PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hatsu Ishikawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Smith's choice of entrance music: Dragonforce - Through the Fire & the Flames. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Ishikawa
vs
Smith

180 cm
23
182 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

178 cm
29
166 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hatsu Ishikawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kyle Smith!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith lands with a hook. Ishikawa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ishikawa throws a one two combo.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Ishikawa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Smith scores with a jab.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ishikawa ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith thows a body shot but no joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ishikawa wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Ishikawa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Ishikawa moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith misses with the combination.
Ishikawa tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Ishikawa wants to clinch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ishikawa, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Smith misses.
Ishikawa slips a jab and a cross from Smith.

Ishikawa pushes Smith up against the ropes in a clinch.
Smith wants to break free but Ishikawa has control.
Ishikawa goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smith prevents it.
Ishikawa lands a shot to the body.
Ishikawa is trying to stall.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Ishikawa gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Ishikawa wants to pass the guard but Smith is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.
Smith tries to kick Ishikawa off but Ishikawa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Ishikawa is working for a submission of some sort.
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!
Ishikawa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ishikawa trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Ishikawa lands strikes from half guard.
Smith tries to kick Ishikawa off but Ishikawa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ishikawa is looking to advance position but Smith won't allow it.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ishikawa.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Ishikawa there.

Ishikawa seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Smith is staying active underneath Ishikawa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ishikawa stops Smith from getting back to his feet.
Smith is staying active underneath Ishikawa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Ishikawa is working for a submission of some sort.

Smith kicks Ishikawa off and gets back to his feet.
Smith is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ishikawa rather than just go for the knockout.
Ishikawa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ishikawa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ishikawa.
Smith lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ishikawa backs up against the ropes.
Ishikawa slips a jab and a cross from Smith.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ishikawa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ishikawa misses with a looping left.

Ishikawa closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the ropes.
Ishikawa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Ishikawa has him pressed against the ropes.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ishikawa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ishikawa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ishikawa tries to pull guard but Smith forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hatsu Ishikawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ishikawa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ishikawa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
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 Hatsu Ishikawa will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smith jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kyle Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ishikawa moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
The fighters circle momentarily. Smith darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kyle Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ishikawa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ishikawa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ishikawa.
Ishikawa tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Ishikawa back against the ropes.
A shot in the inside from Ishikawa.

Ishikawa tightens his grip and picks Smith up, before dumping him to the ground. Smith manages to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ishikawa won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ishikawa throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith keeping full guard, as Ishikawa tries to pass.
Ishikawa throwing strikes but missing.
Smith wants to stand and escape but Ishikawa is having none of it.
Ishikawa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Smith manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Ishikawa has Smith up against the ropes in a clinch.
Ishikawa fails to pull guard.
Ishikawa goes for a takedown attempt but Smith pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a right hand that Ishikawa ducks under and follows up with a left that Ishikawa also avoids with ease.

Ishikawa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ishikawa throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ishikawa has him pressed against the ropes.
Ishikawa stalling against the ropes.
Ishikawa throws a head punch that misses.
Ishikawa is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hatsu Ishikawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ishikawa working aggressively here.
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!
Ishikawa working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ishikawa throws a head punch that misses.
Ishikawa misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ishikawa fails to land.
Ishikawa looking to slow down the pace here.

Ishikawa pulls guard successfully.

Ishikawa looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.
Smith stops Ishikawa from standing up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Ishikawa ducks under a wild hook from Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ishikawa moves away.
Smith's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Smith duly obliges.

It looks like Hatsu Ishikawa has been cut.
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!
Donk. Smith catches Ishikawa right on the button with a cross.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith swinging wildly here.
A jab from Smith does it's job there.

Ishikawa is rocked!
Ishikawa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ishikawa lands a nice shot that snaps Smith's head back.
Smith tries to bum rush Ishikawa with a series of wild strikes but Ishikawa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Ishikawa is looking to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ishikawa.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Ishikawa is just out of range.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hatsu Ishikawa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ishikawa feints and then cracks Smith's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith down.
Kyle Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ishikawa.
Smith lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
Smith misses with an uppercut.
Smith shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ishikawa eats them both and turns towards Smith to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith misses with a hook. Ishikawa ducked under it nicely.
Ishikawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ishikawa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith.
Smith takes a swing at Ishikawa's ribcage but misses.
Ishikawa with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Smith to score with a decent uppercut.
Ishikawa misses with a head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ishikawa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Ishikawa saw that one coming.
Smith slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishikawa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Ishikawa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Ishikawa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ishikawa fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ishikawa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Smith is trying to stand.
Ishikawa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The referee warns Smith that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Ishikawa landing strikes from the mount.
Ishikawa looking to finish Smith with some ground and pound. This is bad for Smith!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith is trying to stand.

Ishikawa working for a guillotine from mount but Smith is in no mood to give up.

Ishikawa is working for a guillotine from mount but Smith frees his head quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Smith really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Ishikawa sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Smith squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Smith is bucking up trying to escape but Ishikawa cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Smith wants to use the ropes to get back to his feet here.
Ishikawa breaks from Smith's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ishikawa lands a big elbow.
Smith is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Ishikawa working the ground and pound effectively.
Ishikawa working the ground and pound effectively.
Smith trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Smith?
Ishikawa landing punches.

Smith somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ishikawa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ishikawa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Smith looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ishikawa.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith tries to kick Ishikawa off but Ishikawa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hatsu Ishikawa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ishikawa wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Ishikawa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Ishikawa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Smith defends it well.
Smith is staying active underneath Ishikawa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ishikawa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ishikawa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ishikawa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Ishikawa eventually gives up the hold.
Smith looks like he's trying to stand up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hatsu Ishikawa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ishikawa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hatsu Ishikawa!