PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taylor Jacobs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jushin Kusanagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Taylor Jacobs has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Taylor Jacobs seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Jacobs
vs
Kusanagi

160 cm
22
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Mustang Fight Food
Boondock Fightwear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Taylor Jacobs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jushin Kusanagi!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jacobs darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jacobs trying to control from half guard but Kusanagi is working away.
Jacobs is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kusanagi tries to roll over but Jacobs keeps him under control.

Kusanagi is defending against the submission attempts here by Jacobs.
Jacobs perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacobs is tying to control. Kusanagi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kusanagi is trying to stand up here but Jacobs is controlling him well.
Jacobs seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kusanagi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kusanagi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jacobs is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jacobs is looking to clinch but Kusanagi is avoiding it.
Jacobs is looking to clinch but Kusanagi is avoiding it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jacobs.

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.
Jacobs shoots in and drives through. Kusanagi sprawls well.
Jacobs looks for a takedown but Kusanagi sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taylor Jacobs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jacobs is breathing heavily.
Kusanagi misses with a takedown attempt

and Jacobs counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kusanagi!
Kusanagi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kusanagi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jacobs tries to control but Kusanagi wriggling away.
Kusanagi is trying to stand.
Kusanagi tries to hold on but Jacobs pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs looking to control but Kusanagi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kusanagi is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kusanagi wants to hold on but Jacobs pushes him away.
Jacobs wants to control the pace but Kusanagi is squirming around nicely.
Kusanagi tries to hold on but Jacobs pushes him away.
Jacobs could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Kusanagi is in all sorts of trouble here.
Jacobs landing strikes from the mount and Kusanagi is in trouble!
Jacobs cracks Kusanagi with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four 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.
Kusanagi is squirming around, avoiding Jacobs's attempts to control the action.
Kusanagi is trying desperately to improve position.
Jacobs controlling the pace for now.
Jacobs trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Jacobs gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi is looking to slow Jacobs down with leg kicks.

Kusanagi feints and as Jacobs raises his hands in defense, Kusanagi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jacobs keeping moving, preventing Kusanagi from controlling successfully.
Jacobs wants to stand and escape but Kusanagi is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kusanagi works over Jacobs with some ground and pound from guard.
Jacobs managing to control the position.
Jacobs looking for a sweep. Not yet Jacobs, not yet.
Jacobs is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs trying to keep a closed guard but Kusanagi is proving a slippery customer.
Jacobs wants to sweep here but Kusanagi controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Jacobs gets the takedown into side control.
Kusanagi wants to control but Jacobs postures up.
Jacobs takes a little break here. Kusanagi wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kusanagi is trying to get back to half guard.
Jacobs controlling the position from side mount.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Jacobs thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jacobs takes a little break here. Kusanagi wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kusanagi is not content to let Jacobs control the position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Taylor Jacobs just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Kusanagi misses with a takedown

and Jacobs decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kusanagi's guard.

Jacobs decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kusanagi, up you get!

Jacobs scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs is tying to control. Kusanagi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Jacobs is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kusanagi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jacobs is working away from the top position though.

Jacobs is working for a submission of some sort.
Kusanagi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jacobs is working away from the top position though.
Jacobs controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taylor Jacobs dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jacobs closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Jacobs lands in his opponent's guard.
Jacobs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kusanagi keeping full guard, as Jacobs tries to pass.
Kusanagi has a closed guard, preventing Jacobs from standing up.
Jacobs trying to control the position from guard on top but Kusanagi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kusanagi has control of Jacobs's left arm, preventing Jacobs from doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

Jacobs stands up from Kusanagi's guard - Jacobs perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kusanagi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Jacobs counters with a big head kick but Kusanagi shrugs it off.
Jacobs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kusanagi as he avoids it easily.
Kusanagi misses with a few strikes there.
Kusanagi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jacobs counters with a series of strikes. Kusanagi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kusanagi tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Jacobs counters with a shoot takedown. Kusanagi fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi keeping moving, preventing Jacobs from controlling successfully.
Kusanagi controlling the position.
Jacobs looking to sit in guard and control but Kusanagi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jacobs keeping moving, preventing Kusanagi from controlling successfully.
Jacobs manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jacobs working for a submission but Kusanagi is keeping him at bay.
Kusanagi is looking to get to half guard.
Jacobs lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Jacobs is looking to take Kusanagi's back but instead Kusanagi gets back to half guard. Nice work.
Kusanagi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kusanagi is keeping the position for now.
Kusanagi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jacobs wants to control from the top but Kusanagi keeps moving.

Jacobs gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kusanagi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jacobs shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kusanagi counters with a three punch combo that has Jacobs backing up. Jacobs nods at Kusanagi to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taylor Jacobs. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kusanagi scores with a takedown into Jacobs's guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi is looking to stand up but Jacobs won't let him.
Jacobs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jacobs looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jacobs manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Jacobs can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kusanagi is looking to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Jacobs cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's six 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.
Jacobs sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kusanagi tries to lock up and control but Jacobs gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jacobs working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Jacobs lands a nice shot to the head.
Jacobs in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Jacobs has control of Kusanagi's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kusanagi regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kusanagi is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs lands with some strikes.
Jacobs can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kusanagi is looking to escape.
Jacobs blocks Kusanagi's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Jacobs avoids the attempt from Kusanagi to control.
Jacobs blocks Kusanagi's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

That's eight 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.
Jacobs won't let Kusanagi get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Jacobs raining down shots from the mount!
Jacobs controlling the position easily from mount.
Jacobs seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Kusanagi is holding on tight.
Kusanagi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Jacobs looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kusanagi wants to hold on but Jacobs pushes him away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi is trying to keep from getting into a worse position than he's already in but Kusanagi is working away and isn't letting himself get tied up.
Jacobs controlling from mount.
Taylor Jacobs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Jacobs looking to secure an arm triangle but Kusanagi defends it well.

Jacobs is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Jacobs gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kusanagi counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taylor Jacobs 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Jacobs tries to clinch up.
Kusanagi fails with the takedown

and Jacobs counters with a single leg into guard. Kusanagi didn't expect that.
Jacobs makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kusanagi wants to sweep here but Jacobs controlling him for the moment.
Kusanagi keeping moving, preventing Jacobs from controlling successfully.
Jacobs pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kusanagi is keeping the position for now.
Kusanagi is trying to keep Jacobs in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Jacobs stands up from Kusanagi's guard - Jacobs perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kusanagi clinches up against the cage.
Jacobs gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kusanagi.
Kusanagi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kusanagi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jacobs.

Kusanagi has hold of one of Jacobs's legs. Jacobs is fighting the takedown attempt but Kusanagi gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Jacobs striking off his back but it's not causing Kusanagi any problems.
Kusanagi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jacobs trying to keep a closed guard but Kusanagi is proving a slippery customer.
Kusanagi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kusanagi 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.
Kusanagi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Jacobs is proving hard to escape from.

Jacobs looking for a guillotine here but Kusanagi defends easily.
Kusanagi works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs trying to control here.
Jacobs slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kusanagi stopping the sweep attempt from Jacobs.
Jacobs looking to control.
Kusanagi wants to pass the guard but Jacobs is keeping the position.
Jacobs is trying to control the position but Kusanagi postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jacobs lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kusanagi!
Jacobs controlling from the full mount.
Kusanagi tries to lock up and control but Jacobs gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jacobs looking to control and managing it successfully.
Jacobs wants to take his opponent's back but Kusanagi doesn't allow it.
Jacobs prevents Kusanagi from getting the reversal.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi trying desperately to get to his feet.
Jacobs sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Jacobs is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Kusanagi with a lazy takedown attempt

and Jacobs counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Taylor Jacobs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jushin Kusanagi.
Jacobs slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kusanagi sneaks out the side door and pushes Jacobs away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Jacobs has his takedown stuffed

and Kusanagi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jacobs won't be happy with that.
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!
Kusanagi working away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kusanagi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Kusanagi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kusanagi tries to stand and escape but Jacobs is controlling the position.
Jacobs is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kusanagi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kusanagi's back!

Kusanagi showing good submission defense here.
Jacobs missing with strikes from the back.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kusanagi trying to control the action but Jacobs just sinks the hooks in.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Jacobs's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jacobs softening up his opponent with strikes here.
I would not like to be Kusanagi right now.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Taylor Jacobs just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Jacobs has taken the fight to the clinch.
Jacobs tries to score a body lock takedown but Kusanagi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jacobs tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kusanagi smiles and moves away.
Kusanagi looks to score with a jab to the body but Jacobs is just out of range.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kusanagi wants to clinch

and Jacobs counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kusanagi!
Kusanagi is trying to escape the mount.
Jacobs looking to control and managing it successfully.
Jushin Kusanagi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Jacobs stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Jacobs shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Jacobs showed some decent athleticism there.
Kusanagi misses with some strikes from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taylor Jacobs showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jacobs, 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Taylor Jacobs!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Taylor Jacobs!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Taylor Jacobs!

Taylor Jacobs wins by unanimous decision!