PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sendou Kitano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Diggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kitano's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Yoshida Brothers - Ibuki. Robert Diggs has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kitano
vs
Diggs

196 cm
23
252 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

190 cm
23
250 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Sendou Kitano!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Robert Diggs!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diggs tests Kitano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Diggs is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kitano.
Diggs avoids the head kick by Kitano.
Diggs looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kitano tries to clinch up
letting Diggs counter with a right hand.
Kitano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kitano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diggs doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Diggs misses with a body shot.
Diggs fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Diggs ducks under a wild hook from Kitano.
A big left from Diggs misses.
Kitano misses with a left hand
and Diggs connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Sendou Kitano has been cut.
Kitano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kitano.
A leg kick checked by Diggs.
Kitano has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Forest Hill Gym in the buildup to the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitano takes one to the side of the head.
Sendou Kitano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diggs moves in looking to clinch but Kitano pushes him off.
Kitano swings for the body but Diggs moves out of range.
Kitano throws a hook but Diggs blocks it.
Diggs tries to counter with a clinch but Kitano shakes him off and moves away.
Kitano swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Diggs moves into the clinch.
Kitano lands a good knee to the midsection. Diggs won't want to take too many of those.
Kitano lands a left hand.
Kitano lands a knee to the body.
Diggs looks winded!
Diggs blocks a body shot from Kitano.
Kitano avoiding damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diggs.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Diggs has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Diggs wants to stall.
Kitano misses with the head strike.
Kitano throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Kitano.
Diggs blocks a body shot from Kitano.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Diggs.
Kitano lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diggs lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kitano backwards.
Kitano has a couple of punches blocked by Diggs.
Diggs has Kitano pressed against the cage.
Kitano working aggressively here.
Kitano looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Diggs fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Diggs.
Diggs tries to throw a body punch but Kitano avoids it by throwing Diggs back against the cage.
Kitano lands a shoulder strike.
Diggs leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kitano has a couple of punches blocked by Diggs.
Diggs misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs misses with a body punch.
Diggs misses with a punch on the inside.
Diggs slows down the pace here.
Diggs goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Diggs tries to work over Kitano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diggs lands a shoulder strike.
Diggs struggles to land a body shot inside as Kitano controls his hands.
Diggs is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kitano is keeping busy.
Diggs scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Diggs lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kitano backwards.
Diggs lands with a left to the head.
Diggs stalling.
Diggs is trying to maintain a safe position but Kitano gets an underhook and turns Diggs into the cage.
Diggs presses Kitano against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Diggs blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Diggs gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Diggs is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitano wants to stand up but Diggs is controlling him.
Diggs wants to control from the top but Kitano keeps moving.
Kitano trying to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kitano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kitano looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diggs is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Robert Diggs will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sendou Kitano's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diggs scores with a hook to the body. Kitano takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kitano connects with an inside leg kick.
Diggs tries to clinch up.
Diggs looks to land a right hand but Kitano moved out of range.
Diggs misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Diggs takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kitano shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kitano throws a lazy uppercut
and Diggs counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kitano throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Diggs connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diggs throws a hook to the side of Kitano's head but Kitano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kitano throws a head kick that misses.
Nice straight punches there by Kitano. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kitano.
Diggs takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Kitano misses.
Kitano throws a low kick but Diggs moves out of range easily.
Kitano throws a lazy head kick
and Diggs counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kitano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kitano on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kitano feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Diggs's calf.
Diggs uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kitano.
Kitano goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Diggs ducks under a wild hook from Kitano.
Kitano tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Diggs is able to avoid easily.
Sendou Kitano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diggs misses with a straight right.
Jab from Diggs.

Sendou Kitano's cut is getting worse.
Diggs walks into a stiff left hand from Kitano.
Kitano misses with a lunging right hand
and Kitano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitano tests Diggs's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kitano throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Diggs on the side of the head.
Diggs avoids a kick to the body.
Kitano throws an overhand right that lands on Diggs's shoulder, as Diggs tries to avoid the shot.
Diggs doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sendou Kitano is winning the standup battle so far.
Kitano scores with a kick to the body.
No joy there for Diggs, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
It appears Kitano was looking to counter with a kick there.
Diggs defending well as Kitano loads up on a big left hand.
Kitano lands a nice shot that snaps Diggs's head back.
Kitano throws a poor cross that misses
and Diggs counters with a nice uppercut.
A jab from Diggs misses.
Diggs fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Diggs misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Diggs throws a body punch but Kitano moves out of range.
Diggs moves out of range of the body kick from Kitano.
Nice defenses there by Kitano.

Kitano moves into the clinch.

Kitano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kitano connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kitano throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Diggs on the side of the head.
Kitano misses with a low kick.
Kitano dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Diggs throws a looping overhand right but Kitano ducks down to avoid it.
Kitano takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kitano lands a front kick.
Kitano swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diggs moves away.
Kitano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Diggs.
A countering left hand to the body from Diggs misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diggs misses the shot to the body.
Kitano is looking to clinch.

Diggs clinches with his opponent.
Diggs lands a nice shot to the body.
Kitano is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Diggs is defending well for now.
Diggs lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kitano.
Diggs misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good body shot from Diggs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kitano's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Diggs lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Diggs.
Diggs effectively controlling the action here.
Diggs lands a body shot in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sendou Kitano will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sendou Kitano's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Diggs misses the shot to the body.
Jab, jab by Diggs - just one landing.
Diggs's corner calls for a 1-2. Diggs obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Diggs looks to land a right hand but Kitano moved out of range.
Kitano tries a head kick but it misses.
Diggs takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Diggs steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kitano.
Kitano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diggs.
Diggs takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diggs shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kitano is trying to defend but Diggs finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Kitano manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggs tries to clinch up.
Diggs throws a hook but Kitano avoids it easily.
A shot to the body from Kitano misses
and Diggs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kitano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Diggs throws a looping overhand right but Kitano ducks down to avoid it.
Kitano throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Diggs on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kitano wants to clinch up but Diggs keeps it at a distance.
Diggs looks to land a combination. Kitano sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Sendou Kitano's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Diggs scores with a jab to the head.

Kitano is rocked!
Kitano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diggs moves away.
Kitano throws a poor cross that misses
and Diggs cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Oh Kitano is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diggs digs a good hook to Kitano's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Diggs looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kitano looks to throw the jab but Diggs is out of range.
Kitano seems to have got his legs back now.
Diggs catches Kitano with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Diggs misses with an uppercut.
Diggs with a nice cross.
Kitano gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Diggs counters with a stiff right hand.

Jeez, Sendou Kitano's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Diggs scores with a punch to the head.
Kitano swats away the attempt to clinch by Diggs.
Kitano misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diggs misses with a looping left.
Kitano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diggs.
Diggs blocks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diggs on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kitano fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kitano throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Diggs on the side of the head.
Diggs thuds his right hand into Kitano's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kitano scores with the left hand. Diggs knows he should have avoided that one.
Kitano tests Diggs's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice defenses there by Kitano.
Kitano misses the shot to the body.
Kitano lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kitano steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diggs.
Kitano misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitano 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.
Diggs throws a hard body shot but it just 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!
Diggs lands a jab to Kitano's midsection.
Diggs throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kitano sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Diggs rushes Kitano and presses him up against the cage.
Diggs lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kitano backwards.
Diggs working aggressively here.
Diggs doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kitano looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kitano wants to stall.
Still in the clinch, Kitano scores with a nice short uppercut.
Diggs blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kitano tries to land knees in the clinch but Diggs avoids the damage to the body.
Diggs lands with a right to the head.
Kitano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kitano misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Robert Diggs just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Sendou Kitano's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kitano slips under a jab.
It looked like Kitano wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kitano is looking to chop away at Diggs's legs.
Diggs swings for the body but Kitano moves out of range.
Kitano pivots, looking for a leg kick but Diggs is out of range and Kitano settles back down.
Kitano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Diggs lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Diggs looks to score with a jab to the body but Kitano is just out of range.
Diggs looks to throw the jab but Kitano is out of range.
Kitano lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kitano throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitano misses with a body kick.
Kitano is looking to score with low kicks.
Diggs misses with a left hand
and Diggs takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kitano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diggs.
Kitano appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitano connects with a solid leg kick.
Kitano throws a right and a left that Diggs avoids nicely.
Diggs throws out a counter right but Kitano avoids it with no problem.
Kitano scores with a punch to the head.
Diggs wants to clinch up but Kitano keeps it at a distance.
Kitano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Diggs with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kitano chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kitano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diggs.
A swing and a miss from Kitano.
Diggs looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kitano tries to land a body kick
and Diggs counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kitano throws a hook to the side of Diggs's head but Diggs sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diggs looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kitano lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kitano attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitano throws a leg kick that misses.
Diggs moves out of range as Kitano throws a body kick.
Kitano fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Diggs checks it well.
Diggs just misses with a punch to the body.
Diggs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kitano is looking to counter the offense by Diggs and move into the clinch.
A jab from Diggs does it's job there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kitano slips a straight right by Diggs.
Diggs avoids the head kick by Kitano.
Diggs lands a jab to the nose.
Diggs moves out of range of the body kick.
A shot to the liver by Diggs. Beautiful body shot.
Kitano lands with a straight right. Diggs didn't see that one coming.
Kitano throws a right hand that misses
and Diggs counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitano connects with a right hand. Diggs shakes it off.
Kitano misses with a head kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kitano misses with the body kick
and Diggs counters with a nice uppercut.
Kitano connects with a crisp jab.
Diggs misses with the combination.
As Diggs backs away, Kitano returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kitano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kitano throws an overhand right that lands on Diggs's shoulder, as Diggs tries to avoid the shot.
Kitano connects with a body shot that sends Diggs's belly button to the back.
Diggs throws a jab but it's blocked by Kitano.
Kitano misses the jab.

Diggs bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diggs in side control, throwing shots but Kitano defends.
Kitano taking a bit of punishment here - Diggs scoring with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diggs working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Diggs looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kitano is avoiding damage well.
Diggs working away.
The strikes coming from Diggs are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kitano is trying to control Diggs's posture but Diggs avoids it.
Kitano is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Sendou Kitano will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sendou Kitano's cut.
That's time! Kitano's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kitano tries to land a front kick but Diggs steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kitano throws a right hand that misses
and Diggs cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kitano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diggs.
Diggs staying out of range there.
Diggs takes one to the chin there.

Diggs gets a clinch.
Kitano is trying to push Diggs away but Diggs has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kitano tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kitano working aggressively here.
Kitano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kitano trying to land knees to the body.
Diggs taking a breather.
Diggs lands a shoulder strike.
Robert Diggs seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggs lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kitano has a couple of punches blocked by Diggs.
Diggs avoiding damage as Kitano throws knees to the body.
Kitano misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kitano blocking some punches.
Kitano throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diggs blocks it with crossed arms.
Kitano misses with some punches.
Kitano misses with a hook to the ribs.
Diggs blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Diggs throws a head punch that misses.
Kitano throws a head punch that misses.
Diggs misses with some punches.
Kitano is trying to force a seperation but Diggs has the dominant position.
Kitano tries to land knees in the clinch but Diggs avoids the damage to the body.
A short left from Diggs.
Kitano is trying to break the clinch but Diggs is controlling him.
Diggs swings wildly with an uppercut but Kitano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diggs throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitano avoiding damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Diggs.
A head punch on the inside from Kitano fails to land.
Diggs's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kitano misses with a body punch.
Diggs lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kitano lands a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kitano can't find room to land a body shot as Diggs controls the action.
Kitano prevents the takedown attempt.
Kitano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Still in the clinch, Diggs scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right from Kitano.
Kitano wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Diggs has him pressed against the cage.
Kitano misses with some punches.
Diggs misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kitano stalling in the clinch but Diggs improves position.
A bit of stalling here from Kitano.
Kitano lands a body punch in the clinch.
Diggs is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kitano utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kitano lands with a left to the head.
Kitano lands a body shot in the clinch.
Diggs blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Diggs softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Diggs wants to stall.
Diggs can't get the takedown.
Kitano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kitano blocking some punches.
Diggs misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kitano blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kitano.
Diggs blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kitano scores with a shoulder strike.
Diggs misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kitano lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Diggs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kitano blocking some punches.
Kitano struggles to land a body shot inside as Diggs controls his hands.
Diggs working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Diggs is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kitano can't fight it off and eventually Diggs manages to take the fight to the floor. Kitano looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kitano trying to keep a closed guard but Diggs is proving a slippery customer.

Kitano scrambles and gets back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sendou Kitano showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kitano has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sendou Kitano!
Sendou Kitano retains his heavyweight title!
Post fight, an emotional Sendou Kitano said 'Diggs embarrassed me in our last meeting so I am happy to get this victory back. Thanks for the great fight'.