Zegan's guard.
Zegan thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Zegan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ishikawa can do to turn this around?
Ishikawa throws a big right hand that misses.
Zegan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zegan managing to control the position.
Zegan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ishikawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Zegan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maciej Zegan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zegan cracks the inside of Ishikawa's front leg.
Zegan delivers a nice body kick.
Ishikawa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zegan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And Zegan counters with a quick kick to the body but Ishikawa blocks it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zegan.
Akira Ishikawa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zegan scores with a push kick.
Zegan cracks the inside of Ishikawa's front leg.
A head kick misses from Ishikawa.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zegan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ishikawa under the eye.
Ishikawa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ishikawa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zegan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ishikawa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Zegan does it's job there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zegan.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zegan.
Zegan keeps Ishikawa at a distance using the push kick.
Ishikawa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zegan scores with a jab.
Zegan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
Maciej Zegan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Ishikawa.
Ishikawa takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ishikawa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zegan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zegan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ishikawas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zegan lands a front kick.
Zegan misses with a body kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Akira Ishikawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa tries to break free but Zegan pushes him back against the cage.

Zegan breaks from the clinch.
Ishikawa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zegan connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zegan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ishikawa has time to react.
Ishikawa chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zegan can pounce on him.
Ishikawa throws a sloppy head kick and Zegan moves out of range easily.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that misses.
Ishikawa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zegan.
Crunch! Zegan slams his shin into Ishikawa's torso.
Zegan throws a head kick that half lands.
Zegan lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ishikawa takes a step back to recover.
Ishikawa throws a sloppy head kick and Zegan moves out of range easily.
Ishikawa fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa throws a head kick that misses
and Zegan counters with a straight right hand.
Zegan is looking to slow Ishikawa down with leg kicks.
The fighters circling - Ishikawa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ishikawa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zegan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ishikawa doesn't seem bothered though.
Zegan scores with a kick to the midsection.
Maciej Zegan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ishikawa missing with a left hand there. Zegan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zegan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ishikawa throws out the jab.
It appears Zegan was looking to counter with a kick there.
Zegan lands a leg kick that knocks Ishikawa off balance momentarily.
Ishikawa throws a sloppy head kick and Zegan moves out of range easily.
Zegan thuds his shin into the meat of Ishikawa's side.
Ishikawa fails with a takedown attempt.
Zegan lands a front kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zegan scores with a push kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zegan.
Ishikawa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ishikawa avoids the head kick by Zegan.
Ishikawa throws a head kick but Zegan moves out of range.
Zegan quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Good leg kick by Zegan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ishikawa shoots in for a takedown but Zegan shows good takedown defense.
Zegan scores with a spinning back kick!
Zegan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zegan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ishikawa shoots in for a double leg but Zegan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ishikawa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ishikawa throws a hook but Zegan avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maciej Zegan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zegan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maciej Zegan!
Maciej Zegan bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
Akira Ishikawa spoke after the fight, saying 'It happens let's try again'.