PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James King (ranked 561 p4p, 936 weight class) and Renji Abarai (ranked 51 p4p, 86 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

King
vs
Abarai

170 cm
36
146
29 - 17 - 2

175 cm
30
150
19 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, James King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Renji Abarai!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King feints and then cracks Abarai's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Abarai down.
King blocks a head kick by Abarai.
Abarai slips a jab and a cross from King.
King scores with a kick to the body.
Abarai thumps King with a low kick.
King explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A telegraphed right hand from Abarai misses the target.
Nice cross by King.
King keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abarai throws a big shot that misses.
King misses with a looping left.
Abarai connects with a looping right hand.
King lands a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Abarai stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Abarai takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
King gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Abarai has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai walks into a straight right hand from King.
King misses with a body kick.
King scores with a shot to the body.
Abarai takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Abarai throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Abarai misses with an uppercut. King saw that one coming.
King lands a high kick!
Abarai misses with a hook.
Abarai takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Abarai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
King scores with the left hand. Abarai knows he should have avoided that one.
Abarai misses with a low kick.
King throwing a counter right hand but Abarai manages to avoid it.
King moves out of range of the strikes.
King jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
King misses with a straight right.
King backing away here, and Abarai unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abarai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
King throws a body kick that misses.
Abarai doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
King throws a low kick, looking for Abarai's leg but Abarai calmly moves out of range.
Abarai scores with a leg kick.
King throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Abarai.
King throws a series of punches but Abarai moves out of range.
King throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
King misses with a two punch combination.
King pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
King throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
King throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abarai appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
King misses with an uppercut
and King takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Abarai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but King moves away.
Abarai takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King misses with an uppercut. Abarai saw that one coming.
King misses with a hook
and Abarai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
King misses with a leg kick
and Abarai counters with a good low kick that King was not able to check.
Abarai throws out a loose jab but King uses good head movement to avoid it.
King throws a lazy uppercut
and Abarai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from King misses.
James King seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abarai moves out of range of the body kick.
King comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Abarai misses with a straight right.
King goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Abarai flicks out a counter leg kick but King steps away.
King cracks a nice hook into Abarai's ribs.
King misses with a body kick.
Abarai ducks under a wild hook from King.
Abarai shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King takes a swing at Abarai's ribcage but misses.
Abarai lands with a hook. King tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
King misses with a body shot.
Abarai thinks about the counter body kick.
A clash of legs there as King blocks the low kick.
A little feinted left hand from King on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from King.
Abarai checks the leg kick.
King connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
King throws a body punch but Abarai moves out of range.
King throws a body shot but no joy.
Abarai moves out of range as King throws a body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Abarai. That's going to slow King down.
Some bone on bone action there as Abarai checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
King throws a shot from downtown. Abarai moves away and avoids it.
Abarai misses with an uppercut. King saw that one coming.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James King dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A big left from Abarai misses.
King jabs Abarai to the body, keeping him at a distance.
King throws a jab when Abarai was well out of range.
We've been told by King's head coaches at Crapollas Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Abarai slips a jab and a cross from King.
King with a nice calf kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for King.
Abarai takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
King throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Abarai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
King shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
King buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Abarai.
Abarai looks to score with a jab to the body but King is just out of range.
Abarai misses with a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from King. Abarai does a little dance to reset his feet.
King wants to clinch up but Abarai keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Abarai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Abarai throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from King - that will leave a mark!
Abarai throws a big shot that misses.
King lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
King looks to score with a jab to the body but Abarai is just out of range.
King throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abarai appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
King misses with a straight right.
Abarai scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Abarai throws a hook but King blocks it.
Abarai has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from King.
Abarai drops his hands momentarily and King takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
No joy there for King, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
King backing away here, and Abarai unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Abarai throws a jab but it's blocked by King.
King is looking to land body kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King throws a sloppy head kick and Abarai moves out of range easily.
Abarai is clearly trying to counter these attacks from King with a body shot.
King keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
King on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Abarai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but King manages to avoid it.
King throwing a counter right hand but Abarai manages to avoid it.
Abarai looks to score with a jab to the body but King is just out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
King moves out of range as Abarai strikes.
King fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Abarai manages to avoid it.
Abarai checks a low kick from King.
Nice body punch from King.
The fighters circling - Abarai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
King throws an off balance right hand
and Abarai counters with a stiff right hand.
Abarai takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Abarai throws out a counter right but King avoids it with no problem.
King checks a leg kick nicely.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Abarai might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, King has got the better of the exchanges.
Abarai misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Abarai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from King.
It seemed like Abarai was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
King goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Abarai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Abarai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from King.
King throws a head kick that Abarai semi-blocks.
Abarai misses with an uppercut. King saw that one coming.
Abarai walks into a straight right hand from King.
Abarai looks to throw the jab but King is out of range.
King misses with a hook to the body
and Abarai counters with a lovely shot to the body.
King tries to land a front kick but Abarai steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Abarai slips a jab from King.
Jab from Abarai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King misses with a low kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts King, as that shot connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A swing and a miss from King.
Abarai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
King pushes Abarai away with a front kick.
King throws an off balance right hand
and Abarai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Abarai swings away with a body shot that misses
and King counters with a left to the body.
King rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Abarai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Abarai shapes to counter with a head kick.
King throws the left hand but Abarai avoids the punch easily.
James King is winning the standup battle so far.
Abarai swings away with a body shot that misses
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
King misses with a body kick.
Abarai throws a fast counter high kick but King manages to duck under it in time.
King looking to land some kicks to the body here.
King connects with an inside leg kick.
King fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Abarai manages to avoid it.
Abarai throws a leg kick
and King counters with a nice kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James King dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Abarai throws a hook but King avoids it easily.
Abarai defending well as King loads up on a big left hand.
King scores with a nice body kick.
King misses with a low kick.
King scores with a decent looking hook.
Abarai looks to land a body kick but King moved away.
That kick from King tenderised Abarai's leg. Abarai is trying to keep his angry face on.
King looks to land a body kick but Abarai moved away.
Abarai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Abarai slips a straight right by King.
Abarai takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King checks the leg kick nicely there.
Abarai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from King.
King is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Abarai can do to turn this around?
A slapping leg kick lands for King.
King bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
King swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King tries to bum rush Abarai with a series of wild strikes but Abarai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Abarai checks a low kick from King.
King takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A bone on bone clash there as Abarai blocks the leg kick.
Abarai misses with a left hand
and King counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
King throws a body punch but Abarai moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from King.
Abarai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but King moves away.
King throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Good work by King as he checks the leg kick.
Abarai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
King pulls out of a head kick attempt.
King throws a push kick but Abarai slaps the foot to one side.
Abarai throws a jab but it's blocked by King.
Renji Abarai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King fails with an attempt to clinch.
King defending well as Abarai loads up on a big left hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from King.
King uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Abarai has time to react.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abarai on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
King connects with a leg kick.

King has managed to clinch.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
King tries to land knees in the clinch but Abarai avoids the damage to the body.
King blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Abarai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as King controls his hands.
Abarai prevents a body shot from King.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai throws a head punch that misses.
Abarai misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Abarai as the two fighters clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Abarai creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Abarai lands a shot to the body.
King is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abarai is defending well for now.
Abarai on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with King's elbow.
Abarai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Abarai scores with a nice hook to the head.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abarai misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Abarai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Abarai.
King blocking some punches.
Abarai throws a punch but it's blocked by King.
A nice right hand lands inside from Abarai.
Abarai misses with a short punch on the inside.
Abarai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
King blocks a body shot from Abarai.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with King's elbow.
King blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
King using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Abarai misses with the head strike.
King blocks a body shot from Abarai.

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 James King.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for King, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James King!
James King made sure to mention his sponsor, HELLBENT in his post fight interview.