PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wallace Jefferson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itsu Hitigaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wallace Jefferson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Jefferson
vs
Hitigaki

199 cm
24
141 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

175 cm
25
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Wallace Jefferson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Itsu Hitigaki!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jefferson moves out of range as Hitigaki strikes.
A cross from Hitigaki lands.
Hitigaki misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jefferson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hitigaki stuffs the takedown attempt from Jefferson. Jefferson gets slowly back to his feet.
Jefferson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hitigaki counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hitigaki looks to throw the jab but Jefferson is out of range.
Hitigaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jefferson tries for a takedown but Hitigaki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wallace Jefferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitigaki misses with an uppercut
and Jefferson counters with a left and a right that stings Hitigaki.

Hitigaki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Jefferson to the mat! Jefferson manages to get full guard.

Hitigaki gets to his feet - Jefferson follows without any prompting.
Jefferson is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jefferson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hitigaki as he jumps to the side.
Hitigaki throws an overhand right that lands on Jefferson's shoulder, as Jefferson tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitigaki misses with an uppercut. Jefferson saw that one coming.
Jefferson leaves Hitigaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hitigaki throws a right hand that misses
and Jefferson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hitigaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jefferson moves away.
Hitigaki throws a right and a left that Jefferson avoids nicely.
Hitigaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jefferson as he avoids it easily.
A cross from Hitigaki lands.

Jefferson has Hitigaki up against the cage in a clinch.
Jefferson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Hitigaki turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Hitigaki manages to end up in side control.

Hitigaki decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jefferson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jefferson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
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!
Hitigaki throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Hitigaki darts in and clinches Jefferson up against the cage.
Jefferson is trying to maintain a safe position but Hitigaki gets an underhook and turns Jefferson into the cage.

Hitigaki jumps guard.
Hitigaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Hitigaki, not yet.
Jefferson wanted to stand there but Hitigaki had control of the position.
Hitigaki controls Jefferson momentarily but Jefferson frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki is looking to stand up but Jefferson isn't so interested in that idea.
Hitigaki is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Itsu Hitigaki hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hitigaki scores with a nice right hand.
Hitigaki throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jefferson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hitigaki.
Jefferson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hitigaki pinned against the cage. Hitigaki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jefferson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hitigaki.
Hitigaki misses with a jab to the body

and Jefferson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Jefferson.
Jefferson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Jefferson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hitigaki walks away with a smile on his face. Jefferson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jefferson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hitigaki tries to avoid it but Jefferson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hitigaki to the ground. Hitigaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jefferson blocks the body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitigaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jefferson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hitigaki.
Hitigaki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itsu Hitigaki dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hitigaki throws a shot from downtown. Jefferson moves away and avoids it.
Hitigaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jefferson manages to avoid it.
Hitigaki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jefferson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Hitigaki fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Jefferson to the ground. Hitigaki is now in Jefferson's guard.
Hitigaki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hitigaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Jefferson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jefferson has a closed guard, preventing Hitigaki from standing up.
Jefferson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitigaki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jefferson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Itsu Hitigaki hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Jefferson shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Crunch! Hitigaki slams his shin into Jefferson's torso.

Jefferson pushes Hitigaki up against the cage in a clinch.
Hitigaki throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Jefferson looking for a takedown.
Hitigaki misses with a punch on the inside.
Jefferson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hitigaki after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wallace Jefferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitigaki tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki prevents Jefferson from breaking the clinch.
Hitigaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jefferson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jefferson working hard to break the clinch.

Jefferson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jefferson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hitigaki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Hitigaki moves into the clinch.

Hitigaki breaks from the clinch.
Hitigaki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hitigaki throws a right hand that misses

and Jefferson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hitigaki jumps guard and drags Jefferson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson throwing strikes but missing.

Jefferson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hitigaki, up you get!
Hitigaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jefferson tries to avoid it but Hitigaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jefferson to the ground. Jefferson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jefferson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Jefferson gets a clinch.
Jefferson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hitigaki walks away with a smile on his face. Jefferson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hitigaki dodges the punch combination from Jefferson.
Jefferson fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hitigaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jefferson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hitigaki ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Hitigaki closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jefferson's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hitigaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Jefferson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hitigaki stands and steps away. Jefferson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Jefferson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jefferson blocks a jab.
No joy there for Hitigaki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Hitigaki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itsu Hitigaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hitigaki misses with a jab to the body
letting Jefferson counter with a right hand.
Hitigaki misses with an attempted mid kick.
Good exchange - Hitigaki coming out on top.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Jefferson. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Hitigaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jefferson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jefferson looks for a takedown but Hitigaki sprawls well.
Hitigaki misses with a jab to the body

and Jefferson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hitigaki tries to break the clinch but Jefferson is controlling the position.

Jefferson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jefferson shoots in for a takedown but Hitigaki shows good takedown defense.
Jefferson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hitigaki throws out the jab.
Jefferson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jefferson shoots in and drives through. Hitigaki sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wallace Jefferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hitigaki to score with a decent uppercut.
Wallace Jefferson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hitigaki connects with a right hand. Jefferson shakes it off.
Jefferson defending well as Hitigaki loads up on a big left hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Jefferson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hitigaki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Jefferson backwards.

Jefferson is rocked!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hitigaki.
Oh Jefferson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

It looks like Wallace Jefferson has been cut.

Hitigaki manages to break the clinch.

Hitigaki rushes Jefferson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Jefferson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hitigaki prevents it.

Jefferson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Hitigaki is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Jefferson to the mat. Jefferson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Hitigaki passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki works his way into side control.
Itsu Hitigaki has got the better of the ground game so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hitigaki decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Hitigaki throws a head kick that Jefferson semi-blocks.
Hitigaki lands a jab.
Hitigaki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A big left from Hitigaki misses.
Hitigaki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jefferson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jefferson tries for a takedown but Hitigaki circles away easily
and Hitigaki makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hitigaki jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Hitigaki looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jefferson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hitigaki controls the pace.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hitigaki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hitigaki passes Jefferson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hitigaki working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hitigaki moves into full mount! Jefferson won't be happy about that!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki scoring with strikes but Jefferson is staying in there.
Hitigaki is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Jefferson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hitigaki landing strikes from the mount and Jefferson is in trouble!
Hitigaki is landing with some decent strikes but Jefferson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hitigaki raining down hammerfists from mount.
Hitigaki wants to control the pace but Jefferson is squirming around nicely.
Jefferson is in a horrible position here. Hitigaki smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Jefferson is looking to get to half guard.
Hitigaki postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Jefferson looks a forlorn figure.
Hitigaki controlling the pace for now.
Hitigaki landing strikes from the mount and Jefferson is in trouble!
Hitigaki controlling from the full mount.
Hitigaki lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hitigaki cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hitigaki working the ground and pound effectively.
Hitigaki sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Jefferson taking shots to the head.
Hitigaki trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hitigaki putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Jefferson is working to get back to half guard.
Jefferson seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jefferson tries to hold on but Hitigaki pushes him away.
Wallace Jefferson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Itsu Hitigaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hitigaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hitigaki putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

And that's the end of the fight!
Itsu Hitigaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hitigaki winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Itsu Hitigaki!