PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between KAZ Fukazawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julius Rock III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fukazawa
vs
Rock III

165 cm
23
138 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, KAZ Fukazawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Julius Rock III!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fukazawa tries to bum rush Rock III with a series of wild strikes but Rock III uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fukazawa lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
KAZ Fukazawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fukazawa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rock III circles away quickly and effectively.
Fukazawa misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Fukazawa does no damage.
Fukazawa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fukazawa looks to throw the jab but Rock III is out of range.
Fukazawa scores with a shot to the body.
Fukazawa throws a series of punches but Rock III moves out of range.
Fukazawa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rock III.
Fukazawa misses with a few strikes there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Fukazawa does no damage.
Fukazawa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rock III.
Fukazawa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rock III defending well as Fukazawa loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukazawa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rock III.
Fukazawa connects with a right hand. Rock III shakes it off.
Fukazawa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Rock III shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rock III wants to pass the guard but Fukazawa is keeping the position.
Rock III wants to control from the top but Fukazawa keeps moving.
Rock III looking to pass the guard.
Rock III trying to control the position from guard on top but Fukazawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rock III stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fukazawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rock III won't allow Fukazawa to get back to his feet.
Fukazawa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rock III on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock III looking to pass the guard.
Rock III makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rock III throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fukazawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fukazawa misses with a looping left.
Rock III blocks a jab.
Fukazawa misses with the combination.
Fukazawa throws a right hand that Rock III ducks under and follows up with a left that Rock III also avoids with ease.
Fukazawa throws a right hand that Rock III ducks under and follows up with a left that Rock III also avoids with ease.
Fukazawa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fukazawa just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rock III moves out of range as Fukazawa strikes.
Fukazawa lands a really nice looking cross but Rock III seems unphased.
Rock III slips a jab and a cross from Fukazawa.

Rock III scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fukazawa pushes Rock III away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rock III gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Rock III working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Fukazawa is pushing Rock III's head away, looking to escape. Rock III manages to hold on to the position though.
Fukazawa is breathing heavily.
Fukazawa takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rock III fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rock III working the body and head with strikes.

Rock III looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Rock III is trying to get an arm triangle but Fukazawa is defending well.

Rock III is trying to get an arm triangle but Fukazawa is defending well.
Fukazawa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rock III is staying tight to Fukazawa's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Rock III trying to control the position but Fukazawa is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Rock III dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fukazawa misses with a few strikes there.
Rock III is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Fukazawa.
Fukazawa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rock III's hands.
Fukazawa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rock III at a distance.
Fukazawa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fukazawa throws a series of punches but Rock III avoids them all with ease.
Fukazawa swinging wildly here.
No joy there for Fukazawa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fukazawa gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rock III to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fukazawa wants to stand and escape but Rock III is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock III looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rock III wants to pass the guard but Fukazawa is keeping the position.
Rock III prevents Fukazawa from getting back to his feet.
Rock III passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Fukazawa tries to escape but Rock III is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Rock III is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Fukazawa knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rock III tries to move to mount but Fukazawa blocks the move with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fukazawa is trying to escape the position but Rock III is controlling the position.
Rock III is looking to take a break and control but Fukazawa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fukazawa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rock III trying to control the action but Fukazawa is working from the bottom.
Fukazawa is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Rock III has hold of Fukazawa's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Fukazawa tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Rock III cranks the arm and Fukazawa screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Fukazawa, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Julius Rock III!