PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tom Kerr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Katsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kerr comes to the cage accompanied by Scotland The Brave [Instrumental]. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kerr
vs
Katsumoto

180 cm
30
175 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

180 cm
23
190 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tom Kerr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Katsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kerr swats away the attempt to clinch by Katsumoto.
Kerr missing with a left hand there. Katsumoto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kerr throws a hook to the side of Katsumoto's head but Katsumoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kerr dodges the punch combination from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kerr swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Katsumoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Tom Kerr has been cut.
Kerr throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kerr defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto lands a two punch combo.
Katsumoto wants to clinch up but Kerr keeps it at a distance.
Kerr misses with a hook. Katsumoto ducked under it nicely.
Kerr misses with a hook. Katsumoto ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerr just misses with a punch to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kerr.
Katsumoto shoots in but Kerr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Katsumoto shoots in but Kerr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tom Kerr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.
Kerr dodges the punch combination from Katsumoto.
Kerr just misses with a punch to the body.
Kerr throws a good cross that connects.
Kerr misses with a hook
and Katsumoto counters with a nice uppercut.
Katsumoto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kerr is fending him off so far but Katsumoto persists. Nope, Kerr circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kerr fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tom Kerr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kerr misses the shot to the body.
Katsumoto lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kerr connects with a good right hand that stumbles Katsumoto. Katsumoto circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kerr feints and as Katsumoto raises his hands in defense, Kerr changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Katsumoto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Katsumoto wants to sweep but no luck.

Katsumoto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kerr is aware though and is defending well.
Kerr lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Katsumoto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kerr has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kerr trying to control but Katsumoto is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerr tries to free his leg and advance position but Katsumoto is retaining full guard.

Katsumoto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kerr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kerr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kerr showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Katsumoto is looking for a triangle but Kerr pushes his legs off easily.
Kerr postures up and lands a big shot to Katsumoto's brow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kerr is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Katsumoto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Katsumoto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Kerr drops back looking for a leg! Katsumoto is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Katsumoto manages to kick Kerr off! Kerr jumps back into Katsumoto's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kerr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Katsumoto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kerr has managed to get both his arms back between Katsumoto's legs - danger averted.
Katsumoto lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kerr!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Katsumoto swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kerr is now in Katsumoto's guard. A big mistake from Katsumoto there, giving up the dominant position!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Katsumoto is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kerr preventing the sweep.

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

Katsumoto is looking for a triangle but Kerr pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Saku Katsumoto will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tom Kerr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kerr lands a jab to Katsumoto's midsection.
Katsumoto slips a jab from Kerr.
Kerr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Katsumoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Kerr.
Katsumoto works Kerr's body with a nice hook.
Kerr connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Katsumoto momentarily.
Kerr lands a nice hook to Katsumoto's body. Katsumoto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kerr misses with a straight right.
Tom Kerr is winning the standup battle so far.
Kerr throws a right and a left that both miss.
Katsumoto moves in looking to clinch but Kerr pushes him off.
Kerr misses with a body shot.
Kerr with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsumoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Katsumoto slips under a jab from Kerr.
Kerr jabs at Katsumoto's body.
Kerr connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Katsumoto shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Katsumoto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kerr sees it coming and defends easily.
Kerr wants to get back to full guard.

Katsumoto is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kerr is just riding it out for now. Katsumoto eventually gives up the hold.
Katsumoto is trying to control the action in half guard but Kerr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerr punching from the bottom.
Kerr tries to get to full guard but Katsumoto has control of the leg.
Saku Katsumoto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kerr won't allow Katsumoto to pass to mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kerr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Katsumoto is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Katsumoto tries to pass to full mount but Kerr defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kerr tries to get to full guard but Katsumoto has control of the leg.
Kerr is in trouble now - Katsumoto has advanced to mount!

Katsumoto swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kerr is now in Katsumoto's guard. A big mistake from Katsumoto there, giving up the dominant position!

Katsumoto is looking for a triangle but Kerr pushes his legs off easily.
Katsumoto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Katsumoto has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Katsumoto goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kerr turns into him and now he's in Katsumoto's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Katsumoto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kerr tries to free his leg and advance position but Katsumoto is retaining full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Katsumoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Katsumoto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kerr can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Katsumoto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Katsumoto wants to sweep here but Kerr controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Saku Katsumoto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tom Kerr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kerr misses with a wild combination.
Kerr misses with a straight left.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kerr as he avoids it easily.
Kerr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kerr throws a big shot that misses.
No luck for Katsumoto with that takedown attempt.
Katsumoto lands a leg kick that knocks Kerr off balance momentarily.
Kerr misses with a hook.
Kerr misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsumoto tries to clinch up.
Kerr displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Katsumoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerr.
Katsumoto fails with a takedown attempt.
Tom Kerr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.
Kerr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Katsumoto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kerr paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kerr throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kerr throws a hook but Katsumoto blocks it.
Kerr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Katsumoto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kerr.
Katsumoto fails to land with a series of punches.
Tom Kerr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerr takes a swing at Katsumoto's ribcage but misses.
Kerr lands with a hook. Katsumoto tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kerr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Katsumoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Kerr.
Katsumoto closes the distance and clinches up with Kerr, looking for a takedown. Katsumoto pushes Kerr against the cage but Kerr circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Kerr misses.
Katsumoto has a takedown stuffed.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kerr blocks a jab.
Katsumoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerr.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Kerr ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Katsumoto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerr throws a big shot that misses.
Kerr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Katsumoto.
Katsumoto throws a nice looking combination but Kerr bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Katsumoto moves away from the strike by Kerr.
A shot to the liver by Kerr. Beautiful body shot.
Katsumoto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fighters circling - Kerr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kerr comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Katsumoto has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Katsumoto there as he acknowledges the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kerr lands an overhand right.

Katsumoto is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerr throws a body punch but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Katsumoto is still on wobbly legs! Can Kerr finish him?
Katsumoto ducks under a wild hook from Kerr.
Kerr lands with an uppercut that bounces Katsumoto off the cage and back into range.
The fighters circling - Kerr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kerr throws a hook but Katsumoto blocks it.
Katsumoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Kerr tries to sprawl out of it but Katsumoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kerr manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saku Katsumoto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Katsumoto seems to have recovered his senses.
Kerr slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kerr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Katsumoto manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Kerr showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Katsumoto 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Saku Katsumoto!
During a confident post fight interview, Saku Katsumoto thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.