PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elmore James (ranked 381 p4p, 47 weight class) and Kagekatsu Uesugi (ranked 101 p4p, 13 weight class). James comes to the cage accompanied by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMfD2O9Gds. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

James
vs
Uesugi

172 cm
30
167 lbs
17 - 11 - 1

182 cm
30
166 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Condemned

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elmore James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kagekatsu Uesugi!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James throws a series of punches but Uesugi moves out of range.
James takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Uesugi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
James lands a glancing blow to the side of Uesugi's head.
Uesugi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between James's hands.
James blocks a jab.
A cross from Uesugi lands.
Uesugi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James throws a looping overhand right but Uesugi ducks down to avoid it.
Uesugi staying out of range there.
Good work by Uesugi as he checks the leg kick.
James misses with a looping left.
Uesugi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James misses with an uppercut.
It seemed like Uesugi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
James shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Uesugi pinned against the cage. Uesugi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Uesugi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Uesugi.
James tries to clinch there but Uesugi circles away.
Nice defenses there by James.
Uesugi scores with a shot to the body.
James tries to land a front kick but Uesugi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Uesugi misses the shot to the body.
Uesugi lands a body shot.
Kagekatsu Uesugi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James throws a series of punches but Uesugi avoids them all with ease.
Uesugi misses with a body shot.
James rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Uesugi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
James scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
James takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

James looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Uesugi manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. James keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Uesugi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Uesugi on the inside.
Uesugi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James misses with a punch on the inside.

Uesugi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Uesugi throws a hook to the side of James's head but James sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Uesugi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Uesugi throws a body shot but no joy.
Uesugi defending well as James loads up on a big left hand.
Uesugi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Uesugi throws a poor cross that misses
and James counters with a stiff right hand.
Uesugi throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big right from James misses.
Good shot there by Uesugi.
Uesugi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Uesugi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James lands a jab to the head.
Uesugi thuds his right hand into James's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Uesugi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.
James misses with a straight right.
Uesugi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Uesugi lands a nice hook to James's body. James takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Uesugi misses with a looping left.
Uesugi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Uesugi staying out of range there.
Uesugi dodges the punch combination from James.
James moves away from the strike by Uesugi.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheers as James lands an impressive looking overhand right. Uesugi doesn't seem phased though.
Uesugi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping James at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James looks to land a left hand but Uesugi moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
James walks into a jab.
A punch combination from Uesugi misses.
Uesugi looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
Uesugi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
Uesugi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
James uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Uesugi.
An attempted straight right counter from James misses the target.
James throws a low kick but it's checked well by Uesugi.
James gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Uesugi blocks a jab.
James tries to clinch up.
James lands with a hook. Uesugi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Uesugi thuds a left hand into James's body.
James moves in looking to clinch but Uesugi pushes him off.
Uesugi takes a swing at James's ribcage but misses.
A big right from Uesugi misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kagekatsu Uesugi dominated that round.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Uesugi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
James throws a right hand that misses
and Uesugi counters with a nice uppercut.

James closes the distance and clinches.
Uesugi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Uesugi misses with a hook to the ribs.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Uesugi.
Uesugi lands a body shot.
A short uppercut from James.
Uesugi stalling in the clinch.
Uesugi tries a body shot but James blocks it.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

James breaks from the clinch.
Uesugi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Uesugi in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Uesugi misses with a wild body shot.
As Uesugi looks to move away, James throws a big counter combo but Uesugi just gets out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Uesugi momentarily.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Uesugi moves away.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Uesugi.
Uesugi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Uesugi looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Uesugi scores with a jab to the head.
Kagekatsu Uesugi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James misses with a straight left.
Uesugi throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.
A shot to the body from James misses
and Uesugi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
James 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.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
Uesugi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Uesugi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Uesugi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
James swings for the body but Uesugi moves out of range.
James misses with a hook.
Nice defenses there by James.
James throws a shot from downtown. Uesugi moves away and avoids it.
James walks into a stiff left hand from Uesugi.
James misses with a leg kick
and Uesugi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Uesugi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi throws a hook to the side of James's head but James sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
James fires out a quick counter leg kick but Uesugi just manages to avoid it.
James 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.
Good work by Uesugi as he checks the leg kick.
James keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Uesugi dips to his left and cracks James with an uppercut!
James looks to throw the jab but Uesugi is out of range.
Uesugi connects with a right hand. James shakes it off.
James staying out of range there.
James is looking to counter punch.
James misses with a hook. Uesugi ducked under it nicely.
Uesugi lands a nice hook to James's body. James takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Uesugi jabs at James's body.
Uesugi tests James's chin there with a solid looking shot.
James uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Uesugi.
Uesugi connects with a crisp jab.
Uesugi throws a predictable looking body shot
and James cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Uesugi digs a good hook to James's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
James connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Uesugi momentarily.
Uesugi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from James.
Uesugi works the jab nicely.
Uesugi lands a jab to James's midsection.
James looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
James throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Uesugi throws a hook to the side of James's head but James sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
James throws a big shot that misses.
James with a nice cross.
James throws a combination. Uesugi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A jab from James misses.
James misses the shot to the body.
Uesugi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Uesugi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
Uesugi scores with a hook to the body. James takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of James 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Uesugi misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
James is looking to counter punch.
Uesugi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
A little jabbing left from Uesugi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Uesugi scores with a hook.
Uesugi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Uesugi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
James swings away with a leg kick that misses.
James scores with a sloppy right hand. Uesugi should have avoided that one.
James slips a jab from Uesugi.
Uesugi jabs at James's body.
Uesugi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Uesugi.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James shoots in and drives through. Uesugi sprawls well.
Uesugi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Uesugi scores with a hook to the body. James takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Uesugi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body punch from Uesugi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kagekatsu Uesugi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Uesugi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
James takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Uesugi avoids the body shot from James.
Uesugi moves out of range of the strikes.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Uesugi.
Uesugi lands a body shot.
Kagekatsu Uesugi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James misses the jab.
A left lands for Uesugi.
Uesugi fails to land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James moves in looking to clinch but Uesugi pushes him off.
Uesugi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
James uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Uesugi.
Nice defenses there by James.
Uesugi throws a shot from downtown. James moves away and avoids it.
Uesugi misses with a right hand
and James counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws out a loose jab but Uesugi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Uesugi lands with a shot to the body.
Uesugi looks to land a combination. James sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Uesugi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Uesugi connects with a crisp jab.
Uesugi moves out of range of the strikes.
Uesugi connects with a body shot.
James throws an off balance right hand
and Uesugi counters with a right hand to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for James.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
Uesugi looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.
Uesugi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between James's hands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Uesugi lands a nice looking body shot.
Uesugi throws a hook but James avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Uesugi takes one to the side of the head.
Uesugi throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Uesugi ducks right into an uppercut from James.
Uesugi lands a nice shot to the body.
Uesugi throws a one two combo.
James avoids the body shot from Uesugi.
Uesugi misses with a straight left.
James takes a jab right on the kisser.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice shot lands for Uesugi.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
James takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Elmore James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice uppercut there from Uesugi.
Uesugi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches James on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
James ducks right into an uppercut from Uesugi.
James throws a leg kick but Uesugi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Uesugi throws a good cross that connects.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
Kagekatsu Uesugi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A big left from James misses.
Uesugi has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Uesugi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Uesugi was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
James defending well as Uesugi loads up on a big left hand.
James scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Uesugi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from James.
Uesugi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Uesugi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Uesugi throws out the jab.
James connects with an inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Uesugi. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
Uesugi thuds a left hand into James's body.
Uesugi swings for the body but James moves out of range.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
James takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

James rushes Uesugi and presses him up against the cage.
Uesugi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Uesugi blocking some punches.
Uesugi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Uesugi.
Uesugi blocking some punches.
James throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kagekatsu Uesugi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Uesugi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kagekatsu Uesugi!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Kagekatsu Uesugi waved his t-shirt featuring HELLBENT's logo in front of the cameras.