PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Keiji Hashimoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waru Kuzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hashimoto's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Holding Out For A Hero (Japanese Version). 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.

Hashimoto
vs
Kuzuri

172 cm
32
156 lbs
27 - 11 - 3

163 cm
24
135 lbs
21 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Empire Threads - The Best $15 You've Ever Spent!

Fightworld Formula
Popeye’s Spinach - 159 + 158 Proof Supps

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 3, fighting out of New York, Keiji Hashimoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Waru Kuzuri!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Bruno Lombardi and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuzuri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hashimoto manages to avoid it.
Kuzuri throws a chopping leg kick but Hashimoto manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Kuzuri gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hashimoto to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hashimoto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuzuri not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hashimoto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hashimoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuzuri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hashimoto has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hashimoto wants to pass the guard but Kuzuri is keeping the position.
Hashimoto trying to control but Kuzuri is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hashimoto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuzuri swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hashimoto controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Keiji Hashimoto.
Kuzuri with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hashimoto moves out of range as Kuzuri throws a body kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kuzuri lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hashimoto has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hashimoto and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hashimoto throws a shot from downtown. Kuzuri moves away and avoids it.
Hashimoto scores with a shot to the body.
Waru Kuzuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuzuri throws out a loose jab but Hashimoto uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuzuri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hashimoto moves away.
Kuzuri misses with a low kick.
Kuzuri throws a sloppy head kick and Hashimoto moves out of range easily.
Hashimoto is looking to score with low kicks.
Kuzuri misses with a wild body shot.
Kuzuri throws a hook but Hashimoto blocks it.
Hashimoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuzuri bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuzuri misses with a looping right.
Kuzuri throws a leg kick but Hashimoto checks it.
Nice straight punches there by Hashimoto. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hashimoto.

It looks like Waru Kuzuri has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hashimoto to score with a decent uppercut.
Kuzuri throws the left hand but Hashimoto avoids the punch easily.
Hashimoto lands a nice shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hashimoto.
Nice body punch from Hashimoto.
Hashimoto missing with a left hand there. Kuzuri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Hashimoto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kuzuri, pushing him back against the cage.
Hashimoto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kuzuri swings wildly with an uppercut but Hashimoto uses good head movement to avoid it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hashimoto lands a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hashimoto lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hashimoto lands a body shot.
Hashimoto tries to score a body lock takedown but Kuzuri shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hashimoto.

Kuzuri's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hashimoto 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hashimoto moves into range and clinches up with Kuzuri.
Kuzuri struggles to land a body shot inside as Hashimoto controls his hands.
Kuzuri misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from Kuzuri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keiji Hashimoto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Waru Kuzuri's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kuzuri lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hashimoto will feel that in the morning.
Hashimoto tries for a takedown but Kuzuri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kuzuri misses the shot to the body.

Hashimoto clinches up with Kuzuri and pushes him back against the cage.
Kuzuri is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hashimoto is keeping busy.
Kuzuri scores with a nice hook to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Kuzuri.
Kuzuri wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kuzuri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Kuzuri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuzuri misses with an uppercut. Hashimoto saw that one coming.
Hashimoto blocks the body kick.
Kuzuri thuds a left hand into Hashimoto's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hashimoto takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kuzuri smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hashimoto throws a low kick but Kuzuri moves out of range easily.
Hashimoto scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Hashimoto gets a double leg takedown into Kuzuri's guard.
Kuzuri keeping full guard, as Hashimoto tries to pass.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hashimoto wants to control from the top but Kuzuri keeps moving.
Kuzuri keeping full guard, as Hashimoto tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hashimoto wants to control from the top but Kuzuri keeps moving.

We're going to have a standup here because Keiji Hashimoto wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hashimoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuzuri connects with a solid leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuzuri throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kuzuri tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hashimoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuzuri.
Hashimoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuzuri.
Hashimoto slips a straight right by Kuzuri.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kuzuri, right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd cheers as Kuzuri lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hashimoto doesn't seem phased though.
Kuzuri misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kuzuri jabs at Hashimoto's body.
Waru Kuzuri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hashimoto misses with a straight left.
Kuzuri fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kuzuri moves out of range as Hashimoto throws a body kick.
Kuzuri throws a push kick but Hashimoto slaps the foot to one side.
Waru Kuzuri seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuzuri lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hashimoto at a distance.
Kuzuri misses the shot to the body.
Kuzuri looks to throw a body kick
and Hashimoto counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hashimoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hashimoto. Kuzuri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuzuri tries to land a leg kick but Hashimoto saw it coming and moves away.
Kuzuri lands with a kick to the ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slow jab from Hashimoto misses its intended target.
Kuzuri looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kuzuri bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuzuri throws a shot to the body.
Hashimoto smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuzuri loads up on a big right hand but Hashimoto slips the punch.
Hashimoto dips to his left and cracks Kuzuri with an uppercut!
Kuzuri pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waru Kuzuri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Waru Kuzuri's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kuzuri tries to land a front kick but Hashimoto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hashimoto takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hashimoto avoids the body shot from Kuzuri.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hashimoto, right into the meat.
Kuzuri throws a front kick aimed at Hashimoto's knee but Hashimoto avoids it well.
Kuzuri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hashimoto.
Kuzuri throws a wild body kick that Hashimoto sees coming a mile off.
Kuzuri is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hashimoto rather than just go for the knockout.
Hashimoto wants to land a leg kick but Kuzuri is out of range.
Good work by Hashimoto as he checks the leg kick.
Hashimoto shoots in for a double leg but Kuzuri sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kuzuri throws out a powerful jab.
Kuzuri throws a predictable looking body shot
and Hashimoto counters with a thumping low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzuri looks to land a right hand but Hashimoto moved out of range.
A good leg kick by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri lands a nice hook to Hashimoto's body. Hashimoto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kuzuri with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hashimoto misses with a straight right.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hashimoto.
Hashimoto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kuzuri's sensitive parts.
Kuzuri steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hashimoto. That one must have hurt.
Hashimoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hashimoto cracks Kuzuri with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hashimoto tries for a takedown but Kuzuri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Hashimoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hashimoto lands with a shot to the body.
Hashimoto tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kuzuri swivels and escapes.
Hashimoto moves away from the strike by Kuzuri.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuzuri throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hashimoto staying out of range there.
Hashimoto fails with the takedown.
Kuzuri finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kuzuri throws a body punch but Hashimoto moves out of range.
Hashimoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuzuri is just out of range.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kuzuri. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri slips under a jab from Hashimoto.
Hashimoto slips under a jab from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kuzuri tries to land a leg kick but Hashimoto saw it coming and moves away.
Kuzuri moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuzuri attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hashimoto checks a leg kick.
Kuzuri looks to score with a jab to the body but Hashimoto is just out of range.
Kuzuri lands a leg kick that knocks Hashimoto off balance momentarily.
Kuzuri tries to score with a low kick but Hashimoto moves his leg out of the way.
Hashimoto ducks under a wild hook from Kuzuri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri lands with a nice body punch.
Kuzuri misses with a straight right.
Hashimoto throws a hook to the side of Kuzuri's head but Kuzuri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuzuri tests Hashimoto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuzuri throws a poor cross that misses
and Hashimoto counters with an inside leg kick.
Hashimoto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuzuri keeps the fight on the outside.
A big left from Kuzuri misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuzuri throws a nice outside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuzuri misses with a head kick.
Kuzuri thuds his right hand into Hashimoto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
Waru Kuzuri comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kuzuri 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Waru Kuzuri!
A very excited looking Waru Kuzuri made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.