Post by The Sandmen on Jun 6, 2016 8:43:58 GMT -5
Tatsuya Kawajiri glares at his opponent from the opposite corner.
Justin Gaethje looks like he has been waiting for this fight forever.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Josh Rosenthal.
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Round 1
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Kawajiri and Gaethje move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Justin Gaethje's mind is definitely in the fight, Kawajiri just got nailed! Justin Gaethje saw an opening and delivered a big right hand
Wow! Kawajiri is going to have a headache after this one.
Bone shattering straight right hand from Justin Gaethje!
Kawajiri ducks under...
Gaethje misses a step and Tatsuya Kawajiri sees an opportunity to counter him!
Tatsuya Kawajiri shoots for a double leg takedown!
Justin Gaethje sprawls and manages to stay on his feet.
The clock says 0:35 in the 1 round
A right hand from Tatsuya Kawajiri
surprises Gaethje!
Tremendous strikes from Gaethje!
Some big punches are landing!
Gaethje moves aside and launches a furious low kick!
Tatsuya Kawajiri checks the kick.
The clock says 1:00 in the 1 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri throws a combo
Justin Gaethje ducks under and catches him with a counter straight! Kawajiri swings again, only to get countered once more! Kawajiri is looking bad here!
Good leg kicks from Tatsuya Kawajiri.
Justin Gaethje defends with ease.
Kawajiri misses a step and Justin Gaethje sees an opportunity to counter him!
Gaethje is swinging for the fences!
A hit that almost breaks Kawajiri's jaw!
Kawajiri grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Gaethje struggles... Tatsuya Kawajiri is unable to take him down
Kawajiri decides to launch some tentative punches
Tatsuya Kawajiri takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Gaethje studies his opponent looking for a hole in his defense.
Tatsuya Kawajiri goes with a looping right hand while Justin Gaethje jumps back and jabs
Kawajiri seems staggered and Justin Gaethje runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
Kawajiri is holding Justin Gaethje's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Justin Gaethje shows great balance while pushing away Tatsuya Kawajiri
Gaethje is trying to counter now!
Tremendous strikes from Gaethje!
Kawajiri blocks with confidence
The clock says 2:15 in the 1 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to bring the fight to the ground
Gaethje goes down.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Gaethje measures the resilience of Kawajiri's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kawajiri's side.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to pass to half guard...
Justin Gaethje can't prevent his opponent from passing. Kawajiri looks to work from half guard.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri sits over his knees and pushes away Gaethje's leg!
Gaethje closes his legs around Tatsuya Kawajiri's leg. Kawajiri is not able to move away now!
Gaethje is trying to counter now!
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kawajiri tries to cover his face,
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Gaethje is moving on the ground...
Ouch! That was a headbutt! Did he do that intentionally?
Kawajiri's Chin is beginning to swell
Josh Rosenthal didn't see that!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
Gaethje's attempts to cover himself and blocks those elbows.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje tries to close the guard.
Gaethje put Tatsuya Kawajiri in closed guard.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kawajiri tries to cover his face,
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri is trying to better his position on the ground and launches a couple of elbows against Gaethje's ribs.
Gaethje blocks Tatsuya Kawajiri's moves and tries to reverse the situation.
Kawajiri misses a step and Justin Gaethje sees an opportunity to counter him!
Gaethje tries to stand up!
he is now on his feet
Tatsuya Kawajiri doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Gaethje's moves.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Tatsuya Kawajiri. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Carrier Dome (Syracuse, New York) are cheering for the fighters.
Incredible haymaker from Justin Gaethje!
You can see Tatsuya Kawajiri's head being snapped backwards!
The clock says 4:10 in the 1 round
Justin Gaethje circles around Kawajiri
Brilliant combination from Justin Gaethje
that forces Kawajiri to try and defend better.
Several good body shots
are evaded by Gaethje.
Kawajiri decides to launch some tentative punches
Justin Gaethje takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Gaethje fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Tatsuya Kawajiri didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Justin Gaethje is in open guard over Kawajiri
Justin Gaethje tries to open Kawajiri's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Justin Gaethje. Kawajiri is unable to cover himself now!
Justin Gaethje is in open guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje tries to move to full mount
Gaethje succeeds
Josh Rosenthal separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
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Round 2
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Justin Gaethje moves forward looking for a hole in his opponent's defense.
Kawajiri throws a lazy kick
Gaethje blocks and keeps his distance.
Gaethje misses a step and Tatsuya Kawajiri sees an opportunity to counter him!
Tatsuya Kawajiri attempts a sweep single...
Tatsuya Kawajiri catches Justin Gaethje's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Kawajiri.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri delivers a few accurate elbows!
Justin Gaethje blocks them all showing some great skills here.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri is looking to pass Justin Gaethje's guard...
Justin Gaethje has a solid guard and keeps his ankles locked.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri is in closed guard... Gaethje tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Tatsuya Kawajiri!
Justin Gaethje is in full mount over Tatsuya Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to roll to his side and trap Justin Gaethje in his guard...
Tatsuya Kawajiri moves to half guard.
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Justin Gaethje is in half guard over Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to close the guard.
Kawajiri put Justin Gaethje in closed guard.
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje is in closed guard... Kawajiri tries to roll on the ground!
Justin Gaethje uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
The clock says 1:35 in the 2 round
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje is in closed guard... Kawajiri tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Justin Gaethje!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in full mount over Justin Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to finish the fight with an armbar from the top
Gaethje is smart enough to avoid the submission attempt
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in full mount over Justin Gaethje
Kawajiri catch Justin Gaethje's left arm and tries a kimura
Justin Gaethje holds his own arm and struggles until he gets free
Kawajiri clumsily fails here and it's time for Justin Gaethje to fight back!
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Tatsuya Kawajiri uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Carrier Dome (Syracuse, New York) are cheering for the fighters.
These two fighters are showing each other a ton of respect.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has found an opening in the defense of Gaethje, launching a big uppercut
Justin Gaethje is fast enouigh to dodge that uppercut.
Gaethje is trying to counter now!
Incredible haymaker from Justin Gaethje!
It misses by a mile.
Kawajiri tries to grapple
He puts Gaethje in a double underhook!
The fighters are clinching.
Gaethje pushes off of Tatsuya Kawajiri and starts launching a flurry of hooks and body shots!
Kawajiri stumbles backwards but Justin Gaethje chases him and continues the rain of blows!
There is a small laceration on Tatsuya Kawajiri's Right eye
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Kawajiri struggles and launches a few punches to Gaethje's head
Those punches are hitting! Gaethje covers his head!
Gaethje's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Justin Gaethje pushes away Kawajiri trying to keep the fight at striking range
Kawajiri doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Justin Gaethje
The fighters are clinching.
Gaethje pushes off of Tatsuya Kawajiri and starts launching a flurry of hooks and body shots!
Kawajiri stumbles backwards but Justin Gaethje chases him and continues the rain of blows!
There is a small laceration on Tatsuya Kawajiri's Right eye
The fighters are clinching.
Kawajiri takes a break to breathe while holding Justin Gaethje.
The referee intervenes to break the clinch.
Justin Gaethje swings...
hard impact to Kawajiri's face!
Gaethje pushes Tatsuya Kawajiri and moves away from him. He seems to be recovering his breath.
Gaethje decides to launch some tentative punches
Justin Gaethje takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Justin Gaethje takes a few seconds to recover his breath...
Kawajiri decides to launch some tentative punches
Tatsuya Kawajiri takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Gaethje avoids a dangerous strike from Kawajiri
and fends him off with feel-out punches.
The fighters size each other up in the center of the cage.
Tatsuya Kawajiri leans forwards and tries to grapple with Gaethje
Kawajiri shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Gaethje doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Tatsuya Kawajiri embrace and tries to move away...
Nice move from Gaethje who put distance between them
Justin Gaethje attempts a sweep single...
Tatsuya Kawajiri was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
Close round. It could go to either fighter.
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Round 3
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Kawajiri moves aside and launches a furious low kick!
Hard blow to Gaethje's thigh!
The clock says 0:20 in the 3 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri chases Gaethje and launches a few perfect strikes
Here we go! Gaethje steps backwards when those punches connect with his face
Kawajiri grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Tatsuya Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri wants to finish his opponent on the ground
Kawajiri drills Justin Gaethje's face with a huge right hand! What an impact!
The clock says 0:45 in the 3 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kawajiri tries to cover his face,
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri hovers above Gaethje
Good punches to Gaethje's body.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Tatsuya Kawajiri doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Solid kick to the leg from Justin Gaethje
Kawajiri checks it.
Justin Gaethje gets sloppy and Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to take advantage...
Tatsuya Kawajiri launches a couples of jabs and then a big hook!
Gaethje blocks the jabs but the last punch hits hard on Justin Gaethje's cheek! Gaethje stumbles and the falls to the mat!
Gaethje has a small cut in his Right cheek
The clock says 1:35 in the 3 round
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
This match is even... This could go the distance.
Gaethje tries to stand up!
Kawajiri doesn't allow him!
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
Justin Gaethje doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Kawajiri's moves.
The clock says 1:50 in the 3 round
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
Justin Gaethje kicks his legs trying to keep Tatsuya Kawajiri away.
No damage done by those kicks.
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
Justin Gaethje doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Kawajiri's moves.
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
This match is even... This could go the distance.
Gaethje tries to stand up!
Kawajiri doesn't allow him!
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Justin Gaethje. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Justin Gaethje is on his feet again.
Shovel hook by Tatsuya Kawajiri
tags Gaethje.
Gaethje goes for a low kick..
Kawajiri avoids the deadly blow.
Kawajiri tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Kawajiri fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Justin Gaethje didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri delivers a few accurate elbows!
Gaethje is being hit hard and trys to escape! He has to give his back!
Gaethje has a small cut in his Right cheek
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri isolates an arm looking for an armbar from the back...
Punishing hold!
That Armbar looks tight...
You can see the pain reflected in Gaethje's eyes...
Gaethje's left arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Crippling lock!
That Armbar from Tatsuya Kawajiri appears to be unbreakable
Gaethje locks his hands and forces his weight on top of Tatsuya Kawajiri unil he can pull his arm free! Kawajiri lost his dominant position.
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Kawajiri tries to move on the ground and shows Justin Gaethje a crack in his guard which he uses for a big elbow!
Kawajiri uses his forearms to block the impact!
The clock says 3:10 in the 3 round
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje is in closed guard... Kawajiri tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Justin Gaethje!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in full mount over Justin Gaethje
Kawajiri delivers a few accurate elbows!
Gaethje is being hit hard and trys to escape! He has to give his back!
There is a small laceration on Justin Gaethje's Chin
That punishment by Tatsuya Kawajiri has left Gaethje staggered! Tatsuya Kawajiri should try push forward now and finish this!
The clock says 3:30 in the 3 round
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje continues to bleed from that cut. It could be affecting his vision.
Kawajiri tries to get a hook in!
Things get worse for Gaethje! Kawajiri has one hook in and keeps working!
Justin Gaethje seems hurt! He stumbles backwards and he's an easy target for Tatsuya Kawajiri!
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje with one hook in
Kawajiri is looking to end this fight with strikes
He starts to pound away at Justin Gaethje, who is barely covering up!
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje with one hook in
You can see Gaethje's blood making stains in the mat.
Kawajiri launches a barrage of elbows over Gaethje's face!
Those elbows may finish the fight soon if Gaethje doesn't fight back!
Josh Rosenthal has seen enough! The fight is over! Gaethje was not intelligently defending himself!
Winner is Tatsuya Kawajiri by TKO (Elbows) at 4:04 Round 3
Statistics: Tatsuya Kawajiri
Punches 10/23 (43%)
Kicks 1/4 (25%)
Clinch strikes 2/3 (67%)
Takedowns 4/7 (57%)
GnP strikes 19/37 (51%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 329 s
Statistics: Justin Gaethje
Punches 22/37 (59%)
Kicks 0/4 (0%)
Clinch strikes 9/13 (69%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 12/21 (57%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 379 s
This started out looking rather bland, but turned into an amazing fight. Justin brings one thing to the table - striking. Kawajiri let him do that for a long time in the first, and was completely obliterated early as a result. This looked like a cakewalk for Justin, but then Kawajiri was like, "Oh, yeah! I'm a mixed martial artist!" and got back into the game by using everything he had that Justin did not to get back into the fight, and ultimately take over for the great come-back win.
Justin Gaethje looks like he has been waiting for this fight forever.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Josh Rosenthal.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Kawajiri and Gaethje move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Justin Gaethje's mind is definitely in the fight, Kawajiri just got nailed! Justin Gaethje saw an opening and delivered a big right hand
Wow! Kawajiri is going to have a headache after this one.
Bone shattering straight right hand from Justin Gaethje!
Kawajiri ducks under...
Gaethje misses a step and Tatsuya Kawajiri sees an opportunity to counter him!
Tatsuya Kawajiri shoots for a double leg takedown!
Justin Gaethje sprawls and manages to stay on his feet.
The clock says 0:35 in the 1 round
A right hand from Tatsuya Kawajiri
surprises Gaethje!
Tremendous strikes from Gaethje!
Some big punches are landing!
Gaethje moves aside and launches a furious low kick!
Tatsuya Kawajiri checks the kick.
The clock says 1:00 in the 1 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri throws a combo
Justin Gaethje ducks under and catches him with a counter straight! Kawajiri swings again, only to get countered once more! Kawajiri is looking bad here!
Good leg kicks from Tatsuya Kawajiri.
Justin Gaethje defends with ease.
Kawajiri misses a step and Justin Gaethje sees an opportunity to counter him!
Gaethje is swinging for the fences!
A hit that almost breaks Kawajiri's jaw!
Kawajiri grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Gaethje struggles... Tatsuya Kawajiri is unable to take him down
Kawajiri decides to launch some tentative punches
Tatsuya Kawajiri takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Gaethje studies his opponent looking for a hole in his defense.
Tatsuya Kawajiri goes with a looping right hand while Justin Gaethje jumps back and jabs
Kawajiri seems staggered and Justin Gaethje runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
Kawajiri is holding Justin Gaethje's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Justin Gaethje shows great balance while pushing away Tatsuya Kawajiri
Gaethje is trying to counter now!
Tremendous strikes from Gaethje!
Kawajiri blocks with confidence
The clock says 2:15 in the 1 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to bring the fight to the ground
Gaethje goes down.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Gaethje measures the resilience of Kawajiri's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kawajiri's side.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to pass to half guard...
Justin Gaethje can't prevent his opponent from passing. Kawajiri looks to work from half guard.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri sits over his knees and pushes away Gaethje's leg!
Gaethje closes his legs around Tatsuya Kawajiri's leg. Kawajiri is not able to move away now!
Gaethje is trying to counter now!
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kawajiri tries to cover his face,
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Gaethje is moving on the ground...
Ouch! That was a headbutt! Did he do that intentionally?
Kawajiri's Chin is beginning to swell
Josh Rosenthal didn't see that!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
Gaethje's attempts to cover himself and blocks those elbows.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in half guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje tries to close the guard.
Gaethje put Tatsuya Kawajiri in closed guard.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kawajiri tries to cover his face,
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri is trying to better his position on the ground and launches a couple of elbows against Gaethje's ribs.
Gaethje blocks Tatsuya Kawajiri's moves and tries to reverse the situation.
Kawajiri misses a step and Justin Gaethje sees an opportunity to counter him!
Gaethje tries to stand up!
he is now on his feet
Tatsuya Kawajiri doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Gaethje's moves.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Tatsuya Kawajiri. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Carrier Dome (Syracuse, New York) are cheering for the fighters.
Incredible haymaker from Justin Gaethje!
You can see Tatsuya Kawajiri's head being snapped backwards!
The clock says 4:10 in the 1 round
Justin Gaethje circles around Kawajiri
Brilliant combination from Justin Gaethje
that forces Kawajiri to try and defend better.
Several good body shots
are evaded by Gaethje.
Kawajiri decides to launch some tentative punches
Justin Gaethje takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Gaethje fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Tatsuya Kawajiri didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Justin Gaethje is in open guard over Kawajiri
Justin Gaethje tries to open Kawajiri's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Justin Gaethje. Kawajiri is unable to cover himself now!
Justin Gaethje is in open guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje tries to move to full mount
Gaethje succeeds
Josh Rosenthal separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Justin Gaethje moves forward looking for a hole in his opponent's defense.
Kawajiri throws a lazy kick
Gaethje blocks and keeps his distance.
Gaethje misses a step and Tatsuya Kawajiri sees an opportunity to counter him!
Tatsuya Kawajiri attempts a sweep single...
Tatsuya Kawajiri catches Justin Gaethje's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Kawajiri.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri delivers a few accurate elbows!
Justin Gaethje blocks them all showing some great skills here.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri is looking to pass Justin Gaethje's guard...
Justin Gaethje has a solid guard and keeps his ankles locked.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in closed guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri is in closed guard... Gaethje tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Tatsuya Kawajiri!
Justin Gaethje is in full mount over Tatsuya Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to roll to his side and trap Justin Gaethje in his guard...
Tatsuya Kawajiri moves to half guard.
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Justin Gaethje is in half guard over Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to close the guard.
Kawajiri put Justin Gaethje in closed guard.
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje is in closed guard... Kawajiri tries to roll on the ground!
Justin Gaethje uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
The clock says 1:35 in the 2 round
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje is in closed guard... Kawajiri tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Justin Gaethje!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in full mount over Justin Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to finish the fight with an armbar from the top
Gaethje is smart enough to avoid the submission attempt
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in full mount over Justin Gaethje
Kawajiri catch Justin Gaethje's left arm and tries a kimura
Justin Gaethje holds his own arm and struggles until he gets free
Kawajiri clumsily fails here and it's time for Justin Gaethje to fight back!
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Tatsuya Kawajiri uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Carrier Dome (Syracuse, New York) are cheering for the fighters.
These two fighters are showing each other a ton of respect.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has found an opening in the defense of Gaethje, launching a big uppercut
Justin Gaethje is fast enouigh to dodge that uppercut.
Gaethje is trying to counter now!
Incredible haymaker from Justin Gaethje!
It misses by a mile.
Kawajiri tries to grapple
He puts Gaethje in a double underhook!
The fighters are clinching.
Gaethje pushes off of Tatsuya Kawajiri and starts launching a flurry of hooks and body shots!
Kawajiri stumbles backwards but Justin Gaethje chases him and continues the rain of blows!
There is a small laceration on Tatsuya Kawajiri's Right eye
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Kawajiri struggles and launches a few punches to Gaethje's head
Those punches are hitting! Gaethje covers his head!
Gaethje's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Justin Gaethje pushes away Kawajiri trying to keep the fight at striking range
Kawajiri doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Justin Gaethje
The fighters are clinching.
Gaethje pushes off of Tatsuya Kawajiri and starts launching a flurry of hooks and body shots!
Kawajiri stumbles backwards but Justin Gaethje chases him and continues the rain of blows!
There is a small laceration on Tatsuya Kawajiri's Right eye
The fighters are clinching.
Kawajiri takes a break to breathe while holding Justin Gaethje.
The referee intervenes to break the clinch.
Justin Gaethje swings...
hard impact to Kawajiri's face!
Gaethje pushes Tatsuya Kawajiri and moves away from him. He seems to be recovering his breath.
Gaethje decides to launch some tentative punches
Justin Gaethje takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Justin Gaethje takes a few seconds to recover his breath...
Kawajiri decides to launch some tentative punches
Tatsuya Kawajiri takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Gaethje avoids a dangerous strike from Kawajiri
and fends him off with feel-out punches.
The fighters size each other up in the center of the cage.
Tatsuya Kawajiri leans forwards and tries to grapple with Gaethje
Kawajiri shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Gaethje doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Tatsuya Kawajiri embrace and tries to move away...
Nice move from Gaethje who put distance between them
Justin Gaethje attempts a sweep single...
Tatsuya Kawajiri was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
Close round. It could go to either fighter.
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Round 3
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Kawajiri moves aside and launches a furious low kick!
Hard blow to Gaethje's thigh!
The clock says 0:20 in the 3 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri chases Gaethje and launches a few perfect strikes
Here we go! Gaethje steps backwards when those punches connect with his face
Kawajiri grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Tatsuya Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri wants to finish his opponent on the ground
Kawajiri drills Justin Gaethje's face with a huge right hand! What an impact!
The clock says 0:45 in the 3 round
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje launches a few punches to Kawajiri's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kawajiri tries to cover his face,
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri hovers above Gaethje
Good punches to Gaethje's body.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Tatsuya Kawajiri doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Solid kick to the leg from Justin Gaethje
Kawajiri checks it.
Justin Gaethje gets sloppy and Tatsuya Kawajiri tries to take advantage...
Tatsuya Kawajiri launches a couples of jabs and then a big hook!
Gaethje blocks the jabs but the last punch hits hard on Justin Gaethje's cheek! Gaethje stumbles and the falls to the mat!
Gaethje has a small cut in his Right cheek
The clock says 1:35 in the 3 round
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
This match is even... This could go the distance.
Gaethje tries to stand up!
Kawajiri doesn't allow him!
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
Justin Gaethje doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Kawajiri's moves.
The clock says 1:50 in the 3 round
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
Justin Gaethje kicks his legs trying to keep Tatsuya Kawajiri away.
No damage done by those kicks.
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
Justin Gaethje doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Kawajiri's moves.
Kawajiri is standing while Gaethje is on the ground on his back
This match is even... This could go the distance.
Gaethje tries to stand up!
Kawajiri doesn't allow him!
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Justin Gaethje. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Justin Gaethje is on his feet again.
Shovel hook by Tatsuya Kawajiri
tags Gaethje.
Gaethje goes for a low kick..
Kawajiri avoids the deadly blow.
Kawajiri tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Kawajiri fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Justin Gaethje didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in open guard over Gaethje
Kawajiri delivers a few accurate elbows!
Gaethje is being hit hard and trys to escape! He has to give his back!
Gaethje has a small cut in his Right cheek
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje
Tatsuya Kawajiri isolates an arm looking for an armbar from the back...
Punishing hold!
That Armbar looks tight...
You can see the pain reflected in Gaethje's eyes...
Gaethje's left arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Crippling lock!
That Armbar from Tatsuya Kawajiri appears to be unbreakable
Gaethje locks his hands and forces his weight on top of Tatsuya Kawajiri unil he can pull his arm free! Kawajiri lost his dominant position.
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Kawajiri tries to move on the ground and shows Justin Gaethje a crack in his guard which he uses for a big elbow!
Kawajiri uses his forearms to block the impact!
The clock says 3:10 in the 3 round
Justin Gaethje is in closed guard over Kawajiri
Gaethje is in closed guard... Kawajiri tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Justin Gaethje!
Tatsuya Kawajiri is in full mount over Justin Gaethje
Kawajiri delivers a few accurate elbows!
Gaethje is being hit hard and trys to escape! He has to give his back!
There is a small laceration on Justin Gaethje's Chin
That punishment by Tatsuya Kawajiri has left Gaethje staggered! Tatsuya Kawajiri should try push forward now and finish this!
The clock says 3:30 in the 3 round
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje
Justin Gaethje continues to bleed from that cut. It could be affecting his vision.
Kawajiri tries to get a hook in!
Things get worse for Gaethje! Kawajiri has one hook in and keeps working!
Justin Gaethje seems hurt! He stumbles backwards and he's an easy target for Tatsuya Kawajiri!
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje with one hook in
Kawajiri is looking to end this fight with strikes
He starts to pound away at Justin Gaethje, who is barely covering up!
Kawajiri is in rear mount over Gaethje with one hook in
You can see Gaethje's blood making stains in the mat.
Kawajiri launches a barrage of elbows over Gaethje's face!
Those elbows may finish the fight soon if Gaethje doesn't fight back!
Josh Rosenthal has seen enough! The fight is over! Gaethje was not intelligently defending himself!
Winner is Tatsuya Kawajiri by TKO (Elbows) at 4:04 Round 3
Statistics: Tatsuya Kawajiri
Punches 10/23 (43%)
Kicks 1/4 (25%)
Clinch strikes 2/3 (67%)
Takedowns 4/7 (57%)
GnP strikes 19/37 (51%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 329 s
Statistics: Justin Gaethje
Punches 22/37 (59%)
Kicks 0/4 (0%)
Clinch strikes 9/13 (69%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 12/21 (57%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 379 s
This started out looking rather bland, but turned into an amazing fight. Justin brings one thing to the table - striking. Kawajiri let him do that for a long time in the first, and was completely obliterated early as a result. This looked like a cakewalk for Justin, but then Kawajiri was like, "Oh, yeah! I'm a mixed martial artist!" and got back into the game by using everything he had that Justin did not to get back into the fight, and ultimately take over for the great come-back win.