PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lee Christmas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyuzo Mifune (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lee Christmas has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Christmas
vs
Mifune

182 cm
26
222 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

167 cm
28
204 lbs
9 - 24 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lee Christmas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyuzo Mifune!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Left hook, right uppercut from Christmas.

Mifune gets a double leg takedown into Christmas's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mifune controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mifune looking to sit in guard and control but Christmas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Christmas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Christmas throws a big right hand that misses.
Christmas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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

Mifune has his foot on Christmas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Christmas works his way back into a safe position though.
Mifune avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Christmas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mifune is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Christmas throwing strikes from guard but Mifune blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Christmas stands up and waves to Mifune to follow him.
Mifune takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Christmas works over Mifune's head and body with a nice combination.
Mifune takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Christmas moves into the clinch.
Christmas is struggling to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mifune pulls guard.
Mifune looking to control.
Christmas trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mifune's guard.

Mifune had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Christmas defends it easily.

Christmas gets to his feet - Mifune follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christmas thows a body shot but no joy.

Christmas tries to keep at a distance but Mifune has taken the fight into the clinch.

Christmas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Christmas stuffs the takedown attempt from Mifune. Mifune gets slowly back to his feet.

Mifune shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Christmas's guard.
Mifune trying to control but Christmas is working from the bottom.
Mifune wants to pass the guard but Christmas is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mifune trying to control but Christmas is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kyuzo Mifune hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Christmas swings for the body but Mifune moves out of range.

Mifune closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Christmas did well to prevent Mifune getting side control.

Mifune is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Mifune seems to be working for a kimura but Christmas defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mifune is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mifune wants to pass to mount but Christmas is defending the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mifune is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kyuzo Mifune will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Christmas moves into the clinch.
Christmas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mifune blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Christmas fails to land.
Christmas throws a head punch that misses.
Christmas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Christmas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Christmas scores with a shot to the side of Mifune's head.
Christmas digs a right hand into Mifune's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mifune's gas tank.
Christmas working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Christmas fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christmas just leaning against Mifune, taking a breather.
Christmas struggles to land a body shot inside as Mifune controls his hands.
Mifune tries for a takedown. No joy.
Christmas struggles to land a body shot inside as Mifune controls his hands.
Christmas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Christmas can't find room to land a body shot as Mifune controls the action.
Mifune wants to take the fight to the mat but Christmas manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lee Christmas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyuzo Mifune.

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

Mifune closes the distance and pushes Christmas back into the cage.
A shot in the inside from Christmas.
Christmas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Christmas cracks Mifune with a nice body shot.
A short right from Christmas on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Christmas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Christmas scores with a nice hook to the head.

Christmas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Christmas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mifune is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mifune looks for a takedown but Christmas sprawls well.
Christmas cracks Mifune with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Christmas connects with a jab.
Christmas throws a sloppy head kick and Mifune moves out of range easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Christmas. Mifune shrugs it off though.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Christmas can't find room to land a body shot as Mifune controls the action.
Christmas lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christmas lands a shot to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Christmas.
Christmas works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Christmas misses with a hook to the ribs.

Christmas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Christmas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Christmas wants it to stay on the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Christmas there.
Christmas throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Kyuzo Mifune has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mifune steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Christmas. That one must have hurt.
Christmas throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Christmas.
Lee Christmas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Christmas lands a head kick. Mifune smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Christmas comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mifune takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Christmas lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Christmas is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Mifune takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Christmas lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Christmas lands a head kick. Mifune smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Christmas lands with a nice body punch.
Lee Christmas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Christmas moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nice straight punches there by Christmas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Christmas.
Christmas scores with a three punch combo!
Christmas lands a head shot.

Mifune is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Christmas throws a good cross that connects.
Mifune is still on wobbly legs! Can Christmas finish him?
Christmas is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Christmas misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Christmas dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kyuzo Mifune's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Christmas lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mifune seems to have recovered his senses.
Christmas lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Christmas scores with a punch to the head.
Christmas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mifune.
Mifune dives in and grabs Christmas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Christmas pushes down on Mifune's head and hops out.

Mifune drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mifune won't allow Christmas to sweep him here.
Christmas keeping full guard, as Mifune tries to pass.
Mifune wants to control from the top but Christmas keeps moving.
Mifune takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kyuzo Mifune has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mifune prevents Christmas from getting back to his feet.
Mifune wants to get up but he can't break Christmas's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kyuzo Mifune wasn't active enough on the ground.
Christmas throws a head kick that misses.
Christmas smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Christmas with a hook.
A decent looking cross lands there for Christmas.
Mifune keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mifune fails with the takedown.
Christmas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mifune can do to turn this around?
Christmas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mifune looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mifune shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lee Christmas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyuzo Mifune.
Christmas looks to land a combination but Mifune avoids it well.
Mifune on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Christmas lands a head shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Christmas!
Lee Christmas is winning the standup battle so far.
Christmas feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mifunes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mifune 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.
Christmas feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mifune's calf.
Christmas throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Christmas paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mifune takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Christmas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christmas pushes Mifune away with a front kick.
Christmas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mifune is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Christmas.
Nice straight punches there by Christmas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Christmas.
Mifune shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Christmas as he jumps to the side.
Christmas lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Lee Christmas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mifune takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Christmas throws a one two combo.
Mifune shoots in for a double leg but Christmas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sloppy strikes from Christmas. Those never looked like landing.
Christmas scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mifune throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Christmas's waist but Christmas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mifune off to one side.
Christmas scores with a head kick.
Christmas connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mifune. Mifune circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Christmas 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.
Christmas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mifune closes the distance and clinches up with Christmas, looking for a takedown. Mifune pushes Christmas against the cage but Christmas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Christmas cracks Mifune with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Christmas lands with a nice body punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mifune needs to keep his hands up - Christmas had a free shot at his head there.
Christmas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Christmas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lee Christmas showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Christmas 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lee Christmas!
A determined Lee Christmas didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!