PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hideo Kojima (ranked 6292 p4p, 3059 weight class) and Leif Cassidy (ranked 274 p4p, 176 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kojima
vs
Cassidy

166 cm
25
141
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
26
140
5 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
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 - 2 - 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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leif Cassidy!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassidy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cassidy tries to clinch but Kojima is having none of it.
It looked like Kojima wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Leif Cassidy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cassidy scores with a decent looking hook.
Cassidy tries to close the distance and clinch but Kojima swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kojima appears to be looking for a big counter.
Cassidy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Kojima misses the target.

Cassidy forces Kojima back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
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 pushes Kojima up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.

It looks like Hideo Kojima has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Cassidy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Cassidy closes the distance and pushes Kojima back into the cage.
Kojima trying to stall but Cassidy improves his position.
Kojima goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cassidy prevents it.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kojima is looking to break free of the clinch but Cassidy has double underhooks.
Kojima tries a body shot but Cassidy blocks it.
Kojima slows down the pace here.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Kojima definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kojima can't break the clinch.
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.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.

Cassidy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
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.
The crowd cheers as Cassidy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kojima doesn't seem phased though.
Cassidy tries to clinch but Kojima is having none of it.

Cassidy has closed the distance and engaged Kojima in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy holds him up against the cage and eventually Kojima drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kojima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima is trying to stall.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kojima fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
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.
A frustrated look appears on Kojima's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Cassidy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kojima tries to land knees in the clinch but Cassidy avoids the damage to the body.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Kojima wants to break free but Cassidy has control.
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.
Cassidy has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Cassidy clinches with his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kojima fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage.
Kojima trying to stall but Cassidy improves his position.
Kojima is trying to stall.
Kojima fails to pull guard.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima is trying to maintain a safe position but Cassidy gets an underhook and turns Kojima into the cage.
Kojima tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cassidy smiles and moves away.
Cassidy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kojima was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Kojima tries to keep at a distance but Cassidy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Leif Cassidy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hideo Kojima's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jab, jab by Cassidy - just one landing.

Cassidy has managed to clinch.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy won't allow it.
Kojima is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cassidy to keep the fight standing.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kojima wants to get back to striking at distance but Cassidy won't allow it.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cassidy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kojima avoids the elbow strike from Cassidy, against the cage.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kojima tries to pull guard but Cassidy won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kojima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Kojima avoids the elbow strike from Cassidy, against the cage.
Cassidy lands an elbow just above Kojima 's eye.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling him.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kojima wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
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 takes an elbow to the temple.
Kojima taking a breather.
Kojima drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cassidy pulls his leg out and moves away.

Cassidy takes the fight into the clinch.
Leif Cassidy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kojima wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kojima wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima wants a takedown.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Kojima trying to stall but Cassidy improves his position.
Kojima is trying to pull guard but Cassidy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kojima has Cassidy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cassidy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kojima misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cassidy.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cassidy stops a takedown attempt from Kojima.
Kojima wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kojima tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cassidy smiles and moves away.
Cassidy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Kojima misses the target.
Cassidy scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kojima in his tracks.
Cassidy tries to clinch but Kojima moves out of range.
Kojima is looking for a counter combo.
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.
The cut man is working on Hideo Kojima's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Cassidy tries to clinch there but Kojima circles away.

Cassidy darts in and clinches Kojima up against the cage.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kojima is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cassidy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
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.
Kojima wants a takedown but no success here.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassidy keeps control of Kojima as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Cassidy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kojima keeps the fight on the outside.
An attempted straight right counter from Kojima misses the target.
Kojima swats away the attempt to clinch by Cassidy.
Kojima appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kojima takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Cassidy clinches up against the cage.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.
Kojima tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cassidy smiles and moves away.
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 overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Cassidy clinches.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kojima is trying to push Cassidy away but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kojima blocks the elbow strike.
Kojima tries to land knees in the clinch but Cassidy avoids the damage to the body.
Kojima has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cassidy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Kojima fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima blocks the 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kojima tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
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 just above Kojima 's eye.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cassidy.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kojima has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
Kojima avoids the elbow strike from Cassidy, against the cage.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Kojima is trying to pull guard but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
Kojima is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cassidy is defending well.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kojima tries to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling the position.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
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 creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
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.

Cassidy closes the distance and clinches.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
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 creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
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.
Kojima is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

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 Bart Greer scores the fight 24:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 24:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 24:30

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