PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Habana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shunsui Kyoraku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shunsui Kyoraku has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Habana
vs
Kyoraku

191 cm
26
195 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

190 cm
26
186 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bryan Habana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shunsui Kyoraku!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Columbo Gatti and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Habana looks to land a left hand but Kyoraku moved out of range nicely.
Kyoraku on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kyoraku needs to keep his hands up - Habana had a free shot at his head there.
Kyoraku swings widly with a right hand
and Habana counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kyoraku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kyoraku scores with a push kick.
Kyoraku wants to land a leg kick but Habana is out of range.
Habana slips a straight right by Kyoraku.
Habana definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Habana walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Habana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kyoraku is looking to score with low kicks.
Habana looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shunsui Kyoraku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Habana shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kyoraku scores with a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kyoraku. Habana does a little dance to reset his feet.
Habana does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Habana lands with a hook. Kyoraku tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Habana closes the distance and clinches.

Kyoraku breaks from the clinch.
Habana lands a nice looking body kick.
Habana takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Shunsui Kyoraku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kyoraku misses with a double jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Habana checks a leg kick.
Kyoraku slaps away a takedown attempt from Habana, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Kyoraku there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Habana uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kyoraku.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kyoraku is looking to score with low kicks.
Habana shoots in looking for a takedown. Kyoraku tries to sprawl out of it but Habana keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kyoraku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Habana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kyoraku tried to score with a low kick but Habana checks it.
Habana dodges the punch combination from Kyoraku.

Habana has closed the distance and engaged Kyoraku in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Habana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slapping leg kick lands for Habana.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Habana is out of range.
Kyoraku will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kyoraku scores with a one two! Habana had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kyoraku misses with a leg kick
and Habana counters with a nice leg kick.
Habana doesn't manage to clinch there - Kyoraku circles away.
Habana throws a combination that misses
and Kyoraku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kyoraku tries to score with a low kick but Habana moves his leg out of the way.
Kyoraku misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Habana tries to clinch up but Kyoraku circles away and keeps his distance.
A low kick from Habana is predictable there
and Kyoraku counters with a right hand to the body.
Habana slips under a jab from Kyoraku.
Habana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kyoraku throws a front kick aimed at Habana's knee but Habana avoids it well.
Kyoraku throws a body punch but Habana moves out of range.
Kyoraku misses the shot to the body.
Habana shoots in for a takedown but Kyoraku shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kyoraku throws a sloppy body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Habana checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shunsui Kyoraku 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.

Habana buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kyoraku throws a leg kick but Habana moved away.
Kyoraku throws an overhand right that lands on Habana's shoulder, as Habana tries to avoid the shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Habana checks a leg kick.
A punch combination from Kyoraku misses.
Kyoraku lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Habana circles away quickly and effectively.
Habana throws a solid leg kick but Kyoraku takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Habana.
Kyoraku fails to land with a series of punches.
Shunsui Kyoraku seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Habana lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kyoraku's sensitive parts.

Habana moves into the clinch.
Kyoraku being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Habana tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Habana.
The referee is keeping an eye on Habana - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Habana is trying to break the clinch but Kyoraku is controlling him.

Kyoraku's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kyoraku throws a head kick that half lands.
Kyoraku just misses with a punch to the body.
Kyoraku throws a nice outside leg kick.
Habana tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Habana takes one to the chin there.
Kyoraku swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku scoring well with a low kick there.
Habana checks a low kick from Kyoraku.
A solid body kick from Kyoraku.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Habana dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kyoraku. That did some damage!
Kyoraku lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Habana throws a quick inside leg kick.
Habana rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kyoraku counters with a stiff right hand.
Kyoraku fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Habana manages to avoid it.
Kyoraku digs a good body shot into Habana's ribs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Habana.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku misses with an uppercut. Habana saw that one coming.
A clash of legs there as Habana blocks the low kick.
Kyoraku misses with a low kick.
Kyoraku lands a really nice looking cross but Habana seems unphased.
Kyoraku stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kyoraku wants it to stay on the feet.
Habana tries to clinch up but Kyoraku circles away and keeps his distance.
Kyoraku misses with a wild body shot.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Habana. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Kyoraku throws a one two combo.
Habana fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kyoraku is looking to score with low kicks.
Kyoraku's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Habana closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kyoraku!
Habana slips under a jab from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kyoraku throws a leg kick but Habana moved away.
Bryan Habana is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Habana tries to clinch but Kyoraku moves out of range.
Kyoraku lands a front kick.
Kyoraku throws a nice outside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kyoraku misses the body punch
and Habana makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kyoraku with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shunsui Kyoraku showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kyoraku dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kyoraku throws a chopping leg kick but Habana manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Habana moves out of range as Kyoraku strikes.
Habana stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku throws a head kick that misses

and Habana counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Habana postures up.
Habana wants to control from the top but Kyoraku keeps moving.
Habana won't allow Kyoraku to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Habana trying to control the position from guard on top but Kyoraku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Habana pushes down on Kyoraku's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kyoraku trying to control here.
Kyoraku holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Kyoraku has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Habana is looking to stall here but Kyoraku recovers full guard.
Habana missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Habana postures up.
Kyoraku might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Habana haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Habana pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kyoraku is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kyoraku wants to sweep here but Habana controlling him for the moment.
Kyoraku trying to control the position here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Shunsui Kyoraku hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Kyoraku misses with a combination
and Habana counters with a slapping leg kick.
Bryan Habana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kyoraku throws an off balance right hand

and Habana decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kyoraku's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Kyoraku is trying to keep Habana in close.
Kyoraku 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.
Habana throwing strikes but missing.
Habana throws an elbow that misses. Kyoraku uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Habana's guard. Nice move by Kyoraku!

Kyoraku got a little sloppy there for a moment and Habana has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kyoraku has managed to get both his arms back between Habana's legs - danger averted.
Habana not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Habana looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Habana lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kyoraku!
Kyoraku tries to reverse the position but Habana maintains control.
Shunsui Kyoraku is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kyoraku tries to lock up and control but Habana gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kyoraku holds on for dear life, controlling Habana's posture momentarily.
Kyoraku is working to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kyoraku is in a horrible position here. Habana smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bryan Habana.
I think Kyoraku has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shunsui Kyoraku!
Shunsui Kyoraku thanked the fans post fight for their support.