PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Waru Kuzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoko Gushiken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Kuzuri
vs
Gushiken

163 cm
30
135 lbs
35 - 12 - 0

170 cm
31
135 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition

Hellbent
Namunamu Clothing

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 35 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Waru Kuzuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoko Gushiken!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuzuri takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kuzuri tries a head kick but it misses.
Gushiken scores with a hook to the body. Kuzuri takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gushiken swings for the body but Kuzuri moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Gushiken throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kuzuri goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kuzuri misses with a hook
and Gushiken counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gushiken swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuzuri pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gushiken is out of range and Kuzuri settles back down.
Kuzuri takes a swing at Gushiken's ribcage but misses.
Kuzuri throws a push kick but Gushiken slaps the foot to one side.
Gushiken sizes up Kuzuri with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gushiken avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gushiken checks a low kick from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri slips under a jab from Gushiken.
Kuzuri throws a sloppy head kick and Gushiken moves out of range easily.
Kuzuri jabbing away but nothing is landing.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gushiken crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kuzuri - the referee stops the clock and Gushiken gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kuzuri. Gushiken manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
We've been hearing reports that Kuzuri has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
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 half hearted mid kick.
Kuzuri stuns Gushiken with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzuri misses with a head kick.
Kuzuri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gushiken throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gushiken leaves Kuzuri with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Gushiken clinches up against the cage.
Gushiken will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kuzuri up against the cage.
Kuzuri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuzuri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuzuri drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gushiken gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gushiken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gushiken throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuzuris head.
Kuzuri lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri is trying to break free.
Kuzuri tries a body shot but Gushiken blocks it.
Kuzuri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gushiken is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuzuri gets an underhook and turns Gushiken into the cage.
Gushiken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuzuri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gushiken's elbow.
Gushiken lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuzuri or not.
Gushiken swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuzuri uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gushiken tries to work over Kuzuri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gushiken throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuzuri.
Gushiken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gushiken is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gushiken is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kuzuri is keeping busy.
Kuzuri misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gushiken gets through Kuzuri's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gushiken misses with a punch to the body.
Kuzuri blocking some punches.
Kuzuri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gushiken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gushiken tries a body shot but Kuzuri blocks it.
Kuzuri manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuzuri.
Gushiken can't find room to land a body shot as Kuzuri controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuzuri.
A bit of stalling here from Gushiken.
Kuzuri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuzuri misses with a body punch.
Gushiken cracks Kuzuri with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuzuri pulls guard.

Gushiken got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuzuri has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gushiken has managed to get both his arms back between Kuzuri's legs - danger averted.
Gushiken is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gushiken is looking to stand up but Kuzuri won't let him.

Kuzuri is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gushiken wanted to stand there but Kuzuri had control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gushiken got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuzuri has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gushiken has managed to get both his arms back between Kuzuri's legs - danger averted.
Kuzuri working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoko Gushiken dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kuzuri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuzuri tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gushiken was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuzuri.
Gushiken is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kuzuri rather than just go for the knockout.
Gushiken ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gushiken takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuzuri tries a low kick but Gushiken avoids it.
Kuzuri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gushiken throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuzuri.
Gushiken throws a hook to the side of Kuzuri's head but Kuzuri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuzuri pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gushiken is out of range and Kuzuri settles back down.
Gushiken lands a right hook to the body.
Gushiken connects with a body shot.
Kuzuri feints and then cracks Gushiken's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gushiken down.
A slow jab from Gushiken misses its intended target.
Kuzuri throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kuzuri lands with a good body shot.
Gushiken swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gushiken circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuzuri lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gushiken tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuzuri was well out of range. Poor timing from Gushiken.
Gushiken doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuzuri circles away.
Kuzuri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gushiken circles away quickly and effectively.
A jab lands there for Gushiken.
Waru Kuzuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuzuri looks to clinch
and Gushiken counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gushiken fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Yoko Gushiken is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gushiken is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuzuri misses with a body kick.
Gushiken jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Gushiken rushes Kuzuri and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gushiken lands a body shot.
Gushiken is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Gushiken is trying to stall.
Kuzuri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuzuri backwards.
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!
Kuzuri blocks an uppercut.
Kuzuri presses Gushiken against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kuzuri tries to work over Gushiken's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuzuri lands with a right to the head.
Kuzuri misses with a punch to the body.
Kuzuri softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kuzuri pushes Gushiken back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuzuri can't find room to land a body shot as Gushiken controls the action.
Gushiken swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuzuri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gushiken lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuzuri.
Gushiken lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kuzuri can't find room to land a body shot as Gushiken controls the action.
Gushiken takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuzuri turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Gushiken sneaks back into half guard.
Gushiken wants to get back to his feet.

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

Kuzuri is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kuzuri trying to mount his opponent but Gushiken defends it.
Kuzuri is thwarting Gushiken's attempts to control the position.
Kuzuri prevents Gushiken from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri wants to pass the guard but Gushiken is defending well.
Gushiken is staying active underneath Kuzuri, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gushiken keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Gushiken manages to escape and get back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gushiken swings for the body but Kuzuri moves out of range.
Kuzuri staying out of range there.
Kuzuri looks for the body kick but Gushiken saw that one coming.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kuzuri throws a sloppy head kick
and Gushiken counters with a nice uppercut.
Gushiken avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuzuri is looking to clinch.
Both fighters circling a little - Kuzuri finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yoko Gushiken will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Kuzuri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gushiken misses with a straight left.
Kuzuri tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gushiken looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuzuri is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuzuri. Gushiken does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuzuri uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gushiken.
Gushiken rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kuzuri counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gushiken's guard now.
Gushiken wants to stand and escape but Kuzuri is having none of it.
Kuzuri passes Gushiken's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Kuzuri seems to be working for a kimura but Gushiken defends the submission attempt.

Kuzuri is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Gushiken still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Gushiken has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuzuri is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzuri can't do much from the bottom here.
Kuzuri is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Gushiken decides to stand back up. Gushiken steps back and let's Kuzuri get back to his feet.
Gushiken defending well as Kuzuri loads up on a big left hand.
Kuzuri lands a high kick!
Gushiken lands with a right hand.

Gushiken tries to keep at a distance but Kuzuri has taken the fight into the clinch.
Waru Kuzuri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuzuri.
A right hook to the body lands for Kuzuri.
Kuzuri has had enough of the clinch but Gushiken keeps him there for the moment.
Kuzuri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuzuri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gushiken lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Gushiken is leaning against Kuzuri and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gushiken struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuzuri controls his hands.
Kuzuri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuzuri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuzuri lands a shoulder strike.
Kuzuri wants to stall.
Gushiken is struggling to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri lands a hook that snaps the head of Gushiken backwards.
Kuzuri tries to throw a body punch but Gushiken avoids it by throwing Kuzuri back against the cage.
Kuzuri wants a takedown but no success here.
A nice left hand lands by Gushiken.
Gushiken is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Gushiken doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuzuri throws a punch but it's blocked by Gushiken.
Gushiken throws a head punch that misses.
Yoko Gushiken is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gushiken misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gushiken blocking some punches.
Kuzuri misses with the head strike.
Kuzuri tries to throw a body punch but Gushiken avoids it by throwing Kuzuri back against the cage.
Kuzuri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gushiken tries to throw a body punch but Kuzuri avoids it by throwing Gushiken back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Gushiken.
Gushiken is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Kuzuri breaks the clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Gushiken checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gushiken lands a jab to Kuzuri's midsection.
Gushiken on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuzuri. Gushiken does a little dance to reset his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gushiken thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuzuri throws the left hand but Gushiken avoids the punch easily.
Gushiken lands a nice shot that snaps Kuzuri's head back.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kuzuri pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kuzuri shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Waru Kuzuri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuzuri walks into a left hand.
Kuzuri tries to land a front kick but Gushiken steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuzuri wants to land a leg kick but Gushiken is out of range.
Kuzuri throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Waru Kuzuri showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gushiken 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Yoko Gushiken!
A victorious Yoko Gushiken thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.