PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Billy Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itagaki Fukuzawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bishop kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Aggro?. Fukuzawa has chosen In Flames - Colony as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Bishop
vs
Fukuzawa

169 cm
38
141 lbs
29 - 13 - 1

170 cm
22
153 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
World class boxer
Granite chin

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q
Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $140

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Billy Bishop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Itagaki Fukuzawa!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop takes a swing at Fukuzawa's ribcage but misses.
Fukuzawa misses the jab.
Fukuzawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bishop swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fukuzawa moves away from the strike by Bishop.
Bishop throws out a leg kick but Fukuzawa moves out of range and Bishop only half commits.
Bishop connects with a leg kick. Fukuzawa looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bishop thows a body shot but no joy.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bishop crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Fukuzawa - the referee stops the clock and Bishop gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Fukuzawa. Bishop manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Bishop gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Fukuzawa on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fukuzawa wants to get back to full guard.
Fukuzawa is staying active underneath Bishop, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fukuzawa is controlling Bishop's trapped leg to prevent Bishop from advancing to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bishop working over Fukuzawa with some ground and pound. Fukuzawa looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fukuzawa has his hands clasped together around Bishop's back. He's all about the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukuzawa is trying to maintain the position but Bishop is very close to passing his half guard.
Fukuzawa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fukuzawa wants to control but Bishop is keeping busy.

Bishop is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bishop sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fukuzawa defending well though.
Bishop missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fukuzawa is trying to get back to full guard.
Bishop looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is looking to take a break and control but Fukuzawa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bishop wants to pass to mount but Fukuzawa is defending the position.
Fukuzawa regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fukuzawa looking to control.
Bishop pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fukuzawa is keeping the position for now.
Bishop throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fukuzawa wants to sweep but no luck.
Fukuzawa has control of Bishop's left arm, preventing Bishop from doing any damage.
Bishop with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fukuzawa pulls Bishop in to control the position.
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!
Fukuzawa looking to control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Itagaki Fukuzawa wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bishop throws a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fukuzawa defending well as Bishop loads up on a big left hand.
Bishop checks a leg kick.
Bishop misses with a looping right.
Bishop bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fukuzawa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bishop.
Bishop takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fukuzawa misses the shot to the body.
Bishop ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fukuzawa throws a hook to the side of Bishop's head but Bishop sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big right from Fukuzawa misses.
Fukuzawa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bishop manages to avoid it.
Bishop throws a hook but Fukuzawa blocks it.
Bishop throws a solid leg kick but Fukuzawa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bishop.
Nice shot by Bishop.
Fukuzawa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bishop.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop throws a low kick but it's checked well by Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bishop scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fukuzawa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bishop takes one to the chin there.
Bishop throws a low kick but Fukuzawa avoids it.
Bishop throws out a loose jab but Fukuzawa uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fukuzawa. That's going to slow Bishop down.
Fukuzawa misses with a hook. Bishop ducked under it nicely.
Fukuzawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bishop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bishop throws a leg kick that is checked
and Fukuzawa counters with a slapping leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bishop throws the left hand but Fukuzawa avoids the punch easily.
Nice straight punches there by Fukuzawa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Fukuzawa.

Bishop shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fukuzawa is trying to defend but Bishop finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Billy Bishop will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fukuzawa throws a hook but Bishop avoids it easily.
Fukuzawa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bishop.
Bishop lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fukuzawa's sensitive parts.
Fukuzawa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bishop misses with a looping right.
Fukuzawa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fukuzawa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fukuzawa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A big left from Fukuzawa misses.

Bishop closes the distance and clinches.
Bishop is trying to pull guard but Fukuzawa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Bishop prevents a body shot from Fukuzawa.
Bishop is working for takedown but Fukuzawa is calmly controlling the position for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bishop.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Bishop's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bishop is trying to pull guard but Fukuzawa has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Billy Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bishop on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fukuzawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fukuzawa working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bishop working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fukuzawa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fukuzawa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bishop slowing the pace effectively.
Fukuzawa lands a body shot in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bishop throws a head punch that misses.
Bishop tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fukuzawa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fukuzawa.

Bishop ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bishop no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bishop has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fukuzawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fukuzawa trying to control but Bishop is working from the bottom.
Fukuzawa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fukuzawa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bishop is proving hard to escape from.
Fukuzawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bishop preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fukuzawa lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Bishop escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fukuzawa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fukuzawa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Bishop is looking for a triangle but Fukuzawa pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bishop had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fukuzawa defends it easily.
Fukuzawa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fukuzawa with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fukuzawa postures up in Bishop's guard and throws a big left but Bishop blocks it.
Bishop not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fukuzawa distracts Bishop with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fukuzawa trying to control but Bishop is working from the bottom.

Bishop has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fukuzawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fukuzawa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop keeping moving, preventing Fukuzawa from controlling successfully.
Bishop 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.
Fukuzawa postures up in Bishop's guard and throws a big left but Bishop blocks it.
Bishop working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fukuzawa.

Bishop throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fukuzawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fukuzawa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fukuzawa throwing shots but Bishop is blocking nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fukuzawa lands a nice short elbow.
Bishop is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itagaki Fukuzawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Bishop's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fukuzawa scores with a hook to the body. Bishop takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bishop throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A left lands for Bishop.
Bishop takes a swing at Fukuzawa's ribcage but misses.
Bishop swings for the body but Fukuzawa moves out of range.
Fukuzawa throws a head kick but Bishop moves out of range.
Bishop throws a big shot that misses.
Bishop throws a low kick but Fukuzawa moves out of range easily.
Fukuzawa digs a good hook to Bishop's body.
Fukuzawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bishop moves away.
Bishop changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fukuzawa tries to avoid it but Bishop manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fukuzawa to the ground. Fukuzawa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bishop throws a body kick that misses.
Bishop sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Fukuzawa thuds a left hand into Bishop's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukuzawa throws a low kick but Bishop avoids it.
Bishop misses with a body shot.
Good exchange - Fukuzawa coming out on top.
Fukuzawa missing with a left hand there. Bishop was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fukuzawa throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bishop throws out a loose jab but Fukuzawa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fukuzawa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bishop throws a hook to the side of Fukuzawa's head but Fukuzawa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Itagaki Fukuzawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bishop blocks a jab.
That kick from Fukuzawa tenderised Bishop's leg. Bishop is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fukuzawa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bishop takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bishop throws a lazy right hand but Fukuzawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fukuzawa looks to score with a jab to the body but Bishop is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Fukuzawa as he connects with a hook.
Bishop moves forwards but Fukuzawa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
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!
Bishop lands a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fukuzawa.
Bishop finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Bishop is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fukuzawa's half guard.
Fukuzawa holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Fukuzawa is trying to maintain the position but Bishop is very close to passing his half guard.
Billy Bishop overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bishop thows a huge punch but Fukuzawa dodges it nicely.

Fukuzawa is defending against the submission attempts here by Bishop.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop thows a huge punch but Fukuzawa dodges it nicely.
Fukuzawa wants to get back to full guard.
Fukuzawa trying to control but Bishop postures up.
Fukuzawa gets back to full guard.
Bishop stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fukuzawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fukuzawa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukuzawa looking to control.
Bishop stopping the sweep attempt from Fukuzawa.
Fukuzawa trying to keep a closed guard but Bishop is proving a slippery customer.
Bishop trying to control but Fukuzawa is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bishop wants to pass the guard but Fukuzawa is keeping the position.
Bishop is in close to Fukuzawa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bishop trying to control the position from guard on top but Fukuzawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fukuzawa wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Itagaki Fukuzawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fukuzawa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Itagaki Fukuzawa!
Itagaki Fukuzawa decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.