PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daisuke Marufuji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jurgen Klinsmann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marufuji comes to the cage accompanied by DJ Krush - No More (Kemuri Productions). Klinsmann has chosen Liquid Soul - Push as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Marufuji
vs
Klinsmann

182 cm
20
179 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

189 cm
19
178 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Koffin Inc.
Rusty Cage Fightwear

Win Nutritional
Nemesis Cage Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daisuke Marufuji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jurgen Klinsmann!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klinsmann shoots in for a double leg but Marufuji sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Klinsmann shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Marufuji napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Klinsmann connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Marufuji some visible discomfort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Marufuji's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Marufuji manages to get back to half guard.
Klinsmann throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Marufuji is trying to get back to full guard.
Klinsmann has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Marufuji is working hard here to advance position.

Marufuji actively working from the bottom here.
Marufuji moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Klinsmann thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Klinsmann thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Marufuji shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Klinsmann has one foot on Marufuji's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Marufuji shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Klinsmann sprawls well. Klinsmann wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Marufuji gets slowly back to his feet.
Klinsmann has his takedown stuffed

and Marufuji counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Klinsmann!
Klinsmann looks gassed!

Marufuji looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Klinsmann is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Marufuji looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klinsmann tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marufuji looking to secure an arm triangle but Klinsmann defends it well.

Marufuji working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Klinsmann wants to try and get back to his feet.
Klinsmann regains half guard.

Marufuji is working for a submission of some sort.

Klinsmann actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marufuji is keen to just control but Klinsmann is a slippery customer.
Klinsmann tries to get to full guard but Marufuji has control of the leg.

Klinsmann manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Klinsmann gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Marufuji counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Daisuke Marufuji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jurgen Klinsmann.

Marufuji is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Marufuji is pushing down on Klinsmann's leg trying to pass to half guard. Klinsmann is fighting to maintain full guard but Marufuji has managed to sneak the leg through.

Klinsmann looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Klinsmann looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Marufuji pushes past his half guard into mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klinsmann keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Marufuji has control of Klinsmann's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Klinsmann regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Klinsmann is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Klinsmann is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Marufuji has taken his back.
You can see the frustration on Klinsmann's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Marufuji looking for the RNC.
Klinsmann can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daisuke Marufuji dominated that round.
That's time! Marufuji's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Klinsmann clinches but Marufuji breaks the clinch

and Marufuji counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Marufuji is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Marufuji seems to be looking for submissions.
Marufuji wants to pass the guard but Klinsmann is defending well.

Klinsmann actively working from the bottom here.
Klinsmann manages to get to full guard.
Marufuji looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Klinsmann had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Marufuji is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Klinsmann Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Marufuji's back instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marufuji covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Marufuji manages to reverse the position and now he's in Klinsmann's guard. Nice work there by Marufuji.
Marufuji pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Klinsmann is keeping the position for now.
Daisuke Marufuji overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Klinsmann looking for a guillotine here but Marufuji defends easily.

Marufuji drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Klinsmann manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Marufuji has Klinsmann in his guard.

Marufuji is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Klinsmann is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Klinsmann decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Marufuji gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Klinsmann to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Marufuji utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Klinsmann thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Marufuji keeping moving, preventing Klinsmann from controlling successfully.

Marufuji has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Klinsmann can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Marufuji working for a triangle but Klinsmann defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marufuji keeping full guard, as Klinsmann tries to pass.

Klinsmann drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Klinsmann jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Klinsmann tries to free his leg and advance position but Marufuji is retaining full guard.
Marufuji looking for a sweep. Not yet Marufuji, not yet.
Marufuji looking to control.

Klinsmann drops back looking for a leg! Marufuji is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marufuji manages to kick Klinsmann off! Klinsmann jumps back into Marufuji's guard.

Marufuji is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Klinsmann is aware though and is defending well.

That's four 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.
Klinsmann wants to stand but Marufuji has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Marufuji had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Klinsmann is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Marufuji Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Klinsmann's back instead.

Marufuji is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Klinsmann defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Klinsmann tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Marufuji looking to secure an arm triangle but Klinsmann defends it well.

Marufuji moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Klinsmann has worked his arm free - good work by Klinsmann!
Klinsmann gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jurgen Klinsmann will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Klinsmann closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Marufuji to the mat! Marufuji manages to get full guard.

Marufuji throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Klinsmann trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marufuji controls Klinsmann momentarily but Klinsmann frees himself.

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

Marufuji is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Klinsmann is aware though and is defending well.

Klinsmann drops back looking for a leg! Marufuji is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marufuji manages to kick Klinsmann off! Klinsmann jumps back into Marufuji's guard.

Marufuji is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Klinsmann drops back looking for a leg! Marufuji is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marufuji manages to kick Klinsmann off! Klinsmann jumps back into Marufuji's guard.
Klinsmann works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Marufuji has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Klinsmann is working away from the top position though.

Klinsmann seems to be looking for submissions.

Marufuji is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Klinsmann pulls his head out easily.
Marufuji blocking the ground and pound attempt from Klinsmann.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Marufuji is defending against the submission attempts here by Klinsmann.

Klinsmann is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Marufuji is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Klinsmann pulls his head out easily.

Marufuji looking for submissions off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Klinsmann scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Klinsmann passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marufuji regains half guard.
Marufuji trying to control from the bottom.
Marufuji is looking for a sweep. Klinsmann is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Klinsmann is looking for a kimura here.

Klinsmann is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Marufuji is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jurgen Klinsmann!