PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kuroda Atsushi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fenton Meeks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fenton Meeks has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Atsushi
vs
Meeks

170 cm
29
159 lbs
27 - 9 - 1

171 cm
37
154 lbs
32 - 24 - 0

Great wrestler
Great low kicks
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kuroda Atsushi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Fenton Meeks!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atsushi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Meeks slips under a jab.
Atsushi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Meeks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Atsushi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Meeks throws a head kick but Atsushi moves out of range.
Atsushi tries to bum rush Meeks with a series of wild strikes but Meeks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Atsushi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Atsushi throws out a leg kick but Meeks moves out of range and Atsushi only half commits.
Atsushi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Atsushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Meeks misses with a straight left.
A good leg kick by Atsushi.
Meeks darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Meeks blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi connects with an inside leg kick.
Meeks keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Meeks throws a lazy right hand but Atsushi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Meeks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Meeks 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.
Jab from Atsushi.
Atsushi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Meeks tries to clinch but Atsushi moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Meeks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Atsushi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Meeks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Atsushi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Atsushi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meeks 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.
A slow jab from Meeks misses its intended target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Meeks on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Atsushi. Atsushi obviously looking to wear him down.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Atsushi.
We've been told by Atsushi's head coaches at Masaru Fighting Systems that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Atsushi.
Meeks moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Atsushi catches Meeks with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Meeks misses with a looping left.
Meeks misses with a straight left.
Meeks moves out of range as Atsushi throws a body kick.
Atsushi throws a jab but it's blocked by Meeks.
Atsushi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Atsushi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Meeks misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi looks to score with a jab to the body but Meeks is just out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Atsushi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Meeks has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Meeks and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Meeks misses with a straight right.
Atsushi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Atsushi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Atsushi cracks Meeks with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Meeks blocks a leg kick.
Atsushi lands a lovely overhand right.
Atsushi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Meeks throws out the jab.
Meeks works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Atsushi misses with a right hand
and Meeks counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A leg kick checked by Meeks.
Meeks checks the leg kick.
Meeks might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Meeks darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Meeks tests Atsushi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Atsushi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kuroda Atsushi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big left from Meeks misses.

Meeks closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Meeks has a couple of punches blocked by Atsushi.

Atsushi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Meeks can't fight it off and eventually Atsushi manages to take the fight to the floor. Meeks looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Atsushi trying to control but Meeks is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Meeks working a defensive guard here.
Atsushi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushi dominated that 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.

Meeks instigates a clinch.
Atsushi blocks an elbow strike.
Atsushi misses with a punch to the body.
Meeks lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Atsushi backwards.
Meeks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Meeks swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Meeks throws a head punch that misses.

Atsushi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Atsushi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Meeks was well out of range. Poor timing from Atsushi.
Atsushi slips under a jab.
Meeks moves in looking to clinch but Atsushi pushes him off.
Atsushi lands with a cross.

Atsushi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Meeks's guard.
Meeks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Meeks can do anything to dispel that myth.
Meeks being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi is looking to work some ground and pound but Meeks has wrist control.
Atsushi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atsushi is working Meeks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Atsushi 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.
Atsushi wants to control from the top but Meeks keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Atsushi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Meeks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Atsushi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Meeks trying to control the position here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Meeks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Atsushi is one step ahead there.
Meeks is trying to control the position but Atsushi postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi slips nicely into half guard.
Meeks has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Atsushi is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Meeks is pressing down on Atsushi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Atsushi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Meeks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Atsushi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Meeks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Atsushi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Atsushi wants to pass the guard but Meeks is keeping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atsushi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Meeks wants to stand and escape but Atsushi is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi looking to pass the guard.
Meeks keeping moving, preventing Atsushi from controlling successfully.
Atsushi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Meeks is keeping the position for now.
Meeks looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Atsushi misses the jab.
Kuroda Atsushi is winning the standup battle so far.
Atsushi throws out a loose jab but Meeks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Meeks connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meeks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Atsushi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Meeks.
Atsushi slips a jab from Meeks.
The crowd cheers as Atsushi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Meeks doesn't seem phased though.
Atsushi misses the shot to the body.
Atsushi throws a leg kick which misses Meeks's front leg but catches the back leg as Meeks tries to avoid it.
Atsushi lands with a nice body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atsushi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Meeks defends it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Meeks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Meeks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Atsushi.
Atsushi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Atsushi keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushi dominated that second round.
That's time! Atsushi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Thud! ouch! good body kick from Atsushi - that will leave a mark!
An inside leg kick lands from Atsushi.
Atsushi misses the shot to the body.
Meeks falls off balance throwing a combination

and Atsushi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Meeks's guard now.
Atsushi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Atsushi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Atsushi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Atsushi stopping the sweep attempt from Meeks.
Kuroda Atsushi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Meeks keeping moving, preventing Atsushi from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kuroda Atsushi.
Atsushi tries a low kick but Meeks avoids it.
Atsushi misses with a hook. Meeks ducked under it nicely.
Atsushi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Meeks's calf.
Atsushi dives in for a single leg takedown but Meeks sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Meeks has a couple of punches blocked by Atsushi.
Atsushi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Meeks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Atsushi breaks from the clinch.
Atsushi is looking to land body kicks.
Meeks lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Atsushi ducks under a wild hook from Meeks.
Atsushi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nice defenses there by Meeks.
Meeks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Meeks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Meeks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Atsushi.
Meeks bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Meeks has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Atsushi.
Atsushi misses with a straight left.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atsushi scores with a leg kick.
Atsushi ducks under a wild hook from Meeks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meeks rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Atsushi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Atsushi trying to control but Meeks is working from the bottom.
Meeks is trying to keep Atsushi in close.
Atsushi slips nicely into half guard.
Meeks is trying to control but can't.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Atsushi in particular looking to stall.
Meeks is looking to control Atsushi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Meeks avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Fenton Meeks.
Atsushi lands a high kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Atsushi walks into a stiff left hand from Meeks.
Meeks fails in his attempt to clinch.
Meeks tries to clinch up.
Atsushi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Atsushi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Meeks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kuroda Atsushi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Atsushi blocks a jab.
Atsushi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fenton Meeks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Meeks throws a jab but it's blocked by Atsushi.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Atsushi wants to slow Meeks down by chopping away at his legs.
Meeks ducks under a wild hook from Atsushi.
A big right from Meeks misses.
Atsushi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Meeks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kuroda Atsushi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Atsushi, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kuroda Atsushi!
During a confident post fight interview, Kuroda Atsushi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.