PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Keiichi Tsuchiya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bunta Fujiwara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tsuchiya
vs
Fujiwara

171 cm
28
158 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
21
157 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Keiichi Tsuchiya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bunta Fujiwara!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fujiwara shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Fujiwara postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Tsuchiya to stand up.
Fujiwara moves out of range as Tsuchiya strikes.
Fujiwara avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tsuchiya loads up on a big right hand but Fujiwara slips the punch.
Tsuchiya misses with an uppercut.
Fujiwara doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Tsuchiya counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tsuchiya content to stall in guard here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tsuchiya has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Fujiwara is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tsuchiya is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Keiichi Tsuchiya wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Tsuchiya waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fujiwara.
Tsuchiya misses with a straight left.
Tsuchiya throws a lazy uppercut

and Fujiwara counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Tsuchiya's guard now.
Tsuchiya keeping moving, preventing Fujiwara from controlling successfully.
Fujiwara slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Fujiwara wants to control from the top but Tsuchiya keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fujiwara stops Tsuchiya from standing up.
Fujiwara must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bunta Fujiwara has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tsuchiya throws out a loose jab but Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fujiwara fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Tsuchiya as Fujiwara shoots in.
We've been told by Tsuchiya's head coaches at [CBK] Punch-kicker Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Keiichi Tsuchiya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bunta Fujiwara.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fujiwara darts in looking for a takedown but Tsuchiya gets double underhooks and turns Fujiwara into the cage.
Fujiwara has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tsuchiya avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fujiwara looking for a takedown.

Tsuchiya turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Tsuchiya manages to end up in side control.
Tsuchiya remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fujiwara sneaks out the side door and pushes Tsuchiya away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Tsuchiya pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fujiwara shoots in looking for a takedown. Tsuchiya tries to sprawl out of it but Fujiwara keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tsuchiya manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fujiwara is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tsuchiya fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tsuchiya rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Fujiwara counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tsuchiya won't be happy with that.
Tsuchiya wants to get back to his feet.
Fujiwara taking a breather here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tsuchiya throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Fujiwara on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tsuchiya is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A big right from Tsuchiya misses.

Fujiwara throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tsuchiya tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Fujiwara is in Tsuchiya's guard.
Tsuchiya avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fujiwara prevents Tsuchiya from getting back to his feet.
Fujiwara postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tsuchiya is looking to stand up but Fujiwara isn't so interested in that idea.
Fujiwara wants to control from the top but Tsuchiya keeps moving.
Tsuchiya might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fujiwara stops Tsuchiya from standing up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Fujiwara's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fujiwara sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bunta Fujiwara will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fujiwara shoots in but no luck this time.
Tsuchiya connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fujiwara shoots in but Tsuchiya avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tsuchiya throws a big shot that misses.
Tsuchiya rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fujiwara counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tsuchiya missing with a left hand there. Fujiwara was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fujiwara fails with the takedown

and Tsuchiya counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fujiwara's guard now.
Keiichi Tsuchiya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bunta Fujiwara.
Fujiwara wants to stand but Tsuchiya is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuchiya advances to half guard.
Fujiwara wants to stand back up but Tsuchiya manages to pass into side control.
Fujiwara is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Tsuchiya is controlling him well.
Tsuchiya content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Fujiwara is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuchiya taking a breather here.
Fujiwara is not content to let Tsuchiya control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fujiwara can do anything to dispel that myth.
Fujiwara being controlled for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Keiichi Tsuchiya.
Tsuchiya misses with the combination.
Nice defenses there by Fujiwara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tsuchiya counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tsuchiya throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fujiwara avoids the body shot from Tsuchiya.
Tsuchiya stuns Fujiwara with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Keiichi Tsuchiya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tsuchiya.
Tsuchiya misses with the combination.
Fujiwara misses with a takedown

and Tsuchiya counters with a single leg into guard. Fujiwara didn't expect that.
Fujiwara wants to stand and escape but Tsuchiya is having none of it.
Tsuchiya controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Fujiwara wants to stand up but Tsuchiya is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tsuchiya sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Keiichi Tsuchiya just wasn't active enough.
Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tsuchiya.
Fujiwara changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tsuchiya tries to avoid it but Fujiwara manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tsuchiya to the ground. Tsuchiya escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tsuchiya misses the shot to the body.
Fujiwara misses with a takedown

and Tsuchiya counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fujiwara is refusing to be controlled, as Tsuchiya sits in half guard.
Tsuchiya slows the pace down in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fujiwara pushes Tsuchiya off looking to stand but Tsuchiya dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keiichi Tsuchiya dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tsuchiya jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fujiwara blocks a jab.
Fujiwara ducks under a wild hook from Tsuchiya.
A big right from Tsuchiya misses.
The fighters circling - Tsuchiya throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fujiwara looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tsuchiya is fending him off so far but Fujiwara persists. Nope, Tsuchiya circles away and we're back to standing.
A big left from Tsuchiya misses.
Tsuchiya throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Fujiwara counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tsuchiya is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Fujiwara is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fujiwara prevents Tsuchiya from getting back to his feet.
Fujiwara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tsuchiya is keeping the position for now.
Fujiwara won't allow Tsuchiya to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fujiwara closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tsuchiya circles away.
Fujiwara changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tsuchiya tries to avoid it but Fujiwara manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tsuchiya to the ground. Tsuchiya escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Keiichi Tsuchiya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bunta Fujiwara.
Tsuchiya tries to bum rush Fujiwara with a series of wild strikes but Fujiwara uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Keiichi Tsuchiya is winning the standup battle so far.
Tsuchiya throws a right and a left that Fujiwara avoids nicely.
Tsuchiya misses with a hook.
Fujiwara shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tsuchiya but Tsuchiya pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tsuchiya stuffs the takedown attempt from Fujiwara. Fujiwara gets slowly back to his feet.
Fujiwara shoots in for a takedown but Tsuchiya shows good takedown defense.
Keiichi Tsuchiya is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fujiwara ducks under a wild hook from Tsuchiya.
Horrible takedown by Fujiwara or perhaps it was just good defense by Tsuchiya which made him look bad.
Fujiwara with a poor takedown

so Tsuchiya counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fujiwara takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tsuchiya slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fujiwara wants to stand but Tsuchiya is controlling the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Tsuchiya controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Keiichi Tsuchiya has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Fujiwara will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tsuchiya misses with a body shot.
Tsuchiya fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara darts in looking for a takedown but Tsuchiya gets double underhooks and turns Fujiwara into the cage.
Tsuchiya goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fujiwara prevents it.
Fujiwara has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tsuchiya is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fujiwara is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tsuchiya gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fujiwara drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tsuchiya pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara moves away from the strike by Tsuchiya.
Tsuchiya works the jab nicely.
Fujiwara has a takedown stuffed.
Tsuchiya loads up on a big right hand but Fujiwara slips the punch.
Fujiwara fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tsuchiya displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice sprawl there from Tsuchiya as Fujiwara shoots in.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tsuchiya, as that shot connected.
Tsuchiya looks to land a left hand but Fujiwara moved out of range nicely.
Tsuchiya is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Fujiwara's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Fujiwara uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tsuchiya.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keiichi Tsuchiya showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tsuchiya has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keiichi Tsuchiya!