PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rin Itoshiki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Hawk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Itoshiki's entrance music is Hito toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru (SZS Mod. Rap ver.). A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Itoshiki
vs
Hawk

195 cm
27
270 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

200 cm
22
265 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rin Itoshiki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Hawk!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Itoshiki moves into range and clinches up with Hawk.
Hawk working hard to break the clinch.
Hawk takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hawk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Itoshiki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hawk wants a takedown but no success here.
Itoshiki just leaning against Hawk, taking a breather.
Itoshiki lands a damaging elbow.
Hawk is trying to drag Itoshiki to the mat but Itoshiki just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Itoshiki'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.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Itoshiki.
Hawk takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hawk can't break the clinch.
Hawk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Itoshiki lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Mike Hawk has been cut.
Itoshiki blocks the elbow strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawk takes an elbow to the forehead.
Itoshiki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itoshiki just leaning against Hawk, taking a breather.
Itoshiki has Hawk pressed against the cage, preventing Hawk from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Hawk has Itoshiki pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hawk pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Itoshiki tumbling to the mat - Hawk dives into Itoshiki's guard.
Hawk looks gassed!
Hawk throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Itoshiki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Itoshiki uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Hawk gets tackled into the cage by Itoshiki. Itoshiki maintains the clinch.
Itoshiki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Itoshiki lands a nice knee to the body.
Itoshiki presses Hawk against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hawk being controlled against the cage.
Itoshiki is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Itoshiki.
A frustrated look appears on Hawk's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Itoshiki.
A knee to the head by Itoshiki.

Itoshiki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Itoshiki lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hawk will feel that in the morning.

Itoshiki pushes Hawk up against the cage in a clinch.
Itoshiki gets through Hawk's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Itoshiki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hawk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Itoshiki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Itoshiki lands a nice shot to the body.
Itoshiki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Itoshiki.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head.
Itoshiki just leaning against Hawk, taking a breather.
Itoshiki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Itoshiki takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Itoshiki lands a damaging elbow.
Itoshiki with a knee to the head.
Itoshiki connects with a knee to the head.
Itoshiki has Hawk pressed against the cage, preventing Hawk from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Itoshiki presses Hawk against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head.
Itoshiki creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hawk's defenses.

Itoshiki pulls guard.
Itoshiki lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hawk!
Itoshiki content just to control the position here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Itoshiki won't let Hawk get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki controlling from the full mount.
Itoshiki's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rin Itoshiki just wasn't active enough.

Itoshiki closes the distance and pushes Hawk back into the cage.
A knee to the head by Itoshiki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rin Itoshiki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Hawk's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hawk moves into the clinch.
Itoshiki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Itoshiki with a knee to the head.
Hawk is trying to break the clinch but Itoshiki has him pressed against the cage.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head.
Hawk is trying to push Itoshiki away but Itoshiki has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Itoshiki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hawk can do to turn this around?
Itoshiki landing knees to the head.
Itoshiki scores a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Itoshiki.
The referee is keeping an eye on Itoshiki - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Itoshiki lands a nice elbow.
Itoshiki manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hawk is breathing heavily.
Itoshiki prevents a body shot from Hawk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itoshiki lands a good knee to the midsection. Hawk won't want to take too many of those.
Itoshiki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rin Itoshiki has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Itoshiki'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.

Itoshiki manages to break the clinch.
Itoshiki uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mike Hawk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Itoshiki forces Hawk back against the cage and clinches.
Itoshiki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Itoshiki creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hawk's defenses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Itoshiki crunches a lovely knee into Hawk's ribcage.
Itoshiki leaning against his opponent.
Itoshiki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Itoshiki is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hawk takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki with a knee to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Itoshiki - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Rin Itoshiki.

Itoshiki moves into the clinch.
Itoshiki lands an elbow that stopped Hawk in his tracks for a moment.
Itoshiki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Itoshiki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Itoshiki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Itoshiki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hawk is trying to break the clinch but Itoshiki has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Itoshiki.
Itoshiki stalls.
Itoshiki utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki connects with a knee to the head.

Itoshiki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Itoshiki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Itoshiki lands in his opponent's guard.
Itoshiki is pushing down on Hawk's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hawk is fighting to maintain full guard but Itoshiki has managed to sneak the leg through.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Itoshiki in particular looking to stall.

Itoshiki escapes and gets back to his feet.

Itoshiki pushes Hawk up against the cage in a clinch.
Hawk can't break the clinch.
Itoshiki utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
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!
Itoshiki scores a nice knee to the body.
Itoshiki landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hawk takes a knee right on the jaw!

Itoshiki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jab from Itoshiki.

Itoshiki rushes Hawk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Itoshiki connects with a knee to the head.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Itoshiki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hawk prevents a takedown attempt there.
Itoshiki leaning against his opponent.
Itoshiki lands a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Itoshiki.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Itoshiki breaks from the clinch.
Itoshiki connects with a right hand. Hawk shakes it off.

Itoshiki has managed to clinch.
Hawk takes a knee right on the jaw!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rin Itoshiki dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mike Hawk's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Itoshiki clinches up with Hawk and pushes him back against the cage.
Itoshiki lands with a right to the head.

Itoshiki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Itoshiki rushes Hawk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hawk takes a knee right on the jaw!
Itoshiki is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hawk is trying to break the clinch but Itoshiki is controlling him.
Itoshiki leaning his opponent against the cage.
Itoshiki with a knee to the head.
Itoshiki is trying to drag Hawk to the mat but Hawk just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Itoshiki crunches a lovely knee into Hawk's ribcage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawk takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hawk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Itoshiki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hawk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itoshiki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Itoshiki prevents Hawk from breaking the clinch.
A hook to the body from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki working Hawk over with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside that Hawk shrugs off.
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside that Hawk shrugs off.
Itoshiki lands a nice knee to the body.
Itoshiki'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.
Itoshiki utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Itoshiki digs a right hand underneath Hawk's ribcage. Hawk let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hawk's defenses.
Itoshiki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Itoshiki scores with a hook to the body.
The referee calls for Itoshiki to work.

Itoshiki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Itoshiki scores with a nice strike.

Hawk moves into the clinch.
Hawk takes a knee to the side of the body.
Itoshiki unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hawk lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Itoshiki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Itoshiki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Itoshiki putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hawk in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hawk takes an elbow to the forehead.
Itoshiki lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Itoshiki.
Itoshiki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hawk or not.
Itoshiki'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.
Itoshiki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Itoshiki has Hawk pushed against the cage.
Itoshiki with a knee to the head.
Itoshiki working Hawk over with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Itoshiki crunches a lovely knee into Hawk's ribcage.
Itoshiki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Itoshiki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Itoshiki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hawk's face.
Rin Itoshiki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki crunches a lovely knee into Hawk's ribcage.
Itoshiki pressing his opponent against the cage.
Itoshiki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hawk's face.
Itoshiki scores with a knee to the head.
Mike Hawk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Itoshiki is stalling here.
Hawk can't break the clinch.
Hawk looking to slow down the pace here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Itoshiki breaks the clinch.
Hawk swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Itoshiki holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Itoshiki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rin Itoshiki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Itoshiki 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:25
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:25
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rin Itoshiki!
A less than humble Rin Itoshiki misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.