PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kendo Hirigushi (ranked 3139 p4p, 363 weight class) and Chris Boag (ranked 3282 p4p, 374 weight class). Chris Boag has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hirigushi
vs
Boag

181 cm
23
168 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Arcticus University: London

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Kendo Hirigushi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Boag!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boag ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Boag takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hirigushi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Boag ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hirigushi walks into a straight right hand from Boag.
Boag misses with a few strikes there.
Hirigushi is looking to counter punch.

Boag drops Hirigushi with a big left hand and mounts him. Hirigushi is in big trouble!

Hirigushi is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hirigushi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Oh Hirigushi is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Boag wants to control but Hirigushi is keeping him busy.
Hirigushi seems to have got his legs back now.
Boag tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hirigushi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Boag is working for a submission of some sort.
Hirigushi is trying to stand up here but Boag is controlling him well.

Boag looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Boag is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hirigushi is just riding it out for now. Boag eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boag stops Hirigushi from getting back to his feet.
Boag is pressing down on Hirigushi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hirigushi is holding on for now.

Boag wants to work for an arm triangle but Hirigushi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Boag is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hirigushi defends it well.
Boag wants to free his trapped foot but Hirigushi is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Boag wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hirigushi keeps working.
Hirigushi tries to kick Boag off but Boag keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boag has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hirigushi is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Hirigushi has given up his back. Will we see Boag going for some submissions?
Hirigushi is trying to get back to his feet but Boag has full control of the position and if anything, Hirigushi has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Boag looking for the RNC.

Boag working for a choke but Hirigushi is defending well.

Boag patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Boag looking for the choke but no joy.
Hirigushi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Well, with Boag on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Hirigushi is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Boag has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Hirigushi has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Hirigushi trying to get back to his feet but Boag is in full control for now.

Hirigushi is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Hirigushi wants to get back to his feet.

Boag patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Boag is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Hirigushi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Hirigushi for a finish.
Hirigushi trying to control but not successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirigushi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Boag working for a choke but Hirigushi is defending well.
Hirigushi is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Boag dominated that round.
That's time! Hirigushi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Boag shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Boag bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boag wants to clinch
and Hirigushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Boag moves in looking to clinch but Hirigushi pushes him off.
Hirigushi throws a lazy right hand but Boag sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hirigushi swings away with a body shot that misses

and Boag moves into the clinch.
Boag lands a body punch in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirigushi lands a left hand.
Boag lands a shot to the body.
Boag works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Boag.
Hirigushi misses with some punches.
Boag is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hirigushi to keep the fight standing.
Boag lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hirigushi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirigushi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Boag is trying to pull guard but Hirigushi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Boag tries to throw a body punch but Hirigushi avoids it by throwing Boag back against the cage.
Boag goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hirigushi prevents a body shot from Boag.
Hirigushi misses with a punch on the inside.
Hirigushi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Boag tries to throw a body punch but Hirigushi avoids it by throwing Boag back against the cage.
Boag doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from Boag.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hirigushi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Boag lands a hook that snaps the head of Hirigushi backwards.
Boag misses with a punch on the inside.
Hirigushi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Boag's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hirigushi tries to break the clinch but Boag is controlling the position.
A short right from Hirigushi on the inside.
Hirigushi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Boag misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hirigushi lands a shoulder strike.
Boag misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hirigushi scores with a hook to the body.
Boag tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hirigushi works on Boag's body with a couple of short punches.
Boag struggles to land a body shot inside as Hirigushi controls his hands.
Hirigushi scores with a hook to the body.
Boag's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Boag is trying to pull guard but Hirigushi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kendo Hirigushi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Boag.
Hirigushi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hirigushi lands a body shot.
Boag is breathing heavily.
Boag jumps guard but Hirigushi stands there with Boag around his waist. Boag gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Boag gets through Hirigushi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hirigushi blocking some punches.
Hirigushi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Boag backwards.
Hirigushi lands a nice uppercut.
Hirigushi working aggressively here.
Hirigushi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Boag jumps guard and drags Hirigushi to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hirigushi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Boag's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hirigushi gets to his feet - Boag follows without any prompting.
Boag avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've been told by Hirigushi's head coaches at Total Impact MMA/KT that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hirigushi keeps the fight on the outside.
Kendo Hirigushi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hirigushi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Boag misses with a lunging right hand
and Hirigushi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hirigushi throws a hook but Boag blocks it.
Hirigushi misses with a hook.
It seemed like Boag was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hirigushi misses with a hook.
Boag slips under a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hirigushi.
Hirigushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Boag.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boag needs to keep his hands up - Hirigushi had a free shot at his head there.
Hirigushi lands a glancing blow to the side of Boag's head.
Nice shot lands for Hirigushi.
Boag tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Boag connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hirigushi lands a glancing blow to the side of Boag's head.
Boag slips a jab from Hirigushi.
Hirigushi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Boag tries to work over Hirigushi's front leg with a kick but Hirigushi checks it.
Boag displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hirigushi throws out the jab.
Hirigushi cracks Boag with a good jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendo Hirigushi dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hirigushi misses with a hook.
Hirigushi throws out a loose jab but Boag uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boag looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Boag looks to throw the jab but Hirigushi is out of range.
A big right from Hirigushi misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Hirigushi. That snapped Boag's head back.
Boag swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hirigushi.
A big right from Hirigushi misses.
Hirigushi shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Boag eats them both and turns towards Hirigushi to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirigushi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hirigushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Boag.
Boag looks to clinch
and Hirigushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hirigushi throws a jab but it's blocked by Boag.
A little jabbing left from Boag on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kendo Hirigushi is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirigushi misses with an uppercut
and Boag counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hirigushi misses the jab.
Boag looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hirigushi throws the left hand but Boag avoids the punch easily.
Hirigushi is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hirigushi misses the jab.
Hirigushi swinging wildly here.
Boag lands an overhand right.
Boag takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Boag keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hirigushi.
Boag lands a head shot.
Boag's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hirigushi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Boag scrambles back to his feet.
Hirigushi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boag tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hirigushi counters with a straight right hand.
Hirigushi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boag uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hirigushi.
It seemed like Boag was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A shot to the liver by Hirigushi. Beautiful body shot.
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!
Hirigushi scores with a jab. Boag acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hirigushi moves out of range as Boag strikes.

Boag darts in and clinches Hirigushi up against the cage.
Boag swings wildly with an uppercut but Hirigushi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boag tries to pull guard but Hirigushi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Boag misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hirigushi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hirigushi struggles to land a body shot inside as Boag controls his hands.
Hirigushi blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirigushi tries to throw a body punch but Boag avoids it by throwing Hirigushi back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hirigushi.
Boag lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Boag lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Boag on the inside.

Boag manages to pull guard.
Hirigushi wants to stand but Boag has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Boag is trying to control the position but Hirigushi postures up.
Hirigushi wants to stand but Boag has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Boag looking for a guillotine here but Hirigushi defends easily.

Hirigushi gets to his feet - Boag follows without any prompting.
Hirigushi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Boag with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirigushi throws the left hand but Boag avoids the punch easily.
Hirigushi clobbers Boag with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hirigushi stalks Boag and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Boag's face. Boag staggers backwards, shaken.
A big left from Boag misses.
Hirigushi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hirigushi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hirigushi lands a nice looking body shot.
Hirigushi swings for the body but Boag moves out of range.
A slow jab from Hirigushi misses its intended target.
Boag swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hirigushi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Boag has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hirigushi jabs Boag to the body, keeping him at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kendo Hirigushi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hirigushi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kendo Hirigushi!
After the fight, Kendo Hirigushi was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.