PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Siaosi Kuresa (ranked 2992 p4p, 3382 weight class) and Haruki Muramaki (ranked 363 p4p, 398 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kuresa
vs
Muramaki

187 cm
26
165
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
163
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Siaosi Kuresa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Haruki Muramaki!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muramaki tries to land a body kick
and Kuresa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kuresa misses with a low kick as Muramaki jumps back.
Kuresa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Muramaki.
Kuresa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Muramaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Muramaki misses with a hook to the body
and Kuresa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuresa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Muramaki now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A low kick from Muramaki is predictable there
and Kuresa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muramaki misses the body punch
and Muramaki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A right-left combo lands from Muramaki.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Muramaki throws a right hand that misses
and Kuresa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Muramaki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muramaki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Muramaki swings for the body but Kuresa moves out of range.
Kuresa definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kuresa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Muramaki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kuresa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kuresa throws a big counter combination but Muramaki scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A slow jab from Kuresa misses its intended target.
Kuresa lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kuresa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Muramaki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kuresa thinking.
Muramaki scores with a shot to the body.
Muramaki misses with a hook to the body
and Kuresa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Muramaki misses with a hook to the body
and Kuresa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuresa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Muramaki throws a body shot but no joy.
Muramaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuresa moves away.
Kuresa was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kuresa misses with a hook. Muramaki ducked under it nicely.
Muramaki is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kuresa with a body shot.
Kuresa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Muramaki in his tracks.
Kuresa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kuresa lands with an overhand left.
Muramaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuresa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Muramaki lands with a nice body punch.
Muramaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuresa.
Kuresa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Muramaki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kuresa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Muramaki throws a nice looking combination but Kuresa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuresa is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Muramaki misses the shot to the body.
Kuresa lands a nice hook to Muramaki's body. Muramaki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Muramaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuresa manages to avoid it.
Muramaki throws a body punch but Kuresa moves out of range.
Kuresa seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Muramaki walks into a stiff left hand from Kuresa.
Muramaki misses with a body shot
and Muramaki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A shot to the body from Muramaki misses
and Kuresa counters with a straight right hand.
Muramaki moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kuresa throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Kuresa.
Kuresa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuresa throws a good cross that connects.
Kuresa is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Muramaki pushes Kuresa up against the cage in a clinch.
Muramaki working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Muramaki pressing his opponent against the cage.
Muramaki tries to throw a body punch but Kuresa avoids it by throwing Muramaki back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuresa.
Muramaki working aggressively here.
Muramaki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Siaosi Kuresa will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Muramaki swings for the body but Kuresa moves out of range.
Kuresa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Muramaki throws a lazy right hand but Kuresa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuresa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Muramaki.
Muramaki throws a combination that misses
and Kuresa counters with a nice uppercut.
Muramaki misses the body punch
enabling Kuresa to counter with a crisp jab.
Muramaki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Muramaki moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muramaki slips a jab from Kuresa.
Muramaki is looking for the big counter here.
Kuresa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Muramaki misses.
Kuresa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Muramaki circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuresa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kuresa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Muramaki.
Muramaki throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Kuresa counter with a right hand.
Muramaki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kuresa rather than just go for the knockout.
Muramaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuresa is just out of range.
Jab, jab by Kuresa - just one landing.
Kuresa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Muramaki can do to turn this around?
Muramaki misses with a combination
and Kuresa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuresa connects with the punch.
We've been informed that Muramaki has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kuresa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Muramaki throws out the jab.
As Muramaki looks to move away, Kuresa throws a big counter combo but Muramaki just gets out of the way.
Siaosi Kuresa is winning the standup battle so far.
A combination from Kuresa does no damage.
Muramaki is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kuresa with a body shot.
Kuresa's jab looks to have found its range, popping Muramaki under the eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muramaki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kuresa connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Muramaki scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Muramaki misses with a body shot.
Kuresa misses the shot to the body.
Kuresa looks to land a right hand but Muramaki moved out of range.
Kuresa connects with a crisp jab.
Kuresa throws out a loose jab but Muramaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muramaki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kuresa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Muramaki takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Muramaki missing with a left hand there. Kuresa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuresa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Muramaki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Kuresa.
Kuresa swings widly with a right hand
and Muramaki counters with a left to the body.
Muramaki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kuresa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Muramaki moves away from the strike by Kuresa.
Kuresa falls off balance throwing a combination
and Muramaki counters with a nice body shot.
Muramaki moves out of range as Kuresa strikes.
Despite the aggression on Muramaki's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Muramaki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuresa throwing a counter right hand but Muramaki manages to avoid it.
Kuresa tests Muramaki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A right-left combo lands from Muramaki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muramaki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuresa.
Muramaki tries a head kick but it misses.
Muramaki moves away from the strike by Kuresa.
Muramaki now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Muramaki swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kuresa counters with a two punch combo.
Muramaki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice uppercut lands for Kuresa. That snapped Muramaki's head back.
Kuresa slips a jab and a cross from Muramaki.
Muramaki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kuresa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuresa tries to work over Muramaki's front leg with a kick but Muramaki checks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kuresa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kuresa misses with a hook. Muramaki ducked under it nicely.
Muramaki is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kuresa swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Muramaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuresa throws out the jab.
Kuresa motions for Muramaki to come forward. Kuresa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Muramaki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuresa was well out of range. Poor timing from Muramaki.
Kuresa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Muramaki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muramaki looks to throw a body kick
and Kuresa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Muramaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuresa's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muramaki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kuresa tries to stall but Muramaki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Muramaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuresa's elbow.

Kuresa manages to break the clinch.
Muramaki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kuresa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Muramaki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kuresa counters with a nice uppercut.
Muramaki misses with a few strikes there.
Muramaki lands a slapping body shot.
Muramaki throws a shot to the body.
Muramaki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Muramaki throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Kuresa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuresa fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muramaki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuresa.
Muramaki scores with a nice strike.
Kuresa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Muramaki's head backwards.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kuresa throws a leg kick but Muramaki sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kuresa's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuresa obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Muramaki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Muramaki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuresa.
Muramaki is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Muramaki moves into the clinch.

Kuresa breaks from the clinch.
Muramaki wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Muramaki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Muramaki takes one to the side of the head.
Muramaki misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuresa counters with a straight right hand.
A punch combination from Kuresa misses.
Kuresa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Muramaki lands with an overhand left.
Muramaki with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kuresa to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muramaki throws a leg kick
and Kuresa counters with a one-two to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muramaki wants to clinch but Kuresa slips to the side
and Kuresa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kuresa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kuresa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Muramaki misses the body punch
and Kuresa counters with a nice body shot.
Muramaki looks to clinch
and Kuresa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kuresa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Muramaki is rocked!
Kuresa swinging wildly here.
Haruki Muramaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Siaosi Kuresa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Muramaki is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuresa finish him?
A thudding body kick lands there by Muramaki!

And that's the end of the fight!
Siaosi Kuresa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuresa, 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Siaosi Kuresa!