PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jushin Kusanagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lee Huriaski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jushin Kusanagi looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Kusanagi
vs
Huriaski

178 cm
20
150 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

170 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jushin Kusanagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lee Huriaski!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kusanagi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Huriaski.

Kusanagi gets the takedown into side control.
Huriaski prevents Kusanagi from moving into mount.
You can see the frustration on Huriaski's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kusanagi trying to control the action but Huriaski is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Huriaski's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Huriaski is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huriaski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Huriaski manages to get to full guard.
Huriaski is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kusanagi is controlling him.
Huriaski looking to control.
Huriaski is looking to stand up but Kusanagi isn't so interested in that idea.
Huriaski looking to control.

That's two 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.
Huriaski seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Huriaski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kusanagi is one step ahead there.
Huriaski keeping moving, preventing Kusanagi from controlling successfully.
Kusanagi is breathing heavily.
Huriaski trying to keep a closed guard but Kusanagi is proving a slippery customer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kusanagi shoots in for a takedown but Huriaski shows good takedown defense.
Huriaski with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kusanagi counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Huriaski is looking for a triangle but Kusanagi pushes his legs off easily.
Kusanagi being controlled here momentarily.
Huriaski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kusanagi looking to pass the guard.
Kusanagi won't allow Huriaski to sweep him here.
Huriaski controls Kusanagi momentarily but Kusanagi frees himself.
Kusanagi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Huriaski swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Huriaski is looking for a triangle but Kusanagi pushes his legs off easily.
Huriaski trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Huriaski fails with the takedown
and Huriaski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Kusanagi tries to keep at a distance but Huriaski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Huriaski tries to break the clinch but Kusanagi is controlling the position.
Huriaski goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kusanagi prevents it.
Jushin Kusanagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Huriaski.

Huriaski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Huriaski shoots in and drives through. Kusanagi sprawls well.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Huriaski.
Kusanagi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Huriaski counters with a series of strikes. Kusanagi will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kusanagi stuffs the takedown attempt from Huriaski. Huriaski gets slowly back to his feet.
Huriaski throws a wild body kick that Kusanagi sees coming a mile off.
Huriaski misses with an attempted mid kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kusanagi.

Kusanagi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Huriaski lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kusanagi will feel that in the morning.
Kusanagi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Huriaski as he avoids it easily.
Kusanagi steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Huriaski. That one must have hurt.
Huriaski misses with a takedown attempt

and Kusanagi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Huriaski's guard now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kusanagi looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusanagi won't allow Huriaski to sweep him here.
Huriaski working a defensive guard here.
Huriaski throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Kusanagi prevents Huriaski from getting back to his feet.
Huriaski striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Huriaski keeping moving, preventing Kusanagi from controlling successfully.
Huriaski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kusanagi is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kusanagi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Huriaski tries for a takedown but Kusanagi circles away easily

and Kusanagi counters with a takedown into side control.
Jushin Kusanagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Huriaski.
Huriaski manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kusanagi has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Huriaski can't escape the position.
Huriaski regains half guard.
Huriaski missing with punches from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kusanagi decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Lee Huriaski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kusanagi fails with the takedown

and Huriaski counters with a single leg into guard. Kusanagi didn't expect that.
Kusanagi keeping moving, preventing Huriaski from controlling successfully.
Huriaski slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Kusanagi.
Huriaski is trying to control the action in half guard but Kusanagi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huriaski stalling away here and it's allowed Kusanagi to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Huriaski trying to move into half guard but instead Kusanagi has managed to sweep!
Huriaski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kusanagi's guard.
Huriaski tries to free his leg and advance position but Kusanagi is retaining full guard.
Huriaski wants to control from the top but Kusanagi keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Huriaski preventing the sweep.
Huriaski trying to control but Kusanagi is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jushin Kusanagi dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Huriaski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kusanagi, pushing him back against the cage.
Huriaski tries to stall but Kusanagi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Huriaski can't break the clinch.
Huriaski just leaning against Kusanagi, taking a breather.
Huriaski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kusanagi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Huriaski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kusanagi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kusanagi passes Huriaski's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Huriaski moves into full guard.
Huriaski throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Huriaski is trying to keep Kusanagi in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Huriaski is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusanagi preventing the sweep.
Huriaski seems keen to control Kusanagi's posture.
Huriaski is trying to control the position but Kusanagi postures up.

Huriaski kicks Kusanagi off and gets to his feet.
Huriaski doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kusanagi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Jushin Kusanagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Huriaski.

Kusanagi stands and steps away. Huriaski gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Kusanagi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Huriaski tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kusanagi has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huriaski tries to lock up and control but Kusanagi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Huriaski is just holding on here. Kusanagi manages to take his back.
Huriaski rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Huriaski is looking to control Kusanagi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Huriaski avoid being mounted?
Huriaski is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huriaski is pressing down on Kusanagi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Huriaski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kusanagi is one step ahead there.
Huriaski pulls Kusanagi in close to prevent any damage.

Huriaski is looking for a triangle but Kusanagi pushes his legs off easily.
Huriaski lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kusanagi!
Huriaski with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huriaski looking to control but Kusanagi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Huriaski looking to finish Kusanagi with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kusanagi!
Jushin Kusanagi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Huriaski trying to control but Kusanagi is having none of it.
Kusanagi has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Huriaski's lack of action.

Despite being in the dominant position, Lee Huriaski just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kusanagi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lee Huriaski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kusanagi decides to stand up, so the ref orders Huriaski to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jushin Kusanagi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kusanagi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jushin Kusanagi!