The KOA tournament first round continues with Empress Azumi taking on her mentor Empress Sayuri.
Both women are in the back getting their fists taped and getting their gloves put on.
Empress Sayuri comes out first, wearing a black sports bra and matching shorts, and her hair tied in a ponytail. As usual, she gets inspected cage side, she hugs her corner staff, receives her mouth piece and enters the octagon, after a few seconds of running around, she settles in her corner.
Next, out comes Empress Azumi, wearing a red sports bra and matching shorts, and, Azumi has her hair tied back as well. Just like Sayuri, Azumi gets inspected cage side, hugs her corner staff, receives her mouth piece and quickly enters the octagon. The both women shake hands as they pass each other, and now Azumi stands in her corner.
Ring announcer Karen Rogers enters the octagon to make the official introductions.
“Good evening ladies & gentlemen, and welcome to this exciting 1st round KOA tournament match up.
“Introducing first, from Japan, the former Women’s World Champion...EMPRESS SAYURI!”
Sayuri bows and smiles to the crowd.
“And her opponent, also from Japan...EMPRESS AZUMI.”
Azumi also bows and smiles to the crowd.
Both women meet in the middle of the octagon for final instructions, they touch gloves and go back to their corners.
The bell rings and both women come out circling to start round 1.
Immediately Azumi backs Sayuri against the cage and begins landing lefts and rights to Sayuri’s body, eventually making her drop to one knee. But, Azumi backs off and allows Sayuri to get back to her feet.
As soon as Sayuri gets back to her feet though, Azumi knocks her right back down with a vicious back hand punch right to the face. Sayuri has a little bit of trouble gettig to her feet after that shot.
Azumi moves in to deliver more punishment, but, Sayuri fires off a quick hard shot to Azumi’s stomach, and another one to her face, stunning Azumi, Sayuri then scores with a kick that sweeps out Azumi’s leg, knocking her to the mat, Sayuri moves to get on top, but, the horn sounds, ending round 1.
Both women easily make it to their respective corners.
In Sayuri’s corner:
“Great way to end the round, you really knocked her around, we need to build on the momentum. Go out at the start of this next round and really swing for the fences, aim to knock her head off, let’s end this quickly and move onto the next round.”
In Azumi’s corner:
“Azumi, you started out great, but, you need to finish stronger, you left yourself wide open, and now she has confidence, go out there, start strong, finish strong and leave no doubt who the better Empress is...”
Both women are on their feet for round 2.
The bell sounds and both women come out ready to fight.
As instructed Sayuri comes out swinging, but is quickly knocked down to the mat by another vicious backhand punch by Azumi, Azumi quickly gets on top and just begins hammering away on Sayuri, after a minute Azumi gets back to her feet and allows Sayuri to get to her feet as well.
Sayuri again tries to mount a quick offense, but, Azumi backs her against the cage and begins just landing punch after punch, eventually they locks up, and Azumi easily gets a hip toss, sending Sayuri crashing down to the mat.
Sayuri tries to get back to her feet, but, Azumi sweeps her leg out from under her, sending her back down to the mat. Sayuri struggles, but, she mansges to get back to her feet, just as the horn sounds, ending round 2.
Sayuri actually needs help getting to her corner.
In Azumi’s corner:
“Great job in that last round, Azumi, keep going out there and dominating and you’ll win this fight...”
In Sayuri’s corner:
“What happened that round? Look, try to remain on your feet, and keeps throwing bombs out there, that’s the only way you’ll gain the upper hand out there. This fight isn’t over yet...”
Both women are on their feet for round 3.
The bell sounds, and both women begin circling.
Azumi scores with a stiff kick to Sayuri’s left side, making her clutch her side quickly. She tries the kick again, but, this time, Sayuri catches her leg, and fires off two quick hard punches to Azumi’s face, dropping Azumi to the canvas.
Sayuri tries to get on top, but, Azumi is able to slip through and get back to her feet quickly.
Both women begin exchanging rights & lefts in the middle of the octagon, with Azumi gaining the advantage, when finally her punches were unanswered.
Finally with a stiff right, Sayuri is knocked back to the canvas, her head actually bounces off the mat, but just as Azumi was about to get on top, the horn sounds, ending round 3.
Sayuri is so stunned, she needs help locating her corner.
In Azumi’s corner:
“Great job so far, you’re starting to prove why you’re the best, go out there and go for a takedown and show off your ground and pound skills. Win this next round and the fight is yours.”
In Sayuri’s corner:
“You need to get it together, you got destroyed out there, you can’t be out there exchanging punches with someone younger than you. Back her against the cage and wear her down, that’s all you can do.”
Both women are on their feet for round 4.
The bell rings, and both women touch gloves and begin circling.
As expected, Azumi shoots for a takedown, and is successful, and quickly gains dominant position on Sayuri. And before long, Azumi begins raining down and punches and elbow shots onto Sayuri, opening a cut under Sayuri’s left eye.
After a few more hard punches, Azumi gets up and allows Sayuri to get back to her feet as well.
Just as Sayuri gets back to her feet, she’s knocked right back down by a devastating head kick, almost knocking her out, just then the horn sounds ending round 4.
Sayuri literally has to be dragged to her corner.
The entire time they’re working to revive Sayuri
In Azumi’s corner:
“Fantastic way to end the round, and may I say, to end the fight, sh’s not going to be ready for the next round. Congratulations.”
Just at that moment, the referee signals that the the fight is over, Empress Azumi is declared the winner.
Azumi celebrates for a few minutes, and makes sure to shake hands with Sayuri.
Posts
