PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raymon Juarez (ranked 24954 p4p, 0 weight class) and Honda Kikunojo (ranked 5332 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Juarez
vs
Kikunojo

219 cm
19
177 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

183 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Raymon Juarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Honda Kikunojo!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kikunojo closes the distance but Juarez moves to the side
and Juarez counters with a body kick that stops Kikunojo in his tracks momentarily.

Kikunojo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Juarez's guard.

Juarez kicks Kikunojo off and gets to his feet.

Kikunojo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Juarez to the ground. Kikunojo is now in Juarez's guard.
Kikunojo trying to control but Juarez is working from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kikunojo looking to pass the guard.
Kikunojo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kikunojo prevents Juarez from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikunojo trying to control but Juarez is working from the bottom.

Kikunojo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kikunojo throwing strikes but missing.
Juarez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kikunojo prevents Juarez from getting back to his feet.
Kikunojo sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kikunojo shoots and misses

and Juarez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Juarez jumps into guard, dragging Kikunojo to the mat.
Kikunojo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Juarez's head.
Kikunojo prevents Juarez from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikunojo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Juarez isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kikunojo stacks Juarez on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kikunojo!
Kikunojo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Juarez is breathing heavily.
Kikunojo lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Juarez down.
Juarez is not content to let Kikunojo control the position.
Juarez wants to control but Kikunojo postures up.
Kikunojo working the ground and pound but Juarez is defending the strikes.
Kikunojo takes a little break here. Juarez wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kikunojo creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Juarez sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juarez wants to control but Kikunojo postures up.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kikunojo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Juarez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kikunojo trying to control the position but Juarez is working away.
Kikunojo controls the position.
Juarez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kikunojo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Juarez is looking to get back to is feet but Kikunojo passes into side control.
Juarez pushes Kikunojo away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kikunojo gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Juarez struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Juarez throws Kikunojo to one side and escapes!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikunojo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Juarez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kikunojo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Juarez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Juarez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Kikunojo closes the distance and clinches.
Juarez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kikunojo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kikunojo closes the distance but Juarez moves to the side
and Juarez counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Kikunojo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Juarez is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Raymon Juarez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Horrible takedown attempt by Kikunojo or perhaps it was just good defense by Juarez, which made it look bad.
Juarez looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Kikunojo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Juarez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kikunojo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kikunojo wants to clinch
and Juarez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kikunojo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Juarez swivels and escapes.
Kikunojo just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromJuarez.
Raymon Juarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Honda Kikunojo.
Kikunojo misses with a takedown attempt

and Juarez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kikunojo gets control of Juarez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kikunojo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kikunojo is breathing heavily.
Kikunojo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Juarez wants to stand but Kikunojo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kikunojo looking to control.
Juarez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kikunojo is proving hard to escape from.

Juarez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kikunojo or perhaps it was just good defense by Juarez, which made it look bad.
A quick step to the side and Juarez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juarez blocks a head kick by Kikunojo.

Juarez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kikunojo, pushing him back against the cage.

Juarez manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Juarez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kikunojo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Juarez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Juarez is trying to control the position but Kikunojo postures up.
Juarez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Juarez is adopting a defensive guard.
Kikunojo won't allow Juarez to sweep him here.
Juarez keeping full guard, as Kikunojo tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juarez has control of Kikunojo's left arm, preventing Kikunojo from doing any damage.

Juarez has his foot on Kikunojo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kikunojo works his way back into a safe position though.

Juarez is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Kikunojo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kikunojo rushes Juarez and presses him up against the cage.

Kikunojo is trying to trip Juarez. He has hold of a leg but Juarez is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Kikunojo persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Juarez wants to get back to his feet but Kikunojo passes into half guard.

Juarez is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikunojo works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kikunojo content just to control the position here.
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!
Juarez sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Kikunojo is looking for a kimura but Juarez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kikunojo to get the leverage.
Kikunojo wants to free his trapped foot but Juarez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Juarez wants to get back to his feet.
Juarez is refusing to be controlled, as Kikunojo sits in half guard.
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 Raymon Juarez will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kikunojo misses with a takedown

and Juarez counters by moving into the clinch.
Juarez wants to take the fight to the mat but Kikunojo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Juarez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A bit of stalling here from Juarez.
Kikunojo fails to pull guard.
Kikunojo is working for takedown but Juarez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Raymon Juarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Honda Kikunojo.

Juarez pulls guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juarez wants to sweep but no luck.
Kikunojo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Juarez's guard.
Juarez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kikunojo manages to get himself to full guard.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Juarez gets to his feet. Kikunojo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kikunojo misses with a takedown attempt
and Juarez counters with a right hand to the body.

Kikunojo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Juarez's guard.
Juarez is trying to keep Kikunojo in close.
Kikunojo trying to control but Juarez is working from the bottom.

Juarez looking for a guillotine here but Kikunojo defends easily.
Juarez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikunojo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Juarez can't keep his opponent in guard - Kikunojo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Juarez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kikunojo is working away from the top position though.
Still in half guard, Kikunojo seems content to control.
Juarez trying to control here.
Kikunojo wants to free his trapped foot but Juarez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kikunojo lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikunojo trying to control from half guard but Juarez is working away.

Juarez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kikunojo pulls his head out easily.

Kikunojo is looking for a kimura but Juarez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kikunojo to get the leverage.
Juarez is trying to stand.

Juarez kicks Kikunojo off and gets back to his feet.
Kikunojo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Juarez defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikunojo fails with the takedown
and Juarez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Juarez dives in and scores a takedown into Kikunojo's guard.
Juarez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kikunojo's guard.

Kikunojo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Juarez won't allow Kikunojo to sweep him here.
Honda Kikunojo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raymon Juarez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Juarez wants to get up but he can't break Kikunojo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raymon Juarez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Juarez 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raymon Juarez!