PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shoichi Kosugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sancho Pancha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kosugi
vs
Pancha

187 cm
20
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
23
176 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shoichi Kosugi !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sancho Pancha!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kosugi tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Pancha counters with a leg kick then a big left hand that sends Kosugi down! Pancha is looking to finish but Kosugi is intelligently defending himself.

Kosugi is rocked!
Pancha pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kosugi is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pancha slips nicely into half guard.

Pancha is looking for a kimura but Kosugi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pancha to get the leverage.
Pancha is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Pancha is looking for a kimura here.
Pancha looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pancha trying to control from half guard but Kosugi is working away.
Pancha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kosugi 's head.

Pancha is working for a kimura but Kosugi is defending it quite comfortably.

Pancha is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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.
Pancha wants to pass to mount but Kosugi is defending the position.
Kosugi is concentrating on defense, preventing Pancha from advancing position.
Kosugi wants to get back to his feet.
Kosugi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kosugi tries to get out of the position.
Pancha throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pancha is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kosugi sees it coming and defends easily.

Pancha is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pancha trying to control the action but Kosugi is working from the bottom.

Pancha is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

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.

Kosugi is defending against the submission attempts here by Pancha.
Pancha thows a huge punch but Kosugi dodges it nicely.
Pancha throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sancho Pancha dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pancha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kosugi defends it nicely.
Shoichi Kosugi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kosugi lands with a nice body punch.
Kosugi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pancha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kosugi tries to clinch up.
Kosugi tries to clinch up

and Pancha holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kosugi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kosugi works on Pancha's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right from Kosugi on the inside.
Kosugi keeps control of Pancha as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pancha wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kosugi .
Kosugi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pancha takes a shot to the head.
Pancha wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kosugi has him pressed against the cage.
A short right from Kosugi .
A short body shot lands from Kosugi as the two fighters clinch.
Pancha is breathing heavily.
Kosugi presses Pancha against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Pancha stalling in the clinch but Kosugi improves position.
A short uppercut from Kosugi .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi lands a body punch.
Kosugi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pancha backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kosugi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Kosugi .
Kosugi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Panchas head.
Still in the clinch, Kosugi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kosugi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pancha or not.
Kosugi works on Pancha's body with a couple of short punches.
Kosugi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kosugi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kosugi lands with a light punch inside.
Kosugi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kosugi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kosugi .
Kosugi pushes Pancha back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kosugi lands a nice uppercut.
Kosugi presses Pancha against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kosugi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pancha or not.
Kosugi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kosugi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kosugi is working Pancha over against the cage.
A short right from Kosugi on the inside.
Kosugi pushes Pancha back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Kosugi as the two fighters clinch.
Kosugi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kosugi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kosugi lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pancha is trying to force a seperation but Kosugi has the dominant position.
A right hand to the body from Kosugi .
Kosugi lands a shoulder strike.
Pancha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kosugi .

Pancha pulls guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kosugi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Pancha is looking for a triangle but Kosugi pushes his legs off easily.

Pancha is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kosugi defends well.
Kosugi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pancha's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kosugi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pancha has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kosugi has managed to get both his arms back between Pancha's legs - danger averted.
Kosugi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pancha's guard.

Kosugi stands up from Pancha's guard - Kosugi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Pancha shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kosugi sprawls well. Kosugi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pancha gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A right hand to the body from Kosugi .
A right hand to the body from Pancha.
Kosugi scores with a shot to the side of Pancha's head.
Kosugi misses with some punches.
Pancha is trying to push Kosugi away but Kosugi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kosugi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kosugi pushes Pancha back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pancha tries to circle away but Kosugi has him pinned against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kosugi lands a shot to the body.
Good body shot from Kosugi .
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kosugi lands a nice uppercut.
Pancha takes a shot to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Pancha's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pancha tries to break free but Kosugi pushes him back against the cage.
Pancha wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kosugi has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shoichi Kosugi dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kosugi tries to clinch but Pancha moves out of range.
Kosugi tries to clinch up.
Kosugi darts in trying to clinch
enabling Pancha to counter with a crisp jab.
Kosugi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Pancha counters with a stiff right hand.

Kosugi clinches up against the cage.
Kosugi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pancha is trying to break the clinch but Kosugi is controlling him.
Good body shot from Kosugi .
Kosugi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pancha's efforts to push away.
Kosugi scores with a shoulder strike.
Kosugi lands with a short shot to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kosugi lands with a left to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Kosugi .
Kosugi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kosugi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Kosugi .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Pancha backwards.
Kosugi lands a body shot.
Pancha working hard to break the clinch.
Kosugi lands an uppercut.
Kosugi scores with a hook to the body.

Pancha pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kosugi tries to clinch up but Pancha circles away and keeps his distance.
Kosugi scores with a three punch combo!
Pancha keeps the fight on the outside.
Pancha lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Pancha tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kosugi swivels and escapes.
Kosugi tries to clinch but Pancha moves away
and Pancha counters with a series of strikes. Kosugi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kosugi tries to clinch but Pancha is having none of it.
Kosugi misses with a combination

and Pancha counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pancha.
Pancha trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosugi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pancha missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kosugi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Pancha on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pancha postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kosugi is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pancha, into his guard.
Kosugi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Pancha has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kosugi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Pancha is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Pancha working for a triangle but Kosugi defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pancha looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Pancha has his foot on Kosugi 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kosugi works his way back into a safe position though.
Kosugi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Pancha is proving hard to escape from.

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

Pancha looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kosugi has picked Pancha up and slammed him! Pancha can't keep hold of the triangle and Kosugi manages to pass to side control!

Kosugi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pancha has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kosugi tries to advance to mount but Pancha denies him.

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.

Kosugi decides to stand back up. Kosugi steps back and let's Pancha get back to his feet.
Pancha lands a two punch combo.
Good shot there by Pancha.
Shoichi Kosugi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kosugi moves into the clinch.
Kosugi scores with a shoulder strike.
Kosugi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kosugi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Kosugi .
Kosugi is leaning against Pancha and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Pancha can't break the clinch.
Pancha can't find room to land a body shot as Kosugi controls the action.
Kosugi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Pancha backwards.
Pancha tries to break free but Kosugi pushes him back against the cage.
Kosugi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Pancha wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

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 Shoichi Kosugi .
I think Kosugi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Shoichi Kosugi !