PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyoji Kubota (ranked 4724 p4p, 216 weight class) and Zurab Koshadze (ranked 5621 p4p, 245 weight class). Kubota comes into the arena with Sweet Inspiration by Hiroshi Satoh blaring out of the sound system. Koshadze has chosen Hungry Like The Wolf as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kubota
vs
Koshadze

173 cm
26
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyoji Kubota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zurab Koshadze!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Steve Erwin and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kubota buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kubota uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Koshadze clinches with his opponent.
Kubota wants to break free but Koshadze has control.

Koshadze pulls guard successfully.
Koshadze seems keen to control Kubota's posture.
Koshadze working a defensive guard here.
Kubota wanted to stand there but Koshadze had control of the position.
Koshadze controls Kubota momentarily but Kubota frees himself.
Koshadze bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kubota's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubota is looking to stand up but Koshadze isn't so interested in that idea.
Kubota wants to sweep here but Koshadze controlling him for the moment.
Koshadze landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koshadze landing with the ground and pound.
Koshadze distracts Kubota with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Koshadze stops Kubota from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koshadze is looking to work some ground and pound but Kubota has wrist control.
Kubota has control of Koshadze's left arm, preventing Koshadze from doing any damage.
Kubota definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Koshadze scoring with punches to the head and body.
Koshadze stands up over Kubota, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Koshadze scoring with punches to the head and body.
Koshadze has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kubota trying to control the position here.
Koshadze throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kubota works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koshadze with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kubota keeping moving, preventing Koshadze from controlling successfully.
Kubota trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kubota has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Koshadze is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Kubota tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A shot in the inside from Kubota.
Koshadze drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kubota tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Koshadze avoids it.

Kubota breaks from the clinch.

Koshadze scores with a takedown into Kubota's guard.
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!
Koshadze with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Koshadze throwing strikes from guard but Kubota blocks nicely.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Koshadze throws a big right hand that misses.
Koshadze postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kubota working a defensive guard here.
Koshadze prevents Kubota from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koshadze lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Koshadze content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kubota trying to control the position.
Koshadze chips away with some ground and pound.
Koshadze looking to pass the guard.
Koshadze wants to control from the top but Kubota keeps moving.
Koshadze is working Kubota over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Kubota wriggles free and stands up.

Kubota gets caught flat footed, as Koshadze shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kubota is trying to keep Koshadze in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kubota utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kubota working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Koshadze.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kubota trying to control the position here.
Koshadze won't allow Kubota to get back to his feet.
Koshadze working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kubota's head.
Kubota is trying to control the position but Koshadze postures up.
Kubota keeping full guard, as Koshadze tries to pass.
Koshadze postures up and lands a big shot to Kubota's brow.

Kubota pushes Koshadze off and scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kubota lands a head kick. Koshadze smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Koshadze walks into a stiff left hand from Kubota.

Koshadze closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Kubota manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Koshadze keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zurab Koshadze will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Koshadze shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kubota trying to control from the bottom.
Koshadze lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Koshadze working the head and body with strikes.
Kubota wants to control but Koshadze is keeping busy.
Koshadze is nestled in close to Kubota, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Koshadze connects with a nice short shot to Kubota's temple.
Kubota tries to get to full guard but Koshadze has control of the leg.
Koshadze tries to stand and escape but Kubota is controlling the position.
Ground and pound from Koshadze.

Koshadze is looking for a kimura but Kubota is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Koshadze to get the leverage.
Koshadze is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Koshadze scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kubota trying to control here.
Kubota is trying to stand.
Koshadze slips a nice elbow through Kubota's hands, connecting with Kubota's forehead.
Koshadze is trying to control the action in half guard but Kubota is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kubota wants to get back to his feet.
Kubota is trying to get back to full guard.
Koshadze lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kubota is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Koshadze scores with a couple of nice shots.

Kubota manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Koshadze clinches.

Kubota breaks the clinch.

Koshadze shoots in and bounces Kubota off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kubota looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koshadze is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota trying to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Koshadze sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kubota's guard.
Koshadze not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Koshadze looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kubota has hold of Koshadze's hands but Koshadze slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kubota tries to kick Koshadze off but Koshadze keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Koshadze in particular looking to stall.
Kubota is trying to stand back up but Koshadze is controlling him
Koshadze lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kubota on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kubota pushes Koshadze off looking to stand but Koshadze dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koshadze looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kubota has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Koshadze is working away from the top position though.
Kubota looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kubota has hold of Koshadze's hands but Koshadze slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Koshadze scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Koshadze is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nice strikes from Koshadze there.
Koshadze working over Kubota with some ground and pound. Kubota looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kubota is trying to stand up here but Koshadze is controlling him well.
Koshadze wants to take a breather but Kubota is having none of it.
Kubota is trying to get back to full guard.
Koshadze stops Kubota from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kubota throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Koshadze is nestled in close to Kubota, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Koshadze lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nice strikes from Koshadze there.
Koshadze is thwarting Kubota's attempts to control the position.
Koshadze is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Kubota is rocked!
Koshadze has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Koshadze is looking to take a break and control but Kubota is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Koshadze winds up and cracks Kubota with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Koshadze prevents Kubota from standing back up.
Koshadze lands strikes from half guard.
Oh Kubota is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Koshadze working the head and body with strikes.
Koshadze drops an elbow to the side of Kubota's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zurab Koshadze showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Koshadze.
A jab from Kubota misses.

Koshadze clinches with his opponent.
Koshadze is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kubota pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Koshadze wants to take the fight to the mat but Kubota manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Koshadze has Kubota pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kubota manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kyoji Kubota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zurab Koshadze.
Koshadze has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kubota after a bit of a struggle.
Kubota is pressed up against the cage. Koshadze has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kubota down to the mat. Kubota avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Koshadze closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Koshadze lands in his opponent's guard.

Kubota pushes Koshadze off and gets back to his feet.
Kubota scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kubota seems to have got his legs back now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from Kubota.
Zurab Koshadze seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kubota scores with a nice body kick.
Kubota lands with a nice body punch.
Kubota throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Koshadze takes the fight into the clinch.
Koshadze has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kubota after a bit of a struggle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kubota breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kubota lands a nice looking body shot.
Kyoji Kubota is winning the standup battle so far.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kubota. That's going to slow Koshadze down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota works Koshadze's body with a nice hook.
Kubota scores with a body shot.
Koshadze tries to clinch up.
Kubota quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Kubota throws a nice looking combination but Koshadze bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Koshadze tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kubota swivels and escapes.
Kubota lands a head kick!

Koshadze gets a takedown into half guard.
Kubota keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kubota pushes Koshadze off looking to stand but Koshadze dives back in and keeps control.
Kubota is trying to get back to full guard.
Kubota on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Koshadze is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota wants to get back to his feet.

Kubota pushes Koshadze off and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koshadze tries to clinch up.
Koshadze tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kubota swivels and escapes.
Kubota scores with a kick to the midsection.
Kubota lands a head kick!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kubota. Koshadze does a little dance to reset his feet.
Koshadze tries to move into range but Kubota moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kubota moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kubota defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Koshadze.
Kubota scores with a head kick. Koshadze tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kubota misses with a body shot.

Koshadze shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kubota napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koshadze advances nicely into full mount.
Koshadze with the ground and pound from mount.
Kubota is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Koshadze dominating with strikes here.
Kubota wants to hold on but Koshadze pushes him away.
Koshadze landing punches.
Koshadze landing strikes from the mount and Kubota is in trouble!
Koshadze lands with some strikes.
Kubota wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Koshadze trying to control but Kubota is having none of it.
Koshadze looking to finish Kubota with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kubota!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kubota is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Kubota slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Zurab Koshadze has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koshadze is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kubota tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Kubota pushes Koshadze off looking to stand but Koshadze dives back in and keeps control.
Koshadze wants to take a breather but Kubota is having none of it.

Kubota makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kubota lands a body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koshadze.
Kubota misses with a wild body shot.
Kyoji Kubota is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kubota throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Koshadze throws a fast counter high kick but Kubota manages to duck under it in time.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kubota catches Koshadze with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kubota misses with a low kick.
Koshadze looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyoji Kubota showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Koshadze 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Zurab Koshadze!
After winning the bout, Zurab Koshadze thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Kyoji Kubota spoke after the fight, saying 'Zurab-kun wa doumo arigatou gozaimasu! Ganbatte!'.