PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waru Kuzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kawajiri
vs
Kuzuri

172 cm
32
155 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

163 cm
37
150 lbs
44 - 19 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Mohito Fightwear
Spartan Nutrition

Reaper Combatwear
Underworld Clothing

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 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tatsuya Kawajiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 44 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Waru Kuzuri!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawajiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuzuri.
It appears Kawajiri was looking to counter with a kick there.
Kuzuri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kawajiri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kawajiri takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kawajiri fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kuzuri keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kawajiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kawajiri.
Kuzuri works Kawajiri's body with a nice hook.
Kawajiri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuzuri.
A little feinted left hand from Kawajiri on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kuzuri misses with a wild body shot.
Kuzuri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Kuzuri.
Kawajiri throws the left hand but Kuzuri avoids the punch easily.
Kawajiri takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kawajiri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Kawajiri to counter with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuzuri scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzuri throws a body punch but Kawajiri moves out of range.
Kawajiri lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kuzuri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kawajiri thuds a left hand into Kuzuri's body.
Kawajiri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kawajiri rather than just go for the knockout.
Kawajiri feints a jab promting Kuzuri to slip. Kawajiri then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kuzuri slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Waru Kuzuri has been cut.
Kuzuri has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Kuzuri thows a leg kick but Kawajiri checks it
and Kawajiri makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kawajiri throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuzuri tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuzuri takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kawajiri walks into a left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kawajiri connects with the punch.
Kuzuri throws a sloppy head kick and Kawajiri moves out of range easily.
Kawajiri is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuzuri.
Kawajiri looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice shot by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri swings widly with a right hand

and Kuzuri holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kawajiri is stalling here.

Kawajiri breaks from the clinch.
A big left from Kuzuri misses.
Kawajiri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuzuri manages to avoid it.
Kawajiri goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A slow jab from Kuzuri misses its intended target.
Kawajiri misses with an uppercut. Kuzuri saw that one coming.
Kawajiri walks into a jab.
Kawajiri throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kuzuri has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kuzuri in his tracks.
Kuzuri stuns Kawajiri with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kuzuri lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri lands with a good body shot.
Kuzuri throws a nice outside leg kick.
A cross from Kawajiri lands.
Kuzuri looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kawajiri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuzuri closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Both fighters circling a little - Kawajiri finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kuzuri is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuzuri throws a push kick but Kawajiri slaps the foot to one side.
Tatsuya Kawajiri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawajiri checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A quick step to the side and Kawajiri tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuzuri misses the shot to the body.
Kawajiri lands a nice hook to Kuzuri's body. Kuzuri takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuzuri moves out of range of the body kick from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri throws a body punch but Kuzuri moves out of range.
Kuzuri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kawajiri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuzuri obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kuzuri bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kawajiri's head.
Kawajiri throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kawajiri throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kuzuri misses with a jab to the body
and Kawajiri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kawajiri throws a body punch but Kuzuri moves out of range.
Kuzuri throws a counter combo.
Kawajiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri misses with a wild body shot.
Kuzuri misses with an uppercut. Kawajiri saw that one coming.
Kawajiri was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kawajiri throws a body shot but no joy.
Kawajiri misses with a few strikes there.
Kawajiri wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawajiri throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuzuri.
Kawajiri connects with a solid leg kick.
Kuzuri just misses with a punch to the body.
Kawajiri avoids the head kick by Kuzuri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Waru Kuzuri will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Waru Kuzuri's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuzuri takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kuzuri cracks Kawajiri with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kuzuri throws a jab when Kawajiri was well out of range.
Kawajiri moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuzuri throws a sloppy head kick and Kawajiri moves out of range easily.
Kawajiri half committed to a counter leg kick.
Kuzuri fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kuzuri throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuzuri thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kawajiri was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kuzuri bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kawajiri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little jabbing left from Kuzuri on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kuzuri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kawajiri.
A nice side step and Kuzuri releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuzuri throws a looping overhand right but Kawajiri ducks down to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Kawajiri on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kawajiri fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kawajiri. Kuzuri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot.
As Kawajiri backs off Kuzuri throws a huge counter combo but Kawajiri manages to avoid it all.
Kuzuri lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kuzuri scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice body kick from Kuzuri.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kuzuri!
Kuzuri fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kuzuri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kawajiri swings for the body but Kuzuri moves out of range.
Kuzuri swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kawajiri staying out of range there.
Kuzuri sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kuzuri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kawajiri darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kawajiri cracks Kuzuri with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
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!
Kuzuri goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuzuri. Kawajiri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kawajiri lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kawajiri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuzuri jabs at Kawajiri's body.
Kuzuri throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kawajiri is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kuzuri scores with a jab to the body.
Kuzuri throws out a loose jab but Kawajiri uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuzuri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuzuri throws a body kick that misses.
Kawajiri lunges at Kuzuri with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kuzuri's hand.
Kuzuri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kawajiri.
Kuzuri punishes Kawajiri's body with a nice straight punch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kuzuri darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kuzuri looks to score with a jab to the body but Kawajiri is just out of range.
Kawajiri lands with a right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri lands with a good body shot.
Kawajiri tries to land a leg kick but Kuzuri saw it coming and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri stalks Kuzuri and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kuzuri's face. Kuzuri staggers backwards, shaken.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot.
Kawajiri is looking to land body kicks.
Kuzuri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jab by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Good exchange - Kawajiri coming out on top.
Kawajiri throws a big shot that misses.
Kawajiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri throws a body punch but Kawajiri moves out of range.
Kuzuri lands a high kick!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kawajiri. Kuzuri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuzuri misses with a hook
and Kawajiri makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kuzuri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawajiri manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kawajiri just misses with a punch to the body.
Kawajiri fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kuzuri looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kawajiri tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kuzuri is able to avoid easily.
Kawajiri moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Kuzuri misses.
Kuzuri tries to move into range but Kawajiri moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kawajiri throws a hook to the side of Kuzuri's head but Kuzuri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice defenses there by Kawajiri.
Kuzuri throws a jab but it's blocked by Kawajiri.
Kuzuri uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri with a hook.
Kawajiri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuzuri manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuzuri dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kawajiri. That did some damage!
Kuzuri looks to land a left hand but Kawajiri moved out of range nicely.
No joy there for Kawajiri, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tatsuya Kawajiri will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Waru Kuzuri's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kuzuri tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kawajiri was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuzuri.
A punch lands to the side of Kuzuri 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kawajiri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuzuri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kawajiri throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kuzuri throws a body kick that misses
and Kawajiri counters with a nice uppercut.
Kawajiri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kawajiri misses with a body kick.
Kuzuri drops his hands momentarily and Kawajiri takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Kuzuri misses its intended target.
Kawajiri looks to land a right hand but Kuzuri moved out of range.
Kuzuri misses with a straight left.
Kawajiri defending well as Kuzuri loads up on a big left hand.
Nice body kick from Kuzuri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kawajiri scores with a body shot.
Jab by Kawajiri.
Kuzuri misses with a body shot.
Kuzuri jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuzuri lands a leg kick that knocks Kawajiri off balance momentarily.
Kuzuri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kuzuri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kawajiri misses with a wild body shot.
Kawajiri with a jab.
Kuzuri throws a hook but Kawajiri avoids it easily.
Kuzuri walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kuzuri wants to clinch up but Kawajiri keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuzuri throws a leg kick but Kawajiri sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kuzuri misses with a body kick.
Kawajiri misses with a hook. Kuzuri ducked under it nicely.
Kuzuri takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kuzuri on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kawajiri throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kawajiri explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kuzuri slips a jab from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri scores with a jab to the head.
Kawajiri smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kuzuri stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kawajiri finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kuzuri doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A shot to the liver by Kuzuri. Beautiful body shot.
Kawajiri cracks a nice hook into Kuzuri's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kuzuri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawajiri moves away.
Kawajiri attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Good leg kick by Kawajiri there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kuzuri misses with a wild body shot.
Kuzuri slips a jab from Kawajiri.
Kuzuri is looking to score with low kicks.
Nice body punch from Kuzuri.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot.
Kuzuri throws out a counter right but Kawajiri avoids it with no problem.
Kuzuri scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kuzuri's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuzuri obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri looks to land a right hand but Kawajiri moved out of range.
Kuzuri steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kawajiri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kuzuri throws a solid leg kick but Kawajiri takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kuzuri.
Kuzuri misses with a low kick as Kawajiri jumps back.
Kawajiri throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuzuri blocks the body kick.
Kawajiri jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kuzuri throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuzuri throws the left hand but Kawajiri avoids the punch easily.
Kuzuri dodges the punch combination from Kawajiri.
Kuzuri tries to clinch up but Kawajiri circles away and keeps his distance.
Kawajiri punishes Kuzuri's body with a nice straight punch.
Kuzuri lands with a cross.
Kuzuri scores with a jab. Kawajiri acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tatsuya Kawajiri showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kawajiri 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatsuya Kawajiri!
After the big win, Tatsuya Kawajiri made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors GREEN!160 and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.