PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Thousand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Watanabe
vs
Thousand

172 cm
25
145 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

179 cm
30
179 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Kenji Watanabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brian Thousand!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Micheangelo Fripello and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That kick from Watanabe tenderised Thousand's leg. Thousand is trying to keep his angry face on.
Watanabe avoids the body shot from Thousand.
Good leg kick by Watanabe there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Watanabe feints and then cracks Thousand's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thousand down.
Thousand moves out of range of the strikes.
Watanabe fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thousand is out of range.
Watanabe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Watanabe dips to his left and cracks Thousand with an uppercut!
Thousand throws a head kick that misses.
Watanabe feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Thousand's calf.
That kick from Watanabe tenderised Thousand's leg. Thousand is trying to keep his angry face on.
Donk. Watanabe catches Thousand right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thousand misses with an attempted mid kick.
Thousand misses with a hook. Watanabe ducked under it nicely.
Watanabe throws out a loose jab but Thousand uses good head movement to avoid it.
Watanabe checks a low kick from Thousand.
Thousand misses the body punch
and Watanabe counters with an outside leg kick.

Watanabe moves into the clinch.
Thousand goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Watanabe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thousand's elbow.
Watanabe tries to throw a body punch but Thousand avoids it by throwing Watanabe back against the cage.
Watanabe leaning his opponent against the cage.
Watanabe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The referee is keeping an eye on Thousand - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Watanabe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thousand tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Thousand back against the cage.
Watanabe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thousand misses with a punch to the body.
Thousand wants to break free but Watanabe has control.
Thousand misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Thousand.
Watanabe throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thousand working aggressively here.
Watanabe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watanabe lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thousand backwards.
Watanabe blocks a body shot from Thousand.
Watanabe throws a punch but it's blocked by Thousand.
Thousand misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Watanabe.
Watanabe scores with a shot to the side of Thousand's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short left from Watanabe.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thousand.
Thousand tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Thousand back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Watanabe is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Watanabe stalling in the clinch but Thousand improves position.
Thousand is leaning against Watanabe and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Watanabe is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Watanabe.
Watanabe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Watanabe scores with a nice hook to the head.
Watanabe slowing the pace effectively.
Watanabe trying to land knees to the body.
Thousand blocks a body shot from Watanabe.
Thousand misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watanabe stalling in the clinch.
Watanabe lands with a right to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thousand tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Thousand back against the cage.
Watanabe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thousand blocks it with crossed arms.
Watanabe can't find room to land a body shot as Thousand controls the action.
Thousand can't find room to land a body shot as Watanabe controls the action.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Thousand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Watanabe dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Thousand misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watanabe is trying to maintain a safe position but Thousand gets an underhook and turns Watanabe into the cage.
Watanabe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right from Watanabe.
Watanabe connects with a knee to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Watanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Thousand backwards.
Watanabe misses with a punch on the inside.
Watanabe misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thousand blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Watanabe dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Watanabe throws a shot from downtown. Thousand moves away and avoids it.
Thousand gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Thousand showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Watanabe.
Thousand misses with a wild combination.
Thousand thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thousand fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Watanabe checks it well.
Thousand tries to land a front kick but Watanabe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kenji Watanabe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thousand needs to keep his hands up - Watanabe had a free shot at his head there.
Watanabe lands a jab to the nose.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Thousand throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Thousand misses with a double jab

and Watanabe counters by moving into the clinch.
Thousand tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
Thousand tries to work over Watanabe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kenji Watanabe has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thousand can't find room to land a body shot as Watanabe controls the action.
Watanabe scores with a shot to the side of Thousand's head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Watanabe.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Watanabe.
Thousand is trying to maintain a safe position but Watanabe gets an underhook and turns Thousand into the cage.
Thousand goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Thousand scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Thousand blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe misses with a knee strike.
Thousand letting Watanabe take a breather here.
Thousand is working Watanabe over against the cage.
Watanabe lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Thousand tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but Thousand blocks with his arms.
Thousand lands a left hand.
Thousand misses with a body punch.
Thousand leaning his opponent against the cage.
Thousand tries to work over Watanabe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watanabe lands a right hand.
Thousand tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Thousand back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Watanabe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Thousand tries to work over Watanabe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thousand misses with a punch on the inside.
Thousand misses with a body punch.
Watanabe blocks a body shot from Thousand.
Watanabe looking to throw knees to the head but Thousand is blocking nicely.
Thousand tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
Thousand misses with a body punch.
Watanabe effectively controlling the action here.
Thousand managing to block the knees to the body from Watanabe.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Thousand.
Watanabe prevents Thousand from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Watanabe.
Watanabe utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Thousand misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Watanabe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Watanabe.
Thousand has a couple of punches blocked by Watanabe.
Thousand tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
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!
Thousand throws a punch but it's blocked by Watanabe.
Thousand swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thousand wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good body shot from Thousand.
Watanabe throws a head punch that misses.
Watanabe is stalling here.
Thousand misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kenji Watanabe will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

Watanabe thows a left - swing and a miss!
Watanabe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thousand looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thousand tries a low kick but Watanabe avoids it.
Watanabe 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.
Thousand scores with a nice right hand.

It looks like Kenji Watanabe has been cut.
Thousand lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Thousand looks to land a left hand but Watanabe moved out of range nicely.

Watanabe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Watanabe scores with a shoulder strike.
Thousand tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
Thousand blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thousand tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Watanabe.
Thousand goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
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!
Watanabe blocks a body shot from Thousand.
Thousand swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thousand blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Thousand.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Thousand.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Thousand.
Watanabe is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Thousand breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Watanabe misses with a looping left.
Watanabe uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Thousand has time to react.
Watanabe scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Thousand tries to clinch but Watanabe moves out of range.
Thousand moves forwards but Watanabe connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jab by Watanabe.
Kenji Watanabe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Watanabe.
Watanabe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Thousand on the side of the head.
Watanabe jabs at Thousand's body.
Kenji Watanabe is winning the standup battle so far.
Watanabe throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thousand walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Watanabe checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Watanabe throws a nice inside leg kick.
Watanabe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thousand.
Watanabe lunges at Thousand with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Thousand's hand.
A jab from Watanabe does it's job there.
Thousand looks to throw the jab but Watanabe is out of range.
Watanabe thumps Thousand with a low kick.
Watanabe feints and then cracks Thousand's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thousand down.
Thousand avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Watanabe lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Thousand tries to clinch but Watanabe moves out of range.
Thousand scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thousand.
Watanabe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thousand moves away.
Watanabe lands a glancing blow to the side of Thousand's head.
Watanabe lands a nice looking kick to the body. Thousand takes a step back to recover.
Thousand misses with a hook. Watanabe ducked under it nicely.
Watanabe lands with a thumping leg kick.

Watanabe rushes Thousand and presses him up against the cage.
Watanabe lands with a light punch inside.
Thousand doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Watanabe prevents Thousand from breaking the clinch.
Thousand tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
Watanabe using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thousand has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Brian Thousand has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thousand misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Thousand fails to land.
Thousand tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thousand lands with a short shot to the head.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Thousand.
Thousand throws a punch but it's blocked by Watanabe.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thousand misses with a punch on the inside.
Watanabe misses with a punch to the body.
Thousand misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Watanabe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Watanabe 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Watanabe!
During a confident post fight interview, Kenji Watanabe thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.