PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Mitrione Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akisame Koetsuji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mitrione Jr comes to the cage accompanied by Lynyrd Skynyrd Simple Man. Koetsuji has chosen Ultimate Battle as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Mitrione Jr
vs
Koetsuji

183 cm
22
170 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

172 cm
21
175 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Brute
Hellraiser Fightgear ($10 Clothing)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Matt Mitrione Jr!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akisame Koetsuji!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Mitrione Jr. Those never looked like landing.
Mitrione Jr throws a nice looking combination but Koetsuji bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mitrione Jr scores with a nice head shot.
Mitrione Jr shoots in for a double leg but Koetsuji sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mitrione Jr getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Koetsuji buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Koetsuji clinches with his opponent.
Koetsuji working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Koetsuji leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mitrione Jr wants a takedown.
Koetsuji gets underhooks to prevent Mitrione Jr's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mitrione Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Koetsuji just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mitrione Jr's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koetsuji lands with a short shot to the head.
Mitrione Jr can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koetsuji misses with a hook from the clinch.
Koetsuji fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Koetsuji looking to throw knees to the head but Mitrione Jr is blocking nicely.
Koetsuji misses with a punch on the inside.
Koetsuji scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Matt Mitrione Jr has been cut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Koetsuji.
Koetsuji taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Mitrione Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Koetsuji fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Koetsuji holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Koetsuji throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Koetsuji.
Mitrione Jr managing to block the knees to the body from Koetsuji.
Koetsuji lands a nice elbow.
Koetsuji tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Koetsuji manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Koetsuji with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Koetsuji trying to land knees to the body.
Koetsuji throws a knee to the head but misses.

Koetsuji gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Koetsuji seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mitrione Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
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.
Mitrione Jr is trying to control but Koetsuji passes into side control!
Mitrione Jr struggling a bit here.
Mitrione Jr is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Koetsuji is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Koetsuji postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Koetsuji is looking to take a break and control but Mitrione Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Koetsuji has control of an arm but Mitrione Jr manages to advance to Koetsuji's back!
Mitrione Jr softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Koetsuji wants to control his opponent's hands but Mitrione Jr gets his hands free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji avoids the strikes from Mitrione Jr.
You can see the frustration on Koetsuji's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Mitrione Jr trying to control momentarily.
Mitrione Jr throws a series of strikes and Koetsuji wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.
Koetsuji is trying desperately to improve position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mitrione Jr fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Akisame Koetsuji will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matt Mitrione Jr's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mitrione Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koetsuji manages to avoid it.

Koetsuji instigates a clinch.
Koetsuji taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Koetsuji throws a punch but it's blocked by Mitrione Jr.
Koetsuji tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mitrione Jr managing to block the knees to the body from Koetsuji.
Koetsuji with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Koetsuji creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Koetsuji tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mitrione Jr avoids it.
Koetsuji landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Koetsuji with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Koetsuji lands a right hand.
Koetsuji effectively controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Koetsuji effectively controlling the action here.
Koetsuji throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mitrione Jr wants to take the fight to the mat but Koetsuji manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Koetsuji with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Koetsuji obliges.
Come on Koetsuji - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mitrione Jr looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Koetsuji pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mitrione Jr avoiding damage as Koetsuji throws knees to the body.
Koetsuji missing with knees to the body.
Koetsuji tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Koetsuji stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Akisame Koetsuji seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mitrione Jr tries for a takedown but Koetsuji manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mitrione Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!
Stalling in the clinch from Koetsuji.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr looking for a takedown.
Koetsuji misses with a knee strike.
Koetsuji lands an elbow just above Mitrione Jr 's eye.

Koetsuji lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Koetsuji throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Mitrione Jr to regain full guard.

Mitrione Jr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Koetsuji looking to sit in guard and control but Mitrione Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mitrione Jr is pushing down on Koetsuji's leg trying to pass to half guard. Koetsuji is fighting to maintain full guard but Mitrione Jr has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mitrione Jr lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koetsuji is defending against the submission attempts here by Mitrione Jr.
Mitrione Jr is looking to take a break and control but Koetsuji is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mitrione Jr connects with a nice short shot to Koetsuji's temple.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Koetsuji looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Koetsuji wants to control but Mitrione Jr is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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.
The cut man is working on Matt Mitrione Jr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Koetsuji misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mitrione Jr.
Koetsuji just misses with a punch to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mitrione Jr letting Koetsuji take a breather here.
Koetsuji lands a hook to the side of the head.
Koetsuji content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Koetsuji lands a knee to the head.
Koetsuji stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koetsuji looking to throw knees to the head but Mitrione Jr is blocking nicely.
Koetsuji misses with an elbow over the top.
Still in the clinch, Koetsuji scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mitrione Jr is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mitrione Jr goes for a takedown attempt but Koetsuji pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mitrione Jr misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Mitrione Jr misses.
A jab from Mitrione Jr misses.
Mitrione Jr throws a looping overhand right but Koetsuji ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr throws a combination that misses
and Koetsuji counters with a stiff right hand.
Mitrione Jr misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Koetsuji takes a swing at Mitrione Jr's ribcage but misses.
Mitrione Jr misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matt Mitrione Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mitrione Jr throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Koetsuji counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Koetsuji thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mitrione Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mitrione Jr misses with a takedown attempt
and Koetsuji counters with a slapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mitrione Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Koetsuji clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koetsuji lands an elbow inside.
Koetsuji using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitrione Jr has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Koetsuji.
Koetsuji tries to throw a body punch but Mitrione Jr avoids it by throwing Koetsuji back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Koetsuji on the inside.
Mitrione Jr tries to score a body lock takedown but Koetsuji shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Koetsuji works on Mitrione Jr's body with a couple of short punches.
Koetsuji leaning his opponent against the cage.
Koetsuji misses with a punch on the inside.
Koetsuji lands a damaging elbow.

Matt Mitrione Jr's cut is getting worse.
Koetsuji looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Koetsuji misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji lands an elbow that stopped Mitrione Jr in his tracks for a moment.
Koetsuji tries a knee to the head but Mitrione Jr blocks it.
Koetsuji gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Koetsuji is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Koetsuji looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Koetsuji lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mitrione Jr backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koetsuji trying to land knees to the body.
Koetsuji tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Koetsuji really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Mitrione Jr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mitrione Jr throws a series of punches but Koetsuji avoids them all with ease.
Mitrione Jr throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Koetsuji counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A nice leg kick lands there from Koetsuji.
Mitrione Jr has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Koetsuji.

Koetsuji has taken the fight to the clinch.
Koetsuji gets underhooks to prevent Mitrione Jr's takedown attempt.
Koetsuji lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Koetsuji looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Koetsuji has Mitrione Jr pressed against the cage.
Koetsuji tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Koetsuji stalling in the clinch.
Koetsuji doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Koetsuji.
Mitrione Jr looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mitrione Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koetsuji throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mitrione Jr blocks it with crossed arms.
Koetsuji misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Koetsuji missing with knees to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Koetsuji - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Koetsuji working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr takes a shot to the head.

Matt Mitrione Jr's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Koetsuji gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Mitrione Jr regains guard.
Mitrione Jr pulls Koetsuji in close to prevent any damage.
Koetsuji sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Mitrione Jr is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koetsuji is aware though and is defending well.

Mitrione Jr looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Koetsuji passes into half 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!
Koetsuji landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji trying to pass the guard but Mitrione Jr defending well.
Koetsuji content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Koetsuji passes to full mount!

Koetsuji is working for a guillotine from mount but Mitrione Jr frees his head quite easily.
Koetsuji landing strikes from the mount.
Koetsuji controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr is trying desperately to improve position.
Mitrione Jr tries to hold on but Koetsuji postures up.

Koetsuji is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Mitrione Jr has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Mitrione Jr is squirming around, avoiding Koetsuji's attempts to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mitrione Jr tries to lock up and control but Koetsuji gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Koetsuji dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Matt Mitrione Jr's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mitrione Jr swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Koetsuji counters with a body kick that stops Mitrione Jr in his tracks momentarily.
Mitrione Jr throws a left and a right that both miss
and Koetsuji counters with a series of strikes. Mitrione Jr will be more careful next time no doubt.
Koetsuji cracks Mitrione Jr with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Koetsuji throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Koetsuji on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Koetsuji scores with a jab to the jaw.
Koetsuji thuds his right hand into Mitrione Jr's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mitrione Jr throws a left and a right that both miss
and Koetsuji counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mitrione Jr misses with a right hand
letting Koetsuji counter with a right hand.
Mitrione Jr shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Mitrione Jr misses with the combination.
Koetsuji throws a right and a left that both miss.
Koetsuji shoots in for a takedown but Mitrione Jr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koetsuji connects with a leg kick. Mitrione Jr looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Koetsuji throws a series of punches but Mitrione Jr moves out of range.
Mitrione Jr lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Akisame Koetsuji seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Koetsuji misses with a wild body shot.
Koetsuji scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
No joy there for Mitrione Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A telegraphed right hand from Mitrione Jr misses the target.

Koetsuji moves into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Koetsuji throws an elbow but misses.
Koetsuji slowing the pace effectively.
Koetsuji tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mitrione Jr's elbow.
The referee is keeping an eye on Koetsuji - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji trying to land knees to the body.
Koetsuji lands an elbow inside.
Mitrione Jr can't get the takedown.
Koetsuji taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Mitrione Jr tries to score a body lock takedown but Koetsuji shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mitrione Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koetsuji throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mitrione Jr blocks it with crossed arms.
Koetsuji lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mitrione Jr is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Koetsuji gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Koetsuji lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mitrione Jr drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Koetsuji gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Koetsuji is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mitrione Jr is defending well for now.
Akisame Koetsuji is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitrione Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but Koetsuji pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mitrione Jr misses with a looping right.
Matt Mitrione Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mitrione Jr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akisame Koetsuji comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Koetsuji has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akisame Koetsuji! Akisame Koetsuji retains his welterweight title!
Akisame Koetsuji decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.