PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Minoru Suzuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoto Haramushi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Suzuki kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Sunrise. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Suzuki
vs
Haramushi

185 cm
22
187 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Minoru Suzuki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoto Haramushi!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Suzuki lands with a nice body punch.
Nice takedown defense from Suzuki. No joy for Haramushi on that attempt.
Haramushi fails with an attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Haramushi.

Haramushi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Suzuki tries to hold on but Haramushi postures up.
Haramushi content just to control the position here.
Suzuki is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Suzuki regains half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Suzuki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Suzuki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Haramushi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suzuki slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Suzuki is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Suzuki has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Haramushi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Haramushi throwing strikes but missing.

Haramushi drops back looking for a leg! Suzuki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Suzuki manages to kick Haramushi off! Haramushi jumps back into Suzuki's guard.
Suzuki on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Suzuki tries to get out of the position.
Haramushi works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Suzuki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Suzuki throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Suzuki is trying to get back to full guard.
Haramushi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Suzuki keeps working.
Suzuki tries to roll over but Haramushi keeps him under control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Haramushi has managed to clinch.

Suzuki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yoto Haramushi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Suzuki takes a swing at Haramushi's ribcage but misses.
Haramushi shoots in but no luck this time.
Minoru Suzuki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoto Haramushi.
Haramushi looks gassed!
Haramushi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Suzuki tries to avoid it but Haramushi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Suzuki to the ground. Suzuki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Suzuki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Suzuki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Suzuki tries to free his leg and advance position but Haramushi is retaining full guard.
Suzuki passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Haramushi tries to buck Suzuki off but Suzuki is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Suzuki trying to control the position but Haramushi is working away.

Suzuki goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Haramushi has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Suzuki but great work by Haramushi.

Haramushi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Suzuki tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Haramushi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Haramushi trying to control the action but Suzuki is working from the bottom.

Haramushi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Suzuki, who protects the arm well.

Haramushi tries for a kimura but Suzuki is defending well.
Haramushi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Suzuki keeps working.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Haramushi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Suzuki, who protects the arm well.
Haramushi advances to full mount.
Haramushi avoids the attempt from Suzuki to control.
Haramushi with shots to the head and body - Suzuki looks very uncomfortable down there.
Haramushi with the ground and pound from mount.

Haramushi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Suzuki can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Haramushi looking to finish Suzuki with some ground and pound. This is bad for Suzuki!
Suzuki is trying to escape the mount.
Suzuki bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki trying to control but Haramushi is working from the bottom.
Haramushi throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Haramushi keeping full guard, as Suzuki tries to pass.
Suzuki wants to control from the top but Haramushi keeps moving.

Haramushi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Haramushi has his foot on Suzuki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Suzuki works his way back into a safe position though.
Suzuki advances to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Haramushi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Haramushi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Haramushi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Suzuki!
Suzuki is wriggling around trying to escape.
Haramushi avoids the attempt from Suzuki to control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Suzuki defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Haramushi.
Suzuki wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Suzuki covers up after that shot from Haramushi.

Suzuki is rocked!
Haramushi scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Suzuki is looking for a way out.
Oh Suzuki is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Haramushi doesn't have the hooks in and Suzuki manages to turn into his guard.
Suzuki seems to have got his legs back now.
Suzuki wants to pass the guard but Haramushi is keeping the position.
Suzuki trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Haramushi manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Suzuki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Haramushi regains half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Suzuki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Haramushi controlling the position for now.
Suzuki passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Haramushi!

Suzuki goes for an armbar but Haramushi turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Haramushi.
Suzuki keeping moving, preventing Haramushi from controlling successfully.
Suzuki keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Haramushi trying to control but Suzuki is working from the bottom.
Suzuki trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi wants to control from the top but Suzuki keeps moving.
Haramushi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Suzuki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Haramushi takes the fight into the clinch.
Haramushi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Suzuki just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Haramushi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Suzuki gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Suzuki lands a takedown into guard.
Suzuki distracts Haramushi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki looking to pass the guard.
Suzuki is working hard here to advance position.
Suzuki has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Suzuki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Haramushi keeping full guard, as Suzuki tries to pass.
Suzuki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Suzuki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Suzuki advances position into side control!
Suzuki lands a few punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoto Haramushi dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Suzuki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Suzuki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Suzuki stopping the sweep attempt from Haramushi.
Suzuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Haramushi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Suzuki throwing strikes from guard but Haramushi blocks nicely.
Haramushi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Suzuki!
Yoto Haramushi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Suzuki is in all sorts of trouble here.
Haramushi looking to control but Suzuki is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Suzuki can't escape the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Haramushi breaks from Suzuki's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haramushi is working for a guillotine from mount but Suzuki frees his head quite easily.
Suzuki is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Suzuki gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Suzuki gets back to full guard.
Suzuki has control of Haramushi's left arm, preventing Haramushi from doing any damage.
Suzuki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Suzuki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Haramushi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Haramushi preventing the sweep.

Suzuki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Haramushi trying to control but Suzuki is working from the bottom.
Suzuki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Suzuki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Suzuki wants to sweep but no luck.

Haramushi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Haramushi wants to control but Suzuki is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Suzuki lands with a punch from half guard.
Suzuki is pressing down on Haramushi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Haramushi is holding on for now.
Haramushi is trying to control but can't.

Haramushi looking for submissions off his back.
Suzuki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Haramushi trying to control here.
Haramushi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Suzuki.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Haramushi fails with the takedown

and Suzuki counters with a shoot takedown. Haramushi fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Haramushi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi keeping moving, preventing Suzuki from controlling successfully.
Suzuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haramushi is keeping the position for now.

Haramushi had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Suzuki is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Haramushi Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Suzuki's back instead.
Suzuki breaks Haramushi's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Suzuki tries to free his leg and advance position but Haramushi is retaining full guard.
Haramushi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Suzuki manages to get himself to full guard.

Suzuki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Haramushi trying to control but Suzuki is working from the bottom.
Suzuki has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi trying to control the position from guard on top but Suzuki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Suzuki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Haramushi works over Suzuki with some ground and pound from guard.
Haramushi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Suzuki is keeping the position for now.
Haramushi advances to half guard.
Haramushi wants to take a breather but Suzuki is having none of it.
Haramushi wants to pass the guard but Suzuki is defending well.
Haramushi working the head and body with strikes.

Suzuki actively working from the bottom here.
Haramushi prevents Suzuki from improving his position.
Haramushi wants to get back to his feet.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Suzuki looking for submissions off his back.
Suzuki is looking to control Haramushi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Suzuki avoid being mounted?

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Suzuki drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Haramushi keeping moving, preventing Suzuki from controlling successfully.
Haramushi trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Suzuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haramushi is keeping the position for now.
Suzuki works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Suzuki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haramushi keeps working.
Suzuki is taking a breather. Haramushi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Suzuki is trying to work for a kimura but Haramushi is defending well.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Haramushi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Haramushi is in trouble now - Suzuki has advanced to mount!
Haramushi taking shots to the head.
Haramushi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Haramushi in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Haramushi is looking to get to half guard.
Suzuki lands a heavy elbow.
Haramushi tries to hold on but Suzuki pushes him away.

Suzuki jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Haramushi manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Haramushi is looking for a sweep.
Haramushi is not content to let Suzuki control the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Suzuki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haramushi keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Suzuki with a lazy takedown attempt

and Haramushi counters with a single leg into guard. Suzuki didn't expect that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Suzuki trying to control the position.
Haramushi advances to half guard.

Suzuki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Suzuki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Suzuki.
Suzuki is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki trying to control the position.

Suzuki is looking for a triangle but Haramushi pushes his legs off easily.
Suzuki is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Haramushi trying to control the position from guard on top but Suzuki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Suzuki working a defensive guard here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Haramushi shoots and misses

and Suzuki counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Haramushi's guard now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Suzuki cracks Haramushi with a solid left hand.
Haramushi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Suzuki's guard.
Haramushi won't allow Suzuki to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Minoru Suzuki showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Minoru Suzuki!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Minoru Suzuki!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Minoru Suzuki!

Minoru Suzuki wins by unanimous decision!