PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hindu Kush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Kush
vs
Daniels

154 cm
20
145 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
146 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

TITAN
Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (159.49 $150)

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (159.49 $150)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hindu Kush!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tom Daniels!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daniels fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kush manages to avoid it.
Daniels misses with a few strikes there.
Daniels has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kush.
Daniels is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kush.
Kush tries to clinch there but Daniels circles away.
Daniels moves away from the strike by Kush.

Kush drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kush throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Daniels works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Kush thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kush wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
Daniels really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kush. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kush postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Daniels is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kush, into his guard.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Kush is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Daniels wants to control from the top but Kush keeps moving.

Daniels got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kush has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Daniels has managed to get both his arms back between Kush's legs - danger averted.

Kush working for a triangle but Daniels defends it easily.
Daniels controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels trying to control but Kush is working from the bottom.
Kush looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kush keeping moving, preventing Daniels from controlling successfully.

Tom Daniels has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kush tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Daniels paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Daniels cracks Kush with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Daniels throws a combination. Kush tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Daniels keeps the fight on the outside.
Kush throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Daniels's waist but Daniels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kush off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Daniels. Beautiful body shot.
Daniels stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Daniels wants it to stay on the feet.
Hindu Kush seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Daniels missing with a left hand there. Kush was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kush looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Daniels swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kush pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Kush closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Daniels quickly recovers to half guard.
Daniels is trying to control but can't.
Kush takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Daniels is looking to control Kush's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Daniels avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kush is keen to just control but Daniels is a slippery customer.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Daniels is looking to improve his position.

Kush is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Daniels has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kush wants to free his trapped foot but Daniels is holding on for dear life with his legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kush is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hindu Kush dominated that round.
That's time! Kush's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kush connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kush is looking to clinch but Daniels is avoiding it.
Kush just misses with a punch to the body.
Daniels cracks a nice hook into Kush's ribs.
A combination from Daniels does no damage.
Kush moves in looking to clinch but Daniels pushes him off.

Kush closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Daniels did well to prevent Kush getting side control.

Kush seems to be working for a kimura but Daniels defends the submission attempt.

Kush is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kush.
Daniels tries to roll over but Kush keeps him under control.
Kush thows a huge punch but Daniels dodges it nicely.

Kush is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Daniels sees it coming and defends easily.
Kush wants to pass the guard but Daniels is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kush is thwarting Daniels's attempts to control the position.
Kush is looking to advance position but Daniels won't allow it.
Daniels has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kush is working away from the top position though.
Daniels is refusing to be controlled, as Kush sits in half guard.

Kush is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kush is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kush wants to pass the guard but Daniels is defending well.

Kush is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Daniels defends it well.
Kush trying to control the action but Daniels is working from the bottom.
Daniels is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kush's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kush's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels controls the position.
Daniels doesn't have the hooks in and Kush manages to turn into his guard.
Kush trying to control but Daniels is working from the bottom.
Kush working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kush trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Daniels looking to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kush pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Daniels is keeping the position for now.
Kush trying to control but Daniels is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hindu Kush dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A jab lands there for Daniels.
Daniels scores with a decent looking hook.

Daniels tries to keep at a distance but Kush has taken the fight into the clinch.
A hook to the body from Daniels.
Daniels leaning his opponent against the cage.
Daniels letting Kush take a breather here.
Kush jumps guard but Daniels turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Daniels prevents a body shot from Kush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Daniels pushes Kush back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kush being controlled against the cage.

Kush breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kush ducks under a wild hook from Daniels.
Kush takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Daniels tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kush was well out of range. Poor timing from Daniels.
Kush scores with a jab.
Kush comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kush forces Daniels back against the cage and clinches.
A short right from Kush on the inside.
Kush misses with a hook to the ribs.
Daniels is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kush can't find room to land a body shot as Daniels controls the action.
Kush lands with a short head shot on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Daniels blocking some punches.
Kush is looking for a takedown.
Kush misses with a punch to the body.
Kush being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels gets through Kush's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kush tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kush is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Daniels blocks a body shot from Kush.
Daniels tries to break free but Kush pushes him back against the cage.
Kush tries to work over Daniels's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kush - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kush tries to pull guard but Daniels forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hindu Kush. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kush can't find room to land a body shot as Daniels controls the action.
Daniels stalling the fight.
Daniels lands a left hand.

Kush drags the fight down to the ground.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Kush is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Daniels is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Kush is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Daniels throws an elbow that misses. Kush uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Daniels's guard. Nice move by Kush!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Hindu Kush did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Daniels circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kush drops his hands momentarily and Daniels takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Daniels is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Daniels scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kush misses with a takedown
letting Daniels counter with a right hand.
Kush ducks under a wild hook from Daniels.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kush.
Kush tries to close the distance and clinch but Daniels swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kush tries to score with a low kick but Daniels moves his leg out of the way.
Kush shoots in looking for a takedown but Daniels manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kush's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kush closes the distance looking to clinch
and Daniels counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kush misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tom Daniels seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice takedown defense from Daniels. No joy for Kush on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hindu Kush. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Daniels wants to slow Kush down by chopping away at his legs.
Tom Daniels is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Daniels ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kush moves away.
Kush misses with a low kick.
Daniels looks to land a combination. Kush sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Hindu Kush has been cut.
Daniels lands a glancing blow to the side of Kush's head.
Kush throws a quick inside leg kick.
Daniels throws a series of punches but Kush avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Daniels darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kush shoots for a takedown but Daniels saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kush takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kush misses with a wild body shot.
Kush takes one to the chin there.

Daniels gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Daniels wants to sweep but no luck.
Daniels keeping full guard, as Kush tries to pass.

Kush drops back looking for a leg! Daniels is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Daniels manages to kick Kush off! Kush jumps back into Daniels's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kush looking to pass the guard.
Daniels is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kush drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Daniels dives on top into guard.
Daniels throws an elbow that misses. Kush uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Daniels's guard. Nice move by Kush!
Daniels utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels looking for a sweep. Not yet Daniels, not yet.
Kush trying to control the position from guard on top but Daniels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kush won't allow Daniels to sweep him here.
Kush wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
Kush throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Daniels works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kush trying to control the position from guard on top but Daniels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Kush is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Daniels is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Daniels has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tom Daniels will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Hindu Kush's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Daniels defending well as Kush loads up on a big left hand.
Kush tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kush getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kush tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Daniels was well out of range. Poor timing from Kush.
Daniels has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kush staying out of range there.
Kush throws a sloppy body shot
and Daniels counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Daniels connects with a single shot there.
Daniels lands a right hook to the body.
Daniels connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Daniels checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kush walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Daniels throws a right and a left that both miss.
Daniels lands a head shot.
Kush misses with a shot to the body
and Daniels counters with a straight right hand.
Kush moves in looking to clinch but Daniels pushes him off.
Kush tries to clinch up but Daniels circles away and keeps his distance.
Daniels fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Daniels stuns Kush with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kush uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Daniels.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kush.
Nice cross by Kush.
Daniels will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Daniels tries to bum rush Kush with a series of wild strikes but Kush uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Daniels scores with a hook.

Daniels gets tackled into the cage by Kush. Kush maintains the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kush tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Daniels just stands there and leans against the cage.
Daniels slowing the pace effectively.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kush has a couple of punches blocked by Daniels.
Kush tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kush tries a body shot but Daniels blocks it.
Daniels can't find room to land a body shot as Kush controls the action.
Kush's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Daniels blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kush misses with a body punch.
Daniels slows down the pace here.

Daniels breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hindu Kush is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Daniels pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kush manages to avoid it.
Daniels swats away the attempt to clinch by Kush.
Daniels checks a leg kick nicely.
Kush scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kush uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Daniels.
Kush throws a front kick that sends Daniels stumbling back into the cage.
Daniels uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kush.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kush takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Daniels throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kush.
Tom Daniels has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Daniels throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Daniels comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kush 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 48:48
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:47
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Hindu Kush retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!