PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 80 p4p, 230 weight class) and Khakim Khadzhimurad (ranked 10 p4p, 27 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.

Matsunaga
vs
Khadzhimurad

170 cm
36
145
35 - 17 - 2

186 cm
31
157
17 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear
Altitude Clothing

Core Combat
Carnage

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 17 - 2, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Khakim Khadzhimurad!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khadzhimurad moves forwards but Matsunaga connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Khadzhimurad throws a front kick aimed at Matsunaga's knee but Matsunaga avoids it well.
A swing and a miss from Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad throws a half hearted mid kick.
Khadzhimurad takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Khadzhimurad moves out of range of the strikes.
Khadzhimurad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Khadzhimurad.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khadzhimurad sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsunaga misses with a head kick.
Matsunaga throws a chopping leg kick but Khadzhimurad manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Khadzhimurad wants to counter with a clinch but Matsunaga pushes him away.
Khadzhimurad moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Khadzhimurad gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khadzhimurad misses with the head strike.
Matsunaga jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Khadzhimurad walks away with a smile on his face. Matsunaga gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Khadzhimurad sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khadzhimurad dodges the punch combination from Matsunaga.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Khadzhimurad clinches up against the cage.
Khadzhimurad tries to throw a body punch but Matsunaga avoids it by throwing Khadzhimurad back against the cage.

Matsunaga manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Matsunaga is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Matsunaga working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Khadzhimurad has passed into half guard!

Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Khadzhimurad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matsunaga keeps working.
Matsunaga might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Khadzhimurad is looking for a kimura but Matsunaga is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Khadzhimurad to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad is taking a breather. Matsunaga says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Khadzhimurad trying to control the action but Matsunaga is working from the bottom.

Khadzhimurad is working for a submission of some sort.

Matsunaga pushes Khadzhimurad off and gets back to his feet.
Matsunaga connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Khadzhimurad slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad blocks the body kick.
Matsunaga jabs at Khadzhimurad's body.
Matsunaga connects with an inside leg kick.
Khadzhimurad tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matsunaga paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Khadzhimurad connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Khadzhimurad is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Matsunaga ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khadzhimurad moves away.
Matsunaga walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Khadzhimurad misses with an uppercut.
Khadzhimurad defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Khadzhimurad looks to land a body kick but Matsunaga moved away.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
A big left from Khadzhimurad misses.
Matsunaga throws a series of punches but Khadzhimurad avoids them all with ease.
Khadzhimurad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khadzhimurad appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Matsunaga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little feinted left hand from Matsunaga on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matsunaga scores with a jab.
Matsunaga looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matsunaga looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matsunaga scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matsunaga scores with a nice right hand.
Matsunaga works over Khadzhimurad's head and body with a nice combination.
Khadzhimurad scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matsunaga keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khadzhimurad.
Matsunaga throws a left and a right that both miss
and Khadzhimurad counters with a straight right hand.
Khadzhimurad misses with a hook.
Khadzhimurad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khadzhimurad is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Matsunaga connects with the punch.
Matsunaga is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Khadzhimurad slips a jab and a cross from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Khadzhimurad looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Khadzhimurad staying out of range there.
A big left from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Khadzhimurad.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Khadzhimurad misses with a double jab.
Matsunaga throws a body shot but no joy.
A low kick lands for Khadzhimurad.
Matsunaga blocks a jab.
Khadzhimurad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Khadzhimurad slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad tries to counter by closing the distance.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Khadzhimurad ducked under it nicely.
Khadzhimurad throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsunaga sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Khadzhimurad throws an overhand right that lands on Matsunaga's shoulder, as Matsunaga tries to avoid the shot.
Futoshi Matsunaga is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Khadzhimurad takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga misses with a two punch combination.
Matsunaga looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Khadzhimurad blocks a leg kick.
Khadzhimurad fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Khadzhimurad scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khadzhimurad slips under a jab from Matsunaga.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga thows a body kick. Khadzhimurad tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Matsunaga misses with a wild body shot.
Jab by Khadzhimurad.
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Matsunaga!

Khadzhimurad instigates a clinch.
Matsunaga is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Khadzhimurad can do to turn this around?
Khadzhimurad lands a body punch in the clinch.

Matsunaga drags the fight down to the ground.

Matsunaga looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Matsunaga keeping moving, preventing Khadzhimurad from controlling successfully.

Matsunaga is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Khadzhimurad pushes down on Matsunaga's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad is looking to advance position but Matsunaga won't allow it.
Khadzhimurad sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khadzhimurad works his way into side control.
Matsunaga tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Matsunaga manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad prevents Matsunaga from improving his position.
Khadzhimurad not doing much here.
Matsunaga trying to hold on to Khadzhimurad's head to control him but Khadzhimurad postures up.
Matsunaga tries to roll over but Khadzhimurad keeps him under control.
Khadzhimurad works his foot free and advances to mount.
Matsunaga is looking to improve his position but Khadzhimurad isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back.
Matsunaga is trying to stand back up but Khadzhimurad is controlling him

Khadzhimurad is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Matsunaga doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Khadzhimurad.

Matsunaga looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Futoshi Matsunaga will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Khadzhimurad slips a straight right by Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khadzhimurad throws a head kick that misses.
Khadzhimurad shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Matsunaga takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Khadzhimurad looks to land a left hand but Matsunaga moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy head kick and Khadzhimurad moves out of range easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Matsunaga. That snapped Khadzhimurad's head back.
Matsunaga works the jab nicely.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
Khadzhimurad throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Khadzhimurad fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matsunaga.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Khadzhimurad on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsunaga uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga moves out of range of the leg kick from Khadzhimurad.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Matsunaga checks a leg kick.

Matsunaga tries to keep at a distance but Khadzhimurad has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matsunaga blocks an uppercut.
Khadzhimurad tries to throw a body punch but Matsunaga avoids it by throwing Khadzhimurad back against the cage.
Matsunaga tries to pull guard but Khadzhimurad holds him up against the cage and eventually Matsunaga drops back down to his feet.
Khadzhimurad lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Khadzhimurad lands a hook that snaps the head of Matsunaga backwards.
Matsunaga jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Khadzhimurad walks away with a smile on his face. Matsunaga gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Matsunaga fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Khadzhimurad steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad throws a big shot that misses.
Matsunaga slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matsunaga throws a body punch but Khadzhimurad moves out of range.
Khadzhimurad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khadzhimurad lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga sets himself, and Khadzhimurad steps forward looking for the clinch! Matsunaga avoids it this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khadzhimurad misses with a body kick.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Khadzhimurad manages to avoid it.
Matsunaga circles away from the clinch attempt.
Khadzhimurad slips under a jab.
Khadzhimurad throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.
Matsunaga will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Khadzhimurad throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.
Khadzhimurad steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsunaga went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Khadzhimurad throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Matsunaga stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jab by Matsunaga.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Matsunaga throws a lazy uppercut
and Khadzhimurad counters with a straight right hand.
Matsunaga blocks a leg kick.
Matsunaga lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Khadzhimurad uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad throws a front kick aimed at Matsunaga's knee but Matsunaga avoids it well.
Matsunaga paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Khadzhimurad loads up on a big right hand but Matsunaga slips the punch.
Matsunaga bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Khadzhimurad's head.
Khadzhimurad blocks a low kick nicely.
Khadzhimurad missing with a left hand there. Matsunaga was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matsunaga will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
An inside leg kick lands from Khadzhimurad.
Matsunaga throws a series of punches but Khadzhimurad avoids them all with ease.
Khadzhimurad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khadzhimurad takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Khadzhimurad forces Matsunaga back against the cage and clinches.
Khadzhimurad lands with a right to the head.

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!
Matsunaga blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Khadzhimurad tries to work over Matsunaga's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matsunaga jumps guard but Khadzhimurad turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Futoshi Matsunaga. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Matsunaga manages to pull guard.

Matsunaga working for a triangle but Khadzhimurad defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Khadzhimurad looking to pass the guard.
Matsunaga is trying to keep Khadzhimurad in close.
Matsunaga is really struggling to control Khadzhimurad but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Khadzhimurad got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matsunaga has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Khadzhimurad has managed to get both his arms back between Matsunaga's legs - danger averted.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Futoshi Matsunaga did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Khadzhimurad feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matsunagas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A big left from Khadzhimurad misses.

Matsunaga gets tackled into the cage by Khadzhimurad. Khadzhimurad maintains the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Matsunagas head.
Khadzhimurad misses with a punch on the inside.
Khadzhimurad tries a body shot but Matsunaga blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Khadzhimurad.
Matsunaga blocks a body shot from Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad misses with a body punch.
Khadzhimurad can't find room to land a body shot as Matsunaga controls the action.
Khadzhimurad can't find room to land a body shot as Matsunaga controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Khadzhimurad to keep the fight standing.
Khadzhimurad misses with a punch on the inside.

Matsunaga successfully pulls guard.
Khadzhimurad stands and throws Matsunaga's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Matsunaga gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga trying to control here.
Khadzhimurad trying to pass the guard but Matsunaga defending well.

Khadzhimurad is looking for a kimura but Matsunaga is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Khadzhimurad to get the leverage.
Khadzhimurad wants to free his trapped foot but Matsunaga is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Matsunaga trying to control from the bottom.
Khadzhimurad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Matsunaga tries to roll over but Khadzhimurad keeps him under control.

Matsunaga is defending against the submission attempts here by Khadzhimurad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Matsunaga is looking to control Khadzhimurad's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matsunaga avoid being mounted?
Khadzhimurad wants to pass the guard but Matsunaga is defending well.
Matsunaga wants to improve his position but Khadzhimurad is controlling well.

Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back.
Matsunaga is not content to let Khadzhimurad control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Khadzhimurad scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matsunaga misses with a leg kick.
Good exchange - Matsunaga coming out on top.
Khadzhimurad's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
Khadzhimurad defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Khadzhimurad tries to clinch there but Matsunaga circles away.
Khadzhimurad misses with a low kick.
Matsunaga looks to land a combination. Khadzhimurad sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matsunaga checks a leg kick.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khadzhimurad sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Khadzhimurad avoids it easily.
Matsunaga waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Khadzhimurad.
Matsunaga tries to bum rush Khadzhimurad with a series of wild strikes but Khadzhimurad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Khadzhimurad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khadzhimurad misses with a few strikes there.
Khadzhimurad wants to clinch up but Matsunaga keeps it at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Khadzhimurad looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Khadzhimurad moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Matsunaga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A low kick lands for Matsunaga.
Khadzhimurad moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Matsunaga connects with the punch.
A head kick from Matsunaga lands but Khadzhimurad takes it in his stride.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Khakim Khadzhimurad will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Khadzhimurad throws a head kick that half lands.

Khadzhimurad has taken the fight to the clinch.
Khadzhimurad has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Matsunaga lands a shoulder strike.
Khadzhimurad can't find room to land a body shot as Matsunaga controls the action.
Matsunaga jumps guard but Khadzhimurad turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Matsunaga pulls guard successfully.
Matsunaga keeping moving, preventing Khadzhimurad from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Matsunaga is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Khadzhimurad frees his head nicely. Oh but Matsunaga has switched to an armbar! Khadzhimurad is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Futoshi Matsunaga!
Futoshi Matsunaga retains his featherweight title!
An out of breath Futoshi Matsunaga thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.