PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mr Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Kusimuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gray comes to the cage accompanied by make love not war baby. Kusimuki has chosen National Anthem Of Japan as his entrance music. Takeshi Kusimuki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gray
vs
Kusimuki

182 cm
30
193 lbs
18 - 11 - 2

180 cm
30
190 lbs
25 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 2, fighting out of London, Mr Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeshi Kusimuki!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gray throws a lazy body kick
and Kusimuki counters with an inside leg kick.
Gray throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gray looks to land a right hand but Kusimuki moved out of range.
Gray throws the left hand but Kusimuki avoids the punch easily.
Kusimuki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gray.
Nice jab there from Gray.
Kusimuki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gray misses with a straight right.
Gray scores with a body shot.
A jab lands there for Gray.
Kusimuki connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gray is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kusimuki.
Kusimuki throws a leg kick but Gray checks it.
Kusimuki misses with the body kick
and Gray counters with a big head kick but Kusimuki shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Kusimuki misses
and Gray counters with a leg kick.
Kusimuki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gray sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gray swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kusimuki.
Kusimuki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kusimuki misses with a looping right.
Gray tries for a takedown but Kusimuki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gray swats away the attempt to clinch by Kusimuki.
Kusimuki throws a low kick but Gray moves out of range easily.
Gray misses with a body kick.
The fighters circling - Gray throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gray lands a nice shot that snaps Kusimuki's head back.
Takeshi Kusimuki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gray tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki throws a head kick but Gray moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Gray. Those never looked like landing.
Gray throws a head kick that misses.
A slow jab from Gray misses its intended target.
A big left from Kusimuki misses.
Gray throws a hook to the side of Kusimuki's head but Kusimuki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gray with a jab.
Kusimuki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gray moves out of range of the leg kick from Kusimuki.
Gray is looking to score with low kicks.
Gray throws out a loose jab but Kusimuki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gray is looking to slow Kusimuki down with leg kicks.
Gray misses with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki moves away from the strike by Gray.
Gray throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gray with a hook.
Gray scores with a push kick.
Kusimuki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gray is able to avoid easily.
Mr Gray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kusimuki throws a head kick that misses.
Kusimuki drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gray is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Gray steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kusimuki. That one must have hurt.
Kusimuki tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gray waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kusimuki.
Gray throws a leg kick but Kusimuki sees it coming and moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kusimuki moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki doesn't manage to clinch there - Gray circles away.
Gray keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kusimuki.
Gray fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kusimuki.
Gray misses with a low kick.
Gray sizes up Kusimuki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gray lands with a straight right. Kusimuki didn't see that one coming.
Kusimuki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kusimuki.
Gray tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big left from Gray misses.
Crunch! Gray slams his shin into Kusimuki's torso.
A cross from Gray lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Gray dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kusimuki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kusimuki lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kusimuki misses with a looping right.
Kusimuki misses the body punch
and Gray counters with a straight right hand.
Gray misses with a body kick.
Kusimuki looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kusimuki walks into a straight right hand from Gray.
Kusimuki wants to land a leg kick but Gray is out of range.
Gray throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gray will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A bone on bone clash there as Gray blocks the leg kick.
Gray walks into a straight right hand from Kusimuki.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gray misses with a head kick.
Mr Gray is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Gray.
Kusimuki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kusimuki rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gray counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gray takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kusimuki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kusimuki works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gray slips a jab from Kusimuki.
Both fighters circling a little - Gray finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A jab lands there for Gray.
Gray scores with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gray tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray misses the shot to the body.
Kusimuki is looking to score with low kicks.
Kusimuki defending well as Gray loads up on a big left hand.
Kusimuki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kusimuki wants to slow Gray down by chopping away at his legs.
Gray takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gray goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kusimuki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kusimuki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice straight punches there by Gray. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gray.
Gray fails to land with a series of punches.
Gray is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kusimuki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kusimuki throws out a leg kick but Gray moves out of range and Kusimuki only half commits.
Gray throws a hook but Kusimuki avoids it easily.
Kusimuki tries to work over Gray's front leg with a kick but Gray checks it.
Gray blocks a leg kick.
Gray lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gray throws a good cross that connects.
Kusimuki looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kusimuki is looking to score with low kicks.
Gray throws an overhand right that lands on Kusimuki's shoulder, as Kusimuki tries to avoid the shot.
Kusimuki checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gray throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kusimuki doesn't seem bothered though.
Gray avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gray keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kusimuki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gray dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kusimuki. That did some damage!
Gray chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kusimuki can pounce on him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gray moves out of range as Kusimuki strikes.
Gray shoots in but Kusimuki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gray misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A punch combination from Kusimuki misses.
Kusimuki blocks a head kick by Gray.
Gray defending well as Kusimuki loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takeshi Kusimuki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gray looks to land a right hand but Kusimuki moved out of range.
Gray lands with a straight right. Kusimuki didn't see that one coming.
Gray cracks Kusimuki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kusimuki throws a wild body kick that Gray sees coming a mile off.

Gray gets tackled into the cage by Kusimuki. Kusimuki maintains the clinch.
Gray scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kusimuki misses with a punch on the inside.
Gray blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gray has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kusimuki uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gray being controlled here, momentarily.
Gray looking for a sweep. Not yet Gray, not yet.

Gray working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kusimuki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kusimuki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kusimuki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kusimuki is one step ahead there.

Kusimuki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gray working a defensive guard here.
Kusimuki passes Gray's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gray is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kusimuki tries to pass to full mount but Gray defends it.
Gray makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gray.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gray working for a triangle but Kusimuki defends it easily.
Kusimuki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gray is not content to let Kusimuki control the position.
Gray tries to buck Kusimuki off but Kusimuki is having none of it.
Kusimuki controlling the position.
Gray sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gray!
Gray is looking to improve his position but Kusimuki isn't that keen on the idea.
Kusimuki content just to control the position here.
Kusimuki can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gray is looking to escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gray tries to reverse the position but Kusimuki maintains control.
Kusimuki looking to control but Gray is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Takeshi Kusimuki was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Gray decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gray is trying to control. Kusimuki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kusimuki is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gray is looking to take a break and control but Kusimuki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gray is pressing down on Kusimuki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kusimuki is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mr Gray.
I think Gray 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Gray!
Mr Gray really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.