PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryu Inhanamoto (ranked 212 p4p, 398 weight class) and Dave Handerson (ranked 25 p4p, 51 weight class). Handerson has chosen America - A Horse With No Name as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be fireworks!

Inhanamoto
vs
Handerson

192 cm
23
265
9 - 1 - 0

198 cm
23
255
13 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Conviction
© Trap House

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 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryu Inhanamoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dave Handerson!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Handerson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Handerson shoots in looking for a takedown. Inhanamoto tries to sprawl out of it but Handerson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Inhanamoto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Inhanamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Handerson manages to avoid it.
Handerson goes for a double leg but Inhanamoto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Inhanamoto continues to drive forward.
Inhanamoto was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson staying out of range there.
Handerson fails with the takedown
and Inhanamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Dave Handerson has been cut.
Ryu Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto looks to land a left hand but Handerson moved out of range nicely.
Handerson goes for a double leg but Inhanamoto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Inhanamoto continues to drive forward.
Handerson staying out of range there.
Handerson moves out of range of the strikes.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Handerson shoots in looking for a takedown. Inhanamoto tries to sprawl out of it but Handerson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Inhanamoto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab from Inhanamoto misses.
Handerson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Handerson was well out of range. Poor timing from Inhanamoto.
Handerson looks for a takedown but Inhanamoto sprawls well.
Nice body punch from Inhanamoto.
Handerson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Handerson ducks under a wild hook from Inhanamoto.
Handerson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Handerson with the counter takedown but Inhanamoto avoids it easily.
Inhanamoto looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ryu Inhanamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto stuffs the takedown attempt from Handerson. Handerson gets slowly back to his feet.
Inhanamoto throwing a counter right hand but Handerson manages to avoid it.
No luck for Handerson with that takedown attempt.
Inhanamoto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Handerson moves out of range of the strikes.
Handerson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ryu Inhanamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Inhanamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Handerson was well out of range. Poor timing from Inhanamoto.
Handerson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Inhanamoto throws a hook but Handerson avoids it easily.
Handerson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.

That's four 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.
Inhanamoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Handerson moves away.
Inhanamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Handerson is just out of range.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Inhanamoto missing with a left hand there. Handerson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Inhanamoto as he avoids it easily.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Inhanamoto as he avoids it easily.
Handerson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Inhanamoto missing with a left hand there. Handerson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Inhanamoto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dave Handerson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Handerson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Inhanamoto.
Inhanamoto misses with a looping right.
Inhanamoto throws an overhand right that lands on Handerson's shoulder, as Handerson tries to avoid the shot.
Handerson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown but Inhanamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Inhanamoto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Handerson looks for a takedown but Inhanamoto sprawls well.
Inhanamoto is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inhanamoto thuds his right hand into Handerson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto throws a jab but it's blocked by Handerson.
And Handerson tries to counter it with a takedown but Inhanamoto pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Inhanamoto as he jumps to the side.
Ryu Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.
Handerson dives in and grabs Inhanamoto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Inhanamoto pushes down on Handerson's head and hops out.
Handerson defending well as Inhanamoto loads up on a big left hand.
A slow jab from Inhanamoto misses its intended target.
Horrible takedown attempt by Handerson or perhaps it was just good defense by Inhanamoto, which made it look bad.
A little feinted left hand from Inhanamoto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson shoots for a double leg takedown but Inhanamoto sprawls well. He's pushed Handerson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Inhanamoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Inhanamoto thuds a left hand into Handerson's body.
Handerson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Inhanamoto counters with a nice uppercut.
Ryu Inhanamoto is winning the standup battle so far.
Inhanamoto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Handerson.
Inhanamoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Handerson moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Handerson.
Handerson with the counter takedown but Inhanamoto avoids it easily.
Handerson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Inhanamoto avoids it really well and circles away.
Inhanamoto swings for the body but Handerson moves out of range.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Handerson might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Inhanamoto has got the better of the exchanges.
Inhanamoto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Handerson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Inhanamoto throws a predictable looking body shot

and Handerson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Inhanamoto!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Handerson tries for a kimura but Inhanamoto is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handerson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Handerson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Inhanamoto keeps working.
Handerson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Handerson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Handerson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Inhanamoto parries the strikes from Handerson easily there. Handerson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Inhanamoto to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Inhanamoto taking punishment in the form of punches.
Handerson advances to mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Handerson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Inhanamoto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dave Handerson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A looping hook to the body misses from Inhanamoto. Handerson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Inhanamoto with a hook.
Handerson moves out of range of the strikes.
Handerson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Handerson looks for a takedown but Inhanamoto sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson shoots for a takedown but Inhanamoto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Handerson shoots in looking for a takedown. Inhanamoto tries to sprawl out of it but Handerson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Inhanamoto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ryu Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handerson slips a straight right by Inhanamoto.
Handerson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Handerson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Handerson fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Handerson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The strikes coming from Handerson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Handerson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Inhanamoto sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Handerson swings around for an armbar but Inhanamoto sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Handerson's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Handerson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Inhanamoto doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Inhanamoto manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Inhanamoto sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Handerson is looking for a triangle but Inhanamoto pushes his legs off easily.
Inhanamoto is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Handerson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Inhanamoto puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Handerson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson working a defensive guard but Inhanamoto passes into half guard.
Inhanamoto prevents Handerson from improving his position.
Handerson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Inhanamoto is working away from the top position though.
Handerson wants to improve his position but Inhanamoto is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Inhanamoto looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Handerson wants to control but Inhanamoto is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Handerson actively working from the bottom here.
Handerson wants to get back to full guard.
Handerson trying to control here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Handerson wants to improve his position but Inhanamoto is controlling well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Inhanamoto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Handerson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Inhanamoto clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Dave Handerson's cut.
That's time! Inhanamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Inhanamoto throws a body shot but no joy.
Handerson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown but Inhanamoto shows good takedown defense.
Inhanamoto leaves Handerson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It looked like Inhanamoto wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Handerson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Inhanamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Handerson somewhat.
Ryu Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson slips under a jab.
And Handerson tries to counter it with a takedown but Inhanamoto pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handerson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Handerson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Handerson fails with the takedown
and Inhanamoto counters with a nice uppercut.
Handerson shoots for a takedown but Inhanamoto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Inhanamoto lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Handerson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Handerson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.
Handerson has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Inhanamoto. Handerson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Handerson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Inhanamoto swivels and escapes.
Handerson with a poor takedown
and Inhanamoto counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Handerson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Inhanamoto scores with a sloppy right hand. Handerson should have avoided that one.
Inhanamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Handerson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson fails to land the takedown.
Inhanamoto throws a jab when Handerson was well out of range.
And Handerson tries to counter it with a takedown but Inhanamoto pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Handerson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Inhanamoto looks to throw the jab but Handerson is out of range.
Handerson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Inhanamoto defends it well.
Handerson staying out of range there.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Inhanamoto misses the shot to the body.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Inhanamoto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Handerson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Inhanamoto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Handerson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Handerson fails to land the takedown.
Handerson walks into a stiff left hand from Inhanamoto.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Inhanamoto. Handerson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Handerson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Inhanamoto had his way with Dave Handerson in that round.
The cut man is working on Dave Handerson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Inhanamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Handerson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Inhanamoto counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Inhanamoto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Handerson can do to turn this around?
Inhanamoto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Handerson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Inhanamoto defends well and Handerson ends up having to push Inhanamoto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It looked like Inhanamoto was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Handerson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson tries for a takedown but Inhanamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ryu Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.
Handerson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Inhanamoto connects with the punch.
Handerson shoots in looking for a takedown but Inhanamoto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Handerson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
It looked like Inhanamoto was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Handerson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Inhanamoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Inhanamoto scores with a hook.
Inhanamoto throws a hook but Handerson blocks it.

Inhanamoto sends Handerson crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Inhanamoto is motioning to the referee to let Handerson up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Handerson shoots in for a takedown but Inhanamoto shows good takedown defense.
It looked like Inhanamoto wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Inhanamoto misses with an uppercut

and Handerson counters with a shoot takedown. Inhanamoto fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Handerson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Handerson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Inhanamoto is keeping the position for now.
Inhanamoto keeping moving, preventing Handerson from controlling successfully.
Inhanamoto being controlled here, momentarily.
Dave Handerson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Inhanamoto wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Inhanamoto keeping moving, preventing Handerson from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Handerson.
Handerson pushing down on Inhanamoto's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Handerson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Handerson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Handerson is trying to control. Inhanamoto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Handerson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Handerson wants to pass the guard but Inhanamoto is defending well.

Handerson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Inhanamoto sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Inhanamoto is looking to improve his position.

Handerson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Inhanamoto has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ryu Inhanamoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Handerson throws a strike but Inhanamoto avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Handerson throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Inhanamoto keeping moving, preventing Handerson from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Inhanamoto scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Inhanamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Inhanamoto, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 50:43
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 50:43
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryu Inhanamoto!
Ryu Inhanamoto retains his heavyweight title!
Our winner, Ryu Inhanamoto, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.