Naoki Inoue

Naoki Inoue vs. Matt Schnell

Round 1
Schnell finds success with his left hand in the opening round, faking a level-change and then coming upstairs to pop Inoue with a speedy hook. Inoue starts to find his range toward the middle of the frame, sticking Schnell with jabs and short left hooks, well-timed counters to the American’s leg kicks. 10-9 Inoue.

Round 2
Schnell does better to avoid the hands of Inoue in the second stanza, instead keeping to the outside and landing low kicks on the taller man. The fake shot-to-left hand is still working for the American as well. “Danger” is sticking some good jabs and countering Inoue’s kicks now, though the Japanese fighter is still having success with his long, speedy jabs. Late in the round, Schnell sidesteps a teep kick and comes back at Inoue with a pair of hard counters. 10-9 Schnell.

Round 3
Inoue goes straight after a takedown on the fence, but Schnell is able to resist the prospect’s deep single-leg attempt. Inoue lands a few knees as the flyweights battle in the clinch, but it’s Schnell exiting the tie-up with a left hand. Inoue looks to be the aggressor in the latter half of the final frame, whereas Schnell had been moving forward for much of the first two rounds. Neither man is particularly busy or dominant down the stretch, but it’s Inoue who raises his hands in victory when the final horn sounds. 10-9 Inoue (29-28 Inoue).

The Official Result
Matt Schnell def. Naoki Inoue via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00