PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Waru Kuzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Burnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kuzuri
vs
Burnett

163 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

159 cm
19
138 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Waru Kuzuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nick Burnett!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Kuzuri misses.

Burnett closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kuzuri regains half guard, as Burnett was trying to land strikes.
Kuzuri avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Burnett.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Burnett wants to take a breather but Kuzuri is having none of it.
Burnett throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Burnett is stalling here. Kuzuri is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Burnett seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Kuzuri has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burnett sneaks back into half guard.
Kuzuri is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burnett throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Burnett escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuzuri gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Burnett has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kuzuri is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Burnett managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Burnett doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kuzuri connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Burnett closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kuzuri is trying to stand back up but Burnett is controlling him
Burnett throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Burnett missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Burnett thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kuzuri avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Burnett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burnett lands strikes from half guard.
Kuzuri wants to get back to his feet.
Burnett misses with a head shot. Kuzuri uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kuzuri manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Burnett is in all sorts of trouble here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Burnett can do anything to dispel that myth.
Burnett wants to hold on but Kuzuri pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burnett keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kuzuri controlling the position easily from mount.
Burnett sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Burnett is controlling Kuzuri's trapped leg to prevent Kuzuri from advancing to side control.
Burnett is looking for a sweep. Kuzuri is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Burnett actively working from the bottom here.
Kuzuri seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Burnett tries to get to full guard but Kuzuri has control of the leg.
Burnett is pressing down on Kuzuri's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kuzuri postures up.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Burnett is on top in guard.
Kuzuri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Burnett throws and elbow that misses. Kuzuri uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Burnett's guard. Nice move by Kuzuri!
Burnett tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Burnett has his foot on Kuzuri's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuzuri works his way back into a safe position though.
Burnett is trying to keep Kuzuri in close.
Burnett is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri wants to stand but Burnett has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burnett controls Kuzuri momentarily but Kuzuri frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Nick Burnett has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Burnett with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Kuzuri to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuzuri thows a left - swing and a miss!
Burnett shoots and misses
and Kuzuri counters with a nice body shot.
Waru Kuzuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Burnett.
Burnett throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kuzuri's waist but Kuzuri gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burnett off to one side.
Burnett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kuzuri counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri throws a series of punches but Burnett avoids them all with ease.

Kuzuri gets caught flat footed, as Burnett shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Burnett looks gassed!
Burnett looking to sit in guard and control but Kuzuri gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kuzuri postures up.
Burnett wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Burnett trying to keep a closed guard but Kuzuri is proving a slippery customer.
Kuzuri won't allow Burnett to sweep him here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kuzuri trying to control the position from guard on top but Burnett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuzuri has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Burnett is proving hard to escape from.

Waru Kuzuri has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Burnett closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Burnett lands in his opponent's guard.
Kuzuri working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Burnett.
Kuzuri not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Burnett accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Burnett dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Burnett with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kuzuri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kuzuri lands with an overhand left.
Burnett with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kuzuri to score with a decent uppercut.
Kuzuri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burnett manages to avoid it.
Burnett has his takedown stuffed
and Kuzuri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Burnett avoids the body shot from Kuzuri.
Burnett misses with a takedown attempt
and Kuzuri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Waru Kuzuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Burnett.
Horrible takedown by Burnett or perhaps it was just good defense by Kuzuri which made him look bad.
Kuzuri fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burnett looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Burnett shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuzuri lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice straight punches there by Kuzuri. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuzuri.

Burnett is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No luck for Burnett with that takedown attempt.
Burnett is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuzuri finish him?
Burnett is breathing heavily.
Kuzuri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Burnett seems to have recovered his senses.
Kuzuri fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burnett throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kuzuri counters with a one-two to the body.
Burnett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kuzuri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuzuri throws a combination. Burnett tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Burnett takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kuzuri tests Burnett's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuzuri digs a good body shot into Burnett's ribs.
Nice straight punches there by Kuzuri. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuzuri.
Donk. Kuzuri catches Burnett right on the button with a cross.
Burnett doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kuzuri counters with a series of strikes. Burnett will be more careful next time no doubt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuzuri lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Decent striking displayed by Kuzuri there.
Nick Burnett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burnett takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Waru Kuzuri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kuzuri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuzuri lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kuzuri works the jab nicely.
Burnett on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kuzuri stuns Burnett with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kuzuri scores with a body shot.
Kuzuri digs a good hook to Burnett's body.
Nice uppercut there from Kuzuri.
Burnett takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kuzuri throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Burnett on the side of the head.
Burnett takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kuzuri wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kuzuri lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Burnett backs up against the cage.
Kuzuri lands a nice shot to the body.
Kuzuri lands a jab to Burnett's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri connects with the punch.
Kuzuri lands a two punch combo.
Burnett shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuzuri defends it nicely.
Kuzuri lands with a hook. Burnett tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuzuri uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Burnett shoots and misses
and Kuzuri counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Burnett on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Burnett has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nice shot lands for Kuzuri.
Burnett shoots and misses
and Kuzuri counters with a nice body shot.
Nick Burnett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuzuri scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kuzuri catches Burnett with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kuzuri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Burnett on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kuzuri lands with a nice combination. Burnett backs away looking to recover.
Waru Kuzuri is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuzuri jabs Burnett to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice shot lands for Kuzuri.
Burnett doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kuzuri counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuzuri with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kuzuri.
Burnett gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Kuzuri counter with a right hand.
Kuzuri connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Burnett takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kuzuri throws a right and a left that Burnett avoids nicely.
Burnett doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kuzuri connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kuzuri wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri scores with a nice right hand.
Burnett misses with a takedown attempt
and Kuzuri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Burnett is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kuzuri.
Burnett moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kuzuri misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kuzuri misses with a few strikes there.
Kuzuri thows a body shot but no joy.
Kuzuri misses with a looping left.

Burnett closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuzuri did well to prevent Burnett getting side control.
Burnett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Burnett landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Burnett missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri wants to get back to full guard.
Burnett keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Burnett has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Burnett is keen to just control but Kuzuri is a slippery customer.
Burnett moves nicely into side control.
Kuzuri seems a little lost for a moment, as Burnett dominates the positioning.
Kuzuri takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Burnett connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kuzuri some visible discomfort.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Burnett working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Nick Burnett has got the better of the ground game so far.
Burnett is working Kuzuri over with some ground and pound from side control.
You can see the frustration on Kuzuri's face as Burnett controls the position.
Kuzuri prevents Burnett from moving into mount.
Burnett taking a breather here.
Kuzuri is trying to improve his position.
Kuzuri is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Burnett decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Kuzuri just misses with a punch to the body.
Burnett fails to land the takedown.
Burnett moves out of range as Kuzuri strikes.
Jab, jab by Kuzuri - just one landing.
Burnett misses with a takedown attempt
and Kuzuri makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kuzuri scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nice uppercut lands for Kuzuri. That snapped Burnett's head back.

Burnett shoots in and bounces Kuzuri off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Burnett is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Burnett cracks Kuzuri with a solid left hand.
Burnett looking to sit in guard and control but Kuzuri gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Burnett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waru Kuzuri dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kuzuri displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Burnett.
Burnett slips a straight right by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri misses the jab.
Kuzuri misses with the combination.
Kuzuri keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Burnett has his takedown stuffed
and Kuzuri counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Burnett closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Burnett tries for a takedown but Kuzuri circles away easily
and Kuzuri counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Waru Kuzuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Burnett.
Burnett fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Burnett takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuzuri lands a glancing blow to the side of Burnett's head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kuzuri darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burnett takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Burnett shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuzuri pinned against the cage. Kuzuri gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuzuri works Burnett's body with a nice hook.
Kuzuri lands with a straight right. Burnett didn't see that one coming.
Kuzuri bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kuzuri cracks Burnett with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kuzuri moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kuzuri lands with a right and another and another! Burnett is in big trouble! Kuzuri lands again and this time it's lights out for Burnett! A quality knockout there for Kuzuri.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Waru Kuzuri!