PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kendall Schrader (ranked 25026 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takanori Hori (ranked 5608 p4p, 0 weight class). Kendall Schrader has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Schrader
vs
Hori

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

182 cm
25
172 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kendall Schrader!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takanori Hori!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Steve Montenegro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Schrader moves into range and clinches up with Hori.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!
Hori wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Schrader breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hori slaps away a takedown attempt from Schrader, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hori throws a head kick that misses.
Hori looks to land a combination but Schrader avoids it well.
Hori pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Schrader swings for the body but Hori moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Schrader clinches with his opponent.
Hori is trying to force a seperation but Schrader has the dominant position.
Schrader leaning against his opponent.
Schrader is stalling here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hori is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hori is looking to break free of the clinch but Schrader has double underhooks.
Hori can't break the clinch.
Schrader prevents Hori from breaking the clinch.
Schrader fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Schrader lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hori backwards.

Hori breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takanori Hori is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schrader has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kendall Schrader. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hori connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schrader tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hori misses with a few strikes there.
Schrader wants to clinch up but Hori keeps it at a distance.
Hori misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Schrader shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Schrader avoids the head kick by Hori.
Hori throws a sloppy head kick and Schrader moves out of range easily.
Schrader will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hori throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Schrader's head.
Hori throws a sloppy head kick and Schrader moves out of range easily.

Schrader drives through and clinches with Hori against the cage.
Hori wants to get back to striking at distance but Schrader won't allow it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Schrader - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hori is trying to break free.
Schrader has Hori pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hori manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hori wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Schrader has him pressed against the cage.
Hori wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Schrader has him pressed against the cage.
Hori tries to break free but Schrader pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hori wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hori is trying to push Schrader away but Schrader has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Schrader jumps guard.

Hori gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Schrader thows a leg kick but Hori checks it
and Hori counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hori throws a head kick that misses
and Schrader counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Schrader takes a kick to the side of the head.
Schrader throws a head kick that misses
and Hori counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Schrader fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanori Hori dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Schrader wants to clinch up but Hori keeps it at a distance.
Hori throws a right hand that Schrader ducks under and follows up with a left that Schrader also avoids with ease.

Schrader clinches up against the cage.
Schrader goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hori prevents it.
Schrader has Hori pressed against the cage, preventing Hori from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Schrader manages to break the clinch.
Schrader showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hori.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Schrader misses
and Hori counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kendall Schrader is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Schrader gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schrader stalling the fight.

Hori escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hori throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Schrader's head.
Hori throws a head kick that half lands.

Schrader moves into the clinch.
Hori is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hori is trying to break the clinch but Schrader has him pressed against the cage.
Schrader is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Schrader pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hori throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Schrader rushes Hori and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schrader keeps control of Hori as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Schrader is looking to take this one to the mat.
Schrader keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hori's efforts to push away.
Hori is trying to break the clinch but Schrader has him pressed against the cage.

Schrader pulls guard effortlessly.
Hori has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Hori stands up from Schrader's guard - Hori perhaps looking for a knockout.
Schrader avoids the head kick by Hori.
Hori throws a series of punches but Schrader avoids them all with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hori throws a head kick but Schrader moves out of range.
Takanori Hori seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Schrader throws out a leg kick but Hori moves out of range and Schrader only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hori throws a head kick that misses.

Schrader closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Schrader keeps control of Hori as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Schrader keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hori's efforts to push away.
Schrader is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hori is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kendall Schrader. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hori tries to break the clinch but Schrader is controlling the position.
Hori tries to break the clinch but Schrader is controlling the position.
Our sources have told us that Schrader has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Schrader drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hori gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Schrader breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hori tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hori slips a jab and a cross from Schrader.
As Schrader backs off Hori throws a huge counter combo but Schrader manages to avoid it all.
Hori throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Schrader throws a head kick that misses.
Schrader fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Schrader backs off Hori throws a huge counter combo but Schrader manages to avoid it all.
Schrader tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hori swivels and escapes.
Hori lands with a slapping head kick.
Hori throws a head kick that misses.
Hori lands with a slapping head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hori tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanori Hori 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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Schrader moves into the clinch successfully.
Schrader prevents Hori from breaking the clinch.
Schrader has Hori pressed against the cage, preventing Hori from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hori wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Schrader jumps guard and drags Hori to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hori wants to stand and escape but instead Schrader has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Schrader stops Hori from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schrader wants to control from the top but Hori keeps moving.
Schrader is standing up over Hori. Hori looks to escape but Schrader dives into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Schrader working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schrader wants to control but Hori is keeping him busy.
Hori wants to get back to his feet but Schrader is dominant here and he's now got Hori's back!
Hori is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Schrader looking for the choke from the back.
Hori looking very determined here, making life difficult for Schrader.

Schrader looking for the RNC.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hori trying to get back to his feet but Schrader is in full control for now.
Hori prevents Schrader from getting a body triangle.
Hori wants to get back to his feet.

Schrader looking to break Hori's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hori remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Schrader will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Hori grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Hori is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Hori is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Schrader off. It looks like it's working - Schrader slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Hori displaying calm under pressure there.
Schrader fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schrader misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hori throws a head kick that half lands.
Schrader throws a body punch but Hori moves out of range.
Hori throws a counter combo.
Schrader takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Schrader closes the distance and clinches up with Hori, looking for a takedown. Schrader pushes Hori against the cage but Hori circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hori throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hori will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Schrader throws a big counter combination but Hori scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Hori misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Hori looks to move away, Schrader throws a big counter combo but Hori just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hori throws a sloppy head kick and Schrader moves out of range easily.

Schrader moves into the clinch.
Schrader is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kendall Schrader. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schrader prevents Hori from breaking the clinch.
Schrader looking for a takedown.
Schrader keeps control of Hori as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hori wants to get back to striking at distance but Schrader won't allow it.

Hori breaks from the clinch.
Schrader fails with the takedown.
Kendall Schrader has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takanori Hori is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hori throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kendall Schrader.
I think Hori 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takanori Hori!
An out of breath Takanori Hori thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.