PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hideo Kojima (ranked 5556 p4p, 3940 weight class) and Leif Cassidy (ranked 261 p4p, 214 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kojima
vs
Cassidy

166 cm
25
141
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
26
140
4 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Solid 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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hideo Kojima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leif Cassidy!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassidy tries to clinch but Kojima is having none of it.
Cassidy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kojima manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Cassidy rushes Kojima and presses him up against the cage.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kojima tries to land knees in the clinch but Cassidy avoids the damage to the body.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Cassidy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Kojima stalling in the clinch but Cassidy improves position.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima wants to take the fight to the mat but Cassidy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cassidy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kojima avoids the elbow strike from Cassidy, against the cage.
Cassidy is pressed up against the cage. Kojima has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cassidy down to the mat. Cassidy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cassidy is looking to clinch but Kojima is avoiding it.
Nice uppercut lands for Cassidy. That snapped Kojima's head back.
Cassidy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kojima.
Kojima misses with a left hand
and Cassidy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kojima swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cassidy counters with a stiff right hand.
Kojima definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kojima misses with a body punch
and Cassidy counters with a nice uppercut.
Kojima avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cassidy wants to clinch.
Kojima throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cassidy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Cassidy darts in and clinches Kojima up against the cage.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kojima is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cassidy is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kojima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
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!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.
Kojima is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cassidy to keep the fight standing.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy holds him up against the cage and eventually Kojima drops back down to his feet.
Cassidy pushes off an throws an elbow but Kojima leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Kojima wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cassidy lands an elbow just above Kojima 's eye.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cassidy gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kojima.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cassidy lands an elbow just above Kojima 's eye.
Kojima jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cassidy walks away with a smile on his face. Kojima gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kojima gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Cassidy counters with a nice uppercut.
Kojima looks to score with a jab to the body but Cassidy is just out of range.
Kojima throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Cassidy to counter with a crisp jab.

Cassidy pushes Kojima up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Kojima is trying to push Cassidy away but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Kojima blocks the elbow strike.
Kojima avoids the elbow strike from Cassidy, against the cage.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kojima has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cassidy after a bit of a struggle.

Cassidy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cassidy has managed to clinch.
Kojima is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cassidy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kojima blocks the elbow strike.
Kojima throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cassidy blocks it with crossed arms.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Leif Cassidy dominated that round.
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.

Kojima fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kojima throws a body punch but Cassidy moves out of range.
Cassidy tries to clinch up.
Kojima walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Cassidy moves into the clinch.
Cassidy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Cassidy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Kojima is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassidy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kojima jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cassidy walks away with a smile on his face. Kojima gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kojima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kojima misses with a combination
and Cassidy counters with a stiff right hand.

Cassidy has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kojima is looking to break free of the clinch but Cassidy has double underhooks.
Leif Cassidy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Cassidy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kojima throws a poor cross that misses
letting Cassidy counter with a right hand.
Kojima swings for the body but Cassidy moves out of range.

Cassidy gets a clinch.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima is trying to break free.
Kojima jumps guard but Cassidy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cassidy as Kojima tries to tie him up.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Cassidy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Cassidy gets a clinch.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima working hard to break the clinch.
Kojima wants a takedown.

Cassidy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cassidy cracks Kojima with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kojima is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Cassidy rushes Kojima and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Cassidy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cassidy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Cassidy pushes off an throws an elbow but Kojima leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Cassidy pushes off an throws an elbow but Kojima leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kojima wants to stall.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Kojima avoids a wild elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima wants a takedown.
Cassidy dodges an elbow strike from Kojima.
Kojima blocks the elbow strike.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Kojima looking to stall.

Cassidy manages to break the clinch.
Kojima misses with an uppercut
and Cassidy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cassidy catches Kojima with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Leif Cassidy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cassidy closes the distance and pushes Kojima back into the cage.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Cassidy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cassidy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kojima swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kojima tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cassidy was well out of range. Poor timing from Kojima.
Cassidy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kojima.
Cassidy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kojima swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cassidy might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Cassidy wants to clinch up but Kojima keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kojima shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kojima misses with a jab to the body
and Cassidy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kojima smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kojima fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cassidy manages to avoid it.
Cassidy misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kojima misses the body punch
and Cassidy counters with a nice uppercut.
Kojima ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cassidy moves away.
Cassidy throws a lazy right hand but Kojima sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Kojima was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cassidy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Cassidy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Kojima tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.

Cassidy manages to break the clinch.

Cassidy instigates a clinch.
Cassidy lands an elbow just above Kojima 's eye.
Cassidy blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kojima is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.
Kojima wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
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!
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cassidy is defending well for now.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kojima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.

Cassidy manages to break the clinch.
Kojima throws an overhand right that lands on Cassidy's shoulder, as Cassidy tries to avoid the shot.
It seemed like Cassidy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hideo Kojima seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cassidy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kojima avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jab from Cassidy.
Leif Cassidy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cassidy moves into range and clinches up with Kojima.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kojima avoids a wild elbow strike from Cassidy.
Kojima tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Kojima taking a breather.
Kojima is working for takedown but Cassidy is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Kojima jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cassidy walks away with a smile on his face. Kojima gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kojima shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kojima misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cassidy has Kojima up against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Kojima is trying to force a seperation but Cassidy has the dominant position.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Kojima tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Cassidy breaks from the clinch.
Kojima avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kojima fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cassidy manages to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Cassidy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice shot lands for Cassidy.

Cassidy has closed the distance and engaged Kojima in a clinch.
Kojima changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cassidy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cassidy wants to clinch up but Kojima keeps it at a distance.
Hideo Kojima has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leif Cassidy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Cassidy gets in close and instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leif Cassidy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cassidy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 25:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 25:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leif Cassidy!