PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jaxon Magrath (ranked 4826 p4p, 4827 weight class) and Fukuoka Soshitsu (ranked 546 p4p, 544 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Magrath
vs
Soshitsu

178 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
168
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jaxon Magrath!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fukuoka Soshitsu!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magrath throws a sloppy head kick and Soshitsu moves out of range easily.
Soshitsu closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Magrath has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Soshitsu tries to clinch up.
Magrath misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Soshitsu.
Soshitsu tries a head kick but it misses.
Soshitsu has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Magrath.
Soshitsu with a jab.

Magrath tries to keep at a distance but Soshitsu has taken the fight into the clinch.
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!
Soshitsu prevents a takedown attempt there.

Magrath gets control of Soshitsu's arms and successfully pulls guard. Magrath will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Magrath has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Soshitsu has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soshitsu tries to stand but Magrath is controlling his head.

Soshitsu swings around for an armbar but Magrath sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Soshitsu's guard.
Magrath throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Soshitsu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Soshitsu trying to keep a closed guard but Magrath is proving a slippery customer.
Magrath slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Soshitsu.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Soshitsu can do anything to dispel that myth.
Magrath is trying to control the action in half guard but Soshitsu is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Magrath trying to mount his opponent but Soshitsu defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magrath is just content to waste time from the top position. Soshitsu takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Magrath trying to control the position from guard on top but Soshitsu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Magrath wants to stand but Soshitsu has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Soshitsu working a defensive guard here.
Magrath not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Magrath throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magrath stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Soshitsu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Soshitsu seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Magrath forces his way into half guard.
Soshitsu wants to get back to full guard.
Magrath tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Soshitsu tries to get to full guard but Magrath has control of the leg.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Soshitsu drives through and clinches with Magrath against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Soshitsu - that landed with a thud.
Magrath tries for a takedown. No joy.
Magrath is trying to drag Soshitsu to the mat but Soshitsu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaxon Magrath. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soshitsu gets underhooks to prevent Magrath's takedown attempt.
Magrath is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Soshitsu to keep the fight standing.
Soshitsu jumps guard but Magrath turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Soshitsu digs a right hand underneath Magrath's ribcage. Magrath let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Soshitsu tries to pull guard but Magrath won't allow it.
Soshitsu looking for a takedown.
Magrath fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Soshitsu tries to clinch up.
Magrath throws a nice outside leg kick.
Magrath misses with a head kick.
Magrath lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Soshitsu throws a half hearted mid kick.
Soshitsu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Soshitsu shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Magrath eats them both and turns towards Soshitsu to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like Jaxon Magrath has been cut.

Magrath closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Magrath gets underhooks to prevent Soshitsu's takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soshitsu leaning against his opponent.
Magrath takes a shot to the head.
Soshitsu looking to stall.
Soshitsu jumps guard but Magrath turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Magrath jumps into guard, dragging Soshitsu to the mat.
Magrath trying to control the position.

Magrath has his foot on Soshitsu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Soshitsu works his way back into a safe position though.

Soshitsu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Magrath has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Soshitsu has managed to get both his arms back between Magrath's legs - danger averted.

Soshitsu drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Soshitsu jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Magrath keeping moving, preventing Soshitsu from controlling successfully.
Soshitsu might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Magrath haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Magrath is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Magrath looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Soshitsu puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Magrath tries to get to full guard but Soshitsu has control of the leg.
Magrath is not content to let Soshitsu control the position.
Soshitsu throwing shots but Magrath is blocking nicely.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Soshitsu is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Soshitsu tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Magrath just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Jaxon Magrath has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fukuoka Soshitsu.

Soshitsu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Soshitsu rushes Magrath and presses him up against the ropes.
Soshitsu's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Magrath is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Soshitsu gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Magrath jumps guard but Soshitsu stands there with Magrath around his waist. Magrath gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Soshitsu blocks an elbow strike from Magrath.
Magrath utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Soshitsu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Soshitsu drives through and clinches with Magrath against the ropes.
Magrath has Soshitsu pressed against the ropes.

Soshitsu manages to break the clinch.
Magrath tries to clinch up.
Soshitsu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fukuoka Soshitsu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Soshitsu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Soshitsu!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Magrath moves into the clinch.

Magrath lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Soshitsu tries to roll over but Magrath keeps him under control.
Soshitsu looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fukuoka Soshitsu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jaxon Magrath's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Soshitsu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Magrath avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Magrath misses with a head kick.

Magrath clinches up against the ropes.
Soshitsu keeps control of Magrath as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Magrath successfully pulls guard.
Magrath manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Soshitsu manages to get himself to full guard.

Magrath is pushing down on Soshitsu's leg trying to pass to half guard. Soshitsu is fighting to maintain full guard but Magrath has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magrath is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Magrath works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soshitsu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Soshitsu wants to hold on but Magrath pushes him away.
Magrath throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Jaxon Magrath overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Magrath trying to control but Soshitsu is having none of it.
Soshitsu can't escape the position.
Magrath trying to control but Soshitsu is having none of it.

That's two 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.
Soshitsu wants to hold on but Magrath pushes him away.
Soshitsu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Magrath tries to control but Soshitsu wriggling away.
Soshitsu keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Magrath content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soshitsu tries to hold on but Magrath postures up.
Soshitsu is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Magrath tries to control but Soshitsu wriggling away.
Soshitsu tries to hold on but Magrath postures up.
Soshitsu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Magrath cracks Soshitsu with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magrath lands a heavy elbow.
Magrath avoids the attempt from Soshitsu to control.
Magrath controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Magrath cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Magrath throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Soshitsu manages to control the position for a moment.
Jaxon Magrath has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fukuoka Soshitsu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Soshitsu is wriggling around trying to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jaxon Magrath showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Soshitsu 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!