PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kai Asakura (ranked 3057 p4p, 4366 weight class) and Hotsi Log (ranked 200 p4p, 253 weight class). Hotsi Log is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Asakura
vs
Log

173 cm
25
139
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
135
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kai Asakura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hotsi Log!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asakura catches Log with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Log tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Asakura manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Asakura is looking for a counter combo.
Asakura displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Log takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Asakura definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Asakura's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Log tries to land a front kick but Asakura steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Log wants to clinch.
Log tries to close the distance and clinch up but Asakura swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Log throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Asakura.
Log takes one on the chin but seems OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asakura shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Log eats them both and turns towards Asakura to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Log looks for a takedown but Asakura sprawls well.

Asakura closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asakura is trying to break free.
Asakura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Asakura tries to break free but Log pushes him back against the cage.
Asakura blocks the elbow strike.
Log lands an elbow just above Asakura 's eye.

Log breaks the clinch.

Log gets tackled into the cage by Asakura. Asakura maintains the clinch.
Asakura goes for a takedown in the clinch but Log prevents it.

Log's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asakura lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Log at a distance.
Asakura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Log tries to clinch but Asakura is having none of it.

Asakura gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Log throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Asakura wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Asakura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Log misses with the combination.
Asakura comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Log fails with a takedown attempt.
Asakura darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Log throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Asakura feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Logs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nice cross by Asakura.
Log closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Log manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Asakura on his heels. He'll look to pass Asakura's guard now, I'm sure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Log decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Some wild striking there from Asakura.
Log dodges the punch combination from Asakura.
A cross from Asakura lands.
Log throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Asakura.

Log takes the fight into the clinch.
Log lands an elbow inside that Asakura shrugs off.
Log pushes off an throws an elbow but Asakura leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Log escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Asakura stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Asakura wants it to stay on the feet.
Kai Asakura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hotsi Log.
Log is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asakura will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Asakura avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've been informed that Log has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Log throws a head kick that misses.
Log wants to clinch up but Asakura keeps it at a distance.
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!
Asakura takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Asakura clinches up with Log and pushes him back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Log just misses with a elbow thrown towards Asakura's brow.
Asakura tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Log pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Asakura has had enough of the clinch but Log keeps him there for the moment.
Log creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Asakura manages to break the clinch.
Log on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Asakura is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Log fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Asakura dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Log wants to clinch up but Asakura keeps it at a distance.
Log is looking to clinch but Asakura is avoiding it.
Asakura takes a kick to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Log.
A jab lands there for Asakura.
Asakura lands a really nice looking cross but Log seems unphased.
Hotsi Log seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Log throws a head kick that misses.
Log has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Log there as he acknowledges the shot.
Asakura keeps the fight on the outside.
Asakura throwing a counter right hand but Log manages to avoid it.
Log wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asakura moves into range and connects with a jab.
Asakura connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asakura displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Log moves in looking to clinch but Asakura pushes him off.
Asakura displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Log.
No joy there for Asakura, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Log is looking to clinch but Asakura is avoiding it.
Asakura throwing a counter right hand but Log manages to avoid it.

Log rushes Asakura and presses him up against the cage.
Log has Asakura pressed against the cage, preventing Asakura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the fighters up against the cage, Log throws an elbow but misses.

Log escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Log takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Log scores with a head kick. Asakura tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Log walks into a straight right hand from Asakura.
Log throws a sloppy head kick and Asakura moves out of range easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Asakura connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Asakura darts in and clinches Log up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura working hard to break the clinch.
Asakura changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Log fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kai Asakura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Log throws a lazy head kick
letting Asakura counter with a right hand.
Asakura with a jab.
Log has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Log wants to clinch but Asakura slips to the side
and Asakura counters with a head kick.
Log takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Asakura fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Log looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Log lands a high kick!

Log clinches up with Asakura and pushes him back against the cage.
Asakura is trying to break the clinch but Log has him pressed against the cage.
Asakura blocks the elbow strike.

Log breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Asakura connects with a single shot there.
Asakura wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Log tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Asakura manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Asakura is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Log has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Log.
Asakura is trying to break the clinch but Log has him pressed against the cage.
Log throws an elbow that misses.
Log throws an elbow but it misses.
Asakura is trying to break the clinch but Log is controlling him.

Asakura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Left hook, right uppercut from Log.
Log closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kai Asakura is winning the standup battle so far.
Asakura moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Log misses with a low kick.
Asakura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Log avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
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!
Log moves in looking to clinch but Asakura pushes him off.
Asakura lands a head kick. Log smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Asakura forces Log back against the cage and clinches.

Asakura manages to break the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Log.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Asakura throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Log.
Log avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Log rushes Asakura and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Asakura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Log can do to turn this around?
Asakura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hotsi Log seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Log throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Asakura jumps guard but Log stands there with Asakura around his waist. Asakura gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Log breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asakura misses the jab.
Asakura misses with a double jab.
Log pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Asakura dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Log misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Log throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Asakura throwing a counter right hand but Log manages to avoid it.
Asakura lands with a shot to the body.
Log keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Asakura lands with a hook. Log tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Log takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Log takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Asakura digs a good hook to Log's body.
Log fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asakura defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Log.
Kai Asakura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hotsi Log.
Log dodges the punch combination from Asakura.
Log takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Asakura, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Log tries to keep at a distance but Asakura has taken the fight into the clinch.
Log lands an elbow that stopped Asakura in his tracks for a moment.
Log lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Asakura wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Log lands an elbow just above Asakura 's eye.
Log has Asakura pressed against the cage, preventing Asakura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Asakura has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Log after a bit of a struggle.
Asakura is trying to break the clinch but Log has him pressed against the cage.
Asakura is looking to break free of the clinch but Log has double underhooks.

Log breaks the clinch.
Asakura shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Log as he avoids it easily.
Log drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Asakura defends it well.
Asakura swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Log tries to close the distance and clinch up but Asakura swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura connects with a good right hand that stumbles Log. Log circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Jab, jab by Asakura - just one landing.
Asakura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Log is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Log gets tackled into the cage by Asakura. Asakura maintains the clinch.
Log keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Asakura's efforts to push away.
Log lands a nice elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asakura avoids the elbow strike from Log, against the cage.
Asakura is trying to break the clinch but Log has him pressed against the cage.
Asakura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Log keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Asakura's efforts to push away.
Log throws an elbow that misses.
Log pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Asakura blocks the elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asakura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Log lands with a kick to the temple. Asakura shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Log with a poor takedown
and Asakura counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Log buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Asakura keeps the fight on the outside.
Log wants to clinch up but Asakura keeps it at a distance.
Log shoots in and drives through. Asakura sprawls well.
Log takes a kick to the side of the head.
Log lands a high kick!
Asakura lands with a slapping head kick.
Log throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jab from Asakura.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Log has closed the distance and engaged Asakura in a clinch.
Asakura wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asakura blocks an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Log.
Log gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Asakura is trying to force a seperation but Log has the dominant position.

Log breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Log misses with a jab, cross combination.
Log takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Asakura displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Log.
Nice shot lands for Asakura.
Asakura displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Log.
Hotsi Log has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kai Asakura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Asakura lands a jab-cross combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kai Asakura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Asakura, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kai Asakura!
Our winner, Kai Asakura, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.