PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tim Fraser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ren Katsurou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Katsurou is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Coheed and Cambria - Devil in Jersey City. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fraser
vs
Katsurou

175 cm
24
162 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

175 cm
23
162 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tim Fraser!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ren Katsurou!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Reed Andrews and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katsurou lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Fraser clinches.
Katsurou misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fraser changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Katsurou fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fraser has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fraser there as he acknowledges the shot.

Katsurou gets a double leg takedown into Fraser's guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fraser has momentary wrist control but Katsurou slips an elbow through the middle.
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.

Fraser is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Katsurou defends well.
Fraser working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Katsurou.
Katsurou trying to control the position from guard on top but Fraser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fraser has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Katsurou can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fraser striking from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsurou lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Katsurou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Katsurou trying to control but Fraser is working from the bottom.
Katsurou postures up in Fraser's guard and throws a big left but Fraser blocks it.
Katsurou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fraser works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fraser looking to hit a scissor sweep but Katsurou is one step ahead there.
Katsurou keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fraser's head.
Katsurou content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Katsurou working some strikes from top position.
Katsurou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fraser works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Katsurou trying to control but Fraser is working from the bottom.
Fraser lands some strikes from the bottom.
Katsurou distracts Fraser with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsurou throws a big right hand that misses.
Katsurou in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Katsurou throws a big right hand that misses.
Fraser wants to sweep here but Katsurou controlling him for the moment.
Katsurou throws a strike but Fraser rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fraser stays in close to Katsurou's body and controls the position.
Fraser missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fraser is fighting to break Katsurou's control of his arms but Katsurou is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Fraser trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsurou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fraser being controlled here momentarily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tim Fraser.
Fraser has his takedown stuffed

and Katsurou counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Katsurou misses with some punches.
Fraser blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Katsurou swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Katsurou lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fraser or not.
Fraser prevents a body shot from Katsurou.
Katsurou throws a punch but it's blocked by Fraser.
Katsurou misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fraser.
Katsurou lands an uppercut.
Fraser is pressed up against the ropes. Katsurou has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fraser down to the mat. Fraser avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fraser throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fraser ducks under a wild hook from Katsurou.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Katsurou misses with a body shot

and Fraser counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Katsurou!
Fraser can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Katsurou is looking to escape.
Katsurou wants to control but Fraser is having none of it.
Fraser trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Katsurou is trying desperately to improve position.
Fraser looking to control but Katsurou is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Katsurou is looking to improve his position but Fraser isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ren Katsurou will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fraser tries for a takedown but Katsurou sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ren Katsurou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Fraser instigates a clinch.
Katsurou misses with a hook to the ribs.
Katsurou misses with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Katsurou.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Katsurou.
Katsurou struggles to land a body shot inside as Fraser controls his hands.
Katsurou misses with a hook to the ribs.
Katsurou tries a body shot but Fraser blocks it.
Katsurou lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fraser backwards.
Katsurou cracks Fraser with a nice body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fraser.
Fraser fails to pull guard.
Katsurou tries a body shot but Fraser blocks it.
Katsurou lands a hook that snaps the head of Fraser backwards.
Katsurou swings wildly with an uppercut but Fraser uses good head movement to avoid it.
Katsurou working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Katsurou as the two fighters clinch.
Katsurou misses with a short punch on the inside.
Katsurou tries to throw a body punch but Fraser avoids it by throwing Katsurou back against the cage.
Katsurou lands a damaging elbow.
Katsurou cracks Fraser with a nice body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Katsurou.
Fraser blocks an uppercut.
Katsurou doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Katsurou tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for Katsurou.
Katsurou lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Katsurou lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Katsurou goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Katsurou lands an uppercut.
Katsurou has a couple of punches blocked by Fraser.
Fraser prevents a body shot from Katsurou.
Katsurou throws a head punch that misses.
Katsurou tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fraser's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fraser blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Katsurou lands a hook to the side of the head.
Katsurou tries a body shot but Fraser blocks it.
Katsurou struggles to land a body shot inside as Fraser controls his hands.
Katsurou tries a body shot but Fraser blocks it.

Fraser has clasped his hands together around Katsurou's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Katsurou can't do much from the bottom here.
Fraser tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Fraser trying to control the position but Katsurou is working away.
Katsurou tries to improve position but can't.
Katsurou is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Fraser's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Katsurou taking some punishment here, with Fraser in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsurou is trying to get back to full guard.
Fraser sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Katsurou defending well though.
Fraser seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Katsurou does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fraser missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Fraser seems to be looking for submissions.
Fraser trying to control the action but Katsurou is working from the bottom.
Katsurou is looking for a sweep. Fraser is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four 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.
Katsurou trying to hold on to Fraser's head to control him but Fraser postures up.
Katsurou controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Fraser trying to control from half guard but Katsurou is working away.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tim Fraser wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Fraser closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Katsurou's guard.
Katsurou bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fraser's guard.
Fraser looking to control.

Fraser looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fraser preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ren Katsurou will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Katsurou looks to land a left hand but Fraser moved out of range nicely.
Katsurou lands a body shot.
Jab by Katsurou.
A slapping leg kick lands for Katsurou.
Katsurou loads up on a big right hand but Fraser slips the punch.
Fraser throws a body punch but Katsurou moves out of range.
Fraser fails to land the takedown.
Katsurou misses with a wild body shot.

Fraser looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Katsurou keeping moving, preventing Fraser from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsurou tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Katsurou is trying to control the position but Fraser postures up.

Katsurou escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fraser gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fraser trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fraser wants to control from the top but Katsurou keeps moving.
Fraser postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fraser. Katsurou does a little dance to reset his feet.

Katsurou closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Katsurou tries to throw a body punch but Fraser avoids it by throwing Katsurou back against the cage.
Katsurou tries to stall but Fraser uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Katsurou tries for a takedown. No joy.
Katsurou pushes Fraser back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Katsurou struggles to land a body shot inside as Fraser controls his hands.
Fraser goes for a takedown attempt but Katsurou pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Katsurou misses with a hook to the body
enabling Fraser to counter with a crisp jab.
Fraser lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Fraser cracks Katsurou with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
The fighters circling - Katsurou throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tim Fraser has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsurou looks to land a right hand but Fraser moved out of range.
Katsurou throws a poor cross that misses

and Fraser counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fraser.
Fraser scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fraser throws and elbow that misses. Katsurou uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fraser's guard. Nice move by Katsurou!
Katsurou working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Fraser is looking for a triangle but Katsurou pushes his legs off easily.
Katsurou trying to control the position from guard on top but Fraser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Katsurou is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tim Fraser overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Katsurou working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fraser's head.
Fraser thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Katsurou postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fraser wants to get back to his feet but Katsurou is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ren Katsurou is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Katsurou avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Katsurou is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Katsurou is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Katsurou is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Katsurou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fraser is keeping the position for now.

Fraser working for a triangle but Katsurou defends it easily.
Katsurou is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tim Fraser.
I think Katsurou 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ren Katsurou!