PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Paul Eiman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hu Hichu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Paul Eiman
vs
Hichu

183 cm
23
185 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

190 cm
23
200 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Paul Eiman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hu Hichu!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eiman is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hichu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A big right from Hichu misses.
The fighters circling - Hichu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Eiman shoots in but Hichu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hichu throws a jab but it's blocked by Eiman.
Eiman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hichu sprawls well. Hichu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Eiman gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Paul Eiman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eiman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hichu as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eiman fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eiman shoots in for a takedown but Hichu shows good takedown defense.

Eiman scores with a takedown into Hichu's guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Hichu controls Eiman momentarily but Eiman frees himself.
Eiman throws a big right hand that misses.
Hichu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Eiman stands and throws Hichu's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Eiman throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Hichu works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eiman trying to control from half guard but Hichu is working away.
Hichu keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Hichu tries to get to full guard but Eiman has control of the leg.

Eiman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Eiman in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hichu tries to kick Eiman off but Eiman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Eiman seems to be looking for submissions.
Eiman is trying to control. Hichu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Eiman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hichu is trying to maintain the position but Eiman is very close to passing his half guard.
Eiman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hichu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Eiman.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Eiman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hichu has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eiman seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Eiman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Eiman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hichu sees it coming and defends easily.

Hichu is defending against the submission attempts here by Eiman.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Eiman trying to mount his opponent but Hichu defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Paul Eiman dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Eiman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hichu defends it nicely.
Eiman slips under a jab.
Eiman closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Eiman shoots in and gets a takedown into Hichu's guard.
Eiman is looking to advance position but Hichu has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Eiman is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eiman is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Hichu moves to back control.
Eiman breaks Hichu's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Eiman drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hichu dives on top into guard.
Hichu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Eiman trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hichu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eiman swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Eiman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Eiman wants to stand and escape but Hichu is having none of it.

Eiman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hichu defends well.
Hichu trying to control the position from guard on top but Eiman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hichu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hichu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eiman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Eiman keeping moving, preventing Hichu from controlling successfully.

Eiman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hichu wants to stand but Eiman has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Eiman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Eiman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hichu defends well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hichu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hu Hichu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Eiman throws a head kick that misses.
Eiman scores with the left hand. Hichu knows he should have avoided that one.
Hichu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Eiman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hichu defends it nicely.
Eiman shoots in for a takedown but Hichu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
John Paul Eiman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Eiman drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eiman has gone for a leg lock! Hichu slips out almost immediately though and dives into Eiman's guard.
Hichu trying to control the position from guard on top but Eiman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eiman wants to sweep but no luck.

Eiman has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hichu is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Eiman.

Hichu decides to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hichu misses with a looping left.
Eiman dives in and grabs Hichu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hichu pushes down on Eiman's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Paul Eiman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eiman fails with a takedown attempt.
Hichu throws a hook but Eiman avoids it easily.
Hichu misses the jab.
Hichu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hichu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Eiman.
Eiman shoots in looking for a takedown but Hichu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Eiman's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hichu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hichu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Eiman loads up on a big right hand but Hichu slips the punch.
Hichu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hichu throws the left hand but Eiman avoids the punch easily.

That's four 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.
Eiman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hichu as he jumps to the side.
Eiman shoots in looking for a takedown. Hichu tries to sprawl out of it but Eiman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Hichu manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from Hichu misses the target.
Hichu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Eiman fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hu Hichu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hichu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hu Hichu!