PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Josiah Scurlock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Josiah Scurlock has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Scurlock
vs
Higashikuni

173 cm
29
144 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

162 cm
24
146 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Josiah Scurlock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Katsu Higashikuni!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higashikuni has his takedown stuffed
enabling Scurlock to counter with a crisp jab.
Higashikuni shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice sprawl there from Scurlock as Higashikuni shoots in.
Josiah Scurlock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsu Higashikuni.
Scurlock throws a right and a left that both miss.
Higashikuni looks to score with a jab to the body but Scurlock is just out of range.
Higashikuni tries for a takedown but Scurlock sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Higashikuni looks for a takedown but Scurlock sprawls well.
Higashikuni shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Scurlock sprawls well. Scurlock wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Higashikuni gets slowly back to his feet.
Scurlock connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Higashikuni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Higashikuni misses with a head kick.
Higashikuni fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Higashikuni lands with an overhand left.
Scurlock clobbers Higashikuni with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Higashikuni tries for a takedown but Scurlock circles away easily
and Scurlock counters with a one-two to the body.
Higashikuni jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Scurlock does it's job there.
Scurlock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Higashikuni was well out of range. Poor timing from Scurlock.
Higashikuni tries for a takedown but Scurlock circles away easily
letting Scurlock counter with a right hand.
Higashikuni closes the distance and clinches up with Scurlock, looking for a takedown. Higashikuni pushes Scurlock against the cage but Scurlock circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Higashikuni misses with a right hand
and Scurlock counters with a straight right hand.
Katsu Higashikuni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Higashikuni darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Higashikuni seems to be looking for submissions.
Higashikuni throwing shots but Scurlock is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Higashikuni prevents Scurlock from improving his position.
Higashikuni passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Higashikuni is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Scurlock still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Scurlock has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Higashikuni has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Scurlock working the ground and pound but Higashikuni is defending the strikes.
Scurlock wants to control but Higashikuni is keeping him busy.
Higashikuni is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Scurlock missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Higashikuni is looking for a sweep. Scurlock is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Scurlock looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Higashikuni tries to roll over but Scurlock keeps him under control.
Scurlock trying to pass the guard but Higashikuni defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Higashikuni slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Scurlock got a little sloppy there for a moment and Higashikuni has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Scurlock has managed to get both his arms back between Higashikuni's legs - danger averted.

Higashikuni working for a triangle but Scurlock defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Scurlock would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Scurlock has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Higashikuni to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Scurlock is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Higashikuni pulls down on the head and he's put Scurlock to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Katsu Higashikuni!
During a confident post fight interview, Katsu Higashikuni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.