PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hideo Kojima (ranked 24999 p4p, 3052 weight class) and Leif Cassidy (ranked 308 p4p, 173 weight class). Leif Cassidy will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kojima
vs
Cassidy

166 cm
25
141
0 - 3 - 0

170 cm
26
140
6 - 8 - 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 - 3 - 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 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leif Cassidy!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassidy is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kojima.
Cassidy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kojima.
Kojima staying out of range there.
Cassidy slips under a jab from Kojima.
Cassidy moves to clinch but Kojima breaks away
and Cassidy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kojima swings for the body but Cassidy moves out of range.
Cassidy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cassidy slips under a jab.
A little jabbing left from Cassidy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kojima ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kojima misses with a hook
and Kojima takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Cassidy gets a clinch.
Cassidy lands an elbow just above Kojima 's eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kojima.
Kojima working hard to break the clinch.
Kojima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kojima swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Kojima's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Cassidy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Kojima trying to control the position but instead, Cassidy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kojima into the cage.
Kojima can't break the clinch.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kojima wants to stall.
Kojima definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
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 doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Cassidy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cassidy misses with a looping left.
Kojima looks to land a left hand but Cassidy moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy tries to close the distance and clinch but Kojima swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cassidy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kojima throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Kojima gets tackled into the cage by Cassidy. Cassidy maintains the clinch.
Kojima tries to break free but Cassidy pushes him back against the cage.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kojima's efforts to push away.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
Cassidy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cassidy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kojima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
Cassidy prevents a body shot from Kojima.
Kojima can't find room to land a body shot as Cassidy controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kojima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kojima tries a body shot but Cassidy blocks it.
Kojima can't find room to land a body shot as Cassidy controls the action.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kojima tries to work over Cassidy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cassidy blocks a body shot from Kojima.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
Kojima stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kojima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
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.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cassidy.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kojima tries to work over Cassidy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kojima is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cassidy is keeping busy.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling him.
Cassidy pushes off an throws an elbow but Kojima leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Kojima tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cassidy's elbow.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kojima trying to control the position but instead, Cassidy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kojima into the cage.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Cassidy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Kojima taking a breather.
A head punch on the inside from Kojima fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kojima.
Kojima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kojima misses with some punches.
Kojima misses with some punches.
Kojima working aggressively here.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Leif Cassidy dominated that round.
That's time! Kojima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cassidy clinches with his opponent.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cassidy misses with an elbow strike.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Kojima can't find room to land a body shot as Cassidy controls the action.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Kojima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Cassidy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cassidy stops a takedown attempt from Kojima.
Cassidy lands an elbow just above Kojima 's eye.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Kojima blocks the elbow strike.
Kojima avoids a wild elbow strike from Cassidy.
A frustrated look appears on Kojima's face as he tries to break the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Nice elbow from Cassidy.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Kojima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kojima trying to stall but Cassidy improves his position.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
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 looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kojima tries to break free but Cassidy pushes him back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cassidy as Kojima tries to tie him up.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Kojima misses with the head strike.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Kojima is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cassidy breaks the clinch.
Leif Cassidy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
Kojima blocks the elbow strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kojima tries to work over Cassidy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kojima tries to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling the position.
Kojima can't break the clinch.
Kojima can't find room to land a body shot as Cassidy controls the action.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Kojima avoiding damage.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kojima tries to break free but Cassidy pushes him back against the cage.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Cassidy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Kojima misses with some punches.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kojima tries to work over Cassidy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kojima tries to stall but Cassidy uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Leif Cassidy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kojima has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.

Cassidy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cassidy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kojima seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Cassidy scores with a hook to the body. Kojima takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Cassidy moves into the clinch.
Kojima looking to stall.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kojima can't break the clinch.
Kojima looking to slow down the pace here.
Kojima misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cassidy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kojima trying to stall but Cassidy improves his position.
Kojima misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kojima wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kojima tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kojima misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kojima lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cassidy blocking some punches.
Kojima presses Cassidy against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kojima is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kojima wants to break free but Cassidy has control.
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.
That's time! Kojima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cassidy tries to clinch up
and Kojima counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kojima throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cassidy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kojima swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kojima feints a jab promting Cassidy to slip. Kojima then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Cassidy slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cassidy closes the distance but Kojima moves to the side
and Cassidy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cassidy moves away from the strike by Kojima.
Hideo Kojima is winning the standup battle so far.
Kojima throws a hook to the side of Cassidy's head but Cassidy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cassidy! But no joy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cassidy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kojima looks to score with a jab to the body but Cassidy is just out of range.

Cassidy clinches with his opponent.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
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 glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy blocks a body shot from Kojima.
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 has a couple of punches blocked by Cassidy.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kojima's defenses.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling him.
Kojima is trying to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling him.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kojima tries to break the clinch but Cassidy is controlling the position.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kojima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy has Kojima pressed against the cage, preventing Kojima from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kojima tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cassidy's elbow.
Kojima misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Kojima tries to work over Cassidy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kojima tries a body shot but Cassidy blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kojima's brow.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cassidy prevents Kojima from breaking the clinch.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
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 is trying to push Cassidy away but Cassidy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kojima wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
Cassidy blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kojima dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
Cassidy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kojima is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cassidy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Kojima takes an elbow to the temple.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kojima blocks the elbow strike.
Kojima takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kojima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cassidy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike from Cassidy.
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.
Cassidy lands an elbow just above Kojima 's eye.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside that Kojima shrugs off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kojima is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassidy lands an elbow inside.
Kojima can't find room to land a body shot as Cassidy controls the action.
Cassidy letting Kojima take a breather here.
Cassidy lands a damaging elbow.
Kojima avoids the elbow strike from Cassidy, against the cage.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
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 looks to throw an elbow but misses.
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 tries to stall but Cassidy uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cassidy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kojima working aggressively here.
Kojima avoids the elbow strike from Cassidy, against the cage.
Kojima blocks an elbow strike.
Cassidy lands an elbow that stopped Kojima in his tracks for a moment.
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 lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cassidy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leif Cassidy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cassidy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

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