PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kokkoro Kirin (ranked 559 p4p, 1773 weight class) and James Fury (ranked 75 p4p, 237 weight class). Fury is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Astronaut in the ocean. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kirin
vs
Fury

203 cm
24
275
8 - 1 - 0

200 cm
20
265
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kokkoro Kirin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Fury!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Hugh Johnson and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirin throws a body shot but no joy.
Fury throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Kirin misses the target.
Fury fails with a takedown attempt.
Kirin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Fury fails to land the takedown.

Fury scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Fury is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kirin has escaped the position, nice work there.

Fury is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kirin has escaped the position, nice work there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fury tries for a kimura but Kirin is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirin regains half guard there - taking advantage of Fury's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Fury is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kirin has managed to free his arm - good work.

Fury is working for a kimura but Kirin is defending it quite comfortably.

Fury is working for a submission of some sort.

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.

Fury is trying to work for a kimura but Kirin is defending well.

Fury wants to work for an arm triangle but Kirin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Fury wants to take a breather but Kirin is having none of it.
Kirin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fury on the ground.
Fury working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kirin's thigh. Kirin counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Fury wants to control from the top but Kirin keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fury passes Kirin's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fury is pressing down on Kirin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kirin is holding on for now.
Kirin is trying to stand.
Fury is trying to control. Kirin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fury trying to control from Kirin's half guard. Kirin has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Kirin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirin content to stall in guard here.
Fury controls Kirin momentarily but Kirin frees himself.
Fury being controlled here, momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Fury throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Fury will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kirin misses with a body shot.
Fury walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kirin scores with a hook to the body. Fury takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kirin 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.
Horrible takedown attempt by Fury or perhaps it was just good defense by Kirin, which made it look bad.
Kirin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fury doesn't seem bothered though.
Fury shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kirin as he avoids it easily.
Fury shoots for a double leg takedown but Kirin sprawls well. He's pushed Fury's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kokkoro Kirin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Fury.
Fury is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirin stuns Fury with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kirin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fury closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
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!
Kirin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fury was well out of range. Poor timing from Kirin.
Fury is breathing heavily.
Fury takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fury ducks right into an uppercut from Kirin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fury misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kirin cracks Fury with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Kirin has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Fury to stand back up!
Kirin cracks Fury on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Fury falls backwards against the cage. Kirin follows up with more strikes that drop Fury to his knees. Kirin keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Fury! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:23 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kokkoro Kirin!
Kokkoro Kirin retains his heavyweight title!
After the fight, Kokkoro Kirin was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.