PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daiju Kikuchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luc La Fleur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). La Fleur is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Raining Blood. 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.

Kikuchi
vs
La Fleur

165 cm
20
140 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

171 cm
28
148 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Daiju Kikuchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luc La Fleur!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kikuchi moves away from the strike by La Fleur.
La Fleur shoots in looking for a takedown but Kikuchi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing La Fleur's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
La Fleur swings widly with a right hand
and Kikuchi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kikuchi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from La Fleur.
Luc La Fleur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
La Fleur pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
La Fleur tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kikuchi was well out of range. Poor timing from La Fleur.

La Fleur feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kikuchi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

La Fleur stands up and waves to Kikuchi to follow him.
La Fleur lands a right hook to the body.
A head kick misses from La Fleur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikuchi defending well as La Fleur loads up on a big left hand.
Kikuchi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
La Fleur misses with a right hand
and Kikuchi counters with a leg kick.
La Fleur misses with a wild body shot.
La Fleur cracks Kikuchi with a good jab.
La Fleur getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kikuchi misses with a straight right.
La Fleur tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kikuchi counters with a nice uppercut.
La Fleur throws out a powerful jab.
Kikuchi staying out of range there.
Kikuchi lands an overhand right.
La Fleur throws a hook to the side of Kikuchi's head but Kikuchi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi slips a straight right by La Fleur.
No luck with that takedown attempt from La Fleur.
Daiju Kikuchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luc La Fleur.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
La Fleur throws a nice looking combination but Kikuchi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
La Fleur has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Luc La Fleur has been cut.
Kikuchi throws the kick towards the body but La Fleur avoids it.
La Fleur bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
La Fleur slips under a jab.
Kikuchi moves away from the strike by La Fleur.
Kikuchi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from La Fleur.
A telegraphed right hand from La Fleur misses the target.
Nice jab there from Kikuchi.
La Fleur misses with a right hand
enabling Kikuchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Kikuchi misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi checks a low kick from La Fleur.
La Fleur misses with a straight right.
Kikuchi fails to land with a series of punches.
Kikuchi scores with a punch to the head.
Daiju Kikuchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
La Fleur thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kikuchi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
La Fleur lands a body shot.
La Fleur thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kikuchi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from La Fleur.
Kikuchi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
La Fleur with a hook.
Kikuchi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
La Fleur throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
La Fleur shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kikuchi scores with a nice body kick.
Kikuchi throws a looping overhand right but La Fleur ducks down to avoid it.
Kikuchi tests La Fleur's chin there with a solid looking shot.
La Fleur throws a lazy right hand but Kikuchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
La Fleur throws a body punch but Kikuchi moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
La Fleur misses with a takedown attempt
letting Kikuchi counter with a right hand.
La Fleur swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kikuchi counters with a good, hard body kick but La Fleur shrugs it off.
La Fleur shoots in for a double leg but Kikuchi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
La Fleur on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kikuchi. Kikuchi obviously looking to wear him down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luc La Fleur will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Luc La Fleur's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

La Fleur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kikuchi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
La Fleur throws a jab but it's blocked by Kikuchi.
La Fleur tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
La Fleur takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
La Fleur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
La Fleur is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
La Fleur gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kikuchi counters with a stiff right hand.
La Fleur shoots in for a double leg but Kikuchi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
La Fleur swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kikuchi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kikuchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but La Fleur moves away.
Kikuchi moves away from the strike by La Fleur.
Kikuchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
La Fleur throws a hook but Kikuchi avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikuchi lands a leg kick that knocks La Fleur off balance momentarily.
Kikuchi lands a leg kick that knocks La Fleur off balance momentarily.
La Fleur moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Daiju Kikuchi is winning the standup battle so far.
La Fleur thows a body shot but no joy.
Kikuchi feints and then cracks La Fleur's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow La Fleur down.
Kikuchi misses the shot to the body.
La Fleur takes a jab right on the kisser.
La Fleur checks the leg kick.
Kikuchi staying out of range there.
La Fleur misses with a hook
and Kikuchi counters with a nice leg kick.
Kikuchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from La Fleur.
Kikuchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
La Fleur misses with a left hand
and Kikuchi counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kikuchi throws a series of strikes that have La Fleur backpedaling.
La Fleur throws a front kick aimed at Kikuchi's knee but Kikuchi avoids it well.
La Fleur is looking to clinch.
Kikuchi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kikuchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
La Fleur will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
La Fleur is breathing heavily.
That kick from Kikuchi tenderised La Fleur's leg. La Fleur is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kikuchi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Kikuchi moves into the clinch.
La Fleur wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kikuchi misses with a punch to the body.
Kikuchi scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La Fleur blocks a body shot from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi lands a nice shot to the body.
Kikuchi is leaning against La Fleur and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kikuchi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kikuchi misses with a punch on the inside.
Kikuchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kikuchi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kikuchi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kikuchi misses with the head strike.
La Fleur tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Kikuchi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kikuchi swings wildly with an uppercut but La Fleur uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kikuchi scores with a hook to the body.
Kikuchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kikuchi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of La Fleurs head.
La Fleur has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kikuchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right hand to the body from Kikuchi.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kikuchi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kikuchi pushes La Fleur back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi tries to work over La Fleur's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi lands with a short shot to the head.
Kikuchi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of La Fleurs head.
Kikuchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kikuchi lands with a left to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kikuchi struggles to land a body shot inside as La Fleur controls his hands.
Kikuchi has La Fleur pressed against the cage, preventing La Fleur from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kikuchi.
Kikuchi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kikuchi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daiju Kikuchi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luc La Fleur's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kikuchi misses with a wild combination.
La Fleur throws a leg kick
and Kikuchi counters with a straight right hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kikuchi working aggressively here.
La Fleur has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kikuchi misses with some punches.
La Fleur is trying to force a seperation but Kikuchi has the dominant position.
Kikuchi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Still in the clinch, Kikuchi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kikuchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
La Fleur's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kikuchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kikuchi keeps control of La Fleur as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kikuchi tries to work over La Fleur's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short body shot lands from Kikuchi as the two fighters clinch.
La Fleur wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kikuchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Fleur tries to break free but Kikuchi pushes him back against the cage.
Kikuchi swings wildly with an uppercut but La Fleur uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kikuchi working aggressively here.
Kikuchi lands a shoulder strike.
Kikuchi can't find room to land a body shot as La Fleur controls the action.
Kikuchi has a couple of punches blocked by La Fleur.
Kikuchi cracks La Fleur with a nice body shot.
La Fleur takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
La Fleur is trying to stall.
A short right from Kikuchi on the inside.
Kikuchi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
La Fleur prevents a body shot from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A body shot lands from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi is working La Fleur over against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kikuchi presses La Fleur against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La Fleur is trying to force a seperation but Kikuchi has the dominant position.
Kikuchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with La Fleur's elbow.
Kikuchi is leaning against La Fleur and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kikuchi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kikuchi scores with a shot to the side of La Fleur's head.
Kikuchi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of La Fleurs head.
Daiju Kikuchi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kikuchi pushes La Fleur back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kikuchi lands a right hand that snaps the head of La Fleur backwards.
Kikuchi working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Kikuchi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
La Fleur takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kikuchi scores with a body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi scores with a hook to the body. La Fleur takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kikuchi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Kikuchi.
Kikuchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt La Fleur.
Kikuchi lands with a cross.
Kikuchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kikuchi throws a shot to the body.
A combination from Kikuchi does no damage.
La Fleur walks into a stiff left hand from Kikuchi.
La Fleur misses with a takedown attempt - Kikuchi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kikuchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from La Fleur.
Kikuchi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
La Fleur throws a series of punches but Kikuchi moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi feints and then cracks La Fleur's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow La Fleur down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
La Fleur misses with a left hand
and Kikuchi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kikuchi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kikuchi cracks a nice hook into La Fleur's ribs.
Kikuchi looks to score with a jab to the body but La Fleur is just out of range.

La Fleur feints and as Kikuchi raises his hands in defense, La Fleur changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
La Fleur postures up.
La Fleur wants to get up but he can't break Kikuchi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kikuchi looking for a sweep. Not yet Kikuchi, not yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kikuchi is trying to keep La Fleur in close.
La Fleur tries to stand but Kikuchi is controlling from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daiju Kikuchi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kikuchi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daiju Kikuchi!
A victorious Daiju Kikuchi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.