PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Kosugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cosmo Oarsman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kosugi
vs
Oarsman

188 cm
33
210 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

190 cm
30
222 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ichiro Kosugi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cosmo Oarsman!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kosugi dives in and grabs Oarsman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Oarsman pushes down on Kosugi's head and hops out.
Nice jab there from Kosugi.
Kosugi with a nice cross.
Kosugi lands a head shot.
Cosmo Oarsman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oarsman is looking to clinch.
Kosugi shoots in but Oarsman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Oarsman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kosugi misses with a two punch combination.
Oarsman throws a chopping leg kick but Kosugi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Oarsman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jab from Kosugi.

Kosugi rushes Oarsman and presses him up against the cage.
Oarsman with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Oarsman misses with an elbow strike.
Oarsman pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kosugi.
Oarsman told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oarsman lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kosugi backwards.
Kosugi takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Ichiro Kosugi has been cut.
Oarsman throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kosugi blocks it with crossed arms.
Oarsman struggles to land a body shot inside as Kosugi controls his hands.
Kosugi tries to pull guard but Oarsman forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kosugi avoids the elbow strike from Oarsman, against the cage.
Oarsman gets underhooks to prevent Kosugi's takedown attempt.
Kosugi avoiding damage as Oarsman throws knees to the body.
Kosugi fails to pull guard.
Oarsman unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Oarsman tries to work over Kosugi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A left hand lands to the body for Oarsman.
Oarsman misses with a body punch.
Kosugi tries to pull guard but Oarsman forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oarsman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kosugi.
Oarsman tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Oarsman tries to land knees in the clinch but Kosugi avoids the damage to the body.
Oarsman swings wildly with an uppercut but Kosugi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Oarsman tries a body shot but Kosugi blocks it.
Oarsman can't find room to land a body shot as Kosugi controls the action.
Oarsman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kosugi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Oarsman throws an elbow but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oarsman pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oarsman tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kosugi's elbow.
Oarsman creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kosugi tries to pull guard but Oarsman holds him up against the cage and eventually Kosugi drops back down to his feet.
Kosugi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Oarsman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Oarsman gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kosugi.
Kosugi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kosugi blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kosugi.
Oarsman lands a shoulder strike.
Oarsman working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Oarsman pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kosugi is trying to break the clinch but Oarsman is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi can't get the takedown.
Oarsman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kosugi tries to score a body lock takedown but Oarsman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kosugi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Oarsman stops a takedown attempt from Kosugi.
Kosugi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Kosugi gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Kosugi is looking for a kimura but Oarsman is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kosugi to get the leverage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oarsman is trying to stand back up but Kosugi is controlling him
Oarsman desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Kosugi has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cosmo Oarsman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ichiro Kosugi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kosugi shoots for a double leg takedown but Oarsman sprawls well. He's pushed Kosugi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ichiro Kosugi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Oarsman looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Oarsman avoids the head kick by Kosugi.
Oarsman tries to clinch but Kosugi is having none of it.

Kosugi gets a double leg takedown into Oarsman's guard.
Kosugi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kosugi stops Oarsman from standing up.
Kosugi trying to control the position from guard on top but Oarsman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kosugi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Oarsman keeping moving, preventing Kosugi from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi tries to free his leg and advance position but Oarsman is retaining full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Oarsman moves in looking to clinch but Kosugi pushes him off.

Kosugi gets a double leg takedown into Oarsman's guard.
Oarsman wants to stand up but Kosugi is controlling him.
Oarsman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kosugi.
Oarsman keeping moving, preventing Kosugi from controlling successfully.
Kosugi passes into half guard.

Kosugi seems to be working for a kimura but Oarsman defends the submission attempt.
We've been hearing good reports from Kosugi's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kosugi is working for a submission of some sort.

Kosugi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Oarsman sees it coming and defends easily.
Oarsman is staying active underneath Kosugi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Oarsman is looking to improve his position.

Oarsman kicks off Kosugi and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi shoots in for a takedown but Oarsman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kosugi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Oarsman as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kosugi fails with a takedown attempt.
Kosugi circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kosugi is defended easily by Oarsman.
Oarsman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kosugi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Oarsman sizes up Kosugi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Oarsman tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Kosugi shoots in and bounces Oarsman off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ichiro Kosugi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oarsman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Oarsman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kosugi controlling from the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kosugi postures up in Oarsman's guard and throws a big left but Oarsman blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ichiro Kosugi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ichiro Kosugi's cut.
That's time! Kosugi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Oarsman defending well as Kosugi loads up on a big left hand.
Oarsman tries to clinch but Kosugi moves out of range.
Kosugi tries to bum rush Oarsman with a series of wild strikes but Oarsman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Kosugi gets the takedown into side control.
Oarsman is trying to get back to half guard.
Kosugi cracks Oarsman with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Oarsman is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kosugi trying to control the position but Oarsman is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kosugi tries to advance to mount but can't.
Kosugi takes a little break here. Oarsman wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi cracks Oarsman with a big elbow.
Kosugi is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Oarsman's shoulder. That is not cool.
Oarsman wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Oarsman struggling a bit here.
Oarsman stops Kosugi from passing to mount.

Kosugi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Oarsman can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Oarsman sneaks back into half guard.

Kosugi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Oarsman wants to get back to his feet.
Kosugi wants to free his trapped foot but Oarsman is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kosugi stops Oarsman from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kosugi misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oarsman has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kosugi blocking some punches.
Kosugi blocks the elbow strike.
Kosugi wants to take the fight to the mat but Oarsman manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Oarsman working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Oarsman tries to land knees in the clinch but Kosugi avoids the damage to the body.
Oarsman throws an elbow but it misses.
Oarsman lands an elbow inside that Kosugi shrugs off.
Oarsman tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kosugi avoids it.
Oarsman tries to throw a body punch but Kosugi avoids it by throwing Oarsman back against the cage.
A short left from Oarsman.
Oarsman digs a right hand into Kosugi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kosugi's gas tank.
Oarsman misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Oarsman pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kosugi shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Oarsman clinches up against the cage.
Kosugi looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kosugi wants to take the fight to the mat but Oarsman manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cosmo Oarsman seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Oarsman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oarsman lands a damaging elbow.
Kosugi avoids the elbow strike from Oarsman, against the cage.
Oarsman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kosugi is defending well for now.
Oarsman scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kosugi avoids the elbow strike from Oarsman, against the cage.
Kosugi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Oarsman throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cosmo Oarsman really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ichiro Kosugi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Oarsman takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kosugi swats away the attempt to clinch by Oarsman.
Oarsman lands a front kick.
Kosugi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Oarsman tries to clinch there but Kosugi circles away.
Oarsman tries to clinch up.
Oarsman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kosugi dives in for a single leg takedown but Oarsman sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kosugi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Oarsman stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kosugi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Oarsman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kosugi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Oarsman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oarsman clinches up with Kosugi and pushes him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Oarsman.
Kosugi is looking for a takedown.
Oarsman looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Oarsman lands an elbow inside.
Kosugi tries to pull guard but Oarsman forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kosugi tries to stall but Oarsman uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kosugi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Oarsman gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Oarsman misses with a hook to the ribs.

Kosugi gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi won't allow Oarsman to get back to his feet.
Kosugi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kosugi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oarsman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Oarsman wants to stand but Kosugi is controlling the position.
Kosugi trying to control but Oarsman is working from the bottom.

Kosugi drops back looking for a leg! Oarsman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Oarsman manages to kick Kosugi off! Kosugi jumps back into Oarsman's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oarsman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kosugi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Oarsman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kosugi feinted with a counter takedown.
Kosugi misses with a few strikes there.

Oarsman pushes Kosugi up against the cage in a clinch.
Oarsman misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters up against the cage, Oarsman throws an elbow but misses.
Kosugi is trying to drag Oarsman to the mat but Oarsman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Oarsman gets through Kosugi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kosugi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Oarsman pushes off an throws an elbow but Kosugi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Oarsman pushes off an throws an elbow but Kosugi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oarsman tries to throw a body punch but Kosugi avoids it by throwing Oarsman back against the cage.
Kosugi prevents a body shot from Oarsman.
Oarsman softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Oarsman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kosugi blocks an elbow strike from Oarsman.
Kosugi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Oarsman gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kosugi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Oarsman prevents it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kosugi avoids a wild elbow strike from Oarsman.
Oarsman looking to throw knees to the head but Kosugi is blocking nicely.
Kosugi wants to take the fight to the mat but Oarsman manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cosmo Oarsman dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ichiro Kosugi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Oarsman takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The fight stays on the outside here - Oarsman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oarsman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kosugi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Oarsman is looking to clinch.
Kosugi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kosugi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Oarsman.
Kosugi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kosugi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kosugi keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Oarsman enables Kosugi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Oarsman manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Oarsman is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Oarsman trying to keep a closed guard but Kosugi is proving a slippery customer.
Kosugi advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oarsman is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kosugi connects with a decent elbow.
Kosugi wants to control for a moment but Oarsman uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Kosugi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kosugi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Oarsman keeps working.

Kosugi is working for a kimura but Oarsman is defending it quite comfortably.
Oarsman trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kosugi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Oarsman defending well though.
Oarsman is looking to control Kosugi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Oarsman avoid being mounted?
Kosugi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Oarsman's head.
Oarsman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kosugi is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Oarsman is trying to stand.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kosugi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Oarsman as he avoids it easily.
Kosugi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Oarsman sprawls well. Oarsman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kosugi gets slowly back to his feet.
Kosugi shoots in looking for a takedown. Oarsman tries to sprawl out of it but Kosugi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Oarsman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A little jabbing left from Oarsman on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Oarsman has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oarsman gets underhooks to prevent Kosugi's takedown attempt.
Oarsman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Ichiro Kosugi's cut is getting worse.

Kosugi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kosugi looks to land a combination but Oarsman avoids it well.
Kosugi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Oarsman closes the distance and clinches.
Oarsman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kosugi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Oarsman lands a hook to the side of the head.
Oarsman misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kosugi prevents a body shot from Oarsman.
Oarsman misses with the head strike.
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!
Oarsman misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ichiro Kosugi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Oarsman 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Cosmo Oarsman!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Cosmo Oarsman!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Cosmo Oarsman!

Cosmo Oarsman wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Cosmo Oarsman thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.