PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ken Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fujiwara Tsuyoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Miller comes to the cage accompanied by 2pac - Im A Souljah. Tsuyoshi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: WHISPERED - HOLD THE SWORD. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Miller
vs
Tsuyoshi

162 cm
23
142 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

172 cm
23
145 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ken Miller!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fujiwara Tsuyoshi!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tsuyoshi lands with a hook. Miller tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Miller shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Miller walks into a jab.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.
Miller shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tsuyoshi pinned against the cage. Tsuyoshi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tsuyoshi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
No joy there for Tsuyoshi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tsuyoshi cracks Miller with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Miller dives in and scores a takedown into Tsuyoshi's guard.
Tsuyoshi is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Miller throwing strikes from guard but Tsuyoshi blocks nicely.
Miller in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miller won't allow Tsuyoshi to sweep him here.
Tsuyoshi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Miller. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller throws a strike but Tsuyoshi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tsuyoshi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Miller has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tsuyoshi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tsuyoshi stopping the sweep attempt from Miller.
Tsuyoshi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Miller not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Miller is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Miller manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tsuyoshi manages to get himself to full guard.

Miller looking to sit in guard and control but Tsuyoshi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tsuyoshi is one step ahead there.
Tsuyoshi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Miller is on top in guard.

Miller wants to control from the top but Tsuyoshi keeps moving.
Miller won't allow Tsuyoshi to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Miller pushing down on Tsuyoshi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Miller lands strikes from half guard.
Tsuyoshi is refusing to be controlled, as Miller sits in half guard.
Tsuyoshi trying to control here.
Tsuyoshi won't allow Miller to pass to mount.
Tsuyoshi told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Tsuyoshi trying to hold on to Miller's head to control him but Miller postures up.
Tsuyoshi taking some punishment here, with Miller in his half guard.
Miller 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.

Miller trying to work for an americana but Tsuyoshi has managed to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Tsuyoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tsuyoshi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Miller is looking to work some ground and pound but Tsuyoshi has wrist control.
Miller trying to control but Tsuyoshi is working from the bottom.
Miller pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tsuyoshi is keeping the position for now.
Tsuyoshi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Miller.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Miller 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.
Miller is looking to work some ground and pound but Tsuyoshi has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ken Miller will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Miller shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tsuyoshi as he jumps to the side.
Miller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tsuyoshi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Miller manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tsuyoshi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tsuyoshi misses with a body kick.
Tsuyoshi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tsuyoshi misses with a low kick.
Miller ducks under a wild hook from Tsuyoshi.
Miller takes a swing at Tsuyoshi's ribcage but misses.
Tsuyoshi throws a hook but Miller blocks it.
Tsuyoshi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuyoshi stuffs the takedown.
Miller fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tsuyoshi avoids it really well and circles away.
Tsuyoshi tries to counter with a clinch but Miller shakes him off and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Miller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsuyoshi leaves Miller with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tsuyoshi moves into the clinch successfully.
Miller manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Miller blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tsuyoshi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tsuyoshi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tsuyoshi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Miller lands an uppercut.
Tsuyoshi throws an elbow but it misses.
Miller is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Miller avoiding damage as Tsuyoshi throws knees to the body.
Tsuyoshi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tsuyoshi blocks an uppercut.
Tsuyoshi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Miller is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi lands an elbow inside that Miller shrugs off.

It looks like Ken Miller has been cut.
Tsuyoshi trying to land knees to the body.
Tsuyoshi misses with an elbow over the top.
Miller tries to break free but Tsuyoshi pushes him back against the cage.
Tsuyoshi pushes off an throws an elbow but Miller leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tsuyoshi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Miller blocks an elbow strike.
Tsuyoshi tries to land knees in the clinch but Miller avoids the damage to the body.
Miller tries to throw a body punch but Tsuyoshi avoids it by throwing Miller back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short right from Miller on the inside.
Tsuyoshi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Miller misses with some punches.
Miller avoids the elbow strike from Tsuyoshi, against the cage.
Miller blocks an elbow strike from Tsuyoshi.
Miller blocks the elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A hook to the body from Miller.

Miller pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tsuyoshi scores with a push kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fujiwara Tsuyoshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ken Miller's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Miller looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Tsuyoshi manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Miller blocks an elbow strike from Tsuyoshi.
Tsuyoshi lands an elbow just above Miller 's eye.
Tsuyoshi takes a shot to the head.
Miller tries to break free but Tsuyoshi pushes him back against the cage.
Tsuyoshi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Miller misses with some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tsuyoshi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Miller's brow.
Tsuyoshi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Miller avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Miller.
Tsuyoshi lands a nice elbow.
Miller avoids a wild elbow strike from Tsuyoshi.
Miller lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Miller blocks an elbow strike from Tsuyoshi.

Miller breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Miller dives in and grabs Tsuyoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tsuyoshi pushes down on Miller's head and hops out.
Tsuyoshi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tsuyoshi lands with a straight right. Miller didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Tsuyoshi.
Fujiwara Tsuyoshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tsuyoshi wants to clinch
and Miller counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Miller misses with a wild body shot.
Miller throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tsuyoshi wants to clinch up but Miller keeps it at a distance.
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!
Tsuyoshi pushes Miller away with a front kick.
Tsuyoshi is looking to clinch.
Tsuyoshi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tsuyoshi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Miller was well out of range. Poor timing from Tsuyoshi.
Miller throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tsuyoshi's waist but Tsuyoshi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Miller off to one side.
Tsuyoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tsuyoshi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Miller on the side of the head.
Miller ducks right into an uppercut from Tsuyoshi.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tsuyoshi, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tsuyoshi shapes to counter with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Miller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsuyoshi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tsuyoshi lands a leg kick that knocks Miller off balance momentarily.
Tsuyoshi is looking to clinch.
Tsuyoshi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Tsuyoshi darts in and clinches Miller up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Miller fails to land.
Tsuyoshi pushes off an throws an elbow but Miller leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Miller lands a nice uppercut.

Miller pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi throws a body punch but Miller moves out of range.
Miller misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Miller misses with a takedown attempt - Tsuyoshi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Miller misses the shot to the body.
Miller dives in for a single leg takedown but Tsuyoshi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tsuyoshi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tsuyoshi lands with a straight right. Miller didn't see that one coming.
Tsuyoshi slaps away a takedown attempt from Miller, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tsuyoshi lands a nice shot that snaps Miller's head back.
Miller shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tsuyoshi pinned against the cage. Tsuyoshi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fujiwara Tsuyoshi really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ken Miller's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Miller shoots in looking for a takedown. Tsuyoshi tries to sprawl out of it but Miller keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tsuyoshi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tsuyoshi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Miller manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tsuyoshi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Miller's sensitive parts.
Tsuyoshi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tsuyoshi checks a leg kick.
Tsuyoshi cracks the inside of Miller's front leg.
Miller will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tsuyoshi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Miller looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Miller avoids the body shot from Tsuyoshi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller closes the distance and clinches up with Tsuyoshi, looking for a takedown. Miller pushes Tsuyoshi against the cage but Tsuyoshi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Miller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsuyoshi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tsuyoshi avoids the body shot from Miller.
Miller takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tsuyoshi throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller fails with a takedown attempt.
Tsuyoshi lands an overhand right.
Miller on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice shot lands for Tsuyoshi.
Miller fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tsuyoshi avoids it really well and circles away.
Tsuyoshi thuds his shin into the meat of Miller's side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tsuyoshi misses with a hook. Miller ducked under it nicely.
Miller thinks about countering with a body kick.
No luck for Miller with that takedown attempt.
Donk. Tsuyoshi catches Miller right on the button with a cross.
Miller chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tsuyoshi can pounce on him.
Tsuyoshi is looking to slow Miller down with leg kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tsuyoshi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tsuyoshi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tsuyoshi works Miller's body with a nice hook.
Tsuyoshi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Miller momentarily.
Tsuyoshi delivers a nice body kick.
Tsuyoshi is looking to clinch but Miller is avoiding it.
Tsuyoshi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuyoshi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tsuyoshi cracks Miller with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice shot by Tsuyoshi.
Miller is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tsuyoshi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Miller doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Miller shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tsuyoshi but Tsuyoshi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Miller chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tsuyoshi can pounce on him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tsuyoshi.
Tsuyoshi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Miller. Miller circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Tsuyoshi tries to sprawl but Miller drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tsuyoshi is looking to control Miller's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tsuyoshi avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tsuyoshi trying to control but Miller postures up.
Tsuyoshi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Miller.
Tsuyoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tsuyoshi keeping hold of Miller's head, controlling as best he can.
Miller is keen to just control but Tsuyoshi is a slippery customer.
Miller thows a huge punch but Tsuyoshi dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fujiwara Tsuyoshi dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ken Miller's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Miller dives in and scores a takedown into Tsuyoshi's guard.
Tsuyoshi is looking to sweep but instead, Miller has passed into half guard.
Miller drops an elbow to the side of Tsuyoshi's head.
Tsuyoshi wants to get back to full guard.
Miller seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Miller lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice strikes from Miller there.
Miller looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tsuyoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miller is looking for a kimura but Tsuyoshi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Miller to get the leverage.
Miller missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Miller takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tsuyoshi wants to get back to full guard.
Miller throwing shots but Tsuyoshi is blocking nicely.

Miller wants to work for an arm triangle but Tsuyoshi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tsuyoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tsuyoshi is staying active underneath Miller, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tsuyoshi is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Miller is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Tsuyoshi!
Tsuyoshi tries to hold on but Miller postures up.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Miller cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
BOOM! Miller connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Tsuyoshi is working to get back to half guard.
Miller with a couple of short strikes.
Miller postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Tsuyoshi looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller lands a couple of good shots and Tsuyoshi has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Tsuyoshi is keeping busy.
Tsuyoshi is trapped and Miller is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Tsuyoshi wants to control his opponent's hands but Miller gets his hands free.
Miller lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Miller is landing with strikes. Tsuyoshi can't take much more of this.
Even with his hooks in, Miller manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Miller is landing with strikes from the back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Miller's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller is working the ground and pound. Can Tsuyoshi escape?
Miller trying to control.

Miller is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Tsuyoshi is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ken Miller!
Ken Miller retains his bantamweight title!
After the fight, Ken Miller was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.