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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Praying Mantis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikuo Hitigaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Praying Mantis has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 189 cm
22
195 lbs
7 - 6 - 0 |
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180 cm
26
187 lbs
4 - 3 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong |
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BJJ White Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Praying Mantis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ikuo Hitigaki!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mantis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mantis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mantis. Hitigaki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hitigaki has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Hitigaki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mantis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hitigaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Mantis circles away.
Hitigaki tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Mantis counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A big right from Mantis misses.
Mantis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hitigaki moves away.
Mantis seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mantis avoids a wild elbow strike from Hitigaki.
Hitigaki holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mantis misses with a punch to the body.
Mantis throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hitigaki blocks the elbow strike.
Hitigaki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantis creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hitigaki's defenses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mantis.
Mantis lands a nice uppercut.
Mantis throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mantis makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hitigaki struggles to land a body shot inside as Mantis controls his hands.
Mantis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mantis wants to clinch.
Mantis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mantis connects with a body shot that sends Hitigaki's belly button to the back.
Mantis lands a nice shot to the body.
Mantis clinches.
Mantis works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mantis wants to break the clinch but can't.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantis is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mantis gets through Hitigaki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mantis blocks an uppercut.
Mantis throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hitigaki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mantis is keeping busy.
Hitigaki blocking some punches.
Mantis is looking to break free of the clinch but Hitigaki has double underhooks.
Mantis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mantis misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mantis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mantis lands a jab to Hitigaki's midsection.
Mantis is looking to wear down Hitigaki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hitigaki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mantis digs a good hook to Hitigaki's body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mantis lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hitigaki backwards.
Mantis lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mantis lands with a right to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Hitigaki.
Mantis wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Mantis's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hitigaki throws a punch but it's blocked by Mantis.
Mantis throws an elbow but it misses.
Mantis scores with a nice hook to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mantis.
Mantis lands an elbow that stopped Hitigaki in his tracks for a moment.
Hitigaki is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantis misses with an elbow strike.
A head punch on the inside from Mantis fails to land.
Mantis tries to break the clinch but Hitigaki is controlling the position.
Mantis gets through Hitigaki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hitigaki slowing the pace effectively.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mantis creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mantis.
Nice elbow from Mantis.
Mantis lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hitigaki dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Mantis takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitigaki working aggressively here.
Mantis pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hitigaki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Praying Mantis dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Hitigaki wants to clinch up but Mantis keeps it at a distance.
Hitigaki wants to clinch up but Mantis keeps it at a distance.
Mantis looks to score with a jab to the body but Hitigaki is just out of range.
Mantis lands with an uppercut that bounces Hitigaki off the cage and back into range.
Ikuo Hitigaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hitigaki is looking to clinch but Mantis is avoiding it.
Mantis drives through and clinches with Hitigaki against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mantis throws an elbow but misses.
Hitigaki throws a head punch that misses.
Mantis lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hitigaki stalling in the clinch.
Mantis is trying to break the clinch but Hitigaki is controlling him.
Mantis throws a head punch that misses.
Mantis misses with an elbow over the top.
Mantis tries to work over Hitigaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mantis leaning against his opponent.
Mantis lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mantis swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitigaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantis has had enough of the clinch but Hitigaki keeps him there for the moment.
Hitigaki struggles to land a body shot inside as Mantis controls his hands.
Mantis misses with a punch to the body.
Mantis wants to break free but Hitigaki has control.
Hitigaki prevents a body shot from Mantis.
Hitigaki blocks an elbow strike from Mantis.
Mantis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Mantis.
Hitigaki missing with knees to the body.
Mantis is trying to break the clinch but Hitigaki is controlling him.
Hitigaki missing with knees to the body.
Hitigaki takes a shot to the head.
Hitigaki misses with a body punch.
Hitigaki takes an elbow to the forehead.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hitigaki.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki throws a punch but it's blocked by Mantis.
Mantis scores with a shot to the side of Hitigaki's head.
Mantis throws an elbow that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Mantis lands with a short shot to the head.
Hitigaki will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mantis up against the cage.
Hitigaki misses with a punch on the inside.
Mantis misses with an elbow strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mantis misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mantis gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mantis swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Praying Mantis has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mantis swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hitigaki looks to throw an elbow but misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki is looking to control Mantis's arms but Mantis gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hitigaki has his back to the cage.
Hitigaki avoids a wild elbow strike from Mantis.
Hitigaki is stalling here.
Mantis trying to control the position but instead, Hitigaki has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mantis into the cage.
Hitigaki throws a head punch that misses.
Mantis blocks an elbow strike from Hitigaki.
Hitigaki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mantis misses with a punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mantis just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hitigaki's brow.
A head punch on the inside from Mantis fails to land.
Hitigaki can't find room to land a body shot as Mantis controls the action.
Mantis scores with a shoulder strike.
Hitigaki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki tries to stall but Mantis uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mantis working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mantis can't find room to land a body shot as Hitigaki controls the action.
Hitigaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mantis tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hitigaki keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mantis's efforts to push away.
Mantis lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hitigaki trying to stall but Mantis improves his position.
Mantis working aggressively here.
A short right from Mantis.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitigaki blocking some punches.
Mantis is trying to force a seperation but Hitigaki has the dominant position.
Hitigaki blocking some punches.
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!
Mantis throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hitigakis head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Praying Mantis dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Hitigaki closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mantis counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hitigaki thinking.
Hitigaki dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mantis. That did some damage!
Mantis looks to land a right hand but Hitigaki moved out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Mantis.
Hitigaki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jab, jab by Mantis - just one landing.
Hitigaki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hitigaki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hitigaki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mantis tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hitigaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Mantis.
Mantis lands a really nice looking cross but Hitigaki seems unphased.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mantis misses with a two punch combination.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitigaki tries to clinch there but Mantis circles away.
Mantis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mantis closes the distance and clinches.
Mantis throws an elbow that misses.
Mantis blocking some punches.
Mantis trying to control the position but instead, Hitigaki has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mantis into the cage.
Mantis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hitigaki slips under a jab.
Mantis throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hitigaki on the side of the head.
Hitigaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Mantis circles away.
Mantis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A combination from Mantis does no damage.
Hitigaki instigates a clinch.
Praying Mantis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Mantis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitigaki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mantis looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hitigaki blocks the elbow strike.
Mantis wants to break free but Hitigaki has control.
Mantis being controlled against the cage.
Hitigaki takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hitigaki prevents a body shot from Mantis.
Mantis working hard to break the clinch.
Mantis throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hitigaki blocking some punches.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hitigaki stalling the fight.
Hitigaki takes an elbow to the forehead.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hitigaki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mantis's brow.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hitigaki has a couple of punches blocked by Mantis.
Mantis wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mantis swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitigaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mantis is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mantis has a couple of punches blocked by Hitigaki.
Hitigaki avoids the elbow strike from Mantis, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mantis.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Mantis working hard to break the clinch.
Hitigaki misses with a punch to the body.
Mantis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hitigaki has him pressed against the cage.
Mantis misses with a punch on the inside.
Hitigaki tries to land knees in the clinch but Mantis avoids the damage to the body.
Hitigaki wants to stall.
Hitigaki throws an elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitigaki keeps control of Mantis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hitigaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mantis lands an elbow inside that Hitigaki shrugs off.
Ikuo Hitigaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mantis lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hitigaki.
And that's the end of the fight!
Praying Mantis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mantis has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Praying Mantis!
Our winner, Praying Mantis, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
68% |
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