PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ernie Els (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kurokawa Kenji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Els comes to the cage accompanied by Chamillionaire - Don't Shoot. 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.

Els
vs
Kenji

188 cm
34
216 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

175 cm
33
203 lbs
36 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ernie Els!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Kurokawa Kenji!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kenji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Els was well out of range. Poor timing from Kenji.
Kenji uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Els.
Els ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kenji moves away.
Els looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Els takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kenji swings for the body but Els moves out of range.
Els feints and then cracks Kenji's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kenji down.
Kenji connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Els takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Els takes a swing at Kenji's ribcage but misses.
Els dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kenji throws a head kick but Els moves out of range.
Kenji tries to score with a low kick but Els moves his leg out of the way.
Kenji throws a low kick, looking for Els's leg but Els calmly moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kenji lands a nice leg kick that just misses Els's sensitive parts.
Kenji jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kenji checks a leg kick nicely.
Els digs a good hook to Kenji's body.
Els bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kenji's head.

It looks like Kurokawa Kenji has been cut.
Kenji throws out a loose jab but Els uses good head movement to avoid it.
Els takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Els uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kenji.
Kenji throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Els.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Els throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Els swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kenji takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kenji tried to score with a low kick but Els checks it.
Kenji keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A good leg kick by Kenji.
Els throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kenji sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kenji tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Els is able to avoid easily.
Kenji lands a nice shot to the body.
Kenji scores with a nice head shot.
Els uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Els loads up on a big right hand but Kenji slips the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kenji misses with a looping right.
Els checks a leg kick.
Good exchange - Kenji coming out on top.
A punch lands to the side of Els 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Els misses with a body shot.
Els lands with a nice body punch.
Els throws the kick towards the body but Kenji avoids it.
Els thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenji tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Els jabs at Kenji's body.
Kenji throws a lazy right hand but Els sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Els is looking to wear down Kenji with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Els cracks Kenji with an open hand slap.
Kenji connects with a right hand. Els shakes it off.
Kenji throws a jab but it's blocked by Els.
Els lunges at Kenji with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kenji's hand.
Kenji feints and then cracks Els's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Els down.
Els on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kenji is looking to chop away at Els's legs.
Els is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Els ducks right into an uppercut from Kenji.
Els misses with an uppercut. Kenji saw that one coming.
Els takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kenji.
Kenji throws a body punch but Els moves out of range.
Kenji ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Els just misses with a punch to the body.
Els fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kenji manages to avoid it.
Els lands with a kick to the temple. Kenji shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That has opened up Kurokawa Kenji's cut even more.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenji looks to land a right hand but Els moved out of range.
Els on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Els has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kenji finds it's way round the side to connect with Els's head.
Kenji tried to score with a low kick but Els checks it.
Kenji lands a jab to the nose.
A left lands for Els.
Kenji misses with a body shot.
Els checks the leg kick nicely there.
Els throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Els moves out of range of the body kick.
A leg kick checked by Els.
A telegraphed right hand from Kenji misses the target.
Els takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Kenji bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Els throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kenji on the side of the head.
Kenji feints and then cracks Els's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Els down.
Els blocks a low kick nicely.
Els is looking to land body kicks.
A head kick misses from Els.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenji tries to move into range but Els moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

The cut above Kurokawa Kenji's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Els lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd cheers as Kenji lands an impressive looking overhand right. Els doesn't seem phased though.
Kenji avoids the body shot from Els.
Kenji misses with an uppercut.
Els scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Els.
Els lands with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Kenji misses the target.
Good leg kick by Kenji there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kenji turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Els changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kenji is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Els had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Kenji lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Els misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kenji.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kenji misses with a double jab.
Els throws a nice head kick!
Els swings for the body but Kenji moves out of range.
Els pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kenji is out of range and Els settles back down.
Els throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ernie Els will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kurokawa Kenji's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Els uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kenji.
Kenji misses with a looping left.
Kenji throws a jab but it's blocked by Els.
Els chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kenji can pounce on him.
Els takes one to the chin there.
Els misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Els takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Els on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kenji lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A head kick misses from Els.
Els throws a body punch but Kenji moves out of range.
Els connects with a high kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Els takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Els throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Els takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kenji chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Els lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kenji has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kenji and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kenji jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Els throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kenji stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenji scores with the left hand. Els knows he should have avoided that one.
Kenji thows a left - swing and a miss!
Els misses with a body shot.
Els is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kenji missing with a left hand there. Els was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kenji stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Els.
Kenji on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Els. Els obviously looking to wear him down.
Els steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kenji.
Els drops his hands momentarily and Kenji takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Els drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Els is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kenji.
Els throws a head kick that misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Els fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Els looks to throw the jab but Kenji is out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kenji, right into the meat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good leg kick by Kenji there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Els uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kenji.
Kenji misses with a wild body shot.
Kenji paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenji is looking to chop away at Els's legs.
Kenji darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice body punch from Kenji.
Kenji is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Els.
Kenji moves out of range as Els throws a body kick.
Kenji dips to his left and cracks Els with an uppercut!
Kenji fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Els.
Kenji pivots, looking for a leg kick but Els is out of range and Kenji settles back down.
Kenji lands with a thumping leg kick.
A head kick misses from Kenji.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Els, right into the meat.
Kenji takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Els jabs at Kenji's body.
Els lands a slapping body shot.
Els scores with a punch to the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Els.
Kenji steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Els.
Kenji ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Els moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Els lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kenji will feel that in the morning.
Els connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kenji. Kenji circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Els swinging wildly here.
Els thuds his shin into the meat of Kenji's side.
Els throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kenji on the side of the head.
Els misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Kenji.
Kenji throws an overhand right that lands on Els's shoulder, as Els tries to avoid the shot.
Els throws a head kick that misses.
Els looks to throw the jab but Kenji is out of range.
Els takes a swing at Kenji's ribcage but misses.
Els ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kenji moves away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kenji tries a head kick but it misses.
Kenji throws a body punch but Els moves out of range.
Els moves out of range as Kenji strikes.
A swing and a miss from Kenji.
Els swings for the body but Kenji moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Els connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Kurokawa Kenji's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Els takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kenji is looking to score with low kicks.
Kenji lands a nice hook to Els's body. Els takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ernie Els is winning the standup battle so far.
Els misses the shot to the body.
The crowd cheers as Kenji lands an impressive looking overhand right. Els doesn't seem phased though.
Kenji looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kenji throws a poor cross that misses
and Els cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kenji misses with a hook. Els ducked under it nicely.
Els takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Els slips a jab from Kenji.
Els looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Els takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kenji blocks a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Els avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Els moves out of range as Kenji strikes.
Els lands a right hook to the body.
Kenji misses with a leg kick
and Els makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kenji really felt that one!
Els throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ernie Els will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kurokawa Kenji's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Els throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kenji keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kenji throws a jab but it's blocked by Els.
Kenji dips to his left and cracks Els with an uppercut!
Kenji walks forward, straight into a front kick from Els.
Kenji throws a jab but it's blocked by Els.
Kenji tried to score with a low kick but Els checks it.
Nice defenses there by Els.
Kenji takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Good work by Kenji as he checks the leg kick.
Els throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Els throws out a loose jab but Kenji uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kenji walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Els ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kenji moves away.
Els throws a body punch but Kenji moves out of range.
Els tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Els scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kenji takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kenji shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenji blocks a head kick by Els.
Els throws a solid leg kick but Kenji takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Els.
Kenji misses the jab.
Kenji connects with a solid leg kick.
Kenji tests Els's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Els keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Els thows a body shot but no joy.
Kenji lands a leg kick that knocks Els off balance momentarily.
Els swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Els goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Els fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kenji fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Els throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kenji throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kenji scores with a sloppy right hand. Els should have avoided that one.
Kenji misses with a head kick.
Kenji misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenji scores with a nice right hand.
A head kick misses from Els.
Kenji tests Els's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kenji lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Els throws a head kick but Kenji moves out of range.
Kenji lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Els misses with a looping left.
That kick from Kenji tenderised Els's leg. Els is trying to keep his angry face on.
Els takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kenji moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kenji crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Els - the referee stops the clock and Kenji gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Els. Kenji manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kenji misses the shot to the body.
Kenji throws a jab when Els was well out of range.
Els throws a sloppy head kick and Kenji moves out of range easily.
Els misses the shot to the body.
Els ducks under a wild hook from Kenji.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Els lands a head kick!
Els throws a head kick but Kenji moves out of range.
Kenji cracks the inside of Els's front leg.
Els gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kenji throws a nice outside leg kick.
Els moves out of range as Kenji strikes.
Els lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kenji's sensitive parts.
Nice defenses there by Els.
Kenji has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Els.
Els tries to clinch up but Kenji circles away and keeps his distance.
Kenji lands a body shot.
Kenji is looking to slow Els down with leg kicks.
Kenji avoids the head kick by Els.
Kenji fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Els lands a right hook to the body.
Els swings for the body but Kenji moves out of range.
Kenji throws a leg kick but Els moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Els moves away from the strike by Kenji.
Kenji misses with a body kick.
Els tries to move into range but Kenji moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Els misses with a hook. Kenji ducked under it nicely.
Els throws a sloppy head kick and Kenji moves out of range easily.
Kenji wants to slow Els down by chopping away at his legs.
Els pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Els.
Els avoids a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kenji.
Els uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kenji.
Kenji misses with a body kick.
Els throws a leg kick but Kenji moved away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Els swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Els swings for the body but Kenji moves out of range.
Els ducks under a wild hook from Kenji.
Kurokawa Kenji has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Els ducks under a wild hook from Kenji.
Els on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kenji. Kenji obviously looking to wear him down.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kurokawa Kenji.
Well Els 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ernie Els!
Ernie Els bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.