PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Fujiwara Tsuyoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shojo Shoujou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tsuyoshi comes to the cage accompanied by WHISPERED - HOLD THE SWORD. Shojo Shoujou is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Tsuyoshi
vs
Shoujou

172 cm
22
145 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

165 cm
21
140 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Sun-Tzu

Sun-Tzu

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fujiwara Tsuyoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shojo Shoujou!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shoujou fails to land with a series of punches.
Tsuyoshi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tsuyoshi thows a body kick. Shoujou tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tsuyoshi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shoujou.
Shoujou swings for the body but Tsuyoshi moves out of range.
Tsuyoshi avoids the body shot from Shoujou.
Tsuyoshi tried to counter with a leg kick but Shoujou avoided it.
Tsuyoshi throws out a leg kick but Shoujou moves out of range and Tsuyoshi only half commits.
Tsuyoshi moves out of range as Shoujou strikes.
Shoujou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shoujou takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Tsuyoshi scores with the left hand. Shoujou knows he should have avoided that one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shoujou is defended easily by Tsuyoshi.
Tsuyoshi is looking to land body kicks.
Shoujou dodges the punch combination from Tsuyoshi.
Shoujou looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoujou jabs at Tsuyoshi's body.
Shoujou throws a hook but Tsuyoshi avoids it easily.
Shoujou throws a body shot but no joy.
Tsuyoshi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Shoujou avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Tsuyoshi has managed to clinch.
Tsuyoshi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shoujou tries for a takedown but Tsuyoshi manages to get underhooks.
Shoujou tries to score a body lock takedown but Tsuyoshi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shojo Shoujou.

Shoujou has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tsuyoshi clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
You can see the frustration on Tsuyoshi's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Shoujou misses with an elbow to the head.
Tsuyoshi breaks Shoujou's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shoujou can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shoujou looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tsuyoshi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou has Tsuyoshi pulled in close to control his posture.
Shoujou tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shoujou pulls Tsuyoshi in close to prevent any damage.
Shoujou manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tsuyoshi manages to get himself to full guard.

Tsuyoshi looking for a sweep. Not yet Tsuyoshi, not yet.
Tsuyoshi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shoujou.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi has control of Shoujou's left arm, preventing Shoujou from doing any damage.
Shoujou working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tsuyoshi keeping full guard, as Shoujou tries to pass.
Shoujou looking to sit in guard and control but Tsuyoshi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shoujou wants to sweep but no luck.
Shoujou is still trying to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou has Tsuyoshi pulled in close to control his posture.
Shoujou wants to sweep here but Tsuyoshi controlling him for the moment.
Tsuyoshi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shoujou trying to keep a closed guard but Tsuyoshi is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shojo Shoujou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tsuyoshi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Shoujou in his tracks.
Tsuyoshi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tsuyoshi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shoujou sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tsuyoshi misses with a low kick.
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 Fujiwara Tsuyoshi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Tsuyoshi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shoujou misses with a kick to the body.
Tsuyoshi throws a body shot but no joy.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Tsuyoshi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shoujou looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shoujou misses with a head kick.

Tsuyoshi closes the distance and clinches.
Shoujou looking for a takedown.
Shoujou looking for a takedown.
Shoujou is trying to break free.
Tsuyoshi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shoujou.
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shojo Shoujou.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuyoshi connects with a knee to the head.
Tsuyoshi lands a nice knee to the body.
Tsuyoshi with a knee to the head.
Shoujou managing to block the knees to the body from Tsuyoshi.
Shoujou is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shoujou is defending well for now.
Tsuyoshi lands a good knee to the midsection. Shoujou won't want to take too many of those.

Shoujou wants the takedown. Tsuyoshi is fighting it off but Shoujou persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Tsuyoshi's guard against the cage.
Tsuyoshi is pulling down on Shoujou's head. It's preventing any offense from Shoujou, at least for the moment.
Shoujou trying to control the position from guard on top but Tsuyoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shoujou stopping the sweep attempt from Tsuyoshi.
Tsuyoshi seems keen to control Shoujou's posture.
Shoujou wants to control from the top but Tsuyoshi keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou tries to free his leg and advance position but Tsuyoshi is retaining full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Shoujou missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shojo Shoujou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Tsuyoshi.
A countering left hand to the body from Shoujou misses.
Tsuyoshi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tsuyoshi cracks Shoujou with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tsuyoshi throws a chopping leg kick but Shoujou manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Shoujou walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Shoujou misses with a hook to the body
and Shoujou takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Tsuyoshi gets a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shoujou has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tsuyoshi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shoujou is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tsuyoshi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Tsuyoshi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shoujou's face.
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tsuyoshi is pressed up against the cage. Shoujou has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tsuyoshi down to the mat. Tsuyoshi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shoujou sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tsuyoshi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shoujou misses with a double jab.
As Shoujou tries to get set, Tsuyoshi tries to push him back and clinch up but Shoujou manages to avoid the attempt.
Shoujou is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tsuyoshi rather than just go for the knockout.
Shoujou misses the shot to the body.
Shoujou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shoujou keeps the fight on the outside.
Shoujou dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tsuyoshi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tsuyoshi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Shoujou shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tsuyoshi as he jumps to the side.
Tsuyoshi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A bone on bone clash there as Tsuyoshi blocks the leg kick.
Tsuyoshi tries to counter by clinching up but Shoujou breaks away and moves out of range.
Shoujou fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tsuyoshi is looking to counter with head kicks.
Tsuyoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Shoujou moves out of range easily.
Shoujou looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tsuyoshi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shoujou can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou throws a jab when Tsuyoshi was well out of range.
Shoujou on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tsuyoshi. Tsuyoshi obviously looking to wear him down.
Tsuyoshi jabs Shoujou to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Shoujou checks a low kick from Tsuyoshi.
Tsuyoshi fakes the leg kick and cracks Shoujou in the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tsuyoshi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shoujou is out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Tsuyoshi as he connects with a hook.
Shoujou takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tsuyoshi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shoujou. Tsuyoshi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tsuyoshi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A leg kick checked by Shoujou.
Tsuyoshi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tsuyoshi thumps Shoujou with a low kick.
Shoujou throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tsuyoshi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fujiwara Tsuyoshi dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

An inside leg kick from Tsuyoshi misses.
Tsuyoshi throws a head kick that misses.
Tsuyoshi thows a body kick. Shoujou tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi is winning the standup battle so far.
Tsuyoshi blocks a jab.
Tsuyoshi throws a leg kick that misses.
Shoujou throws a hook to the side of Tsuyoshi's head but Tsuyoshi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tsuyoshi cracks Shoujou with a right hand to the side of the head.
Shoujou swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shoujou tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tsuyoshi was well out of range. Poor timing from Shoujou.
Shoujou waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tsuyoshi.
Tsuyoshi tries to clinch but Shoujou is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuyoshi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shoujou paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shoujou showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tsuyoshi.
Shoujou misses with a low kick.
Shoujou pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Tsuyoshi finds it's way through Shoujou's defenses.
Shoujou throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tsuyoshi.
Shoujou slips under a jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tsuyoshi 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 Shoujou has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Shoujou and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tsuyoshi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tsuyoshi tries to clinch there but Shoujou circles away.
Shoujou takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tsuyoshi moves in looking to clinch but Shoujou pushes him off.
Tsuyoshi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shoujou paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shoujou connects with a leg kick. Tsuyoshi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Shoujou scores with a takedown into Tsuyoshi's guard.
Shoujou controlling from the top position.
Let's hope that Shoujou has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Shojo Shoujou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Shoujou is looking to work some ground and pound but Tsuyoshi has wrist control.
Shoujou wants to pass the guard but Tsuyoshi is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tsuyoshi is pulling down on Shoujou's head. It's preventing any offense from Shoujou, at least for the moment.
Shoujou trying to control the position from guard on top but Tsuyoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shoujou on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Shoujou uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tsuyoshi.
An inside leg kick lands from Tsuyoshi.
Shoujou misses with a series of wild punches.
Tsuyoshi throws a quick counter kick to the body but Shoujou avoids it.
Tsuyoshi throws a head kick but Shoujou moves out of range.
Shoujou checks a leg kick.
Tsuyoshi throws a leg kick but Shoujou sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Shoujou there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou takes a swing at Tsuyoshi's ribcage but misses.
Shoujou blocks a head kick by Tsuyoshi.
Shoujou is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Shoujou throws a sloppy body shot
and Tsuyoshi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Shoujou throws a series of punches but Tsuyoshi avoids them all with ease.
Shoujou lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tsuyoshi at a distance.
Shoujou just misses with a punch to the body.
Tsuyoshi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shoujou stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tsuyoshi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Shoujou if he has to take too many more of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shoujou closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tsuyoshi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tsuyoshi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Shoujou moves out of range as Tsuyoshi throws a body kick.
Tsuyoshi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tsuyoshi blocks a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Fujiwara Tsuyoshi.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tsuyoshi, 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fujiwara Tsuyoshi!
After the fight, Fujiwara Tsuyoshi was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.