PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andr De Fran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itagaki Fukuzawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Fran comes to the cage accompanied by No Worries. Fukuzawa has chosen In Flames - Colony as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

De Fran
vs
Fukuzawa

172 cm
29
158 lbs
20 - 11 - 2

170 cm
31
153 lbs
23 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Grand Champion Apparel

GREEN!160

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 20 - 11 - 2, fighting out of New York, Andr De Fran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Itagaki Fukuzawa!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Fran has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt De Fran.
De Fran misses with a body shot
and Fukuzawa counters with a thumping low kick.
De Fran lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
De Fran just misses with a punch to the body.
Fukuzawa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
De Fran tries to clinch but Fukuzawa is having none of it.
Fukuzawa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from De Fran.
Fukuzawa lands a really nice looking cross but De Fran seems unphased.
Fukuzawa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fukuzawa misses with a looping right.
A solid leg kick lands there for De Fran.
A head kick misses from De Fran.

Fukuzawa gets the takedown into side control.
De Fran is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Fukuzawa wants to control but De Fran is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukuzawa works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Fukuzawa lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear De Fran down.
De Fran managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fukuzawa.
De Fran is looking for a sweep.
De Fran isn't going anywhere.
De Fran managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fukuzawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fukuzawa with the ground and pound but De Fran regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Fukuzawa trying to control the action but De Fran is working from the bottom.
Fukuzawa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
De Fran wants to control but Fukuzawa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
De Fran preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A punch combination from Fukuzawa misses.
De Fran throws a body kick that misses.
De Fran throws a solid leg kick but Fukuzawa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at De Fran.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fran throws a hook but Fukuzawa avoids it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fukuzawa, right into the meat.
Fukuzawa scores with a push kick.
Fukuzawa misses with a low kick.
Fukuzawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
De Fran pulls out of a head kick attempt.
De Fran misses with a body kick.
Fukuzawa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fukuzawa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
De Fran tries to clinch there but Fukuzawa circles away.
Fukuzawa keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fukuzawa checks a leg kick.
Fukuzawa flicks out a counter leg kick but De Fran steps away.
De Fran takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A head kick from Fukuzawa lands but De Fran takes it in his stride.
Fukuzawa throws a hook but De Fran avoids it easily.
De Fran looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
De Fran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukuzawa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Fran tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fukuzawa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Andr De Fran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fukuzawa is looking to land body kicks.
Fukuzawa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches De Fran on the side of the head.
Fukuzawa misses with a straight right.
De Fran takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fukuzawa moves out of range of the strikes.
Fukuzawa throws a body punch but De Fran moves out of range.
De Fran buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
De Fran throws a leg kick
and Fukuzawa counters with a nice kick to the body.
De Fran 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.
Fukuzawa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
De Fran throws the kick towards the body but Fukuzawa avoids it.
Fukuzawa wants to land a leg kick but De Fran is out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fukuzawa dodges the punch combination from De Fran.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itagaki Fukuzawa dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Fukuzawa looks to score with a jab to the body but De Fran is just out of range.
Fukuzawa throws a series of punches but De Fran moves out of range.
De Fran misses with a head kick.
Itagaki Fukuzawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danga de danga de dang - Fukuzawa scores with a four punch combination!
Fukuzawa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Fukuzawa cracks a nice hook into De Fran's ribs.
De Fran checks a leg kick nicely.
Fukuzawa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. De Fran sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fukuzawa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
De Fran steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fukuzawa.
De Fran throws a leg kick but Fukuzawa sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Fran thows a left - swing and a miss!
De Fran slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fukuzawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fukuzawa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fukuzawa misses with a head kick.
Fukuzawa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukuzawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Fran was well out of range. Poor timing from Fukuzawa.
De Fran misses with a kick to the body.
Fukuzawa tests De Fran's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fukuzawa connects with a solid leg kick.
Fukuzawa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fukuzawa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fukuzawa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fukuzawa checks a leg kick nicely.
Fukuzawa is clearly trying to counter these attacks from De Fran with a body shot.
De Fran chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fukuzawa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa misses with a double jab.
De Fran with a hook.

It looks like Itagaki Fukuzawa has been cut.
Fukuzawa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from De Fran.
Fukuzawa lands a nice looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An inside leg kick lands from De Fran.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Fran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa slips a straight right by De Fran.
De Fran ducks under a wild hook from Fukuzawa.
De Fran ducks under a wild hook from Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fukuzawa throws a combination. De Fran tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fukuzawa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fukuzawa lands a nice leg kick that just misses De Fran's sensitive parts.
A decent looking cross lands there for Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa throws a wild body kick that De Fran sees coming a mile off.
A combination from Fukuzawa does no damage.
De Fran tests Fukuzawa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
De Fran ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fukuzawa moves away.
Fukuzawa throws an overhand right that lands on De Fran's shoulder, as De Fran tries to avoid the shot.
As Fukuzawa looks to move away, De Fran throws a big counter combo bu Fukuzawa just gets out of the way.
Fukuzawa misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fran bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fukuzawa throws a combination. De Fran tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
De Fran plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
De Fran bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
De Fran seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Fukuzawa swats away the attempt to clinch by De Fran.
A little jabbing left from Fukuzawa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fukuzawa looks to throw the jab but De Fran is out of range.
De Fran takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
De Fran takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
De Fran lands a leg kick that knocks Fukuzawa off balance momentarily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits De Frans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
De Fran connects with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fukuzawa looks to score with a jab to the body but De Fran is just out of range.
Fukuzawa is looking to score with low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukuzawa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fukuzawa scores with a body shot.
De Fran throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
De Fran tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fukuzawa on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
De Fran avoids the head kick by Fukuzawa.
De Fran scores with the left hand. Fukuzawa knows he should have avoided that one.
De Fran throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
De Fran clobbers Fukuzawa with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
De Fran throws a push kick but Fukuzawa slaps the foot to one side.
De Fran uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fukuzawa.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fukuzawa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fukuzawa misses with a low kick.
De Fran connects with a leg kick. Fukuzawa looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
De Fran is looking to score with low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itagaki Fukuzawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Itagaki Fukuzawa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Fukuzawa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around De Fran's waist but De Fran gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fukuzawa off to one side.
Fukuzawa throws a hook to the side of De Fran's head but De Fran sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
De Fran checks the leg kick nicely there.
Fukuzawa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
De Fran misses with a leg kick
and Fukuzawa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
De Fran takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
De Fran throws a jab when Fukuzawa was well out of range.
Fukuzawa needs to keep his hands up - De Fran had a free shot at his head there.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Fran looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fukuzawa tries a head kick but it misses.
De Fran takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fukuzawa clinches with his opponent.
De Fran lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fukuzawa backwards.
Fukuzawa missing with knees to the body.
Fukuzawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
De Fran misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
De Fran prevents a body shot from Fukuzawa.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fukuzawa throws a punch but it's blocked by De Fran.
De Fran misses with a hook from the clinch.
De Fran using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fukuzawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fukuzawa.
De Fran swings away with an uppercut that misses.
De Fran swings away with an uppercut that misses.
De Fran controlling the action here for a moment.
Fukuzawa is trying to break the clinch but De Fran has him pressed against the cage.
De Fran tries to land knees in the clinch but Fukuzawa avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch on the inside from De Fran fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Fran is trying to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa trying to stall but De Fran improves his position.
Fukuzawa lands a left hand.
Fukuzawa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
De Fran prevents a body shot from Fukuzawa.
Andr De Fran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
De Fran fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
De Fran digs a right hand underneath Fukuzawa's ribcage. Fukuzawa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fukuzawa has a couple of punches blocked by De Fran.
De Fran blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Itagaki Fukuzawa seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fukuzawa pressing his opponent against the cage.
Fukuzawa looking to throw knees to the head but De Fran is blocking nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Fran pushes Fukuzawa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fukuzawa tries to break free but De Fran pushes him back against the cage.
Fukuzawa lands a knee to the head.
Fukuzawa connects with a knee to the head.
Fukuzawa slows down the pace here.
De Fran scores a nice knee to the body.
Fukuzawa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
De Fran stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
De Fran lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fukuzawa backwards.
Fukuzawa wants to stall.
De Fran pushes Fukuzawa back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
De Fran lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fukuzawa is trying to break the clinch but De Fran is controlling him.
De Fran is stalling here.
A short left from De Fran.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fran working Fukuzawa over with knees to the body.
Fukuzawa looking to throw knees to the head but De Fran is blocking nicely.
De Fran throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Fran comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
De Fran with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fukuzawa misses with a hook to the ribs.
De Fran misses with the head strike.
Fukuzawa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fukuzawa scores with a shoulder strike.
De Fran misses with a punch to the body.
De Fran misses with some punches.
De Fran digs a right hand underneath Fukuzawa's ribcage. Fukuzawa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fukuzawa has De Fran pushed against the cage.
Fukuzawa just leaning against De Fran, taking a breather.
De Fran looking to throw knees to the head but Fukuzawa is blocking nicely.
Fukuzawa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
De Fran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

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 Andr De Fran.
I think Fukuzawa 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Itagaki Fukuzawa!
Itagaki Fukuzawa was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.