PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nobutaka Hiyoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Neckpunch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiyoshi comes to the cage accompanied by Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter. This should be a great matchup!

Hiyoshi
vs
Neckpunch

183 cm
23
181 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

183 cm
24
185 lbs
13 - 6 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nobutaka Hiyoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sam Neckpunch!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Franklyn Lucas and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Neckpunch ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hiyoshi misses with a wild body shot.
Neckpunch misses with an uppercut.
Hiyoshi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice defenses there by Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Neckpunch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A decent looking cross lands there for Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Neckpunch counters with a shoot takedown. Hiyoshi fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Neckpunch wants to control from the top but Hiyoshi keeps moving.
Neckpunch throws and elbow that misses. Hiyoshi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Neckpunch's guard. Nice move by Hiyoshi!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neckpunch trying to keep a closed guard but Hiyoshi is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hiyoshi preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hiyoshi wants to stand but Neckpunch is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hiyoshi wants to control from the top but Neckpunch keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A big right from Hiyoshi misses.
Neckpunch ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hiyoshi misses with a hook to the body

and Neckpunch counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Neckpunch throws a strike but Hiyoshi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hiyoshi wants to pass the guard but Neckpunch is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neckpunch trying to keep a closed guard but Hiyoshi is proving a slippery customer.
Neckpunch wants to sweep here but Hiyoshi controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hiyoshi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Neckpunch looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hiyoshi is one step ahead there.

Neckpunch is looking for a triangle but Hiyoshi pushes his legs off easily.
Neckpunch has a closed guard, preventing Hiyoshi from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Neckpunch dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hiyoshi misses with a hook to the body
and Neckpunch counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Neckpunch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Neckpunch manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hiyoshi. Neckpunch does a little dance to reset his feet.
Neckpunch moves out of range of the strikes.
Hiyoshi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Neckpunch connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hiyoshi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hiyoshi throws a big shot that misses.
Hiyoshi throws a hook but Neckpunch avoids it easily.
Neckpunch throws a hook but Hiyoshi avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neckpunch lands with a shot to the body.
Hiyoshi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Neckpunch fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi scores with a jab.

It looks like Sam Neckpunch has been cut.
Hiyoshi misses the body punch

and Neckpunch counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neckpunch sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hiyoshi defending well though.
Neckpunch trying to control the pace.
Neckpunch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Neckpunch is looking to take a break and control but Hiyoshi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Neckpunch is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hiyoshi!
Neckpunch thowing shots but they're missing.
Neckpunch with a couple of short strikes.
Hiyoshi working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neckpunch working Hiyoshi over with strikes here.
Neckpunch looking to finish with strikes here!
Neckpunch throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Neckpunch breaks from Hiyoshi's wrist control and lands an elbow.

It looks like Nobutaka Hiyoshi has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiyoshi holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Neckpunch tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Hiyoshi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Neckpunch throwing shots but Hiyoshi is blocking nicely.
Hiyoshi is refusing to be controlled, as Neckpunch sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Neckpunch showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Hiyoshi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Neckpunch misses with a straight right.
Neckpunch throws a series of punches but Hiyoshi moves out of range.
Hiyoshi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Neckpunch moves away.
Neckpunch slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Neckpunch staying out of range there.
Hiyoshi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hiyoshi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Neckpunch looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hiyoshi!
Neckpunch tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hiyoshi bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neckpunch 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.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Hiyoshi decides to stand back up. Hiyoshi steps back and let's Neckpunch get back to his feet.
Hiyoshi slaps away a takedown attempt from Neckpunch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hiyoshi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hiyoshi cracks Neckpunch with an open hand slap.
Hiyoshi loads up on a big right hand but Neckpunch slips the punch.
Hiyoshi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Neckpunch counters with a left to the body.
Neckpunch scores with a hook to the body. Hiyoshi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hiyoshi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Neckpunch counters with a straight right hand.
Hiyoshi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Neckpunch counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hiyoshi. Neckpunch does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hiyoshi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hiyoshi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Neckpunch manages to avoid it.
Hiyoshi throws a one two combo.
Hiyoshi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Neckpunch scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hiyoshi throws an overhand right that lands on Neckpunch's shoulder, as Neckpunch tries to avoid the shot.
Hiyoshi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hiyoshi is looking to wear down Neckpunch with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hiyoshi misses with a body punch
and Neckpunch counters with a straight right hand.
Hiyoshi throws a hook to the side of Neckpunch's head but Neckpunch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Hiyoshi misses.
Neckpunch moves away from the strike by Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neckpunch takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hiyoshi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hiyoshi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Neckpunch counters with a stiff right hand.
Hiyoshi misses with a body punch
and Neckpunch counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nobutaka Hiyoshi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hiyoshi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Neckpunch counters with a two punch combo.
Nobutaka Hiyoshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Neckpunch loads up on a big right hand but Hiyoshi slips the punch.
Hiyoshi scores with a jab to the body.
Neckpunch looks to land a right hand but Hiyoshi moved out of range.
Hiyoshi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Neckpunch with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hiyoshi to score with a decent uppercut.
Nobutaka Hiyoshi is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hiyoshi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hiyoshi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hiyoshi slips a jab and a cross from Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Neckpunch was well out of range. Poor timing from Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi swings for the body but Neckpunch moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nobutaka Hiyoshi clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Neckpunch lands a head shot.
Neckpunch with a hook.
Hiyoshi misses with a looping right.
Neckpunch moves out of range of the strikes.
Hiyoshi cracks Neckpunch with a good jab.
Hiyoshi misses the body punch
and Neckpunch counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Neckpunch throws the left hand but Hiyoshi avoids the punch easily.
Neckpunch misses with an uppercut. Hiyoshi saw that one coming.
A jab from Neckpunch does it's job there.
Hiyoshi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi missing with a left hand there. Neckpunch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hiyoshi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Neckpunch stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hiyoshi misses with a jab to the body
and Neckpunch counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hiyoshi thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neckpunch slips under a jab.
Neckpunch tries a head kick but it misses.
Hiyoshi misses the body punch
letting Neckpunch counter with a right hand.
Neckpunch uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hiyoshi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Neckpunch moves away.
A swing and a miss from Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Neckpunch.
Neckpunch fails with a takedown attempt.
Hiyoshi throws a hook to the side of Neckpunch's head but Neckpunch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Neckpunch lands a glancing blow to the side of Hiyoshi's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hiyoshi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Neckpunch lands with a straight right. Hiyoshi didn't see that one coming.
Hiyoshi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Neckpunch counters with a leg kick.
A jab from Hiyoshi misses.
Neckpunch dodges the punch combination from Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi misses the body punch
letting Neckpunch counter with a right hand.
Hiyoshi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hiyoshi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Neckpunch is looking to chop away at Hiyoshi's legs.
Neckpunch comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Neckpunch throws the left hand but Hiyoshi avoids the punch easily.
Hiyoshi missing with a left hand there. Neckpunch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Neckpunch slips a jab from Hiyoshi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiyoshi misses with a body shot
and Neckpunch counters with a left and a right that stings Hiyoshi.
Neckpunch lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Neckpunch slips under a jab from Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi throws a jab but it's blocked by Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi misses the jab.
Neckpunch ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Neckpunch ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hiyoshi misses with a series of wild punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Hiyoshi misses the target.
A cross from Neckpunch lands.
Neckpunch looks to land a right hand but Hiyoshi moved out of range.
Hiyoshi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Neckpunch.
Neckpunch scores with a sloppy right hand. Hiyoshi should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiyoshi misses with a double jab
and Neckpunch connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Neckpunch connects with a nice looking jab.
Hiyoshi misses with a body shot
letting Neckpunch counter with a right hand.
Hiyoshi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Neckpunch counters with a straight right hand.
Neckpunch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hiyoshi misses the jab.
Hiyoshi cracks Neckpunch with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hiyoshi throws a hook but Neckpunch avoids it easily.

Neckpunch shoots in and bounces Hiyoshi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hiyoshi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Neckpunch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Neckpunch dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hiyoshi needs to keep his hands up - Neckpunch had a free shot at his head there.
Hiyoshi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hiyoshi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hiyoshi cracks Neckpunch with a good jab.
Hiyoshi misses with a body shot.
Neckpunch defending well as Hiyoshi loads up on a big left hand.
Hiyoshi throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Neckpunch to counter with a crisp jab.
Hiyoshi walks into a straight right hand from Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi misses the shot to the body.
Hiyoshi throws an overhand right that lands on Neckpunch's shoulder, as Neckpunch tries to avoid the shot.
Hiyoshi avoids the head kick by Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi misses the body punch
and Hiyoshi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hiyoshi throws a lazy right hand but Neckpunch sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hiyoshi throws a hook to the side of Neckpunch's head but Neckpunch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiyoshi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Neckpunch manages to avoid it.
Hiyoshi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hiyoshi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Neckpunch counters with a two punch combo.
Neckpunch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hiyoshi misses with a hook to the body
and Neckpunch connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hiyoshi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Neckpunch steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hiyoshi.
Neckpunch throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hiyoshi counters with a nice body shot.
Hiyoshi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Neckpunch connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hiyoshi scrambles back to his feet.
Hiyoshi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Neckpunch was well out of range. Poor timing from Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Neckpunch counters with a straight right hand.
Hiyoshi misses with an uppercut.
Hiyoshi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Neckpunch counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A left and a right from Neckpunch both land. Nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiyoshi staying out of range there.
No joy there for Neckpunch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hiyoshi misses with a looping left.
Hiyoshi throws a right and a left that both miss.
A big right from Neckpunch misses.
Neckpunch misses with a hook.
Hiyoshi misses with a body shot
and Neckpunch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hiyoshi throws a shot from downtown. Neckpunch moves away and avoids it.
Neckpunch takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Neckpunch takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hiyoshi misses with a hook. Neckpunch ducked under it nicely.
Hiyoshi just misses with a punch to the body.
Hiyoshi misses with a hook. Neckpunch ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Neckpunch misses.
Neckpunch throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hiyoshi on the side of the head.
Neckpunch is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hiyoshi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Neckpunch shoots in looking for a takedown. Hiyoshi tries to sprawl out of it but Neckpunch keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hiyoshi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hiyoshi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hiyoshi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hiyoshi misses the jab.
Hiyoshi staying out of range there.
Nobutaka Hiyoshi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hiyoshi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sam Neckpunch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Neckpunch throws a one two combo.
Hiyoshi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Neckpunch counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The fighters circling - Hiyoshi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neckpunch defending well as Hiyoshi loads up on a big left hand.
Neckpunch swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hiyoshi.
Neckpunch jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Neckpunch misses the body punch
enabling Hiyoshi to counter with a crisp jab.

That has opened up Sam Neckpunch's cut even more.
Neckpunch ducks right into an uppercut from Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi misses with a double jab
and Neckpunch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hiyoshi throws a jab but it's blocked by Neckpunch.
Hiyoshi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Neckpunch moves away.
Hiyoshi misses with a straight right.
Hiyoshi throws a big shot that misses.
Neckpunch misses the jab.
Hiyoshi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Neckpunch smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nobutaka Hiyoshi.
Well Neckpunch 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 47:48
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 47:48
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Neckpunch!