PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroyuki Okamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Krejzi Kure (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Okamoto comes to the cage accompanied by Feel the Drive. Kure is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by BIG SHUG - who's hard. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Okamoto
vs
Kure

168 cm
34
152 lbs
24 - 17 - 1

170 cm
29
150 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 24 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroyuki Okamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Krejzi Kure!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kure walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Okamoto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Okamoto is looking to counter with a body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Okamoto, right into the meat.
Kure tries to land a front kick but Okamoto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Okamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kure.
Kure is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kure misses with a hook.
It appears Okamoto was looking to counter with a kick there.
Kure just misses with a punch to the body.
Kure misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kure jabs Okamoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Okamoto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kure.
Kure throws a leg kick but Okamoto checks it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kure.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kure fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kure is trying to break the clinch but Okamoto is controlling him.
Okamoto tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kure avoids it.
Kure fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kure lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Okamoto.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kure avoiding damage as Okamoto throws knees to the body.
Okamoto blocks a body shot from Kure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kure can't break the clinch.
Kure is trying to break free.
Kure is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Okamoto gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kure blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Okamoto is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kure gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Okamoto drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kure pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kure misses with an uppercut. Okamoto saw that one coming.
Okamoto is looking to counter with a body kick.
Kure waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Okamoto.
Kure scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Okamoto doesn't seem bothered though.
Kure tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Okamoto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kure will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
It appears Okamoto was looking to counter with a kick there.
Okamoto ducks under a wild hook from Kure.
We've been told by Okamoto's head coaches at Team Butcher Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Okamoto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kure steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Okamoto.
Okamoto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kure swats away the attempt to clinch by Okamoto.
Kure takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto swings widly with a right hand
and Kure counters with a straight right hand.
Okamoto throws a head kick that Kure semi-blocks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okamoto plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Krejzi Kure has been cut.
Okamoto tries for a takedown but Kure circles away easily
and Kure counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroyuki Okamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice straight punches there by Kure. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kure.
Kure has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Hiroyuki Okamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kure blocks the body kick.
Okamoto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Okamoto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Okamoto smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Okamoto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Okamoto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kure displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Okamoto.
Okamoto misses with a low kick as Kure jumps back.
Kure takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kure keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kure changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kure throws a right and a left that Okamoto avoids nicely.
And Okamoto counters with a quick kick to the body but Kure blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kure avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Okamoto scores with a kick to the body.
Kure wants to slow Okamoto down by chopping away at his legs.
Kure connects with a body shot.
Okamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Good shot there by Kure.
Okamoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kure throws a low kick but Okamoto moves out of range easily.
Kure fails to land with a series of punches.
Okamoto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kure paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kure drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Okamoto defends it well.
A slapping leg kick lands for Okamoto.
Okamoto cracks the inside of Kure's front leg.
Okamoto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Okamoto misses with the body kick
enabling Kure to counter with a crisp jab.
Okamoto throws a head kick but Kure moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Okamoto shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Okamoto is pressing down on Kure's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kure is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Okamoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Okamoto is working for a submission of some sort.
Okamoto wants to pass the guard but Kure is defending well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Okamoto throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kure to regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Krejzi Kure will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Krejzi Kure's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kure throws out a loose jab but Okamoto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kure bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Okamoto's head.
Kure tries to work over Okamoto's front leg with a kick but Okamoto checks it.
Okamoto has a takedown stuffed.
Okamoto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kure takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kure is looking to clinch.
Okamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Kure moves out of range easily.
Nice body punch from Kure.
Okamoto throws a nice inside leg kick.

Kure drives through with a takedown into Okamoto's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kure trying to control but Okamoto is working from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kure throwing strikes but missing.
Kure throws a big right hand that misses.
Kure wants to control from the top but Okamoto keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okamoto looking for a sweep. Not yet Okamoto, not yet.
Kure is working Okamoto over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kure preventing the sweep.
Kure trying to control but Okamoto is working from the bottom.

Okamoto looking for a guillotine here but Kure defends easily.
Kure preventing the sweep.

Okamoto working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kure has passed into half guard!

Kure is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Okamoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kure is pressing down on Okamoto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Okamoto is holding on for now.
Kure trying to control from half guard but Okamoto is working away.
Kure is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Kure with good strikes from the mount here!
Kure lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Kure lands with some strikes.
Okamoto bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Okamoto looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto throws a strike but Kure rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Okamoto preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Okamoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kure postures up and lands a big shot to Okamoto's brow.
Kure wants to control from the top but Okamoto keeps moving.
Okamoto 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.
Kure throwing strikes from guard but Okamoto blocks nicely.

Okamoto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kure gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kure advances position into side control!
Kure advances to mount.
Okamoto is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kure fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Okamoto is trying desperately to improve position.
Kure looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Okamoto tries to reverse the position but Kure maintains control.
Kure is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Okamoto can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Kure working away from the top, dropping strikes.
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!
Okamoto regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krejzi Kure showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Krejzi Kure's cut.
That's time! Okamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Okamoto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kure manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Okamoto lands with a kick to the temple. Kure shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kure scores with a jab to the head.
Okamoto lands a head kick. Kure smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kure lands a nice looking body shot.
Kure throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Okamoto.
Krejzi Kure seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kure steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Okamoto.
A thudding body kick lands there by Okamoto!
Okamoto misses with a kick to the body
and Kure cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Okamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kure lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okamoto tries to clinch up but Kure circles away and keeps his distance.
Kure tries to clinch but Okamoto moves out of range.
Kure wants to clinch up but Okamoto keeps it at a distance.
A head kick misses from Okamoto.
Kure throws a hook to the side of Okamoto's head but Okamoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kure lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Okamoto at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kure throws a combination. Okamoto tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Okamoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And Kure tries to counter it with a takedown but Okamoto pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Kure closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kure lands in his opponent's guard.
Okamoto wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Okamoto is working hard here to advance position.
Kure makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kure preventing the sweep.
Kure trying to control but Okamoto is working from the bottom.

Okamoto looking for a guillotine here but Kure defends easily.
Kure lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kure postures up and lands a big shot to Okamoto's brow.
Kure chips away with some ground and pound.
Kure lands a couple of digs.
Okamoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kure is one step ahead there.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Kure is looking to work some ground and pound but Okamoto has wrist control.
Kure in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kure has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Okamoto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Okamoto wants to stand but Kure is controlling the position.
Kure content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kure trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Okamoto working a defensive guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kure tries a head kick but it misses.
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!
Kure looks to land a left hand but Okamoto moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kure fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Okamoto checks it well.
Okamoto throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Okamoto lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kure takes a step back to recover.
Kure walks forward, straight into a front kick from Okamoto.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kure crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Okamoto - the referee stops the clock and Kure gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Okamoto. Kure manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Okamoto misses the body punch

and Kure counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kure.
Okamoto can't find room to land a body shot as Kure controls the action.
Krejzi Kure is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Okamoto.
Okamoto stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Okamoto has a couple of punches blocked by Kure.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Okamoto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kure breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto is looking to clinch.
Kure stalks Okamoto and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Okamoto's face. Okamoto staggers backwards, shaken.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Okamoto 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 Kure has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kure and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kure dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Krejzi Kure is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A bone on bone clash there as Okamoto blocks the leg kick.
Kure misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Okamoto wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A left and a right from Kure both land. Nice combination.
Kure avoids the head kick by Okamoto.
Hiroyuki Okamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Okamoto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kure throws a leg kick that misses.
Okamoto ducks under a wild hook from Kure.
Kure fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Okamoto takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Okamoto throws a leg kick but Kure moved away.
Okamoto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The fighters circling - Kure throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Krejzi Kure comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kure 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Krejzi Kure!
During a confident post fight interview, Krejzi Kure thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.