PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Glen Burnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jushin Kusanagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kusanagi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Got The Life. Jushin Kusanagi looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Burnett
vs
Kusanagi

180 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
20
150 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Rush Pharmaceuticals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Glen Burnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jushin Kusanagi!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burnett misses the jab.
Kusanagi keeps the fight on the outside.

Burnett has managed to clinch.
Burnett struggles to land a body shot inside as Kusanagi controls his hands.
Burnett gets underhooks to prevent Kusanagi's takedown attempt.
Burnett throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kusanagi.

Burnett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Burnett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kusanagi tries for a takedown but Burnett sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Burnett tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kusanagi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Burnett wants to stand up but Kusanagi is controlling him.
Burnett working a defensive guard here.
Kusanagi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Burnett looking for a guillotine here but Kusanagi defends easily.
Burnett wants to sweep here but Kusanagi controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusanagi postures up.
Kusanagi won't allow Burnett to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Burnett looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kusanagi!
Kusanagi squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Kusanagi is wriggling around trying to escape.

Burnett is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Burnett is breathing heavily.
Burnett shoots and misses

and Kusanagi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kusanagi is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Burnett gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Glen Burnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jushin Kusanagi.
Burnett has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kusanagi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kusanagi lands an uppercut.
Kusanagi prevents a takedown attempt there.

Kusanagi pulls guard effortlessly.
Burnett wants to get up but he can't break Kusanagi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kusanagi keeping moving, preventing Burnett from controlling successfully.
Kusanagi keeping full guard, as Burnett tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burnett is working hard here to advance position.

Kusanagi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Burnett has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Burnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Kusanagi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burnett stands and throws Kusanagi's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Burnett is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kusanagi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Burnett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kusanagi keeps working.

Burnett looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burnett is looking to take a break and control but Kusanagi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Burnett controlling the position.
Kusanagi is not content to let Burnett control the position.

Burnett stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Burnett is looking to clinch but Kusanagi is avoiding it.

Burnett scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Burnett looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kusanagi is refusing to be controlled, as Burnett sits in half guard.
Kusanagi tries to roll over but Burnett keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burnett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kusanagi keeps working.
Burnett seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Burnett wants to control but Kusanagi is keeping him busy.
Burnett scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Burnett decides to stand and escape the position.
Burnett lands a two punch combo.
Burnett tries to clinch but Kusanagi is having none of it.
Burnett clinches but Kusanagi breaks the clinch

and Kusanagi counters with a single leg into guard. Burnett didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kusanagi looking to sit in guard and control but Burnett gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Burnett wants to get up but he can't break Kusanagi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Burnett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kusanagi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Burnett wants to stand but Kusanagi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Burnett wants to control from the top but Kusanagi keeps moving.
Kusanagi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Burnett!

Kusanagi working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Kusanagi working for a submission but Burnett is keeping him at bay.

Kusanagi looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Burnett can't escape the position.

That's six 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.
Burnett wants to hold on but Kusanagi pushes him away.
Burnett is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
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.
Kusanagi trying to control but Burnett is having none of it.
Burnett tries to lock up and control but Kusanagi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Burnett is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Burnett is bucking up trying to escape but Kusanagi cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Kusanagi avoids the attempt from Burnett to control.
Burnett really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi looking to control but Burnett is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Burnett keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Burnett sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Burnett is controlling Kusanagi's trapped leg to prevent Kusanagi from advancing to side control.
Burnett trying to control here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Glen Burnett just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Burnett's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Burnett duly obliges.

Kusanagi is rocked!

Burnett takes the fight into the clinch.

Kusanagi has Burnett pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kusanagi pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Burnett tumbling to the mat - Kusanagi dives into Burnett's guard.
Kusanagi trying to control the position from guard on top but Burnett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kusanagi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Burnett, up you get!
Burnett clinches but Kusanagi breaks the clinch

and Kusanagi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Burnett looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Burnett is trying to control but can't.

Kusanagi seems to be working for a kimura but Burnett defends the submission attempt.
Burnett tries to kick Kusanagi off but Kusanagi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kusanagi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Burnett is doing well to control the position and prevent Kusanagi from advancing to side control.

Kusanagi wants to work for an arm triangle but Burnett is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Burnett looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Burnett is not content to let Kusanagi control the position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Burnett is trying to maintain the position but Kusanagi is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Burnett tries to clinch but Kusanagi moves out of range.
Burnett will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Burnett gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kusanagi counters with a three punch combo that has Burnett backing up. Burnett nods at Kusanagi to acknowledge the strikes.

Burnett closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kusanagi is working to avoid the ground and pound but Burnett connects with a decent elbow.
Burnett tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Burnett wants to control but Kusanagi is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burnett has knee on belly momentarily but Kusanagi bucks him off and regains half guard.
Burnett wants to free his trapped foot but Kusanagi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jushin Kusanagi will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Burnett fails in his attempt to clinch.
Burnett tries to clinch but Kusanagi moves away

and Kusanagi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Burnett looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kusanagi passes into half guard.
Kusanagi prevents Burnett from improving his position.

Kusanagi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Burnett doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kusanagi.
Kusanagi is trying to control the action in half guard but Burnett is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Burnett is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Well, if Kusanagi is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burnett is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kusanagi seems to be looking for submissions.
Kusanagi prevents Burnett from standing back up.
Burnett wants to improve his position but Kusanagi is controlling well.
Burnett trying to control from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Burnett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kusanagi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kusanagi stops Burnett from standing up.
Kusanagi lands a couple of elbows.
Burnett has a closed guard, preventing Kusanagi from standing up.

Burnett throws his legs up looking for a submission but Kusanagi uses it to pass to side control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burnett tries to buck Kusanagi off but Kusanagi is having none of it.
Burnett wants to control but Kusanagi postures up.
Burnett is trying to improve his position.
Kusanagi working away.
Kusanagi trying to control the action but Burnett is working from the bottom.
Kusanagi landing strikes.
Burnett is looking for a sweep.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Horrible takedown by Kusanagi or perhaps it was just good defense by Burnett which made him look bad.
Burnett is looking to clinch but Kusanagi is avoiding it.

Burnett clinches.
Kusanagi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kusanagi tries to break the clinch but Burnett is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burnett gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Burnett stands and throws Kusanagi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Burnett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kusanagi keeps working.
Kusanagi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Burnett tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Burnett has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Burnett decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Burnett shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Burnett was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Burnett connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kusanagi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kusanagi is bucking up trying to escape but Burnett cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kusanagi defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Burnett.
Kusanagi is trying to escape the mount.
Kusanagi bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kusanagi won't allow Burnett to sweep him here.
Kusanagi trying to control but Burnett is working from the bottom.

Burnett has his foot on Kusanagi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kusanagi works his way back into a safe position though.
Burnett seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Burnett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Burnett managing to control the position.

Burnett has his foot on Kusanagi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kusanagi works his way back into a safe position though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Burnett is trying to keep Kusanagi in close.
Burnett is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Burnett working for a triangle but Kusanagi defends it easily.
Jushin Kusanagi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Burnett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Burnett 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.
Burnett throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.

Burnett throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Burnett holds on and takes a little breather.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Burnett wants to stand but Kusanagi is controlling the position.
Burnett tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Burnett throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kusanagi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Burnett has his foot on Kusanagi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kusanagi works his way back into a safe position though.
Burnett lands with a heel strike from the guard.

Burnett is looking for a triangle but Kusanagi pushes his legs off easily.

Burnett has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kusanagi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Burnett manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Burnett controlling the pace for now.
Burnett can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kusanagi is looking to escape.
Kusanagi regains half guard.
Kusanagi is doing well to control the position and prevent Burnett from advancing to side control.
Kusanagi gets back to full guard.

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

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Burnett wants to stand but Kusanagi is controlling his posture from full guard.
Burnett pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kusanagi is keeping the position for now.
Burnett trying to control but Kusanagi is working from the bottom.
Burnett tries to free his leg and advance position but Kusanagi is retaining full guard.
Burnett wants to control from the top but Kusanagi keeps moving.
Kusanagi being controlled here, momentarily.

Kusanagi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Burnett doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Burnett manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

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

Kusanagi tries to keep at a distance but Burnett has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Burnett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kusanagi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Burnett moves in looking to clinch but Kusanagi pushes him off.

Burnett changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kusanagi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kusanagi tries to improve position but can't.
Kusanagi sneaks back into half guard.
Burnett wants to pass to mount but Kusanagi is defending the position.
Kusanagi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kusanagi.
Kusanagi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Burnett tries to free his leg and advance position but Kusanagi is retaining full guard.

Kusanagi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Burnett advances position into side control!
Burnett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kusanagi keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jushin Kusanagi.
I think Kusanagi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Jushin Kusanagi!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Glen Burnett!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!