PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kichiro Fujimoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alberto Rossi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alberto Rossi has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Fujimoto
vs
Rossi

183 cm
25
161 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Hope MMA: Island Nutritions

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kichiro Fujimoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alberto Rossi!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fujimoto throws a right and a left that both miss.

Rossi has Fujimoto up against the cage in a clinch.
Fujimoto being controlled against the cage.

Fujimoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fujimoto gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rossi.
Rossi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fujimoto lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Alberto Rossi has been cut.
Fujimoto swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rossi counters by clinching up.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rossi lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi lands a left hand.
Fujimoto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fujimoto working hard to break the clinch.
Rossi leaning against his opponent.
Rossi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fujimoto is trying to break the clinch but Rossi has him pressed against the cage.
Rossi slowing the pace effectively.
Fujimoto wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rossi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fujimoto looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Fujimoto tries to circle away but Rossi has him pinned against the cage.
Rossi scores with a shoulder strike.
Rossi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Rossi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi slowing the pace effectively.
Rossi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fujimoto's elbow.
A short right from Rossi on the inside.
Rossi controlling the action here for a moment.
Rossi lands a hook that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Rossi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Rossi swings wildly with an uppercut but Fujimoto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rossi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Rossi.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rossi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rossi lands with a left to the head.
Rossi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rossi stalling the fight.
Rossi lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Rossi.
Fujimoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rossi is stalling here.
A nice left hand lands by Rossi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Rossi.
Rossi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rossi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rossi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rossi just leaning against Fujimoto, taking a breather.
Rossi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Rossi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rossi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Rossi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rossi lands a nice shot to the body.
Rossi effectively controlling the action here.
Rossi lands with a left to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Rossi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alberto Rossi'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.

Fujimoto misses with a series of wild punches.
Rossi wants to counter with a clinch but Fujimoto pushes him away.
Rossi lands a nice looking body shot.
Kichiro Fujimoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sloppy strikes from Fujimoto. Those never looked like landing.
Rossi wants to counter the offense by Fujimoto and move into the clinch position.
Fujimoto throws a hook to the side of Rossi's head but Rossi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rossi connects with a single shot there.
Fujimoto lands a jab-cross combination.
Fujimoto is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Rossi gets a clinch.
Rossi lands with a light punch inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right from Rossi.
Rossi pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Rossi as the two fighters clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Fujimoto up against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Rossi.
Rossi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rossi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rossi gets through Fujimoto's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rossi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rossi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A short body shot lands from Rossi as the two fighters clinch.
Good body shot from Rossi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Rossi.
Rossi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rossi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fujimoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rossi lands a left hand.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rossi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rossi slowing the pace effectively.
Fujimoto being controlled against the cage.
Rossi tries to work over Fujimoto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Rossi.
Come on Rossi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fujimoto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rossi has him pressed against the cage.
Rossi throws a head punch that misses.
Rossi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rossi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fujimoto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rossi.
Rossi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Rossi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fujimoto is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rossi throws a punch but it's blocked by Fujimoto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rossi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A body shot lands from Rossi.
Rossi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fujimotos head.
Rossi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fujimoto blocks a body shot from Rossi.
Rossi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rossi avoiding damage.
Rossi has a couple of punches blocked by Fujimoto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Rossi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alberto Rossi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fujimoto takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fujimoto works over Rossi's head and body with a nice combination.
Fujimoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A nice side step and Rossi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Fujimoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fujimoto throws a left and a right that both miss

and Rossi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rossi.
Rossi is leaning against Fujimoto and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rossi scores with a nice hook to the head.
A hook to the body from Rossi.
Rossi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fujimoto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fujimoto tries to break free but Rossi pushes him back against the cage.
Rossi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Rossi fails to land.
Rossi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rossi slows down the pace here.
Rossi lands a nice uppercut.
Fujimoto prevents a body shot from Rossi.
Rossi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rossi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rossi lands with a right to the head.
A hook to the body from Rossi.
Rossi lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rossi.
Rossi prevents Fujimoto from breaking the clinch.
Fujimoto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rossi tries to throw a body punch but Fujimoto avoids it by throwing Rossi back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Fujimoto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Rossi.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rossi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fujimoto or not.
Rossi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rossi has Fujimoto pressed against the cage.
Rossi stalls.
Rossi lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Rossi.
Rossi lands a shot to the body.
Rossi slowing the pace effectively.
Rossi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fujimoto up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rossi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rossi scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Rossi on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Fujimoto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rossi lands with a left to the head.
Rossi content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi is leaning against Fujimoto and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rossi.
Rossi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rossi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rossi lands with a short shot to the head.
Rossi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Alberto Rossi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rossi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fujimoto up against the cage.
Rossi tries a body shot but Fujimoto blocks it.
Fujimoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rossi lands a left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Rossi really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alberto Rossi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rossi dodges the punch combination from Fujimoto.

Rossi takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rossi.
Rossi swings wildly with an uppercut but Fujimoto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rossi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rossi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fujimoto's efforts to push away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rossi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fujimoto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi lands a hook that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Fujimoto is trying to break the clinch but Rossi is controlling him.
A left hand lands to the body for Rossi.
Rossi misses with a body punch.

Fujimoto breaks from the clinch.
Fujimoto tries to bum rush Rossi with a series of wild strikes but Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fujimoto tries to move into range but Rossi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fujimoto fails to land with a series of punches.
Fujimoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rossi connects with a body shot that sends Fujimoto's belly button to the back.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fujimoto throws a right hand that Rossi ducks under and follows up with a left that Rossi also avoids with ease.
A jab from Rossi finds it's way through Fujimoto's defenses.
Kichiro Fujimoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Rossi. That snapped Fujimoto's head back.
A jab lands there for Rossi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fujimoto falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rossi counters by moving into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rossi.
A hook to the body from Rossi.
A short right from Rossi on the inside.
Rossi holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A short right from Rossi.
Rossi taking a breather.
Rossi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Fujimoto is rocked!
Good body shot from Rossi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi has Fujimoto pushed against the cage.
Rossi avoiding damage.
Fujimoto is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rossi leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rossi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rossi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Fujimoto up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alberto Rossi.
Fujimoto falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rossi moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi lands a left hand.
Rossi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rossi scores with a shoulder strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fujimoto is looking to break free of the clinch but Rossi has double underhooks.
Fujimoto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The referee calls for Rossi to work.
Rossi gets through Fujimoto's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fujimoto takes a shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Rossi dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Alberto Rossi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rossi has Fujimoto up against the cage in a clinch.
Rossi leaning against his opponent.
Rossi digs a right hand into Fujimoto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fujimoto's gas tank.
Rossi lands with a left to the head.
Rossi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Rossi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Oh Fujimoto is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rossi stalling in the clinch.
Rossi pushes Fujimoto back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fujimoto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rossi has him pressed against the cage.
Rossi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fujimoto seems to have got his legs back now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossi lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fujimoto manages to break the clinch.
Kichiro Fujimoto is winning the standup battle so far.

Rossi has managed to clinch.
Rossi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fujimoto blocking some punches.
Rossi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rossi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rossi tries to work over Fujimoto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rossi lands a right hand.
Rossi digs a right hand into Fujimoto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fujimoto's gas tank.
Rossi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rossi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fujimoto.
Kichiro Fujimoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short uppercut from Rossi.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rossi.
Rossi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fujimoto or not.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rossi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rossi lands a right hand.
Rossi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rossi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fujimoto backwards.
Rossi lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rossi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rossi digs a right hand into Fujimoto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fujimoto's gas tank.
A right hand to the body from Rossi.
Rossi is pushing Fujimoto up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Rossi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rossi effectively controlling the action here.
A short right from Rossi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fujimoto has had enough of the clinch but Rossi keeps him there for the moment.
Rossi slows down the pace here.
Rossi is leaning against Fujimoto and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Good body shot from Rossi.
Rossi leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rossi slows down the pace here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rossi.
The crowd are getting on Rossi's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alberto Rossi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rossi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 44:50
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 44:50
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alberto Rossi!
Alberto Rossi is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Alberto Rossi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.