PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shinsuke Kushida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Wilson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kushida
vs
Wilson

190 cm
23
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

189 cm
25
212 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Supreme Nutrition

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinsuke Kushida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Wilson!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Jorge Garcia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Kushida.

Wilson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Kushida.
Wilson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wilson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wilson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kushida gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wilson missing with knees to the body.

Wilson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kushida leaves Wilson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Wilson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Wilson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Wilson blocks a low kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilson ducks right into an uppercut from Kushida.
Kushida throws out a loose jab but Wilson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wilson closes the distance and clinches up with Kushida, looking for a takedown. Wilson pushes Kushida against the cage but Kushida circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shinsuke Kushida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Wilson.
Wilson moves out of range as Kushida strikes.
Wilson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Donk. Kushida catches Wilson right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Kushida.
Kushida misses with the combination.
Wilson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kushida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wilson somewhat.
Kushida looks to land a combination. Wilson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kushida dips to his left and cracks Wilson with an uppercut!
Kushida fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wilson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kushida circles away.
Wilson shoots for a double leg takedown but Kushida sprawls well. He's pushed Wilson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kushida lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushida looks to land a left hand but Wilson moved out of range nicely.

Wilson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kushida's half 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!
Kushida keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wilson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wilson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kushida is controlling Wilson's trapped leg to prevent Wilson from advancing to side control.
Wilson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Wilson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kushida wants to get back to full guard.

Wilson is trying to work for a kimura but Kushida is defending well.
Wilson thows a huge punch but Kushida dodges it nicely.
Wilson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kushida to regain full guard.
Wilson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kushida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wilson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Wilson throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kushida lands with a nice combination. Wilson backs away looking to recover.
Wilson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kushida as he avoids it easily.
Kushida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kushida throws a big shot that misses.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wilson.
Wilson is chipping away with strikes.
Wilson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kushida keeps working.
Wilson working the ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinsuke Kushida dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wilson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kushida sprawls well initially but Wilson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wilson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Wilson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Kushida to get to his feet.
Kushida throws a series of punches but Wilson moves out of range.

Wilson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kushida's half guard.
Kushida wants to control but Wilson is keeping busy.
Wilson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wilson trying to control from Kushida's half guard. Kushida has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Matt Wilson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wilson postures up in Kushida's guard and throws a big left but Kushida blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kushida works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kushida avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wilson postures up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wilson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wilson postures up in Kushida's guard and throws a big left but Kushida blocks it.
Wilson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kushida works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kushida avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wilson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Wilson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kushida trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wilson closes the distance and clinches up with Kushida, looking for a takedown. Wilson pushes Kushida against the cage but Kushida circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kushida.
Wilson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wilson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Wilson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kushida trying to control but Wilson postures up.
Wilson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Wilson is working for a submission of some sort.
Wilson trying to control from half guard but Kushida is working away.
Wilson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kushida is looking for a sweep. Wilson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wilson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Wilson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wilson is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Wilson wants to pass to mount but Kushida is defending the position.
Kushida tries to roll over but Wilson keeps him under control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Wilson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Wilson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Wilson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kushida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Some wild striking there from Wilson.
Kushida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matt Wilson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kushida scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kushida throws a poor cross that misses
and Wilson counters with a leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Kushida. Those never looked like landing.
Shinsuke Kushida is winning the standup battle so far.
Kushida lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Wilson at a distance.
Wilson dives in for a single leg takedown but Kushida sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kushida throws a big counter combination but Wilson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kushida thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wilson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wilson lands in his opponent's guard.
Kushida trying to keep a closed guard but Wilson is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wilson throwing strikes from guard but Kushida blocks nicely.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Wilson working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Wilson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wilson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kushida working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wilson.
Wilson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wilson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wilson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wilson looking to sit in guard and control but Kushida gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wilson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kushida stopping the sweep attempt from Wilson.
Kushida trying to control but Wilson is working from the bottom.

Wilson has his foot on Kushida's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kushida works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kushida stopping the sweep attempt from Wilson.
Wilson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Wilson trying to keep a closed guard but Kushida is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Wilson moves in looking to clinch but Kushida pushes him off.
Kushida tries to score with a low kick but Wilson moves his leg out of the way.
Kushida throws a leg kick which misses Wilson's front leg but catches the back leg as Wilson tries to avoid it.

Wilson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kushida sneaks out the side door and pushes Wilson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wilson pushes Kushida up against the cage in a clinch.
Wilson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kushida's efforts to push away.
Kushida can't find room to land a body shot as Wilson controls the action.
Wilson is looking for a takedown.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kushida swings wildly with an uppercut but Wilson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Wilson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kushida is trying to keep an underhook but Wilson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Kushida is defending against the submission attempts here by Wilson.
Wilson is keen to just control but Kushida is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shinsuke Kushida.
I think Kushida 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Shinsuke Kushida!