PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juha Hirvi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masaaki Kanagawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masaaki Kanagawa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hirvi
vs
Kanagawa

185 cm
25
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

186 cm
25
211 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Juha Hirvi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Masaaki Kanagawa!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirvi swings widly with a right hand
and Kanagawa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hirvi definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kanagawa looks to land a left hand but Hirvi moved out of range nicely.

Hirvi darts in and clinches Kanagawa up against the cage.
Hirvi controlling the action here for a moment.
Kanagawa misses with a punch to the body.
Hirvi misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hirvi.
Kanagawa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kanagawa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hirvi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kanagawa lands with a left to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanagawa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kanagawa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kanagawa lands an uppercut.
Kanagawa can't break the clinch.
Kanagawa struggles to land a body shot inside as Hirvi controls his hands.
Hirvi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hirvi has Kanagawa pressed against the cage, preventing Kanagawa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanagawa struggles to land a body shot inside as Hirvi controls his hands.
The referee calls for Hirvi to work.
Kanagawa lands with a left to the head.
Kanagawa tries to work over Hirvi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Kanagawa.
Kanagawa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kanagawa scores with a shoulder strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kanagawa has a couple of punches blocked by Hirvi.
Kanagawa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hirvi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kanagawa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kanagawa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hirvi backwards.
Hirvi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hirvi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kanagawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvi lands a body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hirvi.
Hirvi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hirvi trying to control the position but instead, Kanagawa has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hirvi into the cage.
Kanagawa can't find room to land a body shot as Hirvi controls the action.
Hirvi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hirvi prevents Kanagawa from breaking the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kanagawa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanagawa wants to break the clinch but can't.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hirvi.
Hirvi stalling.
Kanagawa is trying to break the clinch but Hirvi has him pressed against the cage.
Hirvi looking to slow down the pace here.
Kanagawa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hirvi looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvi lands a shot to the body.

Kanagawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kanagawa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hirvi.
Kanagawa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hirvi swings widly with a right hand
and Kanagawa counters with a series of strikes. Hirvi will be more careful next time no doubt.

Hirvi has Kanagawa up against the cage in a clinch.
Hirvi just leaning against Kanagawa, taking a breather.
Hirvi trying to stall but Kanagawa improves his position.
Nice body punch from Kanagawa.

Kanagawa manages to break the clinch.

Hirvi closes the distance and pushes Kanagawa back into the cage.
Kanagawa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Come on Hirvi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hirvi working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanagawa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hirvi throws a head punch that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A body shot lands from Hirvi.
Kanagawa stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hirvi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hirvi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kanagawa's efforts to push away.
Kanagawa has had enough of the clinch but Hirvi keeps him there for the moment.
Kanagawa tries a body shot but Hirvi blocks it.
Hirvi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kanagawa misses with a body punch.

Kanagawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hirvi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hirvi lands an overhand right.
Kanagawa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hirvi is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masaaki Kanagawa dominated that 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.

Hirvi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hirvi just misses with a punch to the body.
Hirvi throws a sloppy body shot
and Kanagawa counters with a left to the body.
Kanagawa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Juha Hirvi has been cut.
Hirvi ducks under a wild hook from Kanagawa.
Hirvi misses with a hook
and Kanagawa counters with a stiff right hand.
Kanagawa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hirvi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Hirvi is rocked!
Hirvi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kanagawa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kanagawa swats away the attempt to clinch by Hirvi.
A countering left hand to the body from Kanagawa misses.
Kanagawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hirvi was well out of range. Poor timing from Kanagawa.
Kanagawa takes a swing at Hirvi's ribcage but misses.
Kanagawa slips under a jab from Hirvi.
Kanagawa is looking for the big counter here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hirvi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hirvi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kanagawa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hirvi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kanagawa counters with a nice uppercut.
Hirvi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kanagawa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hirvi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little jabbing left from Kanagawa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hirvi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Kanagawa to counter with a crisp jab.
The fighters circling - Hirvi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hirvi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hirvi misses with a left hand
and Kanagawa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hirvi wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hirvi closes the distance and clinches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hirvi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hirvi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kanagawa misses with the head strike.
A short right from Kanagawa.
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!
Kanagawa throws a head punch that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Kanagawa breaks from the clinch.
Hirvi misses with a shot to the body
and Kanagawa counters with a straight right hand.
Kanagawa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hirvi.
Kanagawa misses with a body shot.
Kanagawa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kanagawa.
Hirvi moves in looking to clinch but Kanagawa pushes him off.
Kanagawa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A telegraphed right hand from Kanagawa misses the target.
Hirvi misses with a hook. Kanagawa ducked under it nicely.
It seemed like Kanagawa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Hirvi.
Kanagawa throws a looping overhand right but Hirvi ducks down to avoid it.
Hirvi throws a hook but Kanagawa avoids it easily.
Hirvi misses with a left hand
and Kanagawa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Hirvi closes the distance and clinches.
Hirvi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kanagawa backwards.

Kanagawa breaks the clinch.
Kanagawa misses the jab.
Kanagawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanagawa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hirvi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kanagawa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kanagawa looks to throw the jab but Hirvi is out of range.
Hirvi tries to counter by clinching up but Kanagawa breaks away and moves out of range.

Hirvi instigates a clinch.
Hirvi blocks an uppercut.
Hirvi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kanagawa being controlled against the cage.
Hirvi is leaning against Kanagawa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hirvi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kanagawa backwards.
Kanagawa lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kanagawa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hirvi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Kanagawa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hirvi slips a straight right by Kanagawa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masaaki Kanagawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Juha Hirvi's cut.
That's time! Hirvi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Hirvi forces Kanagawa back against the cage and clinches.

Kanagawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Masaaki Kanagawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kanagawa takes one to the side of the head.
Kanagawa swings for the body but Hirvi moves out of range.
Hirvi swings widly with a right hand
enabling Kanagawa to counter with a crisp jab.
Hirvi throws an off balance right hand
letting Kanagawa counter with a right hand.
Juha Hirvi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hirvi misses the shot to the body.
Hirvi tries to clinch there but Kanagawa circles away.
Hirvi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kanagawa has time to react.

It looks like Masaaki Kanagawa has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirvi moves out of range as Kanagawa strikes.
Hirvi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kanagawa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kanagawa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hirvi's head backwards.
Hirvi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hirvi tries to clinch but Kanagawa moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Kanagawa misses.
Hirvi misses with a left hand
and Kanagawa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kanagawa misses with a double jab.
Hirvi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kanagawa in his tracks.

Hirvi moves into range and clinches up with Kanagawa.
Hirvi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hirvi working aggressively here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kanagawa as Hirvi tries to tie him up.
Nice body punch from Kanagawa - that landed with a thud.
Kanagawa can't find room to land a body shot as Hirvi controls the action.
Hirvi has Kanagawa pressed against the cage, preventing Kanagawa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Kanagawa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hirvi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanagawa manages to avoid it.
As Hirvi backs off Kanagawa throws a huge counter combo but Hirvi manages to avoid it all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Hirvi misses.

Hirvi forces Kanagawa back against the cage and clinches.
Kanagawa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hirvi misses with a body punch.

Kanagawa breaks from the clinch.
Hirvi swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kanagawa counters with a stiff right hand.
Kanagawa dips to his left and cracks Hirvi with an uppercut!
Hirvi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hirvi misses with a lunging right hand
and Kanagawa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kanagawa throws a body shot but no joy.
Hirvi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kanagawa counters with a straight right hand.
Oh Hirvi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kanagawa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kanagawa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hirvi.
Hirvi seems to have got his legs back now.
Kanagawa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanagawa lands a nice shot to the body.

Hirvi closes the distance and clinches.
Hirvi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hirvi holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kanagawa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hirvi prevents Kanagawa from breaking the clinch.
Kanagawa digs a right hand into Hirvi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hirvi's gas tank.
A short body shot lands from Kanagawa as the two fighters clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kanagawa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hirvi's elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Kanagawa.
Kanagawa lands a body shot.
Kanagawa is working Hirvi over against the cage.

Kanagawa breaks from the clinch.
Kanagawa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kanagawa works Hirvi's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kanagawa connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hirvi scrambles back to his feet.
Hirvi throws a poor cross that misses
and Hirvi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Kanagawa jabs Hirvi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kanagawa keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hirvi throws a sloppy body shot
and Kanagawa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kanagawa misses with a body shot.
Juha Hirvi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hirvi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hirvi swings widly with a right hand
letting Kanagawa counter with a right hand.
Hirvi throws a body shot but no joy.
Kanagawa throws out a loose jab but Hirvi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hirvi tries to counter by clinching up but Kanagawa breaks away and moves out of range.
Kanagawa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Masaaki Kanagawa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hirvi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanagawa manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masaaki Kanagawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kanagawa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masaaki Kanagawa!