This is first fight of the Lightweight GP tourney aka “The Road to Gomi”. Schultz is a real tough dude–he was the last lightweight champ of the IFL before that promotion folded, plus he’s a Portland, OR homeboy who trains at Team Quest under Matt Lindland. Hirota is the lightweight champ of the Japanese Cage Force promotion. Schultz could be the favorite to win the whole thing. He dominated recent Affliction signee Chris Horodecki to win the title late last year (though Horodecki TKO’d him in an earlier matchup). Prefight is done, fighters are in the ring and here we go…:

ROUND ONE:

Hiorta comes out swinging, but Schultz counterpunches nicely. Hirota slows the pace to consider the effectiveness of his strategy. Hirota the aggressor and is moving forward, but Schultz countering everything nicely. Hirota lands a straight right that stuns Schultz but he shakes it off. Schultz’s best weapon so far has been his counter low kicks which are clearly causing Hirota difficulty. Schultz gets the takedown and the fight goes to the ground. Schultz works briefly in Hirota’s guard, then gets up trying to land some big strikes. In the process he gets nailed with a nasty upkick that hurts him but he seems to have his legs back. Round ends without much action…

ROUND TWO:

Pretty even fight, with Schultz trying for takedowns and not getting them and the two men exchanging strikes but none really getting an advantage. Fighters now trading punches, with Hirota getting the best of it. Schultz is dazed and is trying to tie up and go for a takedown but misses and falls between the ropes. Schultz tries again and Hirota clocks him with a big left hook and he goes down like he got shot. Ref waves it off immediately…

MIZUTO HIROTA WINS BY TKO