PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shuuji Hanamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyson Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hanamoto comes to the cage accompanied by Am I Evil?. Tyson Diaz told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hanamoto
vs
Diaz

186 cm
27
194 lbs
15 - 13 - 0

187 cm
29
190 lbs
9 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shuuji Hanamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tyson Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Diaz does it's job there.
Diaz throws a combination that misses
and Hanamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Diaz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hanamoto counters with a nice body kick.

Hanamoto closes the distance and clinches.

Hanamoto jumps into guard, dragging Diaz to the mat.

Diaz drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hanamoto dives on top into guard.
Hanamoto wanted to stand there but Diaz had control of the position.
Hanamoto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Diaz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hanamoto defends well.
Hanamoto wants to stand but Diaz has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanamoto stands and steps away. Diaz gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Diaz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hanamoto counters with a series of strikes. Diaz will be more careful next time no doubt.
Diaz takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Diaz throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hanamoto counters by moving into the clinch.

Hanamoto ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hanamoto no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Diaz working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hanamoto has passed into half guard!
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!
Hanamoto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard but Hanamoto has mounted him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hanamoto trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hanamoto prevents Diaz from getting the reversal.
Hanamoto putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hanamoto working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hanamoto prevents Diaz from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Diaz looks a forlorn figure.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz is trying to escape the mount.
Diaz looks gassed!
Diaz is bucking up trying to escape but Hanamoto cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The referee warns Diaz that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Diaz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hanamoto can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Diaz is looking to escape.
Hanamoto lands a big shot there that rocks Diaz but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Diaz is rocked!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto lands a heavy shot. That's hurt Diaz! Hanamoto sees the opportunity and turns up the heat - strike after strike land to the defenseless Diaz and the ref dives in to save him! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Shuuji Hanamoto!
An out of breath Shuuji Hanamoto thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.