PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Takashi Kakihara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jushin Kusanagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kakihara's entrance music is ZEEBRA - BUSHIDO. A fine choice. Kusanagi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Got The Life. Jushin Kusanagi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kakihara
vs
Kusanagi

170 cm
20
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
150 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Rush Pharmaceuticals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takashi Kakihara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jushin Kusanagi!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kusanagi looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kusanagi looks to land a combination but Kakihara avoids it well.
Kusanagi misses with a few strikes there.

Kusanagi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kusanagi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kakihara trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Kusanagi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kakihara. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kusanagi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
I looks like Kusanagi might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Kakihara wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kakihara is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kusanagi is looking to stand up but Kakihara won't let him.

Kakihara had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kusanagi is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kakihara Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kusanagi's back instead.
Kakihara is breathing heavily.
Kusanagi controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi avoids the strikes from Kakihara.
Kusanagi tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Kakihara has hold of Kusanagi's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kusanagi manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Kusanagi wants to hold on but Kakihara pushes him away.
Kakihara in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
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.

Kusanagi reaches up to try and pull Kakihara in and control his posture, but Kakihara latches on to an arm and pivots quickly for an armbar! Kusanagi taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Takashi Kakihara!