PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ario Kuramoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuki Shojo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kuramoto
vs
Shojo

172 cm
24
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ario Kuramoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Shojo!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuramoto shoots in for a double leg but Shojo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It seemed like Shojo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kuramoto takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kuramoto shoots in but Shojo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shojo jabs at Kuramoto's body.
Kuramoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Shojo tries to sprawl out of it but Kuramoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shojo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ario Kuramoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuramoto misses with a takedown attempt
and Shojo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A jab from Shojo finds it's way through Kuramoto's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kuramoto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Shojo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
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!
Shojo feints a jab promting Kuramoto to slip. Shojo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kuramoto slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Shojo works Kuramoto's body with a nice hook.
Shojo has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Yuki Shojo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shojo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shojo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Shojo misses with a lunging right hand

and Kuramoto counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kuramoto showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kuramoto's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Shojo is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kuramoto dives into side control.
Shojo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo bucks up and tries to throw Kuramoto off but instead Kuramoto has got his back!

Shojo is trying to defend against the choke here but Kuramoto has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Kuramoto Tightens the hold and Shojo taps out furiously! Kuramoto displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ario Kuramoto!
Ario Kuramoto thanked the fans post fight for their support.