PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Endo Hattori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akisame Koetsuji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koetsuji has chosen Monster as his entrance music. Endo Hattori had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. The key to victory for Endo Hattori has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hattori
vs
Koetsuji

186 cm
27
184 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

172 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Real Fighters Nutrition

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Endo Hattori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akisame Koetsuji!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Fujiwara and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Koetsuji closes the distance and pushes Hattori back into the cage.

Koetsuji gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Koetsuji looking to pass the guard.
Hattori will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Koetsuji is looking to work some ground and pound but Hattori has wrist control.

Koetsuji postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hattori is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Koetsuji, into his guard.
Koetsuji bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hattori's guard.
Koetsuji passes Hattori's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hattori tries to roll over but Koetsuji keeps him under control.

Koetsuji is trying to work for a kimura but Hattori is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koetsuji is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hattori is just riding it out for now. Koetsuji eventually gives up the hold.

Koetsuji is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hattori defends it well.
Koetsuji is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koetsuji postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hattori is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Koetsuji, into his guard.
Koetsuji is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koetsuji wants to sweep here but Hattori controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Koetsuji keeps moving.
Koetsuji trying to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hattori scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Koetsuji shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Koetsuji wants to control from the top but Hattori keeps moving.

Koetsuji is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hattori is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hattori has escaped and now he's on top!
Koetsuji looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji 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.
Hattori passes Koetsuji's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hattori is trying to control the action in half guard but Koetsuji is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hattori throws a strike but Koetsuji avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Koetsuji is controlling Hattori's posture.
Hattori pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Koetsuji is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Koetsuji dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Koetsuji will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Koetsuji tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hattori sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Koetsuji somewhat.

Hattori gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Koetsuji content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Koetsuji trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Koetsuji wants to control from the top but Hattori keeps moving.
Hattori keeping full guard, as Koetsuji tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hattori is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Koetsuji drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hattori dives on top into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hattori accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Koetsuji keeping full guard, as Hattori tries to pass.
Akisame Koetsuji has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koetsuji tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Koetsuji manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hattori manages to get himself to full guard.
Koetsuji is breathing heavily.

Hattori working for a triangle but Koetsuji defends it easily.
Koetsuji wants to pass the guard but Hattori is keeping the position.
Hattori preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hattori keeping moving, preventing Koetsuji from controlling successfully.
Koetsuji looking to sit in guard and control but Hattori gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Koetsuji preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hattori trying to control but Koetsuji is working from the bottom.
Koetsuji is trying to keep Hattori in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji is pulling down on Hattori's head to control his posture.

Koetsuji is looking for a triangle here but Hattori uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hattori passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Koetsuji!
Koetsuji holds on to Hattori around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Koetsuji really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Koetsuji showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hattori's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Koetsuji misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hattori rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Koetsuji moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Koetsuji looking to score a takedown here. Hattori is defending well but Koetsuji drives through and ends up in Hattori's guard.
Hattori working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Koetsuji.
Koetsuji postures up in Hattori's guard and throws a big left but Hattori blocks it.
Koetsuji throwing strikes but missing.

Koetsuji drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hattori looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hattori looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hattori!
Hattori laying and praying for a moment but Koetsuji takes advantage and regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koetsuji blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hattori.
Hattori is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Koetsuji!
Hattori unloads with some shots from mount but Koetsuji bucks and avoids them well.
Koetsuji wants to hold on but Hattori pushes him away.

Hattori swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Koetsuji is now in Hattori's guard. A big mistake from Hattori there, giving up the dominant position!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hattori working a defensive guard here.
Koetsuji with a flurry of punches that miss.
Koetsuji trying to control but Hattori is working from the bottom.
Hattori manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Koetsuji manages to get himself to full guard.
Koetsuji has his hands on Hattori's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Endo Hattori has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Koetsuji working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hattori doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hattori manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Koetsuji keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hattori throws a big right hand that misses.
Koetsuji wants to sweep but no luck.
Koetsuji is trying to keep Hattori in close.
Hattori throws a big elbow that misses.
Koetsuji wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hattori stuffs the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Koetsuji shoots in looking for a takedown. Hattori tries to sprawl out of it but Koetsuji keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hattori manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Endo Hattori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akisame Koetsuji.
Hattori misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akisame Koetsuji comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Koetsuji winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akisame Koetsuji!
Akisame Koetsuji was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.