PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kotaro Hakku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Thirtynine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hakku's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, . Thirtynine comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Speed 2 Remix by Tetsuya Komura kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hakku
vs
Thirtynine

170 cm
28
165 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

178 cm
28
169 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kotaro Hakku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Thirtynine!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thirtynine shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hakku wants to control but Thirtynine is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hakku is looking to improve his position.
Hakku is looking to control Thirtynine's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hakku avoid being mounted?

Thirtynine is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hakku has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hakku is trying to get back to full guard.
Hakku makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hakku.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hakku tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thirtynine in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hakku is trying to control the position but Thirtynine postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thirtynine prevents Hakku from getting back to his feet.

Hakku has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thirtynine can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hakku pushes Thirtynine off and scrambles back to his feet.
Thirtynine moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Kotaro Hakku has been cut.
Hakku misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kotaro Hakku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thirtynine throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hakku counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Thirtynine tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hakku sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Thirtynine somewhat.
Hakku looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Donk. Hakku catches Thirtynine right on the button with a cross.
Hakku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hakku dodges the punch combination from Thirtynine.
Hakku misses with a wild combination.
Hakku misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hakku slips a jab and a cross from Thirtynine.
Hakku misses with a double jab

and Thirtynine counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thirtynine looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thirtynine is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hakku has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hakku has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thirtynine is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hakku wants to get back to full guard.
Hakku moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hakku has Thirtynine pulled in close to control his posture.
Thirtynine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hakku looking for a guillotine here but Thirtynine defends easily.
Thirtynine trying to control the position from guard on top but Hakku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hakku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hakku looking to control.
Hakku keeping moving, preventing Thirtynine from controlling successfully.
Thirtynine landing with the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hakku is on top in guard.
Hakku working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thirtynine's head.
Hakku looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Thirtynine can't keep his opponent in guard - Hakku advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hakku connects with a nice short shot to Thirtynine's temple.
Hakku has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
A nice elbow there by Hakku.
Thirtynine is desperately trying to improve his position but Hakku has a good base and remains in mount.
Thirtynine sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Hakku gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Thirtynine gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hakku counters with a three punch combo that has Thirtynine backing up. Thirtynine nods at Hakku to acknowledge the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hakku scores with a one two! Thirtynine had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No joy there for Hakku, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hakku scores with a crisp jab that stopped Thirtynine in his tracks.
Hakku throws a combination. Thirtynine tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hakku!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kotaro Hakku will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kotaro Hakku's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hakku works over Thirtynine's head and body with a nice combination.
Hakku scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Thirtynine has his takedown stuffed
and Hakku counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice shot lands for Hakku.
Hakku connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Thirtynine momentarily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hakku.

Hakku forces Thirtynine back against the cage and clinches.
Hakku looking for a takedown.

Hakku wants the takedown. Thirtynine is fighting it off but Hakku persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Thirtynine's guard against the cage.
Hakku throwing strikes from guard but Thirtynine blocks nicely.
Hakku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thirtynine is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thirtynine is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thirtynine keeping full guard, as Hakku tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thirtynine has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kotaro Hakku overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thirtynine working a defensive guard here.

Thirtynine is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hakku chips away with some ground and pound.
Hakku slips nicely into half guard.
Hakku thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thirtynine's head.
Hakku thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thirtynine's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thirtynine manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Thirtynine manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hakku manages to get himself to full guard.
Thirtynine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hakku is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hakku wants to sweep but no luck.
Hakku pulls Thirtynine in close to prevent any damage.
Hakku bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thirtynine's guard.
Thirtynine keeping full guard, as Hakku tries to pass.

Thirtynine has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hakku can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hakku decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Hakku looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hakku closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hakku wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kotaro Hakku. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thirtynine has picked Hakku up - he's going for a ride! Thirtynine dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hakku slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hakku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thirtynine is one step ahead there.
Hakku wants to stand and escape but Thirtynine is having none of it.
Thirtynine trying to control but Hakku is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hakku is on top in guard.

Thirtynine is looking for a triangle but Hakku pushes his legs off easily.
Hakku throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hakku is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Thirtynine is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hakku content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Thirtynine is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hakku postures up in Thirtynine's guard and throws a big left but Thirtynine blocks it.
Hakku throwing strikes from guard but Thirtynine blocks nicely.
Hakku trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thirtynine's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hakku stands and steps away. Thirtynine gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hakku swinging wildly here.
Thirtynine doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hakku counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kotaro Hakku dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kotaro Hakku's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hakku misses with a double jab.

Hakku gets a takedown into half guard.
Thirtynine is looking to improve his position.
Hakku wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thirtynine keeps working.
Hakku is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Thirtynine!
Thirtynine wants to control but Hakku is having none of it.
Hakku has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Thirtynine's face.
A nice elbow there by Hakku.
Thirtynine sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hakku wants to free his trapped foot but Thirtynine is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
It looks like Hakku is going to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hakku is looking for a kimura but Thirtynine is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hakku to get the leverage.
Hakku wants to stand up but Thirtynine is controlling the position.
Thirtynine works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thirtynine bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hakku's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hakku looking to control.
Hakku is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Thirtynine is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hakku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thirtynine is one step ahead there.
Hakku is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Thirtynine trying to control the position from guard on top but Hakku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kotaro Hakku.
Thirtynine shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thirtynine has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hakku throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hakku throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hakku lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hakku throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thirtynine.
Hakku scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thirtynine doesn't seem bothered though.
Kotaro Hakku is winning the standup battle so far.
Hakku moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Thirtynine swats away the attempt to clinch by Hakku.
Hakku misses with a double jab.
Hakku misses with a two punch combination.
Hakku keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Thirtynine slips a jab and a cross from Hakku.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thirtynine throws a shot to the body.
No joy there for Hakku, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hakku misses with a two punch combination.

Hakku darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Thirtynine on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kotaro Hakku is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hakku thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thirtynine's head.
Hakku wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thirtynine keeps working.
Hakku not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hakku seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Hakku not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thirtynine trying to control but Hakku postures up.

Hakku seems to be working for a kimura but Thirtynine defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hakku trying to mount his opponent but Thirtynine defends it.
Thirtynine wants to control but Hakku is keeping busy.

Hakku is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Thirtynine is concentrating on defense, preventing Hakku from advancing position.
Saku Thirtynine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Thirtynine actively working from the bottom here.
Hakku is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hakku lands strikes from half guard.
Hakku has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kotaro Hakku showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hakku has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kotaro Hakku!