PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Bob Skidopolopolous (ranked 1781 p4p, 217 weight class) and Gunji Koizumi (ranked 4657 p4p, 509 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Skidopolopolous
vs
Koizumi

213 cm
26
256 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

176 cm
34
193 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bob Skidopolopolous!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gunji Koizumi!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skidopolopolous wants to clinch.
Skidopolopolous wants to clinch up but Koizumi keeps it at a distance.
Skidopolopolous on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Skidopolopolous moves in looking to clinch but Koizumi pushes him off.
Skidopolopolous on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Koizumi blocks a head kick by Skidopolopolous.
Skidopolopolous fails in his attempt to clinch.
Koizumi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Koizumi misses with a head kick.
Koizumi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Skidopolopolous.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That kick from Koizumi tenderised Skidopolopolous's leg. Skidopolopolous is trying to keep his angry face on.
Skidopolopolous checks the leg kick nicely there.
Skidopolopolous tries to clinch but Koizumi is having none of it.
Koizumi throws a leg kick but Skidopolopolous checks it.
Skidopolopolous thinks about countering with a head kick.
Skidopolopolous takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Skidopolopolous gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Koizumi stalling in the clinch.

Koizumi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A nice leg kick lands there from Koizumi.
Koizumi motions for Skidopolopolous to come forward. Koizumi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Koizumi scores with a leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Skidopolopolous.

Koizumi clinches with his opponent.
Koizumi scores with a hook to the body.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Skidopolopolous throws an elbow but misses.
A knee to the head by Skidopolopolous.
Skidopolopolous letting Koizumi take a breather here.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Skidopolopolous is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi trying to stall but Skidopolopolous improves his position.
Our sources have told us that Skidopolopolous has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Koizumi is trying to maintain a safe position but Skidopolopolous gets an underhook and turns Koizumi into the ropes.
Koizumi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Gunji Koizumi.

Skidopolopolous clinches.
Koizumi is looking to control Skidopolopolous's arms but Skidopolopolous gets an underhook and turns him. Now Koizumi has his back to the ropes.
Koizumi being controlled against the ropes.
Skidopolopolous tries to land a knee to the head but Koizumi blocks with his arms.
Stalling in the clinch from Koizumi.
Come on Skidopolopolous - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Skidopolopolous leaning against his opponent.

Skidopolopolous pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A nice inside leg kick there by Koizumi. That's going to slow Skidopolopolous down.
Koizumi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skidopolopolous misses with a head kick.
Koizumi looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Koizumi looks for the body kick but Skidopolopolous saw that one coming.
Koizumi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Skidopolopolous's calf.
Skidopolopolous fails in his attempt to clinch.
Skidopolopolous wants to clinch up but Koizumi keeps it at a distance.
Skidopolopolous tries to close the distance and clinch up but Koizumi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Koizumi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Koizumi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Skidopolopolous slips under a jab.
Gunji Koizumi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koizumi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Skidopolopolous steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Koizumi. That one must have hurt.
Skidopolopolous wants to clinch.

Skidopolopolous closes the distance and pushes Koizumi back into the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skidopolopolous misses with the head strike.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Koizumi.
Still in the clinch, Koizumi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Koizumi prevents Skidopolopolous from breaking the clinch.
Skidopolopolous leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Koizumi tries to throw a body punch but Skidopolopolous avoids it by throwing Koizumi back against the ropes.
Koizumi leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Skidopolopolous misses with a hook to the ribs.
Koizumi is trying to maintain a safe position but Skidopolopolous gets an underhook and turns Koizumi into the ropes.
Koizumi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Skidopolopolous crunches a lovely knee into Koizumi's ribcage.
Skidopolopolous is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skidopolopolous tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunji Koizumi dominated that round.
That's time! Skidopolopolous's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Koizumi thows a leg kick but Skidopolopolous checks it
and Skidopolopolous counters with a nice leg kick.

Skidopolopolous looks low and kicks high, catching Koizumi right on the side of the head, sending him crashing to the canvas! Will he be able to beat the count? 3,4,5 - he's already back to his feet and ready to go! Let's see if he's still with it!

It looks like Gunji Koizumi has been cut.
Skidopolopolous throws a front kick that sends Koizumi stumbling back into the ropes.

Koizumi clinches up with Skidopolopolous and pushes him back against the ropes.
Skidopolopolous tries a body shot but Koizumi blocks it.

Skidopolopolous breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Skidopolopolous rushes Koizumi and presses him up against the ropes.
Koizumi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Koizumi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Koizumi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Skidopolopolous backwards.
Koizumi managing to block the knees to the body from Skidopolopolous.
Skidopolopolous is trying to maintain a safe position but Koizumi gets an underhook and turns Skidopolopolous into the ropes.
Skidopolopolous wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Skidopolopolous breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skidopolopolous tries to close the distance and clinch but Koizumi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Koizumi avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Koizumi!
Skidopolopolous on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Koizumi. Koizumi obviously looking to wear him down.
Skidopolopolous tries to close the distance and clinch up but Koizumi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Skidopolopolous fails with an attempt to clinch.
Koizumi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Koizumi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Koizumi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Koizumi throws a body kick that misses.
Koizumi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Skidopolopolous tries a head kick but it misses.
Koizumi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Skidopolopolous has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Koizumi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Skidopolopolous tries to close the distance and clinch but Koizumi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Koizumi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skidopolopolous lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Koizumi cracks the inside of Skidopolopolous's front leg.
Koizumi tries to land a front kick but Skidopolopolous steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Koizumi throws a leg kick but Skidopolopolous moved away.
Koizumi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Skidopolopolous is out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koizumi is looking to slow Skidopolopolous down with leg kicks.
Koizumi throws a leg kick
and Skidopolopolous counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Koizumi throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Bob Skidopolopolous has been cut.
Koizumi motions for Skidopolopolous to come forward. Koizumi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Skidopolopolous is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Koizumi.
Koizumi lands a nice shot to the body.
Bob Skidopolopolous is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Skidopolopolous instigates a clinch.
Koizumi trying to control the position but instead, Skidopolopolous has worked for underhooks and has pushed Koizumi into the ropes.
Koizumi is trying to maintain a safe position but Skidopolopolous gets an underhook and turns Koizumi into the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skidopolopolous has Koizumi pressed against the ropes, preventing Koizumi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Skidopolopolous tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short uppercut from Skidopolopolous.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Koizumi avoiding damage as Skidopolopolous throws knees to the body.
Koizumi missing with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Koizumi cracks Skidopolopolous with a nice body shot.
Koizumi taking a breather.
Koizumi taking a breather.
Skidopolopolous misses with a knee to the head.
Koizumi has Skidopolopolous pushed against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Gunji Koizumi.
Koizumi scores with a leg kick.
Koizumi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Skidopolopolous has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Skidopolopolous tries to close the distance and clinch but Koizumi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Skidopolopolous on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Koizumi. Koizumi obviously looking to wear him down.
Koizumi lands a head kick!
Koizumi misses with a body kick.
As Koizumi looks to move away, Skidopolopolous throws a big counter combo but Koizumi just gets out of the way.
Koizumi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Koizumi, right into the meat.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Skidopolopolous has managed to clinch.
Skidopolopolous throws a head punch that misses.
Koizumi leaning against his opponent.
Koizumi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Skidopolopolous scores with a shot to the side of Koizumi's head.
Koizumi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Skidopolopolous is trying to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Skidopolopolous will take that round after scoring the only knockdown of the round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Koizumi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A solid leg kick lands there for Koizumi.
Koizumi lands with a right hand.

Skidopolopolous throws out a head kick that Koizumi doesn't see coming - it connects and sends Koizumi crashing to the mat face first! He's bounced up to his knees and is scrambling to get back to his feet and beat the count. He's up on 5 but still looks a bit groggy; will the referee allow it to continue??? He's taking a good look into Koizumi's eyes and has decided to let it go on!

Skidopolopolous has managed to clinch.
Koizumi taking a breather.
Skidopolopolous swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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!
Skidopolopolous tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Koizumi tries to stall but Skidopolopolous uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Skidopolopolous manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Skidopolopolous looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Koizumi jabs Skidopolopolous to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Koizumi lands a really nice looking cross but Skidopolopolous seems unphased.
Skidopolopolous tries to close the distance and clinch up but Koizumi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Skidopolopolous blocks the low kick.
Koizumi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And Skidopolopolous counters with a quick kick to the body but Koizumi blocks it.
Koizumi connects with a solid leg kick.
Koizumi looks to score with a jab to the body but Skidopolopolous is just out of range.
Koizumi misses with a kick to the body
and Skidopolopolous counters with a one-two to the body.
Skidopolopolous tries to clinch but Koizumi is having none of it.

Skidopolopolous rushes Koizumi and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Skidopolopolous pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Koizumi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Skidopolopolous thinks about countering with a head kick.
Gunji Koizumi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Koizumi throws a leg kick which misses Skidopolopolous's front leg but catches the back leg as Skidopolopolous tries to avoid it.
Koizumi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Skidopolopolous rather than just go for the knockout.
Koizumi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Skidopolopolous on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Koizumi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Skidopolopolous seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koizumi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skidopolopolous throws a lazy body kick
and Koizumi counters with a nice leg kick.
Koizumi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Skidopolopolous avoids a kick to the body.
Koizumi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Skidopolopolous checks it well.
Koizumi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Koizumi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Skidopolopolous. Those never looked like landing.
Koizumi flicks out a counter leg kick but Skidopolopolous steps away.
Koizumi lands a high kick!
A nice inside leg kick there by Koizumi. That's going to slow Skidopolopolous down.
Koizumi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Koizumi misses with a hook.
Koizumi throws out a powerful jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Koizumi.
Koizumi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Koizumi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Skidopolopolous has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Skidopolopolous fails to land with a series of punches.
Koizumi steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Skidopolopolous.
Koizumi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Skidopolopolous moves in looking to clinch but Koizumi pushes him off.
Koizumi connects with a body shot that sends Skidopolopolous's belly button to the back.
Skidopolopolous throws a right hand that Koizumi ducks under and follows up with a left that Koizumi also avoids with ease.

Koizumi has managed to clinch.

Koizumi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Koizumi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Skidopolopolous tries to clinch but Koizumi moves out of range.
Koizumi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little feinted left hand from Skidopolopolous on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Skidopolopolous tries to clinch there but Koizumi circles away.
Bob Skidopolopolous has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Koizumi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Skidopolopolous.
Nice body punch from Koizumi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi digs a good body shot into Skidopolopolous's ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skidopolopolous fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Koizumi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Skidopolopolous's sensitive parts.
Koizumi thuds his right hand into Skidopolopolous's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Koizumi chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Skidopolopolous instigates a clinch.

Skidopolopolous breaks from the clinch.
Gunji Koizumi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Koizumi scores with a kick to the midsection.
Koizumi avoids a kick to the body.
Koizumi flicks out a counter leg kick but Skidopolopolous steps away.
Skidopolopolous tries to clinch up but Koizumi circles away and keeps his distance.
Skidopolopolous moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKoizumi.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slapping leg kick lands for Koizumi.
Skidopolopolous tries to close the distance and clinch up but Koizumi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Koizumi avoids the head kick by Skidopolopolous.
Koizumi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Skidopolopolous finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Koizumi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Skidopolopolous blocks it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunji Koizumi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Koizumi 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:26
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:26
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Skidopolopolous!
Bob Skidopolopolous took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Bloodlust Horde Fightwear for their support in the buildup to the fight.