PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vang Poulsen (ranked 1632 p4p, 175 weight class) and Yuki Shojo (ranked 2254 p4p, 227 weight class). Vang Poulsen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Yuki Shojo's chin.

Poulsen
vs
Shojo

162 cm
22
152 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

165 cm
26
155 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

RAGS of a RONIN
Dauntless

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vang Poulsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Shojo!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shojo looks for a takedown but Poulsen sprawls well.
Shojo misses with a two punch combination.
A jab lands there for Poulsen.
Shojo 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.
Shojo moves out of range as Poulsen strikes.
Poulsen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Poulsen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shojo.
Poulsen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Shojo moves in looking to clinch but Poulsen pushes him off.
Jab from Shojo.
Poulsen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Poulsen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Shojo misses with a low kick.
Poulsen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shojo appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Poulsen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shojo can pounce on him.
Shojo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Poulsen counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A low kick from Shojo is predictable there
and Poulsen counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Yuki Shojo has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shojo on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Shojo is rocked!
A looping hook to the body misses from Poulsen. Shojo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shojo is still on wobbly legs! Can Poulsen finish him?
Shojo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shojo seems to have recovered his senses.
Yuki Shojo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poulsen throws a hook but Shojo avoids it easily.
Shojo misses with a body shot
and Poulsen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Shojo.
Vang Poulsen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Poulsen lands with an uppercut that bounces Shojo off the cage and back into range.
Sloppy strikes from Shojo. Those never looked like landing.
Poulsen misses with a wild body shot.
A leg kick checked by Poulsen.
Poulsen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Shojo rushes Poulsen and presses him up against the cage.
Poulsen misses with a punch on the inside.
Shojo tries to throw a body punch but Poulsen avoids it by throwing Shojo back against the cage.
Poulsen takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Poulsen has a couple of punches blocked by Shojo.
Poulsen prevents a body shot from Shojo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo lands an uppercut.
Poulsen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shojo trying to land knees to the body.
Poulsen scores with a shoulder strike.
Shojo working Poulsen over with knees to the body.
Shojo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Shojo turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Shojo manages to end up in side control.
Poulsen is trying to improve his position.
Poulsen wants to control but Shojo postures up.
Poulsen is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Shojo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Poulsen keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shojo might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Poulsen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Shojo 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 Poulsen's shoulder. That is not cool.
Poulsen tries to improve position but can't.
Poulsen is not content to let Shojo control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shojo working away.
Shojo just content to control the position.
Shojo is looking to take a break and control but Poulsen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Poulsen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shojo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Shojo is looking to take a break and control but Poulsen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Poulsen punishes Shojo's body with a nice straight punch.
Poulsen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Shojo moves out of range as Poulsen strikes.
Shojo tries to clinch
and Poulsen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Poulsen takes a swing at Shojo's ribcage but misses.
Shojo wants to counter with a clinch but Poulsen pushes him away.
Shojo shoots in but Poulsen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shojo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Poulsen.
Shojo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Poulsen as he avoids it easily.
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 Vang Poulsen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yuki Shojo's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Shojo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Shojo lands with a kick to the ribs.
Poulsen throws an overhand right that lands on Shojo's shoulder, as Shojo tries to avoid the shot.
Poulsen misses with an uppercut. Shojo saw that one coming.
Vang Poulsen is winning the standup battle so far.
Shojo lands a nice looking body shot.
Shojo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Poulsen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Poulsen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Shojo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Poulsen thinking.
Yuki Shojo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Poulsen misses with a looping right.
Shojo throws a head kick that misses.
Poulsen looks to score with a jab to the body but Shojo is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poulsen misses with a right hand
and Shojo counters with a right hand to the body.

Shojo clinches.
Poulsen misses with some punches.
Shojo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Poulsen.
Poulsen tries a body shot but Shojo blocks it.
Shojo lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shojo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shojo tries to score a body lock takedown but Poulsen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Poulsen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Shojo misses with some punches.
Poulsen prevents a body shot from Shojo.
Shojo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shojo tries for a takedown but Poulsen manages to get underhooks.
Poulsen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shojo connects with a nasty looking knee right to Poulsen's face.
A nice right hand lands inside from Poulsen.
A left hand lands to the body for Shojo.
Shojo tries to land a knee to the head but Poulsen blocks with his arms.
Shojo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Poulsen prevents it.
Vang Poulsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuki Shojo.
A right hook to the body lands for Poulsen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo tries to throw a body punch but Poulsen avoids it by throwing Shojo back against the cage.
Shojo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Shojo missing with knees to the body.
Shojo can't find room to land a body shot as Poulsen controls the action.
Shojo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nice body punch from Poulsen - that landed with a thud.
Poulsen lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Poulsen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Poulsen struggles to land a body shot inside as Shojo controls his hands.
Poulsen is stalling here.
Poulsen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shojos head.
Shojo struggles to land a body shot inside as Poulsen controls his hands.
Shojo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shojo lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poulsen misses with the head strike.
Poulsen scores with a shot to the side of Shojo's head.
A right handed body shot lands from Poulsen.
Poulsen avoiding damage.
Poulsen avoiding damage.
Poulsen throws a punch but it's blocked by Shojo.
Shojo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Poulsen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shojo can't get the takedown.
Shojo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Poulsen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Poulsen lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Poulsen has a couple of punches blocked by Shojo.
Shojo takes a shot to the head.
Poulsen lands an uppercut.
Poulsen lands a nice uppercut.
Poulsen lands with a right to the head.
Poulsen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shojo tries a body shot but Poulsen blocks it.
Shojo misses with a knee strike.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Poulsen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Poulsen avoiding damage.
Shojo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Poulsen scores with a shoulder strike.
Poulsen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good body shot from Shojo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vang Poulsen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yuki Shojo's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Shojo slips under a jab.
Poulsen sets himself, and Shojo steps forward looking for the clinch! Poulsen avoids it this time.
Shojo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Poulsen scores with a sloppy right hand. Shojo should have avoided that one.
Shojo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Poulsen.
Shojo tries to close the distance and clinch but Poulsen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shojo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Poulsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Shojo.
Poulsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Poulsen connects with a right hand. Shojo shakes it off.
Shojo misses with a low kick.
Poulsen lands with an uppercut that bounces Shojo off the cage and back into range.
Shojo swings for the body but Poulsen moves out of range.
It looked like Poulsen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo lands a right hook to the body.
Shojo defending well as Poulsen loads up on a big left hand.
Poulsen takes a swing at Shojo's ribcage but misses.
Shojo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Poulsen misses.
Shojo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Poulsen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shojo blocks a jab.
Poulsen misses with a hook.
Shojo slips a jab from Poulsen.
Shojo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shojo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Poulsen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shojo.
Poulsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Shojo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shojo swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Poulsen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Poulsen misses with a straight left.
Poulsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Shojo slips a straight right by Poulsen.
Poulsen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shojo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Poulsen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shojo scrambles back to his feet.
Shojo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yuki Shojo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Poulsen misses.
Poulsen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shojo.
Poulsen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shojo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Poulsen throws a leg kick but Shojo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shojo scores with a hook to the body. Poulsen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Poulsen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Poulsen wants it to stay on the feet.
Poulsen missing with a left hand there. Shojo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shojo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shojo throws a hook but Poulsen blocks it.
Poulsen throws a looping overhand right but Shojo ducks down to avoid it.
Shojo looks to score with a jab to the body but Poulsen is just out of range.
It looked like Poulsen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Poulsen's corner calls for a 1-2. Poulsen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Poulsen scores with a hook to the body. Shojo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Poulsen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shojo can do to turn this around?
Shojo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Poulsen moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shojo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Poulsen.
Shojo slips under a jab.
Poulsen misses the jab.
Poulsen lands a jab to the head.
Poulsen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Shojo counters with a two punch combo.
Shojo misses the shot to the body.
Shojo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shojo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Poulsen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shojo doesn't seem phased though.
Shojo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Poulsen.
A nice side step and Shojo releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Shojo throws a leg kick but Poulsen checks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Poulsen misses the target.

Shojo pushes Poulsen up against the cage in a clinch.
Shojo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Poulsen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Poulsen stops a takedown attempt from Shojo.
Shojo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Poulsen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo tries for a takedown but Poulsen manages to get underhooks.
Vang Poulsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuki Shojo.
Poulsen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shojo backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Poulsen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Shojo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shojo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Poulsen misses with a punch on the inside.
Poulsen lands a body punch.
Poulsen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Poulsen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A shot in the inside from Poulsen.
Vang Poulsen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shojo digs a right hand underneath Poulsen's ribcage. Poulsen let out a lung full of air as it connected.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vang Poulsen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Poulsen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

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