PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shin Asuka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Hidalgo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Asuka
vs
Hidalgo

190 cm
19
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shin Asuka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Hidalgo!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Hidalgo. No joy for Asuka on that attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Asuka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hidalgo misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Hidalgo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No joy there for Hidalgo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Asuka takes one to the chin there.
A nice combination there by Hidalgo.
Hidalgo throws a series of punches but Asuka moves out of range.

Asuka moves into the clinch successfully.
Hidalgo wants to stall.
Hidalgo seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Asuka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Asuka successfully pulls guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Asuka controlling the position.
Asuka is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Asuka working for a triangle but Hidalgo defends it easily.
Hidalgo wanted to stand there but Asuka had control of the position.
Hidalgo wants to stand and escape but instead Asuka has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Hidalgo keeping moving, preventing Asuka from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Asuka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Asuka avoids a punch combination nicely.

Asuka clinches.

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.
Hidalgo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Asuka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Hidalgo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Asuka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hidalgo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hidalgo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Asuka prevents Hidalgo from breaking the clinch.
Hidalgo trying to stall but Asuka improves his position.
Asuka has Hidalgo pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Hidalgo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Asuka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knees to the body from Asuka.
Asuka tries a knee to the head but Hidalgo blocks it.
Hidalgo stalling in the clinch but Asuka improves position.
Hidalgo is looking to break free of the clinch but Asuka has double underhooks.
Asuka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hidalgo.
Asuka is breathing heavily.
Asuka tries to pull guard but Hidalgo holds him up against the ropes and eventually Asuka drops back down to his feet.
Hidalgo is looking to control Asuka's arms but Asuka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hidalgo has his back to the ropes.
Asuka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hidalgo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hidalgo is trying to stall.
Hidalgo throws a punch but it's blocked by Asuka.
Hidalgo is trying to maintain a safe position but Asuka gets an underhook and turns Hidalgo into the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asuka crunches a lovely knee into Hidalgo's ribcage.
Asuka is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Asuka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Asuka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hidalgo wants to break free but Asuka has control.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hidalgo is trying to break the clinch but Asuka has him pressed against the ropes.

Asuka ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Asuka no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Hidalgo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Asuka's guard.
Asuka controls Hidalgo momentarily but Hidalgo frees himself.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hidalgo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Asuka's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Asuka is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Asuka avoids the head kick by Hidalgo.
Hidalgo fails to land with a series of punches.
Hidalgo fails to land with a series of punches.
Hidalgo throws a body punch but Asuka moves out of range.
Asuka doesn't manage to clinch there - Hidalgo circles away.
Hidalgo throws a right and a left that Asuka avoids nicely.
A cross from Hidalgo lands.
Hidalgo misses with a wild combination.
Hidalgo misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Asuka dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hidalgo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Asuka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hidalgo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Hidalgo misses.
Chris Hidalgo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Hidalgo does no damage.
Asuka takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hidalgo misses with a series of wild punches.
Hidalgo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Asuka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No luck for Asuka with that takedown attempt.
Asuka throws a head kick but Hidalgo moves out of range.
Hidalgo misses with a double jab.
Hidalgo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Asuka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hidalgo circles away.
Hidalgo throws a series of punches but Asuka moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Hidalgo as Asuka shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Asuka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hidalgo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hidalgo lands a jab-cross combination.
Asuka fails to land the takedown.
Hidalgo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hidalgo swinging wilding here.
Hidalgo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Asuka avoids a kick to the body.
Asuka slips a jab and a cross from Hidalgo.
Asuka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hidalgo pinned against the cage. Hidalgo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hidalgo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hidalgo throws a right and a left that Asuka avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Hidalgo misses.
Hidalgo lands with a straight right. Asuka didn't see that one coming.
Hidalgo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hidalgo throws out a powerful jab.
Hidalgo throws a leg kick but Asuka sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hidalgo's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hidalgo duly obliges.
Hidalgo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asuka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hidalgo scores with a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Hidalgo.
Hidalgo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hidalgo works Asuka's body with a nice hook.
Hidalgo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch lands to the side of Asuka 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice sprawl there from Hidalgo as Asuka shoots in.
Hidalgo misses with a double jab.
Asuka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hidalgo throws a nice looking combination but Asuka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hidalgo throws a lazy head kick
and Asuka counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hidalgo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hidalgo looks to land a body kick but Asuka moved away.
Hidalgo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hidalgo throws a right and a left that Asuka avoids nicely.
Hidalgo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Asuka tries to clinch but Hidalgo moves out of range.
Asuka takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hidalgo throws a series of punches but Asuka avoids them all with ease.
Hidalgo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hidalgo swinging wilding here.
Asuka avoids the head kick by Hidalgo.
Asuka on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asuka drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Asuka fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Horrible takedown by Asuka or perhaps it was just good defense by Hidalgo which made him look bad.
Hidalgo scores with a body shot.
Asuka tries to clinch but Hidalgo moves out of range.
Hidalgo misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Hidalgo does no damage.
Asuka takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hidalgo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hidalgo throws a series of punches but Asuka moves out of range.
Asuka throws a sloppy head kick and Hidalgo moves out of range easily.
Chris Hidalgo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hidalgo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hidalgo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hidalgo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hidalgo tries to bum rush Asuka with a series of wild strikes but Asuka uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Hidalgo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Asuka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hidalgo.
No joy there for Hidalgo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hidalgo throws a sloppy head kick
and Asuka counters with a low kick, right behind Hidalgo 's knee.
Asuka avoids the head kick by Hidalgo.
Hidalgo throws a series of punches but Asuka moves out of range.
Hidalgo cracks Asuka with a good jab.

Asuka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hidalgo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hidalgo is trying to stall.
Hidalgo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Asuka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Asuka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hidalgo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hidalgo is trying to break the clinch but Asuka has him pressed against the ropes.
Asuka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hidalgo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Asuka crunches a lovely knee into Hidalgo's ribcage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Asuka lands a nice knee to the body.
Asuka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Asuka lands a knee to the body.

Asuka decides to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asuka bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hidalgo's guard.
Hidalgo is wriggling around but Asuka manages to pass to half guard.
Asuka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Asuka is trying to control the action in half guard but Hidalgo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Asuka stops Hidalgo from getting back to his feet.

Hidalgo manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Hidalgo throws a series of punches but Asuka moves out of range.
Chris Hidalgo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hidalgo fails to land with a series of punches.

Asuka clinches up with Hidalgo and pushes him back against the ropes.
Asuka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hidalgo tries to stall but Asuka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hidalgo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Asuka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Asuka misses with a knee to the head.
Hidalgo is trying to break the clinch but Asuka has him pressed against the ropes.
Asuka with a knee to the head.
Asuka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hidalgo.
Hidalgo managing to block the knees to the body from Asuka.
Hidalgo can't break the clinch.
Hidalgo looking to stall.
Asuka prevents Hidalgo from breaking the clinch.
Asuka connects with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hidalgo.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Asuka.
Asuka keeps control of Hidalgo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Asuka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hidalgo blocks it with crossed arms.
Asuka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hidalgo just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Hidalgo tries to stall but Asuka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hidalgo has had enough of the clinch but Asuka keeps him there for the moment.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Asuka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hidalgo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asuka landing knees to the body.
Asuka is working for takedown but Hidalgo is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Asuka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Asuka tries to pull guard but Hidalgo holds him up against the ropes and eventually Asuka drops back down to his feet.
Asuka looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hidalgo looking to slow down the pace here.
Hidalgo is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Asuka has denied him.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Chris Hidalgo.
Asuka shoots in for a double leg but Hidalgo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hidalgo fails to land with a series of punches.
Hidalgo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hidalgo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Asuka is out of range and Hidalgo settles back down.
Hidalgo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Asuka.
Asuka tries to clinch but Hidalgo is having none of it.
Hidalgo throws a right and a left that Asuka avoids nicely.
Asuka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hidalgo pinned against the cage. Hidalgo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Asuka closes the distance and clinches up with Hidalgo, looking for a takedown. Asuka pushes Hidalgo against the ropes but Hidalgo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nice shot by Hidalgo.
Nice shot by Hidalgo.
Danga de danga de dang - Hidalgo scores with a four punch combination!
Hidalgo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Asuka at a distance.
Hidalgo throws a lazy head kick
and Asuka counters with a big head kick but Hidalgo shrugs it off.
A combination from Hidalgo does no damage.
Asuka tries to clinch up but Hidalgo circles away and keeps his distance.
Hidalgo keeps the fight on the outside.
Chris Hidalgo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A combination from Hidalgo does no damage.
Asuka avoids the head kick by Hidalgo.
Some wild striking there from Hidalgo.
Hidalgo misses with a combination

and Asuka counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Asuka clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Asuka blocks a head kick by Hidalgo.
Hidalgo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hidalgo is looking to score with low kicks.
Hidalgo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A punch combination from Hidalgo misses.

Asuka shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Asuka prevents Hidalgo from getting back to his feet.
Asuka slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hidalgo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Asuka sitting in guard here, content to control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Asuka gets to his feet. Hidalgo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hidalgo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hidalgo fails to land with a series of punches.
Hidalgo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Asuka shoots in for a double leg but Hidalgo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hidalgo throws a head kick but Asuka moves out of range.
Asuka ducks right into an uppercut from Hidalgo.
Hidalgo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hidalgo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Asuka counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Asuka.
Hidalgo is looking to control Asuka's arms but Asuka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hidalgo has his back to the ropes.
Asuka landing knees to the body.
Hidalgo wants to stall.
Hidalgo prevents the takedown attempt.
Hidalgo wants to get back to striking at distance but Asuka won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asuka wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Asuka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hidalgo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Hidalgo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hidalgo is looking to control Asuka's arms but Asuka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hidalgo has his back to the ropes.
Asuka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Asuka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Asuka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Asuka as Hidalgo tries to tie him up.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Chris Hidalgo.
Hidalgo works over Asuka's head and body with a nice combination.
Asuka wants to clinch up but Hidalgo keeps it at a distance.
Asuka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hidalgo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hidalgo cracks Asuka with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asuka connects with a solid leg kick.
Hidalgo blocks a head kick by Asuka.
Some wild striking there from Hidalgo.
Hidalgo lands with a nice combination. Asuka backs away looking to recover.
Asuka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hidalgo throws a right and a left that both miss.
A jab from Hidalgo finds it's way through Asuka's defenses.
Hidalgo misses with a wild combination.
Asuka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Asuka moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A good leg kick by Asuka.
Asuka shoots for a takedown but Hidalgo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

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.
Asuka is looking to clinch.
Nice shot by Hidalgo.
Hidalgo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Asuka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hidalgo pinned against the cage. Hidalgo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hidalgo throws out a powerful jab.
Hidalgo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hidalgo misses with a few strikes there.
Hidalgo lands with a nice combination. Asuka backs away looking to recover.
Hidalgo throws a head kick that misses.

Asuka moves into range and clinches up with Hidalgo.
Hidalgo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hidalgo can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Asuka had his way with Chris Hidalgo in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Hidalgo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Hidalgo tries to keep at a distance but Asuka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hidalgo is looking to control Asuka's arms but Asuka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hidalgo has his back to the ropes.
Asuka with a knee to the head.
Asuka tries to land knees in the clinch but Hidalgo avoids the damage to the body.
Hidalgo looking to slow down the pace here.
Hidalgo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Asuka.
Hidalgo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Asuka prevents Hidalgo from breaking the clinch.
Hidalgo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Asuka tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asuka landing knees to the head.
Hidalgo wants to break the clinch but can't.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Asuka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hidalgo is trying to break the clinch but Asuka has him pressed against the ropes.
Hidalgo is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Asuka is keeping busy.
Hidalgo wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hidalgo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Asuka crunches a lovely knee into Hidalgo's ribcage.
Asuka blocks an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Asuka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hidalgo blocks it with crossed arms.
Hidalgo looking to slow down the pace here.
Hidalgo is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Asuka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hidalgo prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Asuka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asuka scores a nice knee to the body.
Asuka lands a nice knee to the body.
Hidalgo is trying to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Chris Hidalgo.
Asuka shoots in for a double leg but Hidalgo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hidalgo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Asuka shoots for a double leg takedown but Hidalgo sprawls well. He's pushed Asuka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two 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.
Hidalgo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Asuka circles away quickly and effectively.
Asuka walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Asuka clinches up with Hidalgo and pushes him back against the ropes.
Hidalgo can't break the clinch.
Asuka looking to throw knees to the head but Hidalgo is blocking nicely.
Hidalgo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hidalgo taking a breather.
Asuka landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Asuka tries to land a knee to the head but Hidalgo blocks with his arms.
Asuka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hidalgo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Asuka tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hidalgo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Asuka prevents Hidalgo from breaking the clinch.
Hidalgo can't find room to land a body shot as Asuka controls the action.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hidalgo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Asuka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Asuka connects with a knee to the head.
Asuka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hidalgo blocks it with crossed arms.
Hidalgo trying to control the position but instead, Asuka has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hidalgo into the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hidalgo looking to throw knees to the head but Asuka is blocking nicely.
Asuka jumps guard but Hidalgo stands there with Asuka around his waist. Asuka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Asuka tries to land knees in the clinch but Hidalgo avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Hidalgo fails to land.
Asuka looking to throw knees to the head but Hidalgo is blocking nicely.
Asuka keeps control of Hidalgo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hidalgo looking to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hidalgo.
Knees to the body from Asuka.
Hidalgo avoiding damage as Asuka throws knees to the body.
Hidalgo is trying to break free.
Hidalgo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Hidalgo is trying to break the clinch but Asuka has him pressed against the ropes.
Hidalgo wants to get back to striking at distance but Asuka won't allow it.
Asuka with a knee to the head.
Asuka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Asuka trying to land knees to the body.
Hidalgo taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hidalgo has had enough of the clinch but Asuka keeps him there for the moment.

Asuka jumps guard.
Asuka has a closed guard, preventing Hidalgo from standing up.
Asuka controls Hidalgo momentarily but Hidalgo frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hidalgo wants to get up but he can't break Asuka'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!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shin Asuka.
I think Asuka 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Chris Hidalgo!

The fight ends as a draw!
Oh dear, what a disastrous situation! The belt remains unclaimed and both fighters go home unhappy!