PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Munemitsu Fusejima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Reem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Fusejima
vs
Reem

174 cm
23
162 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
160 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Munemitsu Fusejima!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nick Reem!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reem missing with a left hand there. Fusejima was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Reem throws a shot from downtown. Fusejima moves away and avoids it.
Fusejima dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Reem. That did some damage!
Fusejima displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Reem throws out the jab.
Reem misses with a looping left.

Fusejima darts in and clinches Reem up against the cage.
Fusejima changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Reem fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Reem throws a big shot that misses.
Fusejima slips under a jab from Reem.

Fusejima closes the distance and clinches.
Fusejima keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Reem's efforts to push away.
Reem has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Reem gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fusejima.

Fusejima gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fusejima throwing shots but Reem is blocking nicely.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fusejima perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Reem avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fusejima.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fusejima moves out of range as Reem strikes.
Reem misses the jab.
Reem just misses with a punch to the body.
Reem throws a jab but it's blocked by Fusejima.
Reem connects with a right hand. Fusejima shakes it off.
Fusejima keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reem uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fusejima has time to react.
Fusejima fails in his attempt to clinch.
Reem is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fusejima.
Reem misses with a two punch combination.
Reem throws a lazy right hand but Fusejima sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reem misses with a looping right.

Fusejima gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Reem wants to break free but Fusejima has control.
Reem is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Reem's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Reem looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reem breaks from the clinch.

Fusejima scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Reem looks like he's trying to stand up.
Reem is staying active underneath Fusejima, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fusejima wants to pass to mount but Reem is defending the position.
Reem is looking to escape.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Reem can do anything to dispel that myth.

Fusejima is working for a submission of some sort.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Reem swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Reem misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Reem misses.
Fusejima takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fusejima slips a jab from Reem.
Fusejima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Reem.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Reem manages to break the clinch.

Fusejima closes the distance and pushes Reem back into the cage.
Fusejima has Reem pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Reem manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Munemitsu Fusejima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fusejima drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Reem wants to break free but Fusejima has control.
Reem tries to circle away but Fusejima has him pinned against the cage.
Reem gets underhooks to prevent Fusejima's takedown attempt.

Reem pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Reem lands the left hand.
Reem cracks Fusejima with an open hand slap.
Reem listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fusejima uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Reem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reem throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fusejima sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Reem swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reem swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fusejima moves away from the strike by Reem.
Fusejima ducks under a wild hook from Reem.
Reem throws a hook but Fusejima blocks it.
Fusejima avoids the body shot from Reem.
Nice defenses there by Fusejima.

Fusejima rushes Reem and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Reem is pressed up against the cage. Fusejima has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Reem down to the mat. Reem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fusejima shoots in for a takedown but Reem shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fusejima tries to clinch up.

Fusejima closes the distance and pushes Reem back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fusejima drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reem pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fusejima misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Munemitsu Fusejima will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Reem waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fusejima.
Reem fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fusejima manages to avoid it.
Reem throws a right hand that Fusejima ducks under and follows up with a left that Fusejima also avoids with ease.
A punch combination from Reem misses.
Reem throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fusejima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reem.
Fusejima scores with a hook.
Reem looks to score with a jab to the body but Fusejima is just out of range.
Reem misses with a looping right.
Reem takes a swing at Fusejima's ribcage but misses.
Reem misses with a straight left.
Fusejima shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Reem as he avoids it easily.
Reem scores with a sloppy right hand. Fusejima should have avoided that one.
Reem looks to throw the jab but Fusejima is out of range.
Reem is breathing heavily.

Fusejima moves into the clinch.
Fusejima drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reem pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fusejima moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. Reem catches Fusejima right on the button with a cross.
A jab from Reem finds it's way through Fusejima's defenses.
Fusejima takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice defenses there by Fusejima.
Reem throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Reem might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Fusejima has closed the distance and engaged Reem in a clinch.
Fusejima drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reem pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Munemitsu Fusejima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fusejima is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Reem throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fusejima.
Fusejima doesn't manage to clinch there - Reem circles away.

Fusejima clinches up against the cage.
Reem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fusejima has him pressed against the cage.
Fusejima wants a takedown but no success here.
Fusejima looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fusejima has him pressed against the cage.
Reem tries to break the clinch but Fusejima is controlling the position.

Fusejima has clasped his hands together around Reem's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Reem really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fusejima. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Reem is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Fusejima tries to advance to mount but can't.
Reem is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reem prevents Fusejima from moving into mount.
Fusejima trying to control the position but Reem is working away.

Fusejima tries for a kimura but Reem is defending well.
Fusejima misses with the ground and pound.

Fusejima thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Reem just misses with a punch to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Reem.
Reem keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Reem lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nick Reem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reem lands a jab to the nose.
Reem throws a hook but Fusejima avoids it easily.
Fusejima takes a jab right on the kisser.
Reem lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Reem connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Fusejima's hands.

Fusejima is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reem pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Oh Fusejima is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Reem misses with a looping left.
Fusejima seems to have got his legs back now.
Nick Reem seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Reem looks to land a right hand but Fusejima moved out of range.
Fusejima tries to clinch up.

Fusejima shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Fusejima was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fusejima is looking to work his way around to Reem's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Reem really wants to buck Fusejima off and get back to his feet.
Fusejima can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Reem is looking to escape.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.
Fusejima trying to control but Reem is having none of it.
Reem really wants to buck Fusejima off and get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fusejima throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Reem showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fusejima gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Reem is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Reem tries to break the clinch but Fusejima is controlling the position.
Reem can't break the clinch.
Reem tries to break the clinch but Fusejima is controlling the position.
Fusejima is trying to drag Reem to the mat but Reem just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fusejima misses with a punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Reem's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fusejima looking for a takedown.
Reem wants to get back to striking at distance but Fusejima won't allow it.
Reem has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Reem gets underhooks to prevent Fusejima's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Munemitsu Fusejima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fusejima is trying to drag Reem to the mat but Reem just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Reem wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reem breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reem misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Reem moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Reem swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fusejima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reem.
Reem misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reem throws a jab when Fusejima was well out of range.
Reem misses with a two punch combination.

Fusejima clinches up against the cage.
Fusejima changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Reem fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fusejima displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Reem throws out the jab.
Fusejima avoids a punch combination nicely.

Fusejima closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Fusejima is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fusejima looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Reem kicks off Fusejima and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reem throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Fusejima fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Reem sprawls well initially but Fusejima persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fusejima frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Reem has given up his back.
Fusejima is looking to control Reem but Reem is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Reem is trying to get back to his feet but Fusejima has full control of the position and if anything, Reem has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Reem is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reem defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Fusejima's arms.
Reem holding both Fusejima 's hands and preventing any damage.

Reem fending off the submission attempt from Fusejima.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.

Reem showing good submission defense here.

Reem is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Fusejima off. It looks like it's working - Fusejima slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Reem displaying calm under pressure there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Reem misses with a looping left.
Fusejima slips under a jab.

Fusejima darts in and clinches Reem up against the cage.

Reem's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fusejima tries to clinch there but Reem circles away.
Fusejima misses with a takedown attempt - Reem sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Reem dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fusejima keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reem swings for the body but Fusejima moves out of range.
Reem lands a body shot.
Reem throws the left hand but Fusejima avoids the punch easily.
Reem jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Munemitsu Fusejima clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Fusejima clinches with his opponent.
Reem gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fusejima.
Fusejima drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Reem gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Reem tries to break free but Fusejima pushes him back against the cage.

Reem breaks from the clinch.
Fusejima on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Reem thows a left - swing and a miss!
Reem misses the jab.
Reem throws the left hand but Fusejima avoids the punch easily.
Fusejima shoots in for a takedown but Reem shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Munemitsu Fusejima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reem looks to land a left hand but Fusejima moved out of range nicely.
Reem throws a right and a left that both miss.
Reem scores with a shot to the body.
Fusejima fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fusejima avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Reem. Fusejima does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reem swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fusejima is looking to clinch.
Fusejima looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Fusejima rushes Reem and presses him up against the cage.
Fusejima drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Reem gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Reem has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fusejima works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Reem has had enough of the clinch but Fusejima keeps him there for the moment.
Fusejima keeps control of Reem as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Reem breaks the clinch.

Fusejima shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Reem is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Fusejima can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Reem is looking to escape.
You get the feeling that Reem really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fusejima breaks from Reem's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.
Fusejima looking to control but Reem is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.
Fusejima sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.
Reem has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Fusejima's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reem defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Fusejima's arms.

Reem manages to stand up with Fusejima still on his back. Eventually Fusejima drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
Reem waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fusejima.
Reem looks to land a left hand but Fusejima moved out of range nicely.

Fusejima has closed the distance and engaged Reem in a clinch.
Fusejima wants a takedown but no success here.
Reem has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Reem escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Reem throws a combination that misses

and Fusejima counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fusejima.
Fusejima is stalling here.
Fusejima keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Reem's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reem is trying to break the clinch but Fusejima is controlling him.
Reem wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Reem has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fusejima is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Reem pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Reem has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Fusejima is trying to trip Reem. He has hold of a leg but Reem is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Fusejima persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Reem wants to stand but Fusejima is controlling the position.
Reem keeping moving, preventing Fusejima from controlling successfully.
Fusejima is really struggling to control Reem but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Reem wants to stand but Fusejima is controlling the position.
Fusejima wants to control from the top but Reem keeps moving.

Reem scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Fusejima moves away from the strike by Reem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Munemitsu Fusejima had his way with Nick Reem in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab from Reem misses.

Fusejima has closed the distance and engaged Reem in a clinch.
Reem tries to break the clinch but Fusejima is controlling the position.
Fusejima prevents Reem from breaking the clinch.
Fusejima is working for takedown but Reem is calmly controlling the position for now.
Reem looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Reem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Reem is trying to break the clinch but Fusejima has him pressed against the cage.
Fusejima tries to score a body lock takedown but Reem shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Reem is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Reem is looking to break free of the clinch but Fusejima has double underhooks.
Reem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fusejima has him pressed against the cage.
Reem is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Fusejima has Reem pressed against the cage, preventing Reem from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Reem breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fusejima tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fusejima closes the distance and clinches.
Reem prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Munemitsu Fusejima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Fusejima is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Reem pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Reem has had enough of the clinch but Fusejima keeps him there for the moment.
Reem can't break the clinch.
Reem is looking to break free of the clinch but Fusejima has double underhooks.
Fusejima keeps control of Reem as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fusejima changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Reem fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Reem connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fusejima ducks under a wild hook from Reem.
A shot to de liver by Reem. Beautiful body shot.
Reem throws out a loose jab but Fusejima uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reem throws out a powerful jab.
Reem scores with a hook.
A big right from Reem misses.
Nick Reem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fusejima slips a straight right by Reem.
Reem misses with a looping right.
A jab lands there for Fusejima.
Reem loads up on a big right hand but Fusejima slips the punch.
Fusejima uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reem.

Fusejima scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fusejima tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
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.
Reem is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Fusejima tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Fusejima is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Reem has escaped the position, nice work there.

Fusejima is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Reem has escaped the position, nice work there.
Reem is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Fusejima has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Fusejima is looking to take a break and control but Reem is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reem is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Fusejima is controlling him well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Reem throws a nice looking combination but Fusejima bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice defenses there by Fusejima.
Reem throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Fusejima closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fusejima lands in his opponent's guard.
Fusejima working some strikes from top position.
Fusejima trying to control the position from guard on top but Reem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nick Reem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reem is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Fusejima passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fusejima works his way into side control.
Reem wants to get back to his feet.
Munemitsu Fusejima is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fusejima wants to control but Reem is keeping him busy.
Reem is pushing Fusejima's head away, looking to escape. Fusejima manages to hold on to the position though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Reem trying to remain calm as Fusejima controls from the top position.

Reem throws Fusejima to one side and escapes!
Reem misses with a straight right.
The fighters circling - Reem throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fusejima lands a jab to the nose.

And that's the end of the fight!
Munemitsu Fusejima showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fusejima has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Munemitsu Fusejima!
Munemitsu Fusejima is the new lightweight champion!