PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Lionheart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lionheart has chosen Van Damme - Lion Heart (Final Fight) as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Higashikuni
vs
Lionheart

162 cm
27
146 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

160 cm
32
142 lbs
28 - 10 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Katsu Higashikuni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Richard Lionheart!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lionheart checks the leg kick.
Lionheart lands a jab to Higashikuni's midsection.
Lionheart listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lionheart lands with a good body shot.
Katsu Higashikuni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Higashikuni dives in and scores a takedown into Lionheart's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Higashikuni trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Lionheart is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Higashikuni defends well.
Higashikuni has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Lionheart is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lionheart tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Higashikuni wants to pass the guard but Lionheart is keeping the position.

Lionheart looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Higashikuni wants to control from the top but Lionheart keeps moving.

Higashikuni avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lionheart swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Higashikuni is in close to Lionheart's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lionheart working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni is working Lionheart over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Higashikuni wants to pass the guard but Lionheart is keeping the position.

Lionheart has his foot on Higashikuni's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Higashikuni works his way back into a safe position though.
Lionheart not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Higashikuni tries to free his leg and advance position but Lionheart is retaining full guard.
Higashikuni throwing strikes from guard but Lionheart blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Higashikuni working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lionheart can't keep his opponent in guard - Higashikuni advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lionheart is looking for a sweep. Higashikuni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Higashikuni frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Higashikuni working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
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!
Higashikuni with good strikes from the mount here!
Higashikuni has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lionheart's face.
Higashikuni is landing with some decent strikes but Lionheart is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Higashikuni cracks Lionheart with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Higashikuni lands with some strikes.
Lionheart tries to lock up and control but Higashikuni gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lionheart keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Higashikuni raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni lands with some strikes.
Lionheart keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Higashikuni pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Higashikuni lands a big shot there that rocks Lionheart but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Higashikuni lands with some strikes.

Lionheart is rocked!
Higashikuni looking to finish here with some ground and pound. He lands one big shot that has Lionheart covering up... and two more big strikes land, forcing the referee to step in and put and end to proceedings! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Katsu Higashikuni!
Katsu Higashikuni retains his bantamweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Katsu Higashikuni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.