PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akio Kurosaki (ranked 93 p4p, 9 weight class) and Manny Puno (ranked 10 p4p, 2 weight class). Manny Puno is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Kurosaki
vs
Puno

176 cm
33
155
13 - 6 - 0

180 cm
41
158
27 - 9 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear
Urban Fighter

Gatoroids
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akio Kurosaki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 9 - 3, fighting out of New York, Manny Puno!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurosaki throws a looping overhand right but Puno ducks down to avoid it.
Puno looks to land a combination but Kurosaki avoids it well.
Nice uppercut lands for Puno. That snapped Kurosaki's head back.
Puno blocks a head kick by Kurosaki.
Kurosaki avoids the body shot from Puno.
Kurosaki lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Puno throws a hook to the side of Kurosaki's head but Kurosaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Puno lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Puno throws a body shot but no joy.
Kurosaki swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Puno darts in looking for a takedown but Kurosaki gets double underhooks and turns Puno into the cage.
A clash of legs there as Puno blocks the low kick.
Puno is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kurosaki bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Puno's head.
Akio Kurosaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurosaki's corner calls for a 1-2. Kurosaki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Puno ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Puno swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
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!
A telegraphed right hand from Kurosaki misses the target.
Puno connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A jab from Puno misses.
Kurosaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Puno.
Kurosaki ducks under a wild hook from Puno.
A low kick from Kurosaki misses

and Puno counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kurosaki!
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Kurosaki tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Puno wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kurosaki is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Puno lands a few punches from side control.
Kurosaki manages to get back to half guard.
Puno stalling away here and it's allowed Kurosaki to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Puno trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurosaki keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurosaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurosaki controlling the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Puno wants to control from the top but Kurosaki keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kurosaki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Puno misses the target.
A lazy left from Kurosaki finds it's target.
Puno misses the jab.
Puno takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kurosaki looks to land a right hand but Puno moved out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Puno. Kurosaki does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kurosaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Puno is just out of range.
Kurosaki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Puno swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Puno uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Puno checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Puno takes a swing at Kurosaki's ribcage but misses.
Puno misses with a hook.
Puno takes a swing at Kurosaki's ribcage but misses.
Kurosaki was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Kurosaki clinches up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kurosaki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Puno controlling the action here for a moment.
Kurosaki blocking some punches.
Kurosaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Punos head.

Puno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kurosaki connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Puno lands a jab to the head.
Puno digs a good hook to Kurosaki's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kurosaki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Puno works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki lands with a thumping leg kick.
Puno throws a looping overhand right but Kurosaki ducks down to avoid it.
Puno fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice body punch from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki throws a looping overhand right but Puno ducks down to avoid it.
Kurosaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Kurosaki scores with a jab. Puno acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kurosaki looks to land a left hand but Puno moved out of range nicely.
Puno feints the counter takedown.
Kurosaki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Puno swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Puno gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kurosaki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Puno ducks under a wild hook from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kurosaki slips a straight right by Puno.
Kurosaki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kurosaki misses with a body shot.
Kurosaki misses the shot to the body.
Puno displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kurosaki throws out the jab.
Puno gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kurosaki.
A telegraphed right hand from Kurosaki misses the target.
Puno throws a hook but Kurosaki blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Akio Kurosaki will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kurosaki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A jab from Kurosaki finds it's way through Puno's defenses.
Kurosaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Puno.
We've been told by Kurosaki's head coaches at 3Band MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kurosaki moves away from the strike by Puno.
Puno ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kurosaki moves away.
It looked like Kurosaki wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Puno bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kurosaki's head backwards.
Puno cracks Kurosaki with a good jab.
Kurosaki staying out of range there.
Puno fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kurosaki wants to clinch.
Kurosaki avoids the body shot from Puno.

Puno manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kurosaki on his heels. He'll look to pass Kurosaki's guard now, I'm sure.
Puno missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kurosaki 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Puno trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurosaki pulls Puno in close to his closed guard and prevents Puno from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurosaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puno must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kurosaki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Puno.
Kurosaki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kurosaki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Puno wants to control from the top but Kurosaki keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice defenses there by Puno.
Kurosaki listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Puno swings for the body but Kurosaki moves out of range.
Kurosaki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Puno manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Puno shoots in and drives through. Kurosaki sprawls well.
As Puno backs away, Kurosaki returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kurosaki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kurosaki lands with a hook. Puno tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Puno throws a shot from downtown. Kurosaki moves away and avoids it.
Puno is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Akio Kurosaki is winning the standup battle so far.
Kurosaki throws a hook but Puno blocks it.
Puno swings for the body but Kurosaki moves out of range.
Kurosaki tries to clinch but Puno is having none of it.
Puno ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Puno looks to land a left hand but Kurosaki moved out of range nicely.
Kurosaki scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kurosaki defending well as Puno loads up on a big left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Puno looks to land a left hand but Kurosaki moved out of range nicely.
Puno moves away from the strike by Kurosaki.
Kurosaki slips a jab and a cross from Puno.
Puno avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kurosaki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Puno stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
An inside leg kick from Kurosaki misses.
Kurosaki looks to land a left hand but Puno moved out of range nicely.
Puno throws a series of punches but Kurosaki moves out of range.
Puno moves out of range as Kurosaki strikes.
Puno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Kurosaki rushes Puno and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Puno uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kurosaki lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puno pressing his opponent against the cage.

Puno has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kurosaki is trying to keep an underhook but Puno manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kurosaki is staying active underneath Puno, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kurosaki keeping control of the position.
Puno thows a huge punch but Kurosaki dodges it nicely.
Puno winds up and cracks Kurosaki with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Puno is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Puno throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki is refusing to be controlled, as Puno sits in half guard.
Kurosaki moves into full guard.
Puno working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Puno 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.
Puno being controlled here momentarily.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Puno loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Manny Puno will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - Kurosaki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Puno with the counter takedown but Kurosaki avoids it easily.
Puno gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Puno dives in and grabs Kurosaki's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kurosaki pushes down on Puno's head and hops out.
Puno scores with a hook to the body. Kurosaki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Puno scores with a decent looking hook.

Kurosaki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Puno lands with a left to the head.
Puno blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Puno goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kurosaki prevents it.
Puno has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kurosaki is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Akio Kurosaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Puno.
A right handed body shot lands from Kurosaki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurosaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kurosaki throws a head punch that misses.
Kurosaki lands an uppercut.
Kurosaki misses with some punches.
Puno takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Puno is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kurosaki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Puno blocks a body shot from Kurosaki.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Puno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kurosaki misses with a wild body shot.
Kurosaki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Puno. Puno circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A swing and a miss from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki connects with a single shot there.

Kurosaki tries to sprawl but Puno drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kurosaki desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kurosaki manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kurosaki has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Puno postures up.
Puno trying to control but Kurosaki is working from the bottom.
Puno missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Puno looking to pass the guard.
Manny Puno has got the better of the ground game so far.
Puno being controlled here momentarily.
Puno trying to control but Kurosaki is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Puno fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That kick from Kurosaki tenderised Puno's leg. Puno is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kurosaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Puno sees it coming and avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kurosaki with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kurosaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Puno throws out the jab.
Akio Kurosaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kurosaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kurosaki looks to throw the jab but Puno is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Puno avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Puno slips under a jab from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Puno.
Kurosaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Puno manages to avoid it.
Puno defending well as Kurosaki loads up on a big left hand.
Puno moves away from the strike by Kurosaki.
Puno ducks under a wild hook from Kurosaki.
Puno takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kurosaki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Puno drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kurosaki defends it well.
Puno changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kurosaki throws a nice outside leg kick.

Puno shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Puno not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Puno is trying to control. Kurosaki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kurosaki moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Puno's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kurosaki trying to control the position here.
Kurosaki is trying to keep Puno in close.
Puno wants to pass the guard but Kurosaki is keeping the position.
Kurosaki wants to sweep here but Puno controlling him for the moment.
Puno looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Kurosaki clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice defenses there by Kurosaki.
Puno jabs at Kurosaki's body.
Puno looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kurosaki is fending him off so far but Puno persists. Nope, Kurosaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Puno ducks under a wild hook from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki cracks a nice hook into Puno's ribs.
Kurosaki swings widly with a right hand

and Puno counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kurosaki won't be happy with that.

Kurosaki throws Puno to one side and escapes!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Puno ducks under a wild hook from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Puno waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kurosaki.
Kurosaki lands with a nice body punch.
Puno takes one on the button.
Kurosaki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Puno finds it's way round the side to connect with Kurosaki's head.
Puno tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kurosaki defends well and Puno ends up having to push Kurosaki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Puno shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Puno misses with a straight right.
Kurosaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kurosaki.
Good exchange - Kurosaki coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kurosaki dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Puno. That did some damage!

Kurosaki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Puno tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Akio Kurosaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Puno.
A short right from Kurosaki.
Puno lands with a left to the head.
Puno tries for a takedown. No joy.
Puno lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Puno has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Puno tries to pull guard but Kurosaki forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Puno is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Puno tries to score a body lock takedown but Kurosaki shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Puno decides to pull guard.
Kurosaki wanted to stand there but Puno had control of the position.
Kurosaki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurosaki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Puno not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Puno lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Puno wants to pass the guard but Kurosaki is keeping the position.
Puno trying to control but Kurosaki is working from the bottom.
Kurosaki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Puno working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno cracks Kurosaki with a solid left hand.
Kurosaki is pulling down on Puno's head to control his posture.
Puno is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurosaki has wrist control.
Puno throwing strikes from guard but Kurosaki blocks nicely.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Puno checks the leg kick nicely there.
Puno shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kurosaki but Kurosaki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurosaki slips under a jab from Puno.
It looked like Kurosaki wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kurosaki punishes Puno's body with a nice straight punch.
Kurosaki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kurosaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Puno sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And Puno tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurosaki pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Puno closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kurosaki circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Puno.
Puno slips a straight right by Kurosaki.
Puno lunges at Kurosaki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kurosaki's hand.
Puno takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kurosaki avoids the body shot from Puno.
A looping hook to the body misses from Puno. Kurosaki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kurosaki is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kurosaki loads up on a big right hand but Puno slips the punch.
Nice shot lands for Kurosaki.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Puno scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Puno tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kurosaki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Puno somewhat.
Kurosaki takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kurosaki tries to close the distance and clinch but Puno swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Puno swings for the body but Kurosaki moves out of range.
Puno takes one to the chin there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Kurosaki had his way with Manny Puno in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Puno lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A bone on bone clash there as Puno blocks the leg kick.
Kurosaki misses the shot to the body.
Kurosaki loads up on a big right hand but Puno slips the punch.
Kurosaki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kurosaki throws an overhand right that lands on Puno's shoulder, as Puno tries to avoid the shot.
Puno thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kurosaki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Puno defending well as Kurosaki loads up on a big left hand.
Kurosaki is looking to clinch.
Kurosaki missing with a left hand there. Puno was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Kurosaki drives through and clinches with Puno against the cage.
Kurosaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Puno uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puno throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurosaki.
A nice right hand lands inside from Puno.

Puno manages to pull guard.
Puno looking for a sweep. Not yet Puno, not yet.
Puno keeping full guard, as Kurosaki tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosaki preventing the sweep.
Kurosaki wants to pass the guard but Puno is keeping the position.
Kurosaki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kurosaki tries to free his leg and advance position but Puno is retaining full guard.
Puno looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Puno trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two 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.

Kurosaki moves into the clinch.
Puno is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kurosaki is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Puno tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kurosaki smiles and moves away.
Akio Kurosaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Puno.
Puno fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kurosaki throws a big shot that misses.
Puno drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kurosaki defends it well.
Kurosaki misses with a looping left.
Kurosaki digs a good hook to Puno's body.
Kurosaki connects with a single shot there.
Kurosaki lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Puno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kurosaki manages to avoid it.
Puno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Puno gets tackled into the cage by Kurosaki. Kurosaki maintains the clinch.
Kurosaki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kurosaki lands a nice uppercut.
Puno misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno misses with a punch to the body.
Puno jumps guard but Kurosaki turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Puno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kurosaki lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kurosaki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Puno finds it's way round the side to connect with Kurosaki's head.
Puno misses with a takedown attempt - Kurosaki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kurosaki defending well as Puno loads up on a big left hand.
Kurosaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Puno throws out a powerful jab.
Puno takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Puno fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Puno is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Puno drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kurosaki misses with a hook.
Puno misses with a few strikes there.
Puno shoots for a takedown but Kurosaki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki wants to clinch up but Puno keeps it at a distance.
Kurosaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kurosaki throws a nice inside leg kick.
Puno takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Puno's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab lands there for Puno.

Kurosaki has Puno up against the cage in a clinch.
Puno blocking some punches.
Kurosaki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Puno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kurosaki leaves Puno with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kurosaki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Puno manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Puno takes a jab right on the kisser.
A big right from Kurosaki misses.
Kurosaki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Puno can do to turn this around?
Kurosaki scores with a decent looking hook.
Kurosaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Manny Puno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kurosaki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Puno.
Kurosaki throws a nice inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akio Kurosaki showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kurosaki 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 49:46
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 49:46
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akio Kurosaki!
Akio Kurosaki is the new featherweight champion!
After the fight, Akio Kurosaki 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.
The defeated Manny Puno had this to say: 'Planned on retiring many fights ago, but couldn’t back down from challenges. I want a rematch as my retirement fight. Good job Kuro, and Bjorn. See you soon..'.