Pancrase is one of the longest running MMA promotions in the world, having been founded in 1993. When it began, Pancrase had unique rules as the matches used a points-based system and the action took place in a ring, but today their rules are more in-line with the UFC and the matches take place in a cage. For years there were accusations that some Pancrase fights were ‘worked’, which turned out to be the case, however Pancrase has been a legitimate MMA promotion since at least the late 90s. The promotion started using the cage and modified their rules in 2012, after a change in ownership. Pancrase also uses a open-scoring system, meaning the judges announce who is winning after each round, which is very interesting as the fighters know where they stand. This card aired on UFC Fight Pass, making it readily available for fans of both MMA and Syuri in particular.

Event: Pancrase 284
Date: February 5th, 2017
Location: Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan
Announced Attendance: 1,711

 
Minna Grusander vs. Syuri Kondo

Round 1

They stay on their feet to start and exchange punches, with Syuri connecting with several solid shots. Syuri pins Grusander against the cage but the referee separates them after a moment, Syuri lands with a really hard punch as she is clearly winning the strike exchanges. Grusander’s nose starts bleeding as they continue trading punches with Syuri landing with far more accuracy. Grusander knees Syuri and pushes her against the cage as she goes for a takedown, but Syuri blocks it. They reach a stalemate so the referee separates them again, they trade punches the rest of the round with Syuri continuing to be the aggressor.

Round 1 clearly went to Syuri, which the judges agree with (remember, with “Open Scoring” they let us know who wins each round after it takes place). Syuri connected with a lot of clean shots to the face and she blocked Grusander’s lone takedown attempt. Syuri’s kickboxing background is showing as she has easily controlled the action when they remain on their feet.

Round 2

Syuri continues tagging Grusander in the second round, Grusander tries to punch back but her punches are far less controlled and usually miss their mark. Grusander goes for a takedown but Syuri blocks it, Grusander gets Syuri against the cage but Syuri gets away and switches positions with her. They trade knees before backing off the cage, Grusander starts having a bit more success landing her punches but Syuri counters. Grusander pushes Syuri against the cage after Syuri connects with a few punches, Syuri quickly switches positions again before they release from the cage. We get a good look at Grusander’s bleeding face as they circle back into the center of the cage, with 20 seconds left Grusander finally connects with the takedown and punches Syuri cleanly a few times while Syuri gets back to her feet. The round ends while they are pushed against the cage.

Syuri controlled the bulk of this round, Grusander got in the takedown but Syuri still won the round. Even though both are throwing a lot of punches, Syuri’s punches are just so much more accurate and the damage is starting to show on Grusander’s face. Grusander did get a good takedown but it was too little, too late as up to that point it was a clear Syuri round. Syuri hasn’t been able to knock Grusander off her feet yet but the cumulative damage is starting to show.

Round 3

With Syuri up two rounds, Grusander needs a knockout or submission here to get the win. Round 3 starts the same as the first two rounds, as for the first minute they trade punches in the middle of the ring. Grusander pushes Syuri against the cage but the referee forces them to separate, Syuri continues pressing forward even though she is ahead on the cards and she stuffs a Grusander takedown attempt. They trade positions against the cage, Syuri slides Grusander down to the mat (I hate to call it a takedown although it technically was) as the clock ticks down, Grusander goes for a choke but Syuri slides out of it and elbows Grusander as the round ends.

I love that in the last ten seconds, even though Syuri had won the fight at that point she was still throwing elbows and punches instead of just lying on Grusander until the bell rang. This was Syuri’s round, as she connected with more strikes and got a takedown as well. I had Syuri with all three rounds, and the judges agree.

Syuri Kondo wins by Unanimous Decision!

The post Syuri vs. Minna Grusander at Pancrase 284 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

Pancrase is one of the longest running MMA promotions in the world, having been founded in 1993. When it began, Pancrase had unique rules as the matches used a points-based system and the action took place in a ring, but today their rules are more in-line with the UFC and the matches take place in a cage. For years there were accusations that some Pancrase fights were ‘worked’, which turned out to be the case, however Pancrase has been a legitimate MMA promotion since at least the late 90s. The promotion started using the cage and modified their rules in 2012, after a change in ownership. Pancrase also uses a open-scoring system, meaning the judges announce who is winning after each round, which is very interesting as the fighters know where they stand. This card aired on UFC Fight Pass, making it readily available for fans of both MMA and Syuri in particular as she continues to try to rise up the Pancrase card.

Event: Pancrase 279
Date: July 24th, 2016
Location: Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan
Announced Attendance: 2,096

 
Syuri Kondo vs. Nicolle Angelica Caliari

Round 1

Since Syuri’s primary background is kickboxing, she prefers to keep the action on her feet but does know submissions as well if the fight goes to the ground. Syuri kept Nicolle back with leg kicks, Syuri connects with the first punches of the night before pushing Nicolle against the cage. Syuri gets Nicolle to the mat and into the mount, but she jumps back off and both fighters return to their feet. Both fighters exchange punches, Syuri connects with a right and she pushes Nicolle against the cage again. Takedown by Syuri and she hits a few hammerfists before turning to her feet, kicks to the leg by Syuri and she punches Nicolle as she returns to her feet. Syuri gets a third takedown, she returns to her feet and kicks Nicolle in the leg as the round comes down to a close.

Syuri is leading after Round 1, as she had three takedowns and connected with numerous leg kicks and punches. Nicolle had a few strikes land, but was outmatched in Round 1. The judges all agree with my technical assessment.

Round 2

Nicolle shows some damage on her face from the previous round as both start the second round cautiously, Syuri connects with a few punches but not a lot of action in the first two minutes. Syuri gets Nicolle against the cage again after Nicolle delivers a few punches, double leg takedown by Syuri and she holds down Nicolle with little action. Syuri gets in the side mount at about the 1:30 mark, nothing is happening but the referee isn’t standing them up. The round ends with them in the same position, as little happened in Round 2.

Syuri is still leading, as she did take down Nicolle and keep her down for three minutes. It wasn’t the most interesting round as it was pretty uneventful, but Nicolle continues to have difficulty getting out of Syuri’s mount unless Syuri lets her up. All three judges score the second round for Syuri as well, meaning Nicolle needs a knockout or a submission to win this fight.

Round 3

Syuri looks a little winded going into the round, and knowing she is up 2-0 she may be looking to coast here to a victory. Syuri goes for a kick but Nicolle avoids it, punches by Syuri and she gets Nicolle against the cage again. Double leg takedown by Syuri but she gets up and kicks Nicolle in the legs until she stands up. Nicolle charges Syuri and connects with a few punches, Syuri pushes Nicolle against the cage but this time Nicolle gets free. They trade blows, with Syuri connecting better than Nicolle, as we reach the final minute of the match. Nicolle gets Syuri up against the cage this time and starts swinging, but Syuri slides away. As the fight winds down, they end up against the cage again until the bell rings.

I also had this round for Syuri, however it was closer than the first two. Nicolle threw more punches but did have trouble connecting, and Syuri still had the only takedown while having more cage control.

After deliberating, it is announced that Syuri has won by Unanimous Decision!

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