PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daisuke Marufuji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kostas Mavrouleas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marufuji comes to the ring accompanied by DJ Krush - No More (Kemuri Productions). Kostas Mavrouleas struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Marufuji
vs
Mavrouleas

182 cm
19
179 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

187 cm
22
181 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daisuke Marufuji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kostas Mavrouleas!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Sano and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mavrouleas fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Mavrouleas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Mavrouleas trying to control the position but Marufuji is working away.

Mavrouleas tries for a kimura but Marufuji is defending well.
Marufuji struggling a bit here.
Marufuji tries to bench press Mavrouleas off him but Mavrouleas keeps the position.
Mavrouleas tries to move into full mount but can't pass Marufuji's legs.

Mavrouleas is trying to get an arm triangle but Marufuji is defending well.
Marufuji regains half guard.
Marufuji is trying to maintain the position but Mavrouleas is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marufuji missing with punches from the bottom.
Mavrouleas tries to pass the half guard into mount. Marufuji knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mavrouleas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Marufuji as he avoids it easily.
Mavrouleas looks gassed!
Nice takedown defense from Marufuji. No joy for Mavrouleas on that attempt.
Daisuke Marufuji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kostas Mavrouleas.

Marufuji decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Marufuji looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Mavrouleas is defending against the submission attempts here by Marufuji.
Marufuji is stalling here. Mavrouleas is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Marufuji seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Mavrouleas has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marufuji is looking for a sweep.
Marufuji gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Marufuji makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Marufuji.

Marufuji has his foot on Mavrouleas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mavrouleas works his way back into a safe position though.
Marufuji controls Mavrouleas momentarily but Mavrouleas frees himself.

Marufuji looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Marufuji trying to control the position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Marufuji is looking for a triangle but Mavrouleas pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marufuji has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mavrouleas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Marufuji lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mavrouleas!
Marufuji pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Mavrouleas is looking to improve his position but Marufuji isn't that keen on the idea.
Marufuji wants to take Mavrouleas's back but he can't do it this time.

Marufuji working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Mavrouleas is squirming around, avoiding Marufuji's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marufuji is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Mavrouleas is surviving well by controlling Marufuji's body position as best he can.

Marufuji working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Marufuji with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Marufuji is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Mavrouleas can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Marufuji landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daisuke Marufuji dominated that round.
That's time! Marufuji's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Marufuji looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mavrouleas is fending him off so far but Marufuji persists. Nope, Mavrouleas circles away and we're back to standing.
Mavrouleas misses with a takedown attempt

and Marufuji counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Mavrouleas!
Mavrouleas is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Marufuji looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mavrouleas tries to lock up and control but Marufuji gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Marufuji postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Mavrouleas looks a forlorn figure.

Marufuji looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Marufuji looking for a guillotine from mount but Mavrouleas is having none of it.
Daisuke Marufuji overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mavrouleas is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marufuji working for a guillotine from mount but Mavrouleas is in no mood to give up.

Marufuji is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Mavrouleas has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Marufuji with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Marufuji pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Mavrouleas keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mavrouleas stops Marufuji from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mavrouleas has given up his back here. Will Marufuji look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Mavrouleas defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Mavrouleas is trying to break free.

Mavrouleas is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Marufuji gets his way!

Marufuji working for a choke but Mavrouleas is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Marufuji tightening his grip on Mavrouleas, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mavrouleas rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Marufuji passes the guard and advances to mount!
Marufuji putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Mavrouleas is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Marufuji has taken his back.
Mavrouleas tries to escape but Marufuji has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marufuji is cranking Mavrouleas's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Mavrouleas! He's tightened the choke and Mavrouleas is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Daisuke Marufuji!