PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hajime No Ippo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Sai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). No Ippo's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Hajime Theme. This should be a great matchup!

No Ippo
vs
Sai

165 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

165 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 8 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hajime No Ippo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Sai!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No Ippo looks to land a combination but Sai avoids it well.
No Ippo misses with a series of wild punches.
No Ippo definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
No Ippo swinging wildly here.
Sai closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A punch combination from No Ippo misses.
A big right from No Ippo misses.
No Ippo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by No Ippo.

It looks like Joe Sai has been cut.

Sai shoots in and bounces No Ippo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No Ippo keeping moving, preventing Sai from controlling successfully.

No Ippo has his feet on Sai's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Sai fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but No Ippo avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No Ippo throws a right and a left that Sai avoids nicely.

Sai gets a clinch.
No Ippo has had enough of the clinch but Sai keeps him there for the moment.
Sai leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sai will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning No Ippo up against the cage.
No Ippo being controlled against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on No Ippo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sai pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sai keeps control of No Ippo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sai manages to break the clinch.
Sai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice jab there from No Ippo.
Sai tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but No Ippo swivels and escapes.
No Ippo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No Ippo looks to land a combination. Sai sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A shot to the liver by No Ippo. Beautiful body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sai moves into the clinch successfully.

Sai breaks the clinch.
No Ippo connects with a right hand. Sai shakes it off.
No Ippo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hajime No Ippo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sai avoids the body shot from No Ippo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No Ippo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sai dodges the punch combination from No Ippo.
A punch combination from No Ippo misses.
And Sai tries to counter it with a takedown but No Ippo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
No Ippo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sai manages to avoid it.

Sai gets a clinch.
Sai looking for a takedown.
Hajime No Ippo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sai.
No Ippo wants to break free but Sai has control.
Sai connects with a knee to the head.
No Ippo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sai tries to pull guard but No Ippo holds him up against the cage and eventually Sai drops back down to his feet.
No Ippo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
No Ippo is trying to break the clinch but Sai is controlling him.
No Ippo stops a takedown attempt from Sai.
No Ippo wants to break free but Sai has control.
No Ippo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No Ippo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but No Ippo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
No Ippo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
No Ippo working hard to break the clinch.
No Ippo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sai is looking for a takedown.
No Ippo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
No Ippo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Sai manages to pull guard.

No Ippo gets to his feet. Sai looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
No Ippo slaps away a takedown attempt from Sai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sai takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some wild striking there from No Ippo.
No Ippo sets himself, and Sai steps forward looking for the clinch! No Ippo avoids it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hajime No Ippo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Sai's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No Ippo fails to land with a series of punches.
Hajime No Ippo is winning the standup battle so far.
No Ippo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No Ippo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
No Ippo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sai on the side of the head.
No Ippo leaves Sai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A combination from No Ippo does no damage.
Sai takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sai goes for a double leg but No Ippo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as No Ippo continues to drive forward.
No Ippo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No Ippo stuffs the takedown attempt from Sai. Sai gets slowly back to his feet.
Hajime No Ippo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sai.
No Ippo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
No Ippo misses with a two punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No Ippo's corner calls for a 1-2. No Ippo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No Ippo swats away the attempt to clinch by Sai.
No Ippo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sai looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sai connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
No Ippo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as No Ippo throws out the jab.
No Ippo lands with a straight right. Sai didn't see that one coming.
No Ippo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sai takes one on the chin but seems OK.
No Ippo tries to bum rush Sai with a series of wild strikes but Sai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No Ippo feints a jab promting Sai to slip. No Ippo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sai slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sloppy strikes from No Ippo. Those never looked like landing.
Hajime No Ippo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No Ippo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A combination from No Ippo does no damage.
Hajime No Ippo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No Ippo scores with a sloppy right hand. Sai should have avoided that one.

Sai closes the distance and clinches.
Sai looking to stall.
No Ippo is trying to force a seperation but Sai has the dominant position.
No Ippo tries to break the clinch but Sai is controlling the position.
No Ippo wants to break the clinch but can't.
No Ippo is looking to break free of the clinch but Sai has double underhooks.
Sai prevents No Ippo from breaking the clinch.
Sai leaning against his opponent.
No Ippo working hard to break the clinch.
No Ippo tries to break the clinch but Sai is controlling the position.
Sai keeps control of No Ippo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
No Ippo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
No Ippo letting Sai take a breather here.
Sai tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. No Ippo just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sai breaks the clinch.
No Ippo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sai can do to turn this around?
No Ippo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab lands there for No Ippo.
A combination from No Ippo does no damage.
Sai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but No Ippo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sai has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sai there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sai closes this distance looking for a takedown but No Ippo circles away.
Sai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No Ippo misses with a few strikes there.
No Ippo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sai tries to clinch but No Ippo is having none of it.
No Ippo misses with a few strikes there.
No Ippo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sai counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
No Ippo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
No Ippo wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No Ippo is trying to push Sai away but Sai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Sai breaks the clinch.
No Ippo throws a right hand that Sai ducks under and follows up with a left that Sai also avoids with ease.
And Sai tries to counter it with a takedown but No Ippo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No Ippo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sai circles away quickly and effectively.
No Ippo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No Ippo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
No Ippo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
No Ippo throws an off balance right hand

and Sai holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
No Ippo has had enough of the clinch but Sai keeps him there for the moment.
Sai controlling the action here for a moment.
Sai is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
No Ippo wants to break free but Sai has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hajime No Ippo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Sai's cut.
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!

Sai clinches with his opponent.
Sai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but No Ippo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sai wants a takedown.
Sai goes for a takedown attempt but No Ippo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hajime No Ippo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sai.
Sai dodges the punch combination from No Ippo.
No Ippo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sai circles away quickly and effectively.
Sai fails with a takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from No Ippo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sai shoots in but No Ippo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sai moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
No Ippo misses with a double jab.
Sai let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
No Ippo throws a nice looking combination but Sai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No Ippo's corner calls for a 1-2. No Ippo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sai fails with a takedown attempt.
No Ippo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and No Ippo wants it to stay on the feet.
No Ippo is looking to counter punch.
Sai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No Ippo goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Some wild striking there from No Ippo.
Sai wants to counter the offense by No Ippo and move into the clinch position.
No Ippo swinging wildly here.
Sai takes one to the side of the head.
No Ippo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sai has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
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!
No Ippo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No Ippo misses with a double jab

and Sai counters with a single leg into guard. No Ippo didn't expect that.

No Ippo has his feet on Sai's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
No Ippo lands a jab-cross combination.

Sai has managed to clinch.
No Ippo stops a takedown attempt from Sai.
Sai connects with a nasty looking knee right to No Ippo's face.
No Ippo tries to circle away but Sai has him pinned against the cage.
No Ippo is trying to break the clinch but Sai is controlling him.

Sai manages to break the clinch.
No Ippo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has No Ippo pinned against the cage. No Ippo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No Ippo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sai.
No Ippo misses with a double jab.
No Ippo swinging wildly here.
And Sai tries to counter it with a takedown but No Ippo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
No Ippo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No joy there for No Ippo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No Ippo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sai.
Sai tries to clinch there but No Ippo circles away.
No Ippo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sai stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
No Ippo throws a combination. Sai tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
No Ippo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sai is defended easily by No Ippo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No Ippo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sai.
Sai throws out a counter right but No Ippo avoids it with no problem.
No Ippo with a nice cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. No Ippo tries to avoid it but Sai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag No Ippo to the ground. No Ippo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No Ippo scores with a jab.
Sai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No Ippo throws a right hand that Sai ducks under and follows up with a left that Sai also avoids with ease.
Sai is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
No Ippo misses with a series of wild punches.
No Ippo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sai throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Sai forces No Ippo back against the cage and clinches.
Joe Sai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hajime No Ippo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sai misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hajime No Ippo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for No Ippo, 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hajime No Ippo!
Hajime No Ippo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.