PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aljamain Sterling (ranked 2363 p4p, 1017 weight class) and Yuuji Hoshino (ranked 164 p4p, 72 weight class). Sterling comes to the cage accompanied by I Love. Aljamain Sterling is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Sterling
vs
Hoshino

170 cm
31
135
15 - 10 - 0

168 cm
32
140
14 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
Fantasy Threads

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aljamain Sterling!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuuji Hoshino!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoshino scores with a nice head shot.
Sterling throws an overhand right that lands on Hoshino's shoulder, as Hoshino tries to avoid the shot.
Sterling misses with an uppercut.

Sterling shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hoshino is trying to defend but Sterling finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Hoshino is defending against the submission attempts here by Sterling.

Sterling is trying to work for a kimura but Hoshino is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sterling is trying to control the action in half guard but Hoshino is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hoshino makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Sterling misses with an uppercut.
Sterling shoots in looking for a takedown but Hoshino manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sterling's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sterling shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hoshino sprawls well. Hoshino wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sterling gets slowly back to his feet.
A jab from Sterling misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hoshino! But no joy.
Sterling has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hoshino throws a wild body kick that Sterling sees coming a mile off.
Hoshino bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sterling's head backwards.
Hoshino throws an off balance right hand
and Sterling counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sterling tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hoshino sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sterling somewhat.
A little jabbing left from Hoshino on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aljamain Sterling. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab from Sterling misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A shot to the body from Sterling misses

and Hoshino counters by clinching up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hoshino gets through Sterling's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sterling throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshino lands a nice uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Sterling manages to break the clinch.
Hoshino fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hoshino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aljamain Sterling seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sterling misses with a straight right.
Hoshino is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sterling wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hoshino ducks under a wild hook from Sterling.
Hoshino wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sterling's head.
Sterling misses with a shot to the body
and Hoshino counters with a nice body kick.
Sterling throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hoshino's waist but Hoshino gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sterling off to one side.
Hoshino lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sterling has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands a jab to the nose.
Sterling missing with a left hand there. Hoshino was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hoshino waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sterling.
Sterling appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hoshino bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hoshino wants to clinch up but Sterling keeps it at a distance.
Sterling went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Sterling throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hoshino sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big right from Sterling misses.
Sterling lands with a hook. Hoshino tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hoshino moves out of range as Sterling strikes.
Sterling tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoshino was well out of range. Poor timing from Sterling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sterling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoshino takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sterling looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range.
Sterling throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sterling on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sterling scores with a jab to the body.
Hoshino throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A counter left hand to the body from Sterling misses its target.
Sterling looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range.
Sterling throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sterling throws a looping overhand right but Hoshino ducks down to avoid it.
Hoshino wants to counter the offense by Sterling and move into the clinch position.
Sterling goes for a double leg but Hoshino avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hoshino continues to drive forward.

Sterling pulls guard effortlessly.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yuuji Hoshino will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hoshino showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sterling.
Sterling misses with an uppercut.
Hoshino connects with a leg kick.
Hoshino scores with a hook.
Hoshino uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sterling.
Hoshino doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sterling throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sterling fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sterling shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sterling was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sterling wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hoshino, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sterling wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hoshino keeps working.

Sterling goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hoshino rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Sterling's guard! Nice work there by Hoshino!
Hoshino wants to stand but Sterling has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Sterling looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hoshino passes into side control.
Sterling is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sterling manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hoshino wants to get back to his feet.

Sterling is working for a kimura but Hoshino is defending it quite comfortably.

Sterling is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hoshino sees it coming and defends easily.
Sterling is looking to stall here but Hoshino recovers full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sterling wants to control from the top but Hoshino keeps moving.
Sterling is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sterling makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sterling slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sterling wants to control but Hoshino is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoshino pushes Sterling away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sterling gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sterling swings around for an armbar but Hoshino sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sterling's guard.

Sterling has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hoshino can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hoshino preventing the sweep.
Hoshino wants to stand but Sterling has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sterling seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Aljamain Sterling overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hoshino decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aljamain Sterling will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sterling's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sterling throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hoshino.
A little jabbing left from Hoshino on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sterling walks into a stiff left hand from Hoshino.
Sterling takes one to the side of the head.
Hoshino dips to his left and cracks Sterling with an uppercut!
Sterling with a poor takedown
and Hoshino counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sterling misses with an uppercut.
Sterling misses with an uppercut.
Sterling goes for a double leg but Hoshino avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hoshino continues to drive forward.
Hoshino manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hoshino prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aljamain Sterling. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sterling tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hoshino just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hoshino lands with a light punch inside.
Hoshino lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Hoshino.
Sterling jumps guard but Hoshino turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sterling tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hoshino's elbow.
Sterling blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Sterling tries to pull guard but Hoshino forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Sterling goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hoshino prevents it.
Hoshino lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hoshino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoshino has Sterling pushed against the cage.
Hoshino lands with a light punch inside.
Hoshino lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sterling backwards.
Hoshino gets underhooks to prevent Sterling's takedown attempt.
Hoshino has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hoshino lands a body punch.
Sterling is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hoshino to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino lands an elbow just above Sterling 's eye.
A short right from Hoshino.
Sterling tries to pull guard but Hoshino forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right handed body shot lands from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoshino stalling.
Hoshino can't find room to land a body shot as Sterling controls the action.
A frustrated look appears on Sterling's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short left from Hoshino.
Hoshino doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sterling tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hoshino lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hoshino has a couple of punches blocked by Sterling.
A short right from Hoshino.
A short right from Hoshino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino slows down the pace here.
Hoshino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sterling tries to pull guard but Hoshino won't allow it.
Sterling tries to pull guard but Hoshino holds him up against the cage and eventually Sterling drops back down to his feet.
Hoshino is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hoshino scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sterling jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hoshino walks away with a smile on his face. Sterling gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sterling swings widly with a right hand

and Hoshino counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hoshino.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sterling.
Sterling tries to pull guard but Hoshino holds him up against the cage and eventually Sterling drops back down to his feet.
Hoshino lands an uppercut.
Yuuji Hoshino seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sterling misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sterling tries to pull guard but Hoshino forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hoshino scores with a shot to the side of Sterling's head.
Sterling is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hoshino is defending well.
Hoshino misses with a body punch.
Sterling has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hoshino after a bit of a struggle.
Sterling tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hoshino smiles and moves away.
Nice uppercut there from Hoshino.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoshino with a nice calf kick.
Yuuji Hoshino seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hoshino fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sterling throws a body shot but no joy.
Sterling takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hoshino lands a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuuji Hoshino comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hoshino 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuuji Hoshino!
Yuuji Hoshino seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Aljamain Sterling was interviewed post fight and said 'Whether it's Bellator, OneFC, World Series, whatever, the door's open for me. Financial stability is the most important thing for me'.