PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ken Kei Katsuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Kurose (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Katsuro kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Lil Wayne - Playin With Fire. This should be a great matchup!

Kei Katsuro
vs
Kurose

170 cm
22
151 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

176 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Elite Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Kei Katsuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matthew Kurose!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurose thows a body shot but no joy.
A solid body kick from Kurose.
Kurose tries to land a front kick but Katsuro steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Katsuro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kurose but Kurose pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Katsuro clinches with his opponent.

Kurose jumps guard and drags Katsuro to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Katsuro trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurose is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kurose keeping busy on the bottom but Katsuro has passed one foot through into half guard.
Katsuro wants to control but Kurose is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsuro blocks the strikes from Kurose.

Katsuro moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Kurose.
Katsuro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kurose keeps working.
Kurose is trying to control Katsuro's posture but Katsuro avoids it.
Kurose sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kurose controlling the position well.

Katsuro is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Katsuro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kurose keeps working.
Kurose works his way to full guard. Good work.

Katsuro thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Katsuro throwing strikes but missing.
Katsuro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Katsuro is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Kurose working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Katsuro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Katsuro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurose throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Katsuro won't allow Kurose to get back to his feet.
Katsuro trying to control but Kurose is working from the bottom.
Kurose is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Katsuro wants to get up but he can't break Kurose's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Katsuro trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurose is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kurose keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Katsuro is breathing heavily.
Katsuro shoots in and drives through. Kurose sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Kei Katsuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Katsuro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Katsuro shoots in looking for a takedown. Kurose tries to sprawl out of it but Katsuro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Kurose manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Katsuro looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Katsuro shoots for a double leg takedown but Kurose sprawls well. He's pushed Katsuro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kurose misses with a low kick.
Katsuro blocks a head kick by Kurose.
Matthew Kurose seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurose throws a head kick that misses.
Kurose comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Katsuro fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurose looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Katsuro closes the distance and clinches up with Kurose, looking for a takedown. Katsuro pushes Kurose against the ropes but Kurose circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Kei Katsuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kurose throws a nice looking combination but Katsuro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsuro throws a lazy head kick
and Kurose counters with a stiff right hand.
Katsuro has his takedown stuffed
and Kurose counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Kurose darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kurose is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kurose works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurose is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Katsuro is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Katsuro is not content to let Kurose control the position.
Katsuro is looking for a sweep.
Kurose is looking to take a break and control but Katsuro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kurose is trying to ground and pound but Katsuro uses the momentary lack of control by Kurose to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro trying to control but Kurose postures up.
Kurose trying to advance position but Katsuro counters by regaining guard.
Kurose trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Katsuro manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Katsuro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Katsuro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Katsuro preventing the sweep.
Kurose keeping moving, preventing Katsuro from controlling successfully.
Katsuro pushes down on Kurose's leg and manages to get into half guard.
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.
Kurose gets back to full guard.
Katsuro sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Katsuro tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurose is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Kurose showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Katsuro's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kurose misses with a body kick.
Kurose throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Katsuro blocks a head kick by Kurose.
Ken Kei Katsuro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Katsuro keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Katsuro bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kurose is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Katsuro is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Katsuro gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
A good leg kick by Kurose.
Katsuro tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kurose counters with a head kick. That will keep Katsuro thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurose lands a glancing blow to the side of Katsuro's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Katsuro blocks a head kick by Kurose.
Katsuro doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kurose makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Katsuro really felt that one!
Katsuro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kurose counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kurose throws a sloppy head kick

and Katsuro counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Katsuro.
Katsuro stopping the sweep attempt from Kurose.
Kurose is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kurose's guard.
Katsuro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kurose is keeping the position for now.
Katsuro would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kurose wants to stand but Katsuro is controlling the position.
Kurose is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurose works his way into side control.
Kurose looking to control but instead Katsuro has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Kurose is looking to take a break and control but Katsuro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kurose trying to control from Katsuro's half guard. Katsuro has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kurose advances position into side control!
Katsuro tries to improve position but can't.
Katsuro manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Kurose looking for submissions off his back.
Ken Kei Katsuro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Katsuro is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kurose is just riding it out for now. Katsuro eventually gives up the hold.
Kurose is pressing down on Katsuro's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ken Kei Katsuro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Katsuro has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!