Sengoku 'Ninth Battle' Play-by-Play
Aug 2, 2009
Sherdog.com's Tony Loiseleur reports from the Saitama Super Arena
near Tokyo with live play-by-play of Sengoku's "Ninth Battle."
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
The event kicks off with the opening bout at 2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT
Sunday morning.
Click here for quick results.
Sengoku Gold Cup Finals:
Takeshi Numajiri vs. Ryosuke Komori
Round 1
Both men circle, looking to find range on their kicks and punches. Numajiri throws a combination and runs Komori into the ropes, clinching up for the anaconda, but Komori fights from his knees back to his feet. Komori throws a big punch, but Numajiri evades and takes him down into half guard. Komori holds onto Numajiri's head to keep him from creating space. Numajiri drops a few hammers to the forehead as referee Yoshinori Umeki calls for action. Numajiri drops a few knees to Komori's ribs. Numajiri stands up and throws kick to the legs. Umeki breaks them. Komori misses a high kick and shuffles in Wicky-like. He throws a big right and stuns Numajiri, who drops to his side. Umeki jumps in for the expectantly weak stoppage at 3:25 of the opening frame.
Shigeki Osawa vs. Toru Harai
Round 1
Osawa circles Harai, who takes the center. Harai shoots for the takedown and Osawa shucks him off, but gets popped in the face. Harai shoots again for the double against the ropes and Osawa flips him over and out of the ropes. Umeki brings them back into the ring to standing. Osawa is lunging with hooks, but he's getting popped in the face with counters. He tags Harai with one of his punches and Harai shoots again for a single. Osawa jumping knees Harai in the face twice, and Harai sits on his haunches to avoid them. Osawa drives his way into Harai's guard and attempts passing to side. Osawa gives that up soon and stands to drop punches to the face and body. Osawa attempts to pass, Harai puts him back in guard. Osawa is dropping punches and Harai goes for a weak armbar. Osawa pulls his arm out and stands up, avoids a foot lock, and Umeki breaks them up. Osawa clumsily blocks three big punches and returns with a big left-right that puts Harai down. Osawa dives to land more punches as Harai covers up and goes fetal, and Umeki allows him to drop a few before diving in for the stop at 4:24 of round one. Osawa lands about two extra punches even after Umeki has stepped in.
Ikuo Usuda vs. Koji Ando
Round 1
Ando puts out a glove, but Usuda does not touch. Usuda circles and steps in to throws leg kicks as Ando pops off a few combinations to keep him at a distance. Usuda steps in to throw more punches, pushing Ando backward. Ando holds his own and counters with his own combinations to push Usuda back. Both southpaws are barely clipping each other with these punches. Usuda has landed a handful of nice inside leg kicks in the final minute, but that's about it. 10-9 Usuda, barely.
Round 2
Usuda pressuring with punch-low kick combinations. Ando defends the punches alright, but absorbs the low kicks. Ando puts a few counter punches on Usuda's face whenever he gets close, but he's not doing anything about those low kicks. Usuda getting sloppy now, rushing into Ando's combinations. Usuda body kick, and Ando pumps two right jabs into his face. Ando throwing more punches now, trying to trap Usuda against the ropes. Bell. 10-9 Usuda.
Round 3
Usuda pressuring with punch-low kick combinations. Ando defends the punches alright, but absorbs the low kicks. Ando puts a few counter punches on Usuda's face whenever he gets close, but he's not doing anything about those low kicks. Usuda getting sloppy now, rushing into Ando's combinations. Usuda body kick, and Ando pumps two right jabs into his face. Ando throwing more punches now, trying to trap Usuda against the ropes. Bell. 10-9 Usuda.
Official Scores:
Tomoki Matsumiya: 20–19 Usuda
Gen Isono: 20–20, "Must Decision: Usuda"
Takashi Kobayashi: 20–19 Usuda
Usuda takes the decision on all three judges' cards. Though judge Gen Isono rules the bout a 20-20 draw, he gives his "must decision" vote to Usuda.
Non-Tournament Bout:
Yoshihiro Nakao vs. Mu Bae Choi
Round 1
Southpaw Nakao snapping off some low kicks. Choi pushing in for the clinch, but Nakao sprawls on him and knees him in the dome before letting him go. Choi walking Nakao into the ropes and corners. Nakao throwing more kicks, then drops for a single into Choi's guard. Choi sitting up, and Nakao tries to punch him a few on his way up. Choi slips and gets Nakao's back in the clinch, walks him into a corner. Choi punching to the side of the head from behind as Nakao ducks his head out of the rings to avoid him. Nakao escapes, resumes low kicking. Choi pushes Nakao against the ropes in the clinch and Nakao once again gives up his back. Choi sticking his head out of the ring. Break. The referee committee stops for a second to tape up one of Choi's gloves before resuming. Nakao starts winging a few and ducks for a leg, Choi flips him over and they get to their feet. Choi smashes Nakao against the ropes just before the bell. 10-9 Choi.
Round 2
Nakao dives with an overhand left into a takedown. Choi is sitting against the ropes, with Nakao on top, awkwardly in half guard. Nakao transitions to lock up Choi's head and lets loose two knees before Choi breaks free and gets to his feet. Nakao shoots again for the single and puts Choi down in the corner, punching to his face from side mount. Choi flips to all fours again and Nakao throws another knee. Choi gets to his feet and Nakao gives up his back in the clinch, looks to break Choi's grip with the Sakuraba kimura. Break. Nakao throwing wildly, shoots a single, and goes for riding time as Choi turtles, dropping punches and knees. Choi shrugs these blows off as well and just stands up. Choi smashes Nakao in a corner, dirty-boxing it up. Choi looks to have tried for a standing arm triangle, but Nakao slips out and gives up his back again in the clinch. Break. Choi takes Nakao in the corner again, locking up the back clinch. Bell. 10-9 Nakao.
Round 3
Nakao goes for a single and Choi slips out, eats a few low kicks, and then gets the single anyway. From half guard, he drops a few punches, passes to side, north-south, and Choi flips to all fours and stands up into the clinch. Nakao drives and puts Choi back on his knees, throwing a few knees of his own to the top of Choi's dome. Break. Nakao with a takedown into half guard where he drops token punches en route to passing to side. This goes on for a long while, with Nakao dropping punches, turning as Choi turns. Nakao traps both arms, goes for a kimura which causes Choi to flip to all fours and eat more knees to the dome at 30 seconds left. Choi escapes in the last 10, but it's too little too late. 10-9 Nakao.
Official Scores:
Masanori Ohashi: 30-28 Nakao
Gen Isono: 30–28 Nakao
Takashi Kobayashi: 30–29 Nakao
Nakao takes the lackluster unanimous decision.
Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix:
Hatsu Hioki vs. Masanori Kanehara
Round 1
Hioki lands a low and grazing high kick on Kanehara's chin. Kanehara gives him back a low kick. Hioki swarms and Kanehara recovers on the ropes and punches Hioki away. Hioki shoots and puts Kanehara in the corner, landing on top in half. Hioki maneuvers to get free from the ropes, passing to mount. Hioki sitting up in mount high, dropping punches and setting up Kanehara's arms. Hioki dropping big punches and Kanehara just holds on, throwing up the occasional punch. Kanehara bucks and Hioki transitions for the triangle, then the armbar, then back to the triangle, then to the armbar, then the triangle as Kanehara scrambles thru it all. Kanehara escapes and is under Hioki, trying to keep him from passing to side. Hioki does it anyway and starts droping the knees. Hioki takes mount again and drops more punches, trapping Kanehara's right arm as he punches. Bell. 10-8 Hioki.
Round 2
Kanehara rushes in with punches which Hioki easily slips, goes for the TD in the corner. Kanehara tries for a guillotine, but Hioki pops out and passes to side, dropping knees to head and body. Hioki takes mount. Samio Kimura repositions them away from the ropes. Hioki sits up high in mount, postures to drop punches, then ducks down to maintain balance before popping up to drop a few more shots. Kanehara bridges, gets caught in an armbar, and for a few crazy seconds is in trouble until he captures Hioki's back. Hioki spins around into Kanehara's guard and passes right to side before Kanehara can capitalize however. Hioki drops more knees, takes mount again and wails with punches. Kanehara puts Hioki back in guard as he tries to set up an armbar. Kanehara jumps to his feet and throws wildly, missing wide. Hioki clinches up, slips out the back door and takes Kanehara's back, threatening with the choke at the last 30 seconds, but Kanehara's chin is down. Hioki punches the side of Kanehara's head until the bell for another dominant 10-8 round.
Round 3
Kanehara gets off a low kick, then a grazing high kick. Hioki with a solid kick to the body. Both men trade punches that snap each other's heads back. Kanehara dives with a superman punch-kick. Hioki connects with a one two, then a right counter. Hioki catches a low kick, pushes Kanehara into the ropes and drops for a takedown. Kanehara drives forward into Hioki's guard, passes to half guard. Kanehara fighting to pass, dropping only the occasional punch. When he tries to open up with more offense, Hioki puts him back in guard. Hioki tries to lock Kanehara in rubber guard, but Kanehara escapes. Hioki goes for it again, punches a few from bottom, blocking Kanehara's shots from bottom. Kanehara swings away, trying to get free, landing a few punches, but the bell goes. 10-9 Kanehara.
Official Scores:
Matsumiya: 30–27 Hioki
Isono: 29–27 Hioki
Ohashi: 29–28 Hioki
Hatsu Hioki takes the unanimous decision. The announcers are saying now that the doctors are checking Hioki out a little more thoroughly than usual now. Apparently, he could not answer some of their questions, leading them to suspect he'd taken much more damage than expected.
Marlon Sandro vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Round 1
Sandro misses a big overhand right but connects with a mid-kick and one two. Omigawa fires back with big punches of his own and pushes Sandro back. Sandro lands a small flying knee and has Omigawa backing up with big punches. Omigawa treis to clinch up, eats a big uppercut and stumbles backward. Omigawa is eating a lot of punches, here. His arms are either too short or he's missing wide when he goes to counter. Omigawa charges Sandro into a corner, clinching up and throwing knees to Sandro's leg. Break. Omigawa has a problem of ducking forward to evade shots, and Sandro almost plants a knee in his face for it. Omigawa charges in and gets a hard right hook to push him back. Omigawa gets through with some punches to stumble Sandro back before clinching up and going for the inside trip. Sandro maintains his balance against the ropes. Kimura calls for action. Omigawa is still fighting for the takedown. Sandro takes a swipe at Omigawa as he disengages. Omigawa lands an overhand left, but Sandro's landed like four more punches than him in the exchange. Bell. 10-9 Sandro.
Round 2
Sandro and Omigawa playing more boxing now with Sandro bouncing shots off Omigawa's head and Omigawa going for spinning kicks and such. Omigawa is hanging in there though, absorbing a flying knee and pressing in for combinations. Sandro slipping, landing his counter punches. Sandro is still piling up the damage with big three punch combinations, almost ending up in the Thai plum to land knees to the face. Omigawa goes for the Sanchin stance here because he has absolutely nothing to lose. He eats a low kick or two before lunging for a punch to the body. Sandro is still marking Omigawa up though. Omigawa charges right into a guillotine and hangs on at the last 30 seconds, elbowing Sandro's quads. Bell. 10-9 Sandro.
Round 3
They touch gloves. Omigawa's face looks really marked up. Sandro looking to decapitate Omigawa, throwing big punches on a hugely wide stance. Omigawa ducking his way in to put hands on Sandro, gets a few punches through. Omigawa lands a low kick, body punch. Sandro finally shoots for the takedown and almost falls into a guillotine—he pulls out before he does. Sandro tries to pull Omigawa into the Thai plum, but Omigawa fends him off... and eats a few more punches. Omigawa pushes Sandro into a cornerm knees his legs. Sandro spins out, lands more punches to Omigawa's face. Omigawa pushes in for the clinch again, but Sandro isn't going down. Sandro pushes Omigawa off and they go back to trading punches. Sandro is still landing the greater numbers, but Omigawa is incredibly tough. Omigawa trying to take Sandro down from the clinch again, but Sandro has amazing balance. Omigawa finally gets the inside trip at the last 30m and he postures to drop punches as Sandro transitions for a foot. Omigawa turns and the bell goes. 10–9 Sandro.
Official Scores:
Ohashi: 30–29 Sandro
Kenichi Serizawa: 30–30 Omigawa
Kobayashi: 30-30 Omigawa
Two judges rule the bout a 30-30 draw, but ludicrously side with Omigawa in their "must decision." Thus, Marlon Sandro is unjustly cheated out of what should be a clear unanimous decision. Omigawa advances to the finals.
Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout:
Chan Sung Jung vs. Matt Jaggers
Round 1
Both men are swinging for a KO here, and Jung lands a wide right, forcing Jaggers to drop for a takedown. Jung bowls him over into his guard however. They reposition and Jaggers doesn't seem to understand why they're doing so. Jung dropping small punches from top as Jaggers works wrist control. Break by Kimura, and he warns an incredulous Jaggers to be more active. Jung flying at Jaggers with punches and a flying knee. Jaggers weathers the blows and ducks for a takedown right into Jung's guard. Ref repositions again. Jung staying busy with punches from bottom, Jaggers staying busy with short punches from above. Jung almost reverses into mount, but Jaggers drives forward and passes to half guard. Jung recovers full guard at the last 10. Bell. 10-9 Jung.
Round 2
Jung is swinging wide, misses a high kick, and then misses another huge right hand as Jaggers takes him down into half guard. Jung going ballistic from bottom, trying to unleash with punches from bottom. Jaggers tries to pass and Jung locks up a triangle, going methodically step by step as Jaggers does nothing really to stop it. Jaggers taps. The official time on Jung's triangle is 1:25 of round two.
Non-Tournament Bouts:
Eiji Mitsuoka vs. Clay French
Round 1
They touch gloves and the southpaw Mitsuoka takes the center, low kicking until maneuvering French into a corner. They clinch up and Mitsuoka goes for the single, but French pulls his leg free. Mitsuoka probing for the trip, foot-stomping, and eventually gets the trip, landing in French's guard. Mitsuoka explodes into a knee to the face and hops up to lock up the guillotine. French stands up, falls, and is tapping at the 1:51 mark.
Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hornbuckle
Round 1
Southpaw Hornbuckle lands a low kick, and Gono replies with a snapping middle kick. Gono bounces and stays on the outside, lands a body shot. Gono comes in with a left hook counter off a Hornbuckle middle kick. Gono lands a hard right, eats a short right jab in return. Hornbuckle with a nice body kick, charges in after to clinch, but Gono shakes him off. Gono lands a quick left hook counter. More kicks to the body of Gono. Hornbuckle swarms, hits Gono a few and lands a bunch of knees to Gono's midsection, but Gono is blocking. Gono falls to his back and gets his face stomped twice, but he's hanging in there. Hornbuckle sits in Gono's guard. There's a cut under Gono's left eye on the cheek. Gono holding Hornbuckle in close as the American punches body-body-head. Hornbuckle stands and tries to stomp again, but Gono gets to his feet, catches a kick and lands a body shot at the bell. 10-9 Hornbuckle.
Round 2
Both fighters trading grazing punches and middle kicks at the center. Gono drops Hornbuckle with a body shot. Hornbuckle gets to his feet, and Gono begins pressing the fight more, pushing in with one-twos, backing the American up. Hornbuckle lands a few low kicks, but Gono is backing him up, maneuvering him into the ropes. Hornbuckle drops for the double and lands in half. Hornbuckle fighting to pass, but Gono holds onto his leg. Hornbuckle finally passes and takes mount. He sits up a bit, drops a few punches, but stays pretty close. Hornbuckle looking to isolate Gono's left arm, but Gono wrenches it free. Gono hanging on as Hornbuckle punches away to the bell. 10-9 Hornbuckle.
Round 3
Hornbuckle throws a hard low kick that almost trips Gono. Hornbuckle keeping Gono at back with kicks, egging Gono on after he lands a hard right. Gono lungin in with big punches, and Hornbuckle covers up, pushes him into the ropes. Break. Gono jabbing and snapping off quick uppercuts, keeping Hornbuckle backpedalling. Hornbuckle catches a Gono middle kick and throws a right head kick to counter, landing straight to Gono's chin that knocks him out cold at the 2:50 mark of the third stage.
Hatsu Hioki is announced as having a concussion and cannot continue. Thus, the featherweight grand prix final will be Michihiro Omigawa and Masanori Kanehara. A Sengoku official briefly came back stage to explain that after his fight with Masanori Kanehara, Hatsu Hioki felt numbness along with a lack of strength in his arms and legs. Suspecting a concussion, doctors have sent Hioki to the hospital.
Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Blagoi Ivanov
Round 1
Fujita takes the center of the ring. Both men are pawing with huge mits, but grazing. It's not long before both start wind-milling, throwing their arms wide in a rush to see who'll land the big shot first. They survive each other's initial onslaught and circle each other more. Then Ivanov unleashes and plants a few big bear paws on Fujita, who stumbles and drops for a single to survive and stay in the game. Fujita takes his time, spins his way into the takedown and Ivanov sits back and tries for a guillotine. Fujita escapes and in half guard, resting. Fujita moving to pass, dropping a few short punches to the side of Ivanov's head. Fujita gets to his feet, passes, and Ivanov pops to his feet as well. Fujita and Ivanov share a Takayama – Frye moment at the very end of the round. 10-9 Ivanov.
Round 2
Ivanov is windmilling again, so Fujita does what comes natural and takes him down, landing in side. Ivanov rolls to his belly, Fujita pushes him onto his back and keeps his distance, forcing the standup. Fujita closing with right straights of his own now. Ivanov is missing his giant, swinging left hooks. Ivanov is sucking down wind, his hands at his waist. Can Fujita capitalize on that. Ivanov evades a wide left hook, stuffs a takedown attempt. They clinch breifly and Ivanov is throwing big lefts, but Fujita is dodging and slipping. Fujita pushes Ivanov against the corner and both men take the opportunity to rest. Fujita lands a big one-two, but Ivanov has some whiskers, fires back with his big punches. They grapple in the clinch until the bell. 10–10.
Round 3
Fujita trades a right for an Ivanov left, then lunges for the single. Ivanov showing good balance, hopping around and forcing the break. Referee Matsumiya calls a temporary stop to get Fujita's slightly bloodied face cleaned up. Ivanov one-two gives way to a Fujita' single leg. Ivanov pulls his leg out of two attempts and lands a snapping middle kick to Fujita's body. Ivanov lands some punches and body kicks while Fujita walks forward and absorbs them. Fujita shoves his way into a clinch in the corner, and Ivanov chucks him off. Fujita eats a few more punches, gets the single leg into half guard. Matsumiya repositions them away from the ropes. Fujita is pretty inert on top, until he sets up the arm triangle, but Ivanov shakes his way out of two such attempts. 10 seconds left and Ivanov and Fujita ride the time out. 10–9 Ivanov.
Official Scores:
Ohashi: 30 - 28 Fujita
Kobayashi: 30 - 27 Ivanov
Isono: 29 - 29 Must for Ivanov
Ivanov and Fujita split on two judges, with the final judge, Gen Isono, voting 29-29. His "must decision" sides with Ivanov, giving the Bulgarian the split decision.
Kazuo Misaki vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Round 1
Nakamura has his hands down, baiting Misaki. They trade kicks, until Nakamura lunges with a right, which Misaki answers with a knee. Misaki lands a crisp right straight. Nakamura lunges forward with the punches, apparently, looking to punch his way into the clinch. Nakamura lands a shot to Misaki's groin and they stop for him to recover. Nakamura ducking Misaki's punches, landing body punches, but Misaki eventually does hit him and pulls him into the clinch. Nakamura hits another low kick to the groin, but Misaki shakes it off quickly. Misaki lunges with a huge knee that puts Nakamura on his rear, and he scrambles. Misaki pulls him into a guillotine and Umeki jumps in for the stop at 3:03 of the first.
Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Final
Masanori Kanehara vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Round 1
Kanehara catches an Omigawa kick and takes Omigawa's back. Omigawa walks Kanehara over to the corner and tries to work his way free. Kanehara punches to the side of Omigawa's head, and the judoka holds on, trying to pry Kanehara off yet again. Omigawa turns his back to the corner and falls to sitting. Omigawa almost chucks Kanehara off for a moment, but Kanehara hangs onto his back. Omigawa manages to escape in a scramble, but is still under Kanehara in side. Omigawa momentarily recovers guard, but Kanehara passes to half as Omigawa goes for the guillotine. Omigawa tries for the guillotine again from guard, but Kanehara pops his head out. Kanehara almost gets Omigawa's back again, but Omigawa recovers guard and goes for a straight armbar. It looks tight, but the bell goes before we can really see if he'd caught Kanehara. 10–9 Kanehara.
A Sengoku official has come back stage to announce that Gono is in the hospital. He has a concussion and damage in his neck, but he's awake and is doing well.
Round 2
Kanehara flying at Omigawa with high kicks, punches, and front kicks. Omigawa shuts him down and sprawls on him, kneeing him several times on the head. Kanehara pushes his arms out to block the knees as he sits on his haunches, waiting for Omigawa to give up and move. Omigawa eventually pushes his way into guard, but Kanehara reverses to take side and lands huge knees to Omigawa's head. Omigawa has a hand up to block, but the blows are surely taking their toll. Omigawa's left eye looks closed shut here. Kanehara gets his head caught in the guillotine as he tries to pass, but he pops it out, settling in Omigawa's guard. Omigawa sits up for the guillotine again, and Kanehara gives a few token punches to the body. Kanehara passes to take mount and sets up an arm triangle, punching to the side of Omigawa's body at the same time. Kanehara postures up and drops a few punches at the end of the round. Omigawa fights to his feet and Kanehara gives him a few punches to seal another 10-9 round.
Round 3
Omigawa lands two hard rights, but Kanehara returns with a big punch of his own followed by a high kick. Kanehara shoots in and Omigawa sprawls on him, forcing him to half guard. Kanehara sweeps momentarily, but Omigawa, with Kanehara's head locked up, powers him back down to half guard. Omigawa drops short hammers, before standing and dropping back for a foot lock. Kanehara escapes and pushes forward with punches. Omigawa misses a spinning backhand. They graze each other with punches and a short Kanehara knee. Kanehara drops for a takedown and gets bowled over, Omigawa landing in side mount. Ref Kimura repositions them. Kanehara scrambles under the short punches and Omigawa locks his head up in the sprawl, dropping knees to his dome. Omigawa lands on top in mount in the last thirty, and he postures up to drop punches. Kanehara scrambles and Omigawa takes his back, lands a knee to the face from behind, and the bell goes. 10-9 Omigawa.
Official Scores:
Ohashi: 29-28 Kanehara
Isono: 29-28 Kanehara
Matsumiya: 29-29 Must for Omigawa
Sengoku Lightweight Championship
Satoru Kitaoka vs. Mizuto Hirota
Round 1
Kitaoka takes Hirota right down into half guard. Hirota stands up and Kitaoka drops for a single, but Hirota fights to keep him on his feet. Kitaoka puts Hirota down in a corner after pulling his leg out from underneath, smothering him as he attempts to pass. Kitaoka drops some token punches from in close, as well as slamming the back of Hirota's head on the canvas. Hirota stands right up into the guillotine, and it's close for a second, but he pops it out. Kitaoka begins working for the single again, and he grabs a rope. Serizawa warns him, but the fight is broken up. Hirota takes a swing at Kitaoka but he dives in and takes him down in the corner. Kitaoka postures and drops some punches, misses a stomp. Kitaoka passes to side and goes for that guillotine again. Kitaoka is squeezing, but Hirota survives to pop his head out and return to the cetner. Kitaoka lands a high kcik and Hirota bangs him up with some punches and a high kick of his own. Hirota gets a bodylock takedown, lands in side, drops a few small punches right before the bell. 10 – 9 Kitaoka.
Round 2
Hirota rebuffs a halfhearted takedown attempt. Kitaoka now engaging in some standup, missing a punch and a right uppercut. Kitaoka with a body kick, missed spinning backhand. Kitaoka shoots and Hirota sprawls. Hirota lands a right hand. Kitaoka lands a left, then a right hook, and Hirota shoots this time. Kitaoka chucks him off but pulls guard shortly afterward. Hirota backs away to force the standup. They trade singles. Kitaoka misses a spinning backhand and gets walked into a corner where he clinches up. Hirota pushes him back and Kitaoka lunches with wide punches before shooting in. They're both trading singles again. Hirota puts Kitaoka in the corner and breaks Kitaoka down into his guard. Hirota backs away to force the standup again. Kitaoka is swinging and missing wide, while Hirota is putting small punches on him. Hirota misses a flying knee and Kitaoka shoots right at the bell. 10 – 9 Hirota.
Round 3
Kitaoka middle kick is blocked. Kitaoka lands a sharp left hand, misses the next. Kitaoka drives for a single after dodging some Hirota punches, puts him down near the corner in half guard. Kitaoka dropping small harrying punches, passing to side. Hirota recovers half guard, then full guard. Kitaoka attempting to grind Hirota down with punches as referee Serizawa calls for action. Kitaoka punching to the body, attempts and botches a stomp. Kitaoka sits up, and looks like he's setting up a leg lock, but instead stands and tries a flying stomp. Hirota defends and he lands in half guard. Break. Serizawa gives his customary yellow card for inactivity to Hirota. Kitaoka lands a right hook, body kick, and Hirota lands a body kick and some punches. Kitaoka sits for a takedown, but Hirota bowls him over. Hirota backs away and the fight is stood up at the bell. 10 – 9 Kitaoka.
Round 4
Hirota lunges and Kitaoka ducks for a takedown, and is rebuffed. Happens again, and again, Kitaoka is stuffed. Kitaoka shoots for the double next, instead of waiting for Hirota to close in. Hirota sprawls and Kitaoka lets Hirota take top. Hirota drops punches from half guard as Kitaoka scrambles backward. Hirota stands up and backs away. Kitaoka shoots, eats a lot of knees to the head and face. He stands up, shoots again, and Hirota starts throwing more knees to the head and Kitaoka is trying to gut it out, but his nose is bleeding and he's obviously dazed. He shoots another sloppy takedown and Hirota stuffs it and begins kneeing the top of his head more. Serizawa has seen enough and jumps in for the save at 2:50 of the fourth period. Mizuto Hirota is your new Sengoku lightweight champion.
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Sengoku Gold Cup Finals:
Takeshi Numajiri vs. Ryosuke Komori
Round 1
Both men circle, looking to find range on their kicks and punches. Numajiri throws a combination and runs Komori into the ropes, clinching up for the anaconda, but Komori fights from his knees back to his feet. Komori throws a big punch, but Numajiri evades and takes him down into half guard. Komori holds onto Numajiri's head to keep him from creating space. Numajiri drops a few hammers to the forehead as referee Yoshinori Umeki calls for action. Numajiri drops a few knees to Komori's ribs. Numajiri stands up and throws kick to the legs. Umeki breaks them. Komori misses a high kick and shuffles in Wicky-like. He throws a big right and stuns Numajiri, who drops to his side. Umeki jumps in for the expectantly weak stoppage at 3:25 of the opening frame.
Shigeki Osawa vs. Toru Harai
Round 1
Osawa circles Harai, who takes the center. Harai shoots for the takedown and Osawa shucks him off, but gets popped in the face. Harai shoots again for the double against the ropes and Osawa flips him over and out of the ropes. Umeki brings them back into the ring to standing. Osawa is lunging with hooks, but he's getting popped in the face with counters. He tags Harai with one of his punches and Harai shoots again for a single. Osawa jumping knees Harai in the face twice, and Harai sits on his haunches to avoid them. Osawa drives his way into Harai's guard and attempts passing to side. Osawa gives that up soon and stands to drop punches to the face and body. Osawa attempts to pass, Harai puts him back in guard. Osawa is dropping punches and Harai goes for a weak armbar. Osawa pulls his arm out and stands up, avoids a foot lock, and Umeki breaks them up. Osawa clumsily blocks three big punches and returns with a big left-right that puts Harai down. Osawa dives to land more punches as Harai covers up and goes fetal, and Umeki allows him to drop a few before diving in for the stop at 4:24 of round one. Osawa lands about two extra punches even after Umeki has stepped in.
Ikuo Usuda vs. Koji Ando
Round 1
Ando puts out a glove, but Usuda does not touch. Usuda circles and steps in to throws leg kicks as Ando pops off a few combinations to keep him at a distance. Usuda steps in to throw more punches, pushing Ando backward. Ando holds his own and counters with his own combinations to push Usuda back. Both southpaws are barely clipping each other with these punches. Usuda has landed a handful of nice inside leg kicks in the final minute, but that's about it. 10-9 Usuda, barely.
Round 2
Usuda pressuring with punch-low kick combinations. Ando defends the punches alright, but absorbs the low kicks. Ando puts a few counter punches on Usuda's face whenever he gets close, but he's not doing anything about those low kicks. Usuda getting sloppy now, rushing into Ando's combinations. Usuda body kick, and Ando pumps two right jabs into his face. Ando throwing more punches now, trying to trap Usuda against the ropes. Bell. 10-9 Usuda.
Round 3
Usuda pressuring with punch-low kick combinations. Ando defends the punches alright, but absorbs the low kicks. Ando puts a few counter punches on Usuda's face whenever he gets close, but he's not doing anything about those low kicks. Usuda getting sloppy now, rushing into Ando's combinations. Usuda body kick, and Ando pumps two right jabs into his face. Ando throwing more punches now, trying to trap Usuda against the ropes. Bell. 10-9 Usuda.
Official Scores:
Tomoki Matsumiya: 20–19 Usuda
Gen Isono: 20–20, "Must Decision: Usuda"
Takashi Kobayashi: 20–19 Usuda
Usuda takes the decision on all three judges' cards. Though judge Gen Isono rules the bout a 20-20 draw, he gives his "must decision" vote to Usuda.
Non-Tournament Bout:
Yoshihiro Nakao vs. Mu Bae Choi
Round 1
Southpaw Nakao snapping off some low kicks. Choi pushing in for the clinch, but Nakao sprawls on him and knees him in the dome before letting him go. Choi walking Nakao into the ropes and corners. Nakao throwing more kicks, then drops for a single into Choi's guard. Choi sitting up, and Nakao tries to punch him a few on his way up. Choi slips and gets Nakao's back in the clinch, walks him into a corner. Choi punching to the side of the head from behind as Nakao ducks his head out of the rings to avoid him. Nakao escapes, resumes low kicking. Choi pushes Nakao against the ropes in the clinch and Nakao once again gives up his back. Choi sticking his head out of the ring. Break. The referee committee stops for a second to tape up one of Choi's gloves before resuming. Nakao starts winging a few and ducks for a leg, Choi flips him over and they get to their feet. Choi smashes Nakao against the ropes just before the bell. 10-9 Choi.
Round 2
Nakao dives with an overhand left into a takedown. Choi is sitting against the ropes, with Nakao on top, awkwardly in half guard. Nakao transitions to lock up Choi's head and lets loose two knees before Choi breaks free and gets to his feet. Nakao shoots again for the single and puts Choi down in the corner, punching to his face from side mount. Choi flips to all fours again and Nakao throws another knee. Choi gets to his feet and Nakao gives up his back in the clinch, looks to break Choi's grip with the Sakuraba kimura. Break. Nakao throwing wildly, shoots a single, and goes for riding time as Choi turtles, dropping punches and knees. Choi shrugs these blows off as well and just stands up. Choi smashes Nakao in a corner, dirty-boxing it up. Choi looks to have tried for a standing arm triangle, but Nakao slips out and gives up his back again in the clinch. Break. Choi takes Nakao in the corner again, locking up the back clinch. Bell. 10-9 Nakao.
Round 3
Nakao goes for a single and Choi slips out, eats a few low kicks, and then gets the single anyway. From half guard, he drops a few punches, passes to side, north-south, and Choi flips to all fours and stands up into the clinch. Nakao drives and puts Choi back on his knees, throwing a few knees of his own to the top of Choi's dome. Break. Nakao with a takedown into half guard where he drops token punches en route to passing to side. This goes on for a long while, with Nakao dropping punches, turning as Choi turns. Nakao traps both arms, goes for a kimura which causes Choi to flip to all fours and eat more knees to the dome at 30 seconds left. Choi escapes in the last 10, but it's too little too late. 10-9 Nakao.
Official Scores:
Masanori Ohashi: 30-28 Nakao
Gen Isono: 30–28 Nakao
Takashi Kobayashi: 30–29 Nakao
Nakao takes the lackluster unanimous decision.
Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix:
Hatsu Hioki vs. Masanori Kanehara
Round 1
Hioki lands a low and grazing high kick on Kanehara's chin. Kanehara gives him back a low kick. Hioki swarms and Kanehara recovers on the ropes and punches Hioki away. Hioki shoots and puts Kanehara in the corner, landing on top in half. Hioki maneuvers to get free from the ropes, passing to mount. Hioki sitting up in mount high, dropping punches and setting up Kanehara's arms. Hioki dropping big punches and Kanehara just holds on, throwing up the occasional punch. Kanehara bucks and Hioki transitions for the triangle, then the armbar, then back to the triangle, then to the armbar, then the triangle as Kanehara scrambles thru it all. Kanehara escapes and is under Hioki, trying to keep him from passing to side. Hioki does it anyway and starts droping the knees. Hioki takes mount again and drops more punches, trapping Kanehara's right arm as he punches. Bell. 10-8 Hioki.
Round 2
Kanehara rushes in with punches which Hioki easily slips, goes for the TD in the corner. Kanehara tries for a guillotine, but Hioki pops out and passes to side, dropping knees to head and body. Hioki takes mount. Samio Kimura repositions them away from the ropes. Hioki sits up high in mount, postures to drop punches, then ducks down to maintain balance before popping up to drop a few more shots. Kanehara bridges, gets caught in an armbar, and for a few crazy seconds is in trouble until he captures Hioki's back. Hioki spins around into Kanehara's guard and passes right to side before Kanehara can capitalize however. Hioki drops more knees, takes mount again and wails with punches. Kanehara puts Hioki back in guard as he tries to set up an armbar. Kanehara jumps to his feet and throws wildly, missing wide. Hioki clinches up, slips out the back door and takes Kanehara's back, threatening with the choke at the last 30 seconds, but Kanehara's chin is down. Hioki punches the side of Kanehara's head until the bell for another dominant 10-8 round.
Round 3
Kanehara gets off a low kick, then a grazing high kick. Hioki with a solid kick to the body. Both men trade punches that snap each other's heads back. Kanehara dives with a superman punch-kick. Hioki connects with a one two, then a right counter. Hioki catches a low kick, pushes Kanehara into the ropes and drops for a takedown. Kanehara drives forward into Hioki's guard, passes to half guard. Kanehara fighting to pass, dropping only the occasional punch. When he tries to open up with more offense, Hioki puts him back in guard. Hioki tries to lock Kanehara in rubber guard, but Kanehara escapes. Hioki goes for it again, punches a few from bottom, blocking Kanehara's shots from bottom. Kanehara swings away, trying to get free, landing a few punches, but the bell goes. 10-9 Kanehara.
Official Scores:
Matsumiya: 30–27 Hioki
Isono: 29–27 Hioki
Ohashi: 29–28 Hioki
Hatsu Hioki takes the unanimous decision. The announcers are saying now that the doctors are checking Hioki out a little more thoroughly than usual now. Apparently, he could not answer some of their questions, leading them to suspect he'd taken much more damage than expected.
Marlon Sandro vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Round 1
Sandro misses a big overhand right but connects with a mid-kick and one two. Omigawa fires back with big punches of his own and pushes Sandro back. Sandro lands a small flying knee and has Omigawa backing up with big punches. Omigawa treis to clinch up, eats a big uppercut and stumbles backward. Omigawa is eating a lot of punches, here. His arms are either too short or he's missing wide when he goes to counter. Omigawa charges Sandro into a corner, clinching up and throwing knees to Sandro's leg. Break. Omigawa has a problem of ducking forward to evade shots, and Sandro almost plants a knee in his face for it. Omigawa charges in and gets a hard right hook to push him back. Omigawa gets through with some punches to stumble Sandro back before clinching up and going for the inside trip. Sandro maintains his balance against the ropes. Kimura calls for action. Omigawa is still fighting for the takedown. Sandro takes a swipe at Omigawa as he disengages. Omigawa lands an overhand left, but Sandro's landed like four more punches than him in the exchange. Bell. 10-9 Sandro.
Round 2
Sandro and Omigawa playing more boxing now with Sandro bouncing shots off Omigawa's head and Omigawa going for spinning kicks and such. Omigawa is hanging in there though, absorbing a flying knee and pressing in for combinations. Sandro slipping, landing his counter punches. Sandro is still piling up the damage with big three punch combinations, almost ending up in the Thai plum to land knees to the face. Omigawa goes for the Sanchin stance here because he has absolutely nothing to lose. He eats a low kick or two before lunging for a punch to the body. Sandro is still marking Omigawa up though. Omigawa charges right into a guillotine and hangs on at the last 30 seconds, elbowing Sandro's quads. Bell. 10-9 Sandro.
Round 3
They touch gloves. Omigawa's face looks really marked up. Sandro looking to decapitate Omigawa, throwing big punches on a hugely wide stance. Omigawa ducking his way in to put hands on Sandro, gets a few punches through. Omigawa lands a low kick, body punch. Sandro finally shoots for the takedown and almost falls into a guillotine—he pulls out before he does. Sandro tries to pull Omigawa into the Thai plum, but Omigawa fends him off... and eats a few more punches. Omigawa pushes Sandro into a cornerm knees his legs. Sandro spins out, lands more punches to Omigawa's face. Omigawa pushes in for the clinch again, but Sandro isn't going down. Sandro pushes Omigawa off and they go back to trading punches. Sandro is still landing the greater numbers, but Omigawa is incredibly tough. Omigawa trying to take Sandro down from the clinch again, but Sandro has amazing balance. Omigawa finally gets the inside trip at the last 30m and he postures to drop punches as Sandro transitions for a foot. Omigawa turns and the bell goes. 10–9 Sandro.
Official Scores:
Ohashi: 30–29 Sandro
Kenichi Serizawa: 30–30 Omigawa
Kobayashi: 30-30 Omigawa
Two judges rule the bout a 30-30 draw, but ludicrously side with Omigawa in their "must decision." Thus, Marlon Sandro is unjustly cheated out of what should be a clear unanimous decision. Omigawa advances to the finals.
Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout:
Chan Sung Jung vs. Matt Jaggers
Round 1
Both men are swinging for a KO here, and Jung lands a wide right, forcing Jaggers to drop for a takedown. Jung bowls him over into his guard however. They reposition and Jaggers doesn't seem to understand why they're doing so. Jung dropping small punches from top as Jaggers works wrist control. Break by Kimura, and he warns an incredulous Jaggers to be more active. Jung flying at Jaggers with punches and a flying knee. Jaggers weathers the blows and ducks for a takedown right into Jung's guard. Ref repositions again. Jung staying busy with punches from bottom, Jaggers staying busy with short punches from above. Jung almost reverses into mount, but Jaggers drives forward and passes to half guard. Jung recovers full guard at the last 10. Bell. 10-9 Jung.
Round 2
Jung is swinging wide, misses a high kick, and then misses another huge right hand as Jaggers takes him down into half guard. Jung going ballistic from bottom, trying to unleash with punches from bottom. Jaggers tries to pass and Jung locks up a triangle, going methodically step by step as Jaggers does nothing really to stop it. Jaggers taps. The official time on Jung's triangle is 1:25 of round two.
Non-Tournament Bouts:
Eiji Mitsuoka vs. Clay French
Round 1
They touch gloves and the southpaw Mitsuoka takes the center, low kicking until maneuvering French into a corner. They clinch up and Mitsuoka goes for the single, but French pulls his leg free. Mitsuoka probing for the trip, foot-stomping, and eventually gets the trip, landing in French's guard. Mitsuoka explodes into a knee to the face and hops up to lock up the guillotine. French stands up, falls, and is tapping at the 1:51 mark.
Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hornbuckle
Round 1
Southpaw Hornbuckle lands a low kick, and Gono replies with a snapping middle kick. Gono bounces and stays on the outside, lands a body shot. Gono comes in with a left hook counter off a Hornbuckle middle kick. Gono lands a hard right, eats a short right jab in return. Hornbuckle with a nice body kick, charges in after to clinch, but Gono shakes him off. Gono lands a quick left hook counter. More kicks to the body of Gono. Hornbuckle swarms, hits Gono a few and lands a bunch of knees to Gono's midsection, but Gono is blocking. Gono falls to his back and gets his face stomped twice, but he's hanging in there. Hornbuckle sits in Gono's guard. There's a cut under Gono's left eye on the cheek. Gono holding Hornbuckle in close as the American punches body-body-head. Hornbuckle stands and tries to stomp again, but Gono gets to his feet, catches a kick and lands a body shot at the bell. 10-9 Hornbuckle.
Round 2
Both fighters trading grazing punches and middle kicks at the center. Gono drops Hornbuckle with a body shot. Hornbuckle gets to his feet, and Gono begins pressing the fight more, pushing in with one-twos, backing the American up. Hornbuckle lands a few low kicks, but Gono is backing him up, maneuvering him into the ropes. Hornbuckle drops for the double and lands in half. Hornbuckle fighting to pass, but Gono holds onto his leg. Hornbuckle finally passes and takes mount. He sits up a bit, drops a few punches, but stays pretty close. Hornbuckle looking to isolate Gono's left arm, but Gono wrenches it free. Gono hanging on as Hornbuckle punches away to the bell. 10-9 Hornbuckle.
Round 3
Hornbuckle throws a hard low kick that almost trips Gono. Hornbuckle keeping Gono at back with kicks, egging Gono on after he lands a hard right. Gono lungin in with big punches, and Hornbuckle covers up, pushes him into the ropes. Break. Gono jabbing and snapping off quick uppercuts, keeping Hornbuckle backpedalling. Hornbuckle catches a Gono middle kick and throws a right head kick to counter, landing straight to Gono's chin that knocks him out cold at the 2:50 mark of the third stage.
Hatsu Hioki is announced as having a concussion and cannot continue. Thus, the featherweight grand prix final will be Michihiro Omigawa and Masanori Kanehara. A Sengoku official briefly came back stage to explain that after his fight with Masanori Kanehara, Hatsu Hioki felt numbness along with a lack of strength in his arms and legs. Suspecting a concussion, doctors have sent Hioki to the hospital.
Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Blagoi Ivanov
Round 1
Fujita takes the center of the ring. Both men are pawing with huge mits, but grazing. It's not long before both start wind-milling, throwing their arms wide in a rush to see who'll land the big shot first. They survive each other's initial onslaught and circle each other more. Then Ivanov unleashes and plants a few big bear paws on Fujita, who stumbles and drops for a single to survive and stay in the game. Fujita takes his time, spins his way into the takedown and Ivanov sits back and tries for a guillotine. Fujita escapes and in half guard, resting. Fujita moving to pass, dropping a few short punches to the side of Ivanov's head. Fujita gets to his feet, passes, and Ivanov pops to his feet as well. Fujita and Ivanov share a Takayama – Frye moment at the very end of the round. 10-9 Ivanov.
Round 2
Ivanov is windmilling again, so Fujita does what comes natural and takes him down, landing in side. Ivanov rolls to his belly, Fujita pushes him onto his back and keeps his distance, forcing the standup. Fujita closing with right straights of his own now. Ivanov is missing his giant, swinging left hooks. Ivanov is sucking down wind, his hands at his waist. Can Fujita capitalize on that. Ivanov evades a wide left hook, stuffs a takedown attempt. They clinch breifly and Ivanov is throwing big lefts, but Fujita is dodging and slipping. Fujita pushes Ivanov against the corner and both men take the opportunity to rest. Fujita lands a big one-two, but Ivanov has some whiskers, fires back with his big punches. They grapple in the clinch until the bell. 10–10.
Round 3
Fujita trades a right for an Ivanov left, then lunges for the single. Ivanov showing good balance, hopping around and forcing the break. Referee Matsumiya calls a temporary stop to get Fujita's slightly bloodied face cleaned up. Ivanov one-two gives way to a Fujita' single leg. Ivanov pulls his leg out of two attempts and lands a snapping middle kick to Fujita's body. Ivanov lands some punches and body kicks while Fujita walks forward and absorbs them. Fujita shoves his way into a clinch in the corner, and Ivanov chucks him off. Fujita eats a few more punches, gets the single leg into half guard. Matsumiya repositions them away from the ropes. Fujita is pretty inert on top, until he sets up the arm triangle, but Ivanov shakes his way out of two such attempts. 10 seconds left and Ivanov and Fujita ride the time out. 10–9 Ivanov.
Official Scores:
Ohashi: 30 - 28 Fujita
Kobayashi: 30 - 27 Ivanov
Isono: 29 - 29 Must for Ivanov
Ivanov and Fujita split on two judges, with the final judge, Gen Isono, voting 29-29. His "must decision" sides with Ivanov, giving the Bulgarian the split decision.
Kazuo Misaki vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Round 1
Nakamura has his hands down, baiting Misaki. They trade kicks, until Nakamura lunges with a right, which Misaki answers with a knee. Misaki lands a crisp right straight. Nakamura lunges forward with the punches, apparently, looking to punch his way into the clinch. Nakamura lands a shot to Misaki's groin and they stop for him to recover. Nakamura ducking Misaki's punches, landing body punches, but Misaki eventually does hit him and pulls him into the clinch. Nakamura hits another low kick to the groin, but Misaki shakes it off quickly. Misaki lunges with a huge knee that puts Nakamura on his rear, and he scrambles. Misaki pulls him into a guillotine and Umeki jumps in for the stop at 3:03 of the first.
Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix Final
Masanori Kanehara vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Round 1
Kanehara catches an Omigawa kick and takes Omigawa's back. Omigawa walks Kanehara over to the corner and tries to work his way free. Kanehara punches to the side of Omigawa's head, and the judoka holds on, trying to pry Kanehara off yet again. Omigawa turns his back to the corner and falls to sitting. Omigawa almost chucks Kanehara off for a moment, but Kanehara hangs onto his back. Omigawa manages to escape in a scramble, but is still under Kanehara in side. Omigawa momentarily recovers guard, but Kanehara passes to half as Omigawa goes for the guillotine. Omigawa tries for the guillotine again from guard, but Kanehara pops his head out. Kanehara almost gets Omigawa's back again, but Omigawa recovers guard and goes for a straight armbar. It looks tight, but the bell goes before we can really see if he'd caught Kanehara. 10–9 Kanehara.
A Sengoku official has come back stage to announce that Gono is in the hospital. He has a concussion and damage in his neck, but he's awake and is doing well.
Round 2
Kanehara flying at Omigawa with high kicks, punches, and front kicks. Omigawa shuts him down and sprawls on him, kneeing him several times on the head. Kanehara pushes his arms out to block the knees as he sits on his haunches, waiting for Omigawa to give up and move. Omigawa eventually pushes his way into guard, but Kanehara reverses to take side and lands huge knees to Omigawa's head. Omigawa has a hand up to block, but the blows are surely taking their toll. Omigawa's left eye looks closed shut here. Kanehara gets his head caught in the guillotine as he tries to pass, but he pops it out, settling in Omigawa's guard. Omigawa sits up for the guillotine again, and Kanehara gives a few token punches to the body. Kanehara passes to take mount and sets up an arm triangle, punching to the side of Omigawa's body at the same time. Kanehara postures up and drops a few punches at the end of the round. Omigawa fights to his feet and Kanehara gives him a few punches to seal another 10-9 round.
Round 3
Omigawa lands two hard rights, but Kanehara returns with a big punch of his own followed by a high kick. Kanehara shoots in and Omigawa sprawls on him, forcing him to half guard. Kanehara sweeps momentarily, but Omigawa, with Kanehara's head locked up, powers him back down to half guard. Omigawa drops short hammers, before standing and dropping back for a foot lock. Kanehara escapes and pushes forward with punches. Omigawa misses a spinning backhand. They graze each other with punches and a short Kanehara knee. Kanehara drops for a takedown and gets bowled over, Omigawa landing in side mount. Ref Kimura repositions them. Kanehara scrambles under the short punches and Omigawa locks his head up in the sprawl, dropping knees to his dome. Omigawa lands on top in mount in the last thirty, and he postures up to drop punches. Kanehara scrambles and Omigawa takes his back, lands a knee to the face from behind, and the bell goes. 10-9 Omigawa.
Official Scores:
Ohashi: 29-28 Kanehara
Isono: 29-28 Kanehara
Matsumiya: 29-29 Must for Omigawa
Sengoku Lightweight Championship
Satoru Kitaoka vs. Mizuto Hirota
Round 1
Kitaoka takes Hirota right down into half guard. Hirota stands up and Kitaoka drops for a single, but Hirota fights to keep him on his feet. Kitaoka puts Hirota down in a corner after pulling his leg out from underneath, smothering him as he attempts to pass. Kitaoka drops some token punches from in close, as well as slamming the back of Hirota's head on the canvas. Hirota stands right up into the guillotine, and it's close for a second, but he pops it out. Kitaoka begins working for the single again, and he grabs a rope. Serizawa warns him, but the fight is broken up. Hirota takes a swing at Kitaoka but he dives in and takes him down in the corner. Kitaoka postures and drops some punches, misses a stomp. Kitaoka passes to side and goes for that guillotine again. Kitaoka is squeezing, but Hirota survives to pop his head out and return to the cetner. Kitaoka lands a high kcik and Hirota bangs him up with some punches and a high kick of his own. Hirota gets a bodylock takedown, lands in side, drops a few small punches right before the bell. 10 – 9 Kitaoka.
Round 2
Hirota rebuffs a halfhearted takedown attempt. Kitaoka now engaging in some standup, missing a punch and a right uppercut. Kitaoka with a body kick, missed spinning backhand. Kitaoka shoots and Hirota sprawls. Hirota lands a right hand. Kitaoka lands a left, then a right hook, and Hirota shoots this time. Kitaoka chucks him off but pulls guard shortly afterward. Hirota backs away to force the standup. They trade singles. Kitaoka misses a spinning backhand and gets walked into a corner where he clinches up. Hirota pushes him back and Kitaoka lunches with wide punches before shooting in. They're both trading singles again. Hirota puts Kitaoka in the corner and breaks Kitaoka down into his guard. Hirota backs away to force the standup again. Kitaoka is swinging and missing wide, while Hirota is putting small punches on him. Hirota misses a flying knee and Kitaoka shoots right at the bell. 10 – 9 Hirota.
Round 3
Kitaoka middle kick is blocked. Kitaoka lands a sharp left hand, misses the next. Kitaoka drives for a single after dodging some Hirota punches, puts him down near the corner in half guard. Kitaoka dropping small harrying punches, passing to side. Hirota recovers half guard, then full guard. Kitaoka attempting to grind Hirota down with punches as referee Serizawa calls for action. Kitaoka punching to the body, attempts and botches a stomp. Kitaoka sits up, and looks like he's setting up a leg lock, but instead stands and tries a flying stomp. Hirota defends and he lands in half guard. Break. Serizawa gives his customary yellow card for inactivity to Hirota. Kitaoka lands a right hook, body kick, and Hirota lands a body kick and some punches. Kitaoka sits for a takedown, but Hirota bowls him over. Hirota backs away and the fight is stood up at the bell. 10 – 9 Kitaoka.
Round 4
Hirota lunges and Kitaoka ducks for a takedown, and is rebuffed. Happens again, and again, Kitaoka is stuffed. Kitaoka shoots for the double next, instead of waiting for Hirota to close in. Hirota sprawls and Kitaoka lets Hirota take top. Hirota drops punches from half guard as Kitaoka scrambles backward. Hirota stands up and backs away. Kitaoka shoots, eats a lot of knees to the head and face. He stands up, shoots again, and Hirota starts throwing more knees to the head and Kitaoka is trying to gut it out, but his nose is bleeding and he's obviously dazed. He shoots another sloppy takedown and Hirota stuffs it and begins kneeing the top of his head more. Serizawa has seen enough and jumps in for the save at 2:50 of the fourth period. Mizuto Hirota is your new Sengoku lightweight champion.
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