PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hideo Hazuki (ranked 4696 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Specht (ranked 5128 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Specht's choice of entrance music: blablabla. Ken Specht told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hazuki
vs
Specht

165 cm
20
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
27
145 lbs
4 - 12 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hideo Hazuki !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Specht!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Specht lands the left hand.

Hazuki shoots in and gets a takedown into Specht's guard.
Hazuki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hazuki seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Specht for as long as he can get away with.

Specht is looking for a triangle but Hazuki pushes his legs off easily.
Hazuki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Specht working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hazuki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hazuki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hazuki content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hazuki has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hazuki landing with the ground and pound.

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.
Hazuki slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Specht is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hazuki stays in close to Specht's body and controls the position.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Hazuki .

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hazuki shoots for a double leg takedown but Specht sprawls well. He's pushed Hazuki 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Specht changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Specht lands a nice shot that snaps Hazuki 's head back.

Hazuki scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Specht is looking to reverse the position.
Hazuki controlling the position from side mount.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Specht manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Specht looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hazuki controlling the pace.
Specht tries to kick Hazuki off but Hazuki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hazuki controlling the action here.
Specht pushes Hazuki off looking to stand but Hazuki dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Specht tries to get to full guard but Hazuki has control of the leg.
Hazuki working Specht over with strikes.
Specht on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Specht striking from half guard on the bottom.
Ground and pound from Hazuki .
We've been informed that Specht has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The fighters are battling for position here. Specht manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Specht has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hazuki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hazuki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
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 Hideo Hazuki will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hazuki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Specht.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Specht throws a nice looking combination but Hazuki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Specht leaves Hazuki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hazuki slips a jab and a cross from Specht.

Hazuki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Specht is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hazuki scores with a couple of nice shots.
Specht trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hazuki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Specht is trying to control but can't.
Hazuki with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Specht tries to roll over but Hazuki keeps him under control.
Specht tries to kick Hazuki off but Hazuki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hazuki is controlling the pace.
Hideo Hazuki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Specht tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Hazuki is working for a submission of some sort.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

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.
Specht missing with punches from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hazuki 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Specht connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hazuki scrambles back to his feet.
Specht swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Specht gets caught napping as Hazuki dives in and scores a takedown. Specht manages to retain guard.
Hazuki knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Specht on the ground.
Specht is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Specht looking for a sweep. Not yet Specht, not yet.
Hazuki controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hazuki works over Specht with some ground and pound from guard.
Hazuki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Specht trying to keep a closed guard but Hazuki is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazuki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hazuki working some strikes from top position.
Hazuki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hazuki lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Specht is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Specht wants to stand but Hazuki is controlling the position.
Hazuki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ken Specht is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hazuki crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Specht - the referee stops the clock and Hazuki gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Specht. Hazuki manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Hazuki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hazuki takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Hazuki prevents Specht from standing back up.
Specht on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hazuki scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hazuki controlling the action here.
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 Hideo Hazuki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Specht lands a big head kick that sends Hazuki tumbling to the mat! Specht takes a step backwards and waves Hazuki back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Hazuki is still looking wobbly from the end of the last round!

It looks like Hideo Hazuki has been cut.
Specht lands a hook that stumbles Hazuki back into the cage. Specht follows up with a straight and another hook that land right on the button, dropping Hazuki to the canvas! Specht pounces and lands several unanswered shots - Hazuki has had enough and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Ken Specht!