Daily Fights: Yuta Kubo v. Yoshimichi Matsumoto

More action from the 63kg Grand Prix - this is the semi-final bout between Yuta Kubo and Yoshimichi Matsumoto.  Kubo came in off a decision victory over Keiji Ozaki, while Matsumoto scored the 3rd round upset knockout of Daisuke Uematsu.  This one is short, but you really should watch it.

It doesn't have the brutality of Yamamoto v. Shaffer, but this is one of the most technically beautiful KOs of the the year.  It also comes so fast that you have to watch the replays to really appreciate Kubo's skill here.

I mentioned yesterday that Kubo reads his opponents masterfully, and that is exactly what happens here.  Starting back at the 0:41 mark in the clip, you see Kubo fake a body kick, which Matsumoto responds to by dropping his arm to push the kick away.  At 1:16, Kubo throws another kick to the body, a bit higher up this time, and Matsumoto uses his arm to take the kick as defense.  With those two responses, Kubo has all the info he needs.  He throws what at first appears to be a body kick, keeping his hip low to get Matsumoto to protect his body.  As Kubo expected, Matsumoto brings in his near arm tight to defend his ribs, while also dropping his outside arm to push the strike away.  But Kubo is already adjusting his kick, bringing it up to connect with Matsumoto's now unprotected head.  The ploy works perfectly.  The kick lands clean, and Matsumoto is done.

Beautiful example of technique and how to read your opponent in order to strike through their defenses.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of Kubo in K-1.