PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kofi Kingston (ranked 4854 p4p, 5481 weight class) and Mark Tug (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mark Tug told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Kingston
vs
Tug

200 cm
22
250
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
24
270
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kofi Kingston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Tug!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kingston clinches up against the cage.
Tug looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Tug tries to break free but Kingston pushes him back against the cage.
Kingston is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kingston scores with a shoulder strike.

It looks like Mark Tug has been cut.

Kingston drags the fight down to the ground.

Kingston has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Tug has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Kingston gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kingston controlling the action here.
Kingston'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.

Kingston postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Tug to stand up.

Kingston moves into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Kingston as the two fighters clinch.

Kingston has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Tug regains guard immediately.
Kingston is looking to work some ground and pound but Tug has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingston content to stall in guard here.
Kingston looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kingston looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tug can't keep his opponent in guard - Kingston advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kingston content to control rather than advance.
Tug looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kingston wants to pass the guard but Tug is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kingston controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kingston thows a huge punch but Tug dodges it nicely.

Kingston is working for a submission of some sort.

Kingston is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tug has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tug keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kingston knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tug on the ground.
Kingston throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kingston decides to return to a standing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingston scores with a nice body kick.
Kingston throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kingston scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Kingston closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tug's guard.
Kingston is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Kingston gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Kingston shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kingston was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kingston tries to move to mount but Tug blocks the move with his legs.
Tug tries to bench press Kingston off him but Kingston keeps the position.
Kingston moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kingston working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tug tries to improve position but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tug is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tug managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kingston.

Kingston decides to stand back up. Kingston steps back and let's Tug get back to his feet.

Kingston moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kofi Kingston dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Tug's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kingston gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kingston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tug misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tug displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kingston.
Kingston is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tug can do to turn this around?
Tug looks to land a combination but Kingston avoids it well.

Kingston clinches with his opponent.
The referee calls for Kingston to work.

Kingston has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tug clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Kingston misses with an elbow to the head.
Tug tries to break free.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kingston looking to break Tug's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Tug remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Kingston will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Kingston biding his time, controlling Tug.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tug is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Tug is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Kingston.

Tug fending off the submission attempt from Kingston.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tug wants to control his opponent's hands but Kingston gets his hands free.
Kingston controls the action.

Kingston patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Tug tries to escape the position.

Tug defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Kingston tries to get the hooks in deep but Tug pushed the leg off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tug breaks Kingston's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Kingston is trying to control the position but Tug postures up.
Tug won't allow Kingston to sweep him here.
Kofi Kingston overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tug wants to get up but he can't break Kingston's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kingston looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Kingston throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tug throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kingston trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Kingston is trying to keep Tug in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kingston is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tug is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tug wants to control from the top but Kingston keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Tug stops Kingston from standing up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tug digs a good hook to Kingston's body.
Tug fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kingston looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tug rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kingston moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kingston fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tug sprawls well initially but Kingston persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Tug has one foot on Kingston's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Kingston here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tug misses with a double jab.
Kingston uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tug.
Kingston lets loose with a powerful body kick. Tug will feel that in the morning.

Kingston throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tug tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kingston is in Tug's guard.

Tug manages to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mark Tug will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mark Tug's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mark Tug seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tug throws a wild body kick that Kingston sees coming a mile off.
Kingston appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kingston ducks under a wild hook from Tug.

Kingston drives through and clinches with Tug against the cage.
Tug looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kingston lands a body shot.

Kingston has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tug uses from the top position.
Kingston throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kingston pulls Tug in to control the position.

Kingston has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Tug has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Kingston pulls guard effortlessly.
Tug trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kingston's guard.

Kingston kicks Tug off and gets to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kingston moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kingston manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Kingston lands but Tug takes it in his stride.
Kingston has a takedown stuffed.
Tug bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kingston's head backwards.
Kingston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kingston darts in looking for a takedown but Tug gets double underhooks and turns Kingston into the cage.
Tug lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Tug scores with a jab to the body.

Kingston closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tug's guard.
Tug avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kingston trying to control but Tug is working from the bottom.
Tug wants to sweep here but Kingston controlling him for the moment.

Kingston stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tug ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kingston throws a nice head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kingston lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kofi Kingston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tug throws a head kick but Kingston moves out of range.
Kingston walks into a jab.
Tug throws an off balance right hand

and Kingston counters by clinching up.

Kingston breaks from the clinch.

Tug gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kingston thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tug is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tug stops Kingston from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tug not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kingston gets back to full guard.
Tug throws a big right hand that misses.

Tug decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kingston takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tug misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Kingston counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kingston.
Kingston prevents Tug from breaking the clinch.

Kingston has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tug clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Kingston is not going to allow Tug to sit and survive in this position.
Tug is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Tug covering up well and avoiding damage.

Kingston is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Tug knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Tug for a finish.
Tug wants to control his opponent's hands but Kingston gets his hands free.
Kingston throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Tug trying to control the action but Kingston just sinks the hooks in.
Kingston really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Tug.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kofi Kingston showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kingston 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kofi Kingston!