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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Lomachenko (ranked 582 p4p, 71 weight class) and Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 393 p4p, 50 weight class). 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.
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| 168 cm
33
144 lbs
20 - 18 - 1 |
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170 cm
28
145 lbs
17 - 9 - 1 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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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
20 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Evgeni Lomachenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Phil Schofield and Richard Clark.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lomachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsunaga moves away.
Matsunaga just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga moves into the clinch.
Matsunaga successfully pulls guard.
Matsunaga has momentary wrist control but Lomachenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Matsunaga throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lomachenko throwing strikes from guard but Matsunaga blocks nicely.
Matsunaga is trying to keep Lomachenko in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lomachenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lomachenko postures up in Matsunaga's guard and throws a big left but Matsunaga blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsunaga avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lomachenko looking to pass the guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Matsunaga working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lomachenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lomachenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lomachenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lomachenko landing some decent shots from guard.
Matsunaga tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Matsunaga utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lomachenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lomachenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Matsunaga looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lomachenko passes into half guard.
Lomachenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsunaga's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matsunaga on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko throwing shots but Matsunaga is blocking nicely.
Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lomachenko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lomachenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Matsunaga is defending against the submission attempts here by Lomachenko.
Lomachenko with the ground and pound but Matsunaga uses the opportunity to regain guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lomachenko is working Matsunaga over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lomachenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lomachenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Matsunaga trying to control the position.
Lomachenko throwing strikes from guard but Matsunaga blocks nicely.
Lomachenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Matsunaga working for a triangle but Lomachenko defends it easily.
Lomachenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga working a defensive guard here.
Matsunaga avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lomachenko works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Matsunaga wants to get back to full guard.
We've been hearing that Lomachenko has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Lomachenko is working for a kimura but Matsunaga is defending it quite comfortably.
Lomachenko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Evgeni Lomachenko dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Matsunaga scores with a nice strike.
Matsunaga loads up on a big right hand but Lomachenko slips the punch.
Matsunaga works Lomachenko's body with a nice hook.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that half lands.
Lomachenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Lomachenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matsunaga can do to turn this around?
Lomachenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Lomachenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matsunaga avoids it really well and circles away.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
Matsunaga scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nice defenses there by Matsunaga.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Lomachenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsunaga loads up on a big right hand but Lomachenko slips the punch.
Lomachenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lomachenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Matsunaga cracks Lomachenko with an open hand slap.
A swing and a miss from Lomachenko.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsunaga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko shoots in looking for a takedown but Matsunaga manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lomachenko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lomachenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lomachenko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evgeni Lomachenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lomachenko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Matsunaga is looking for the big counter here.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Lomachenko.
Nice defenses there by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matsunaga. Matsunaga obviously looking to wear him down.
Futoshi Matsunaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lomachenko throws a body punch but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga thuds his right hand into Lomachenko's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Lomachenko shoots in and drives through. Matsunaga sprawls well.
Matsunaga lands with a shot to the body.
Matsunaga changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Matsunaga gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lomachenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Matsunaga has wrist control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matsunaga is looking for a triangle but Lomachenko pushes his legs off easily.
Lomachenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Matsunaga has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lomachenko throws a big elbow that misses.
Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lomachenko throwing strikes but missing.
Lomachenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Matsunaga looking to control.
Lomachenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matsunaga swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lomachenko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matsunaga has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lomachenko has managed to get both his arms back between Matsunaga's legs - danger averted.
Lomachenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lomachenko won't allow Matsunaga to sweep him here.
Matsunaga manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Matsunaga manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Lomachenko is in close to Matsunaga's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lomachenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Matsunaga working for a triangle but Lomachenko defends it easily.
Lomachenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Matsunaga has his foot on Lomachenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lomachenko works his way back into a safe position though.
Matsunaga has his feet on Lomachenko's thighs here. He's pushed Lomachenko off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Lomachenko screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Futoshi Matsunaga!
After winning the bout, Futoshi Matsunaga thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
46% |
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