PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andreas Dassler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sho Kasugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dassler
vs
Kasugi

185 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

172 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Andreas Dassler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sho Kasugi!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kasugi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dassler wants to clinch.

Kasugi gets a clinch.
Kasugi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kasugi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Kasugi breaks the clinch.
Kasugi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dassler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Kasugi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kasugi tries to clinch there but Dassler circles away.
Dassler thuds his right hand into Kasugi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Kasugi instigates a clinch.

Kasugi breaks the clinch.
Kasugi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dassler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kasugi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kasugi tries to clinch up but Dassler circles away and keeps his distance.
A solid body kick from Kasugi.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kasugi.
Dassler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kasugi as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dassler fails to land the takedown.
Dassler is breathing heavily.

Kasugi clinches up against the cage.

Kasugi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dassler just misses with a punch to the body.
Kasugi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

A big head kick from Kasugi and Dassler is sent sprawling to the canvas!

Dassler is rocked!

It looks like Andreas Dassler has been cut.
Dassler is trying to hold Kasugi in close to prevent damage but Kasugi has managed to pass into half guard.
Oh Dassler is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kasugi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dassler's head.

Kasugi decides to stand up.
Kasugi throws a head kick but Dassler moves out of range.
Dassler seems to have got his legs back now.

Kasugi rushes Dassler and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dassler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kasugi can't get the takedown.

Kasugi breaks the clinch.

Kasugi takes the fight into the clinch.

Kasugi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kasugi takes the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kasugi manages to break the clinch.

Kasugi clinches.

Kasugi breaks the clinch.
Sho Kasugi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Dassler crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kasugi - the referee stops the clock and Dassler gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kasugi. Dassler manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kasugi tries a head kick but it misses.

Kasugi has managed to clinch.
Dassler has had enough of the clinch but Kasugi keeps him there for the moment.

Kasugi breaks from the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dassler.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andreas Dassler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dassler fails in his attempt to clinch.

Dassler has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dassler trying to stall but Kasugi improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dassler wants to get back to striking at distance but Kasugi won't allow it.
Dassler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kasugi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dassler keeps control of Kasugi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kasugi breaks from the clinch.
Dassler slips a straight right by Kasugi.

Dassler closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Dassler controlling the position from side mount.
Kasugi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kasugi manages to get back to half guard.
Kasugi is trying is best to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kasugi wants to control but Dassler is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kasugi is looking to improve his position.
Kasugi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Kasugi works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kasugi is trying to keep Dassler in close.
Dassler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kasugi pulls Dassler in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sho Kasugi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andreas Dassler's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kasugi dodges the punch combination from Dassler.
Kasugi throws a head kick that misses.
Dassler lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Dassler.
Dassler looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Kasugi rushes Dassler and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kasugi manages to break the clinch.
Kasugi circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kasugi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Dassler creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kasugi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Kasugi breaks the clinch.
Dassler throws a series of punches but Kasugi moves out of range.
Dassler throws a jab but it's blocked by Kasugi.

Kasugi moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Dassler gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Dassler postures up.
Kasugi wants to get back to his feet but Dassler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kasugi has an active guard here but Dassler has managed to pass into half guard.

Kasugi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kasugi is trying to maintain the position but Dassler is very close to passing his half guard.
Kasugi is holding on to half guard well.

That's two 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.

Kasugi makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Kasugi lands a head kick. Dassler smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Dassler throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kasugi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Kasugi instigates a clinch.
Kasugi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Dassler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kasugi stuffs the takedown attempt from Dassler. Dassler gets slowly back to his feet.
Andreas Dassler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Left hook, right uppercut from Dassler.
Kasugi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dassler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kasugi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dassler tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kasugi throws a sloppy head kick and Dassler moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Dassler with that takedown attempt.
Dassler steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kasugi. That one must have hurt.

Kasugi instigates a clinch.

Kasugi breaks the clinch.
Dassler has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andreas Dassler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dassler throws a leg kick
and Kasugi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Kasugi has closed the distance and engaged Dassler in a clinch.
Kasugi cracks Dassler with a nice body shot.

Kasugi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Dassler really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Dassler looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Kasugi is looking for a triangle but Dassler pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dassler wants to get up but he can't break Kasugi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dassler wants to control from the top but Kasugi keeps moving.

Kasugi wriggles free and stands up.
Kasugi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Dassler clinches up against the cage.
Kasugi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Dassler avoiding damage as Kasugi throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sho Kasugi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andreas Dassler's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Dassler tries to clinch but Kasugi moves out of range.
Kasugi is looking to clinch but Dassler is avoiding it.
Kasugi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dassler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Kasugi darts in and clinches Dassler up against the cage.
Dassler is trying to break free.

Kasugi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kasugi darts in trying to clinch
and Dassler counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Dassler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kasugi throws a head kick but Dassler moves out of range.

Kasugi takes the fight into the clinch.

Dassler escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dassler takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Dassler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kasugi swivels and escapes.
Kasugi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dassler.
Dassler shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andreas Dassler. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dassler has managed to clinch.
Kasugi is trying to maintain a safe position but Dassler gets an underhook and turns Kasugi into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dassler fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Kasugi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dassler looks to land a combination but Kasugi avoids it well.
Kasugi throws a head kick but Dassler moves out of range.
Dassler ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Dassler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kasugi pinned against the cage. Kasugi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Kasugi forces Dassler back against the cage and clinches.
Kasugi with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Kasugi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kasugi throws a head kick that misses

and Dassler counters with a single leg into guard. Kasugi didn't expect that.
Kasugi seems keen to control Dassler's posture.

Kasugi working for a triangle but Dassler defends it easily.
Dassler wants to control from the top but Kasugi keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kasugi is looking to sweep but instead, Dassler has passed into half guard.
Kasugi is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dassler blocks the strikes from Kasugi.

Kasugi actively working from the bottom here.

Dassler stands up out of the half guard.
Kasugi throws a head kick that half lands.
Sho Kasugi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dassler walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kasugi.
Kasugi tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice jab there from Dassler.

Dassler forces Kasugi back against the cage and clinches.

Kasugi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dassler darts in trying to clinch

and Kasugi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Dassler is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kasugi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kasugi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kasugi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dassler clinches but Kasugi breaks the clinch

and Kasugi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Dassler is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Dassler tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kasugi's elbow.
Dassler looking to stall.
Dassler wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dassler is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kasugi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Dassler prevents a takedown attempt there.

Kasugi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kasugi moves in looking to clinch but Dassler pushes him off.
Dassler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kasugi throws a head kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kasugi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dassler fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Andreas Dassler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dassler tries to clinch there but Kasugi circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sho Kasugi.
I've got Kasugi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sho Kasugi!