PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keisuke Matsuzaka (ranked 20 p4p, 229 weight class) and Jesse Custer (ranked 3 p4p, 35 weight class). Custer comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Zebrahead - Falling Apart kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Matsuzaka
vs
Custer

179 cm
30
181
25 - 8 - 1

180 cm
27
180
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Keisuke Matsuzaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jesse Custer!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Custer looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matsuzaka defending well as Custer loads up on a big left hand.
Matsuzaka shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Matsuzaka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Custer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Custer connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Custer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Custer. That snapped Matsuzaka's head back.
A punch lands to the side of Matsuzaka 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Custer throws a low kick, looking for Matsuzaka's leg but Matsuzaka calmly moves out of range.
Matsuzaka is looking to counter punch.
Custer scoring well with a low kick there.
Matsuzaka takes one to the chin there.
A big left from Matsuzaka misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsuzaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuzaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Custer.
Matsuzaka tried to counter with a leg kick but Custer avoided it.
Custer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A slow jab from Custer misses its intended target.
That kick from Custer tenderised Matsuzaka's leg. Matsuzaka is trying to keep his angry face on.
Custer slips a jab from Matsuzaka.
A little jabbing left from Custer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Custer misses with a body kick.
Custer connects with a jab.
Custer scores with a jab. Matsuzaka acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Custer feints and then cracks Matsuzaka's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matsuzaka down.
Matsuzaka gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Custer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matsuzaka's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka checks a leg kick.
Matsuzaka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Custer checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Custer is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Matsuzaka had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Custer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matsuzaka's sensitive parts.
Matsuzaka walks into a stiff left hand from Custer.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Custer tries to land a leg kick but Matsuzaka saw it coming and moves away.
Good work by Custer as he checks the leg kick.
Matsuzaka moves out of range of the leg kick from Custer.
Matsuzaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Custer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matsuzaka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Custer lands with a hook. Matsuzaka tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Custer misses with a looping left.
Custer misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka avoids the body shot from Custer.
Custer scores with a jab to the head.
Custer throws a wild body kick that Matsuzaka sees coming a mile off.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook.
Custer throws out a powerful jab.
Matsuzaka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Matsuzaka keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Matsuzaka tried to score with a low kick but Custer checks it.
Custer throws out a counter right but Matsuzaka avoids it with no problem.
Custer slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matsuzaka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Custer works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Custer throws a chopping leg kick but Matsuzaka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matsuzaka takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Matsuzaka throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Custer misses.
Matsuzaka throwing a counter right hand but Custer manages to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuzaka staying out of range there.
Matsuzaka is looking to counter punch.
Custer uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A low kick lands for Custer.
Jesse Custer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Custer connects with a looping right hand.
Matsuzaka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Custer sizes up Matsuzaka with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Custer throws a quick inside leg kick.
Custer misses with a wild body shot.
Custer ducks under a wild hook from Matsuzaka.
Custer on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Matsuzaka misses the jab.
Custer throws a lazy uppercut
and Matsuzaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Jesse Custer has been cut.
Custer throws a right hand that misses
and Matsuzaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Custer scores with a jab.
Custer lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Matsuzaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A shot to the liver by Matsuzaka. Beautiful body shot.
Matsuzaka throws an overhand right that lands on Custer's shoulder, as Custer tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Custer dips to his left and cracks Matsuzaka with an uppercut!
Custer lands with an uppercut that bounces Matsuzaka off the cage and back into range.
Matsuzaka takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Custer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Custer lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Custer checks a leg kick.
Matsuzaka is looking to slow Custer down with leg kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Custer.
An inside leg kick lands from Custer.
Custer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matsuzaka.
Custer connects with the punch.
Custer with a jab.
Custer throws a chopping leg kick but Matsuzaka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Custer connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matsuzaka's hands.
Custer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matsuzaka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Custer. Custer obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Matsuzaka checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Custer scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Custer there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Decent striking displayed by Custer there.
Custer with the inside leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matsuzaka lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Custer has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Custer and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Custer appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Jab by Matsuzaka.
Custer thumps Matsuzaka with a low kick.
Custer thumps Matsuzaka with a low kick.
A good leg kick by Custer.
Matsuzaka misses with a straight left.
Custer is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Matsuzaka with a body shot.
Custer throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka connects with an inside leg kick.
Matsuzaka on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Matsuzaka gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Custer.
Matsuzaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Custer manages to avoid it.
Custer tries a quick counter leg kick but Matsuzaka is wise to it.
Custer throws a body punch but Matsuzaka moves out of range.
Custer's corner calls for a 1-2. Custer obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Matsuzaka throws a series of punches but Custer avoids them all with ease.
Jesse Custer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Custer lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice inside leg kick there by Custer. That's going to slow Matsuzaka down.
Matsuzaka has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Custer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuzaka needs to keep his hands up - Custer had a free shot at his head there.
Custer with a nice cross.
Custer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Custer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Matsuzaka moves out of range of the strikes.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Matsuzaka might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Custer lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Custer misses with a low kick.
Matsuzaka looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matsuzaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A left lands for Custer.
Custer tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsuzaka misses with a left hand
and Custer counters with a left and a right that stings Matsuzaka.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Custer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsuzaka checks the leg kick nicely there.
Custer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Matsuzaka counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Custer throws a leg kick
and Matsuzaka counters with a slapping leg kick.
Custer cracks a nice hook into Matsuzaka's ribs.
Matsuzaka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Custer keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Custer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuzaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Custer.
Custer just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromMatsuzaka.
Matsuzaka takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Matsuzaka gets a clinch.
Custer throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Custer swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Custer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Custer is trying to push Matsuzaka away but Matsuzaka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Matsuzaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Custer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matsuzaka tries to throw a body punch but Custer avoids it by throwing Matsuzaka back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuzaka.
Stalling in the clinch from Matsuzaka.
A head punch on the inside from Custer fails to land.
Custer blocks the elbow strike.
Matsuzaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Custer lands a nice shot to the body.
Custer lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Custer.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matsuzaka just misses with a elbow thrown towards Custer's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka taking a breather.
Custer misses with the head strike.
Custer throws a punch but it's blocked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Matsuzaka.
Custer working aggressively here.
Custer swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Custer goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Matsuzaka.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsuzaka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Custer's defenses.
Matsuzaka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Custer prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Custer's elbow.
Custer blocks a body shot from Matsuzaka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Custer.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Custer.
Custer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matsuzaka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Custer backwards.
Custer takes an elbow to the forehead.
Custer avoids the elbow strike from Matsuzaka, against the cage.
Matsuzaka has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Custer misses with a punch on the inside.
Matsuzaka lands a damaging elbow.
Custer prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Custer takes a shot to the head.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Custer misses with a hook from the clinch.
Custer misses with a hook from the clinch.
Custer working aggressively here.
Matsuzaka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Custer backwards.
Matsuzaka avoiding damage.
Keisuke Matsuzaka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short body shot lands from Custer as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Custer scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Custer prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Custer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Custer throws a punch but it's blocked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Custer throws a head punch that misses.
Matsuzaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Custer misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Custer fails to land.
Custer is trying to break the clinch but Matsuzaka is controlling him.
Matsuzaka blocking some punches.
A right handed body shot lands from Matsuzaka.
Custer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Custer lands a nice uppercut.
Matsuzaka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Matsuzaka lands a left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keisuke Matsuzaka clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Jesse Custer's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Custer misses with an uppercut
and Matsuzaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A left lands for Custer.

Matsuzaka moves into the clinch.
Custer working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matsuzaka misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matsuzaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsuzaka.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matsuzaka.

Custer is rocked!
A right handed body shot lands from Matsuzaka.
Custer is still on wobbly legs! Can Matsuzaka finish him?
Matsuzaka lands an elbow that stopped Custer in his tracks for a moment.
Matsuzaka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuzaka unloads with a big right hand that wobbles Custer! He's leaning against the cage trying to keep his feet but Matsuzaka is unloading with more strikes now! Custer drops to his knees and the referee stops the fight for a TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Keisuke Matsuzaka!
Keisuke Matsuzaka retains his welterweight title!
After the fight, Keisuke Matsuzaka 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.