PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Waru Kuzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cole Tessier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kuzuri
vs
Tessier

163 cm
20
135 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

164 cm
20
140 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Waru Kuzuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cole Tessier!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuzuri jabs Tessier right on the nose. Tessier blinks but takes it well.
Kuzuri works the jab nicely.
Tessier looks for a takedown but Kuzuri sprawls well.
Kuzuri's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuzuri obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuzuri as he connects with a hook.
Kuzuri avoids the head kick by Tessier.
Kuzuri digs a good body shot into Tessier's ribs.
Kuzuri scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice sprawl there from Kuzuri as Tessier shoots in.
Tessier takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tessier avoids the body shot from Kuzuri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzuri scores with a nice right hand.
Kuzuri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tessier has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tessier there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kuzuri thuds a left hand into Tessier's body.
Waru Kuzuri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuzuri throws a lazy uppercut
and Tessier counters with a three punch combo that has Kuzuri backing up. Kuzuri nods at Tessier to acknowledge the strikes.
Kuzuri throws a lazy uppercut
and Tessier counters with a straight right hand.
Tessier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuzuri uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tessier has time to react.
Kuzuri throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Tessier counters with a single leg into guard. Kuzuri didn't expect that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tessier accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kuzuri keeping full guard, as Tessier tries to pass.

Tessier drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kuzuri manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tessier has Kuzuri in his guard.
Kuzuri wants to control from the top but Tessier keeps moving.

Tessier had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kuzuri defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kuzuri trying to control the position from guard on top but Tessier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Tessier looking for a guillotine here but Kuzuri defends easily.

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.

Tessier 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.

Tessier is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuzuri defends well.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Tessier throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tessier is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuzuri defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tessier is trying to control the position but Kuzuri postures up.
Kuzuri sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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

Tessier pushes Kuzuri off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kuzuri throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Tessier counter with a right hand.
Kuzuri throws a poor cross that misses
and Tessier cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuzuri lands the left hand.
Kuzuri works Tessier's body with a nice hook.
Kuzuri misses with a jab to the body

and Tessier counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tessier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuzuri defending well though.
Kuzuri is staying active underneath Tessier, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri tries to kick Tessier off but Tessier keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kuzuri wants to control but Tessier is keeping busy.
Tessier not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kuzuri avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tessier.
Tessier not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tessier lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kuzuri is trying to stand back up but Tessier is controlling him
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tessier lands a nice short elbow.

Tessier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's eight 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.
Tessier is looking to pass Kuzuri's guard but actually Kuzuri recovers to full guard.
Kuzuri not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tessier with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tessier forces his way into half guard.

Tessier trying to work for an americana but Kuzuri has managed to regain full guard.
Tessier stopping the sweep attempt from Kuzuri.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri keeping moving, preventing Tessier from controlling successfully.
Tessier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tessier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tessier tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuzuri is retaining full guard.
Tessier trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tessier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tessier is looking to work some ground and pound but Kuzuri has wrist control.
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 Waru Kuzuri will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tessier throws a poor cross that misses
and Kuzuri counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kuzuri thuds a left hand into Tessier's body.
Nice uppercut lands for Kuzuri. That snapped Tessier's head back.
Kuzuri misses with a hook

and Tessier counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kuzuri's guard now.
Tessier wants to control from the top but Kuzuri keeps moving.
Tessier has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kuzuri wants to stand but Tessier is controlling the position.
Kuzuri 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.

Tessier drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kuzuri looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kuzuri looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kuzuri!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tessier tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kuzuri wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tessier tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Kuzuri presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Kuzuri trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tessier wants to try and get back to his feet.
Tessier is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two 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.
Tessier manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kuzuri is looking to advance position but Tessier won't allow it.
Tessier wants to control but Kuzuri is keeping busy.

Tessier looking for submissions off his back.

Tessier looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kuzuri stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Tessier to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tessier on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tessier looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kuzuri is fending him off so far but Tessier persists. Nope, Kuzuri circles away and we're back to standing.
Tessier swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kuzuri counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kuzuri is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Tessier is rocked!
Tessier misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuzuri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tessier is breathing heavily.
Kuzuri throws a hook but Tessier blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tessier misses with a left hand
and Kuzuri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kuzuri lands a glancing blow to the side of Tessier's head.
Waru Kuzuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tessier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tessier just misses with a punch to the body.
Tessier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kuzuri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tessier takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuzuri paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuzuri throws a sloppy body shot

and Tessier counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cole Tessier has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Tessier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Tessier is just content to waste time from the top position. Kuzuri takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kuzuri bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tessier's guard.
Kuzuri trying to control the position from guard on top but Tessier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tessier tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Tessier is looking for a triangle but Kuzuri pushes his legs off easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tessier wants to sweep but no luck.

Tessier working for a triangle but Kuzuri defends it easily.
Kuzuri has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Tessier working for a triangle but Kuzuri defends it easily.

Tessier is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kuzuri is aware though and is defending well.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Tessier is looking for a triangle but Kuzuri pushes his legs off easily.

Tessier is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kuzuri has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tessier is proving hard to escape from.
Tessier doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Tessier throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kuzuri decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tessier, up you get!
Kuzuri dips to his left and cracks Tessier with an uppercut!
Kuzuri throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tessier stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tessier throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kuzuri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kuzuri lands a nice shot to the body.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri tests Tessier's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuzuri connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kuzuri cracks a nice hook into Tessier's ribs.
Kuzuri throws a combination that misses
and Tessier counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuzuri fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tessier on the side of the head.
Kuzuri digs a good body shot into Tessier's ribs.
Kuzuri looks to land a combination but Tessier avoids it well.
A shot to the body from Kuzuri misses
and Tessier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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. This is the final round!

Tessier avoids the body shot from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tessier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kuzuri defending well as Tessier loads up on a big left hand.
Kuzuri throws a lazy uppercut

and Tessier counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kuzuri won't be happy with that.
Kuzuri sneaks back into half guard.
Kuzuri wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tessier missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tessier misses with a head shot. Kuzuri uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kuzuri is trying to control the position but Tessier postures up.
Kuzuri is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tessier is controlling him.
Tessier postures up in Kuzuri's guard and throws a big left but Kuzuri blocks it.
Kuzuri keeping full guard, as Tessier tries to pass.

Tessier stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tessier 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 Tessier off to one side.
Tessier falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kuzuri counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tessier thinking.
Tessier takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tessier defending well as Kuzuri loads up on a big left hand.
Kuzuri swings for the body but Tessier moves out of range.
Kuzuri jabs at Tessier's body.
Waru Kuzuri is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tessier gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kuzuri with a hook.
Kuzuri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tessier.
Tessier takes one on the button.
Tessier throws a right hand that misses
and Kuzuri counters with a nice body shot.
Tessier throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kuzuri counters with a three punch combo that has Tessier backing up. Tessier nods at Kuzuri to acknowledge the strikes.
Tessier is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuzuri finish him?
Tessier takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kuzuri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tessier seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri misses with an uppercut.
Kuzuri changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuzuri connects with a nice looking jab.
Tessier ducks under a wild hook from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri misses with a right hand

and Tessier counters with a single leg into guard. Kuzuri didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuzuri is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tessier wants to pass the guard but Kuzuri is keeping the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tessier working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tessier stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuzuri swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tessier trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuzuri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuzuri working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tessier.
Tessier trying to move into half guard but instead Kuzuri has managed to sweep!
Tessier is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kuzuri is controlling him.
Tessier being controlled here, momentarily.

That's six 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.
Kuzuri won't allow Tessier to sweep him here.

Tessier looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tessier is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kuzuri regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Tessier.
Tessier tries to stand but Kuzuri is controlling from the bottom.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Tessier postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kuzuri is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tessier, into his guard.
Kuzuri content to stall in guard here.
Kuzuri trying to control the position from guard on top but Tessier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's eight 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.
Tessier is trying to control the position but Kuzuri postures up.
Tessier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Tessier 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.
Tessier wants to sweep here but Kuzuri controlling him for the moment.
Kuzuri slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Kuzuri got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tessier has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuzuri has managed to get both his arms back between Tessier's legs - danger averted.
Kuzuri looking to sit in guard and control but Tessier gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Tessier trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kuzuri manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Kuzuri won't allow Tessier to get back to his feet.

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 Waru Kuzuri.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuzuri, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Waru Kuzuri!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Waru Kuzuri!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Waru Kuzuri!

Waru Kuzuri wins by unanimous decision!