PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Its Ono (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kobe Bryant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ono
vs
Bryant

187 cm
32
215 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

192 cm
29
204 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Its Ono!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kobe Bryant!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bryant takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ono on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bryant. Bryant obviously looking to wear him down.
Bryant looks to score with a jab to the body but Ono is just out of range.
Ono takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bryant looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bryant falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Ono counter with a right hand.
Ono takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ono slips a straight right by Bryant.
Ono blocks a jab.
Bryant checks the leg kick nicely there.
A punch combination from Bryant misses.
Bryant throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ono counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A jab from Ono does it's job there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bryant avoids a kick to the body.
Bryant throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ono throws a shot to the body.
Bryant fails with a takedown attempt.
Decent striking displayed by Bryant there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ono throws out the jab.
It seemed like Bryant was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ono misses the shot to the body.
Ono has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bryant.
Bryant misses with a body shot.
Ono throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bryant misses with a body kick.
Bryant attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ono jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Ono thuds his shin into the meat of Bryant's side.
Bryant keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ono tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ono misses the shot to the body.
Ono takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Bryant clinches up against the cage.
Bryant goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Bryant.
Bryant struggles to land a body shot inside as Ono controls his hands.
Bryant lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Bryant fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ono.
Ono misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ono swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ono makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ono working aggressively here.
Ono digs a right hand into Bryant's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bryant's gas tank.
Good body shot from Ono.
A short uppercut from Ono.
Bryant blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bryant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ono's elbow.
Ono tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bryant's elbow.
Ono fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ono tries a body shot but Bryant blocks it.
Bryant lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ono.
Bryant blocking some punches.
Ono has a couple of punches blocked by Bryant.
Bryant throws a punch but it's blocked by Ono.
Bryant can't find room to land a body shot as Ono controls the action.
Ono tries to work over Bryant's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ono misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ono.
A right hook to the body lands for Ono.
A head punch on the inside from Bryant fails to land.
Ono blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ono swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ono creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bryant blocks an uppercut.
Ono prevents a body shot from Bryant.
Bryant prevents a body shot from Ono.
Bryant prevents a body shot from Ono.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bryant.
Ono lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bryant blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ono tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bryant's elbow.
Bryant scores with a hook to the body.
Ono prevents a body shot from Bryant.
Bryant doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bryant struggles to land a body shot inside as Ono controls his hands.
Bryant lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ono backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ono.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ono tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bryant.
Bryant misses with a punch on the inside.
Bryant scores with a hook to the body.
Ono scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Bryant.
Bryant pushes Ono back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ono misses with some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ono.
A left hand lands to the body for Ono.
Bryant tries a body shot but Ono blocks it.
Bryant tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ono misses with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Bryant.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ono.
Bryant lands a shoulder strike.
Bryant lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ono misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ono swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ono swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bryant throws a punch but it's blocked by Ono.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Its Ono will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ono scores with a nice body kick.
Bryant throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bryant takes a swing at Ono's ribcage but misses.

Bryant drops Ono with a beautiful combination! Ono stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Bryant is looking for the KO!
Kobe Bryant seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bryant defending well as Ono loads up on a big left hand.
Bryant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ono throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ono looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Ono throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bryant is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ono misses with a straight left.
Bryant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ono moves away.
Bryant is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ono rather than just go for the knockout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ono swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bryant throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bryant lands with a nice body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bryant.
Bryant throws a right hand that Ono ducks under and follows up with a left that Ono also avoids with ease.
Bryant connects with a body shot that sends Ono's belly button to the back.
Ono works Bryant's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ono blocks a jab.
Ono blocks the body kick.
Bryant misses with a looping left.
Ono keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bryant takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Bryant staying out of range there.
Bryant with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ono throws a chopping leg kick but Bryant manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bryant moves away from the strike by Ono.
Ono lands a leg kick that knocks Bryant off balance momentarily.
Bryant tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ono was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bryant misses with a series of wild punches.
Bryant swings for the body but Ono moves out of range.
Ono throws a hook to the side of Bryant's head but Bryant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bryant appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bryant shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ono defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ono throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ono throws a leg kick which misses Bryant's front leg but catches the back leg as Bryant tries to avoid it.
Ono fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
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!
Ono on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bryant. Bryant obviously looking to wear him down.
Bryant misses with a body shot.
Bryant lands a leg kick that knocks Ono off balance momentarily.
Ono throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ono takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ono lands with an uppercut that bounces Bryant off the cage and back into range.
Bryant goes for a double leg but Ono avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ono continues to drive forward.
Bryant avoids a kick to the body.
Bryant moves out of range of the body kick.
Ono moves out of range of the strikes.
Ono takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ono lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant blocks a head kick by Ono.
A little jabbing left from Bryant on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bryant keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ono.
Ono takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ono on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bryant. Bryant obviously looking to wear him down.
Bryant with a nice cross.
Nice cross by Ono.
Ono throws a jab when Bryant was well out of range.
Ono avoids the body shot from Bryant.
A clash of legs there as Ono blocks the low kick.
Bryant takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bryant feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ono's calf.
Ono tries to land a front kick but Bryant steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ono connects with a jab.
Bryant takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bryant connects with a right hand. Ono shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ono moves away.
Ono lands a jab.
Ono chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bryant can pounce on him.
Ono throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bryant bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bryant blocks a jab.
Bryant drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ono tries a head kick but it misses.
Ono blocks a leg kick.
Ono takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ono throws a jab but it's blocked by Bryant.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ono misses with a lunging right hand
and Bryant counters with a nice uppercut.
Ono throws a looping overhand right but Bryant ducks down to avoid it.
Bryant walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ono.
Bryant defending well as Ono loads up on a big left hand.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bryant! But no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kobe Bryant will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Bryant misses with a body kick.
Bryant is looking to score with low kicks.
Bryant misses with a low kick as Ono jumps back.
Ono throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bryant throws an overhand right that lands on Ono's shoulder, as Ono tries to avoid the shot.
Ono throws a sloppy head kick and Bryant moves out of range easily.
A slow jab from Bryant misses its intended target.
Bryant stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bryant tried to score with a low kick but Ono checks it.
Ono ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bryant moves out of range as Ono throws a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bryant - that will leave a mark!
Ono is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bryant tries to clinch
enabling Ono to counter with a crisp jab.
Ono throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ono buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ono's sensitive parts.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bryant.
Bryant connects with an inside leg kick.
Bryant misses with a body kick.
Ono throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bryant.
Ono misses with a body kick.
Ono wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ono takes a swing at Bryant's ribcage but misses.
Bryant jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A quick step to the side and Ono tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bryant connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ono's hands.
Ono loads up on a big right hand but Bryant slips the punch.
Bryant throws out a loose jab but Ono uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ono throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bryant chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ono closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant throws a right hand that misses
and Ono counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ono looks to land a right hand but Bryant moved out of range.
Ono is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bryant.
Ono tests Bryant's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bryant throws an overhand right that lands on Ono's shoulder, as Ono tries to avoid the shot.
Ono throws a push kick but Bryant slaps the foot to one side.
Bryant slips a jab from Ono.
Ono throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bryant on the side of the head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ono 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 Bryant has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bryant and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bryant let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Ono misses with a hook. Bryant ducked under it nicely.
Bryant digs a good hook to Ono's body.
Bryant misses with a low kick as Ono jumps back.
Bryant throws a leg kick but Ono checks it.
Ono was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bryant looks to score with a jab to the body but Ono is just out of range.
Ono throws a quick counter kick to the body but Bryant avoids it.
Ono walks into a straight right hand from Bryant.
Bryant connects with a solid leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Bryant.
Ono throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Its Ono is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ono keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bryant fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ono manages to avoid it.
Bryant scores with a hook.
Ono scores with a jab. Bryant acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bryant misses with a hook
and Ono counters with a left to the body.
A jab from Bryant misses.
Bryant takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ono lands a head shot.
Bryant misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ono.
Bryant fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bryant cracks the inside of Ono's front leg.
Ono connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bryant's hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big left from Ono misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ono displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bryant throws out the jab.
Bryant lands a right hook to the body.
Ono avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bryant shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
An inside leg kick from Bryant misses.
Bryant misses with a looping right.
Bryant is looking to slow Ono down with leg kicks.
Bryant slips under a jab.
Ono throws a sloppy head kick and Bryant moves out of range easily.
Ono connects with an inside leg kick.
Ono throws a body shot but no joy.
Bryant wants to land a leg kick but Ono is out of range.
Ono was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bryant tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kobe Bryant.
I think Bryant 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Its Ono!
Its Ono spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.