PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mayuri Tatsuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Paulson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tatsuki's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Norther - Released. Paul Paulson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Tatsuki
vs
Paulson

170 cm
19
165 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

187-Drugstore
Crashforce Voodoo Lab

Purity Fight Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mayuri Tatsuki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Paul Paulson!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paulson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tatsuki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tatsuki avoids the head kick by Paulson.
Paulson throws a low kick but Tatsuki avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Tatsuki.
Paulson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Paulson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tatsuki looking to pass the guard.
Paulson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tatsuki tries to free his leg and advance position but Paulson is retaining full guard.
Tatsuki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Paulson wants to sweep here but Tatsuki controlling him for the moment.
Tatsuki wants to pass the guard but Paulson is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tatsuki preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuki thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tatsuki takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Paulson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tatsuki has time to react.
Paulson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Paulson throws a head kick that misses.
Paulson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paulson scores with a kick to the body.
Tatsuki scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Paulson throws a series of punches but Tatsuki avoids them all with ease.
Tatsuki misses with a straight right.
Tatsuki defending well as Paulson loads up on a big left hand.
A lazy left from Tatsuki finds it's target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Paulson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tatsuki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paulson swivels and escapes.
Tatsuki looks to score with a jab to the body but Paulson is just out of range.
Paulson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tatsuki circles away quickly and effectively.
Paulson dips to his left and cracks Tatsuki with an uppercut!
Paulson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tatsuki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Paulson as he jumps to the side.
Tatsuki shoots in and drives through. Paulson sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mayuri Tatsuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paulson misses with a wild combination.
Paulson throws a front kick that sends Tatsuki stumbling back into the cage.
Paulson moves out of range as Tatsuki strikes.
Donk. Tatsuki catches Paulson right on the button with a cross.
Paulson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki misses with an uppercut.
Paulson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Paulson tries to bum rush Tatsuki with a series of wild strikes but Tatsuki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tatsuki avoids the body shot from Paulson.
Paulson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tatsuki manages to avoid it.
Paulson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Paulson fails to land with a series of punches.
Tatsuki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Paulson scores with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tatsuki takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Paulson just misses with a punch to the body.
A jab from Tatsuki does it's job there.
Paulson misses with a wild body shot.
Paulson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tatsuki thuds a left hand into Paulson's body.
Paulson misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Tatsuki counters with a takedown into side control.
Tatsuki throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Paulson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Paulson wants to get back to full guard.
Paulson keeping hold of Tatsuki's head, controlling as best he can.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Paulson is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Paulson has hold of Tatsuki's hands but Tatsuki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tatsuki is looking to pass Paulson's guard but actually Paulson recovers to full guard.
Paulson trying to keep a closed guard but Tatsuki is proving a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paulson wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Paulson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Paulson walks into a jab.
Tatsuki thows a body shot but no joy.
Tatsuki scores with a nice strike.
Paulson throws a big shot that misses.
Paulson throws a sloppy head kick and Tatsuki moves out of range easily.
Tatsuki throws a sloppy head kick
and Paulson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tatsuki thinking.
Tatsuki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Paul Paulson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tatsuki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tatsuki avoids the head kick by Paulson.
Paulson slips a jab and a cross from Tatsuki.
Nice body punch from Paulson.
Paulson tests Tatsuki's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Tatsuki closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Tatsuki thows a huge punch but Paulson dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tatsuki works his way into full mount!
Paulson can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paulson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
It looks like Tatsuki is going to stand back up.
Paulson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tatsuki.
Paulson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tatsuki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tatsuki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Paulson is positioning himself well to prevent Tatsuki advancing to mount.
The fighters are battling for position here. Paulson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Paulson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tatsuki is working hard here to advance position.
Tatsuki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Paulson looking to control.
Tatsuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Paulson is keeping the position for now.
Tatsuki throws a strike but Paulson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tatsuki throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tatsuki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paulson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Paulson passes Tatsuki's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Paulson is pressing down on Tatsuki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tatsuki is holding on for now.

Paulson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tatsuki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paulson.

Tatsuki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Paulson slows the pace down in half guard.
Tatsuki gets full guard.
Paulson advances to half guard.
Tatsuki is trying to get back to full guard.
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 Mayuri Tatsuki will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Tatsuki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Paulson. Paulson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A head kick misses from Paulson.
Tatsuki throws a nice looking combination but Paulson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Paulson lands a jab to Tatsuki's midsection.
Good standup being displayed there by Paulson as he connects with a hook.
Paulson throws a head kick that misses.
Paulson lands a slapping body shot.
Paulson throws a head kick but Tatsuki moves out of range.
Paulson moves out of range of the strikes.
Paulson throws a right and a left that Tatsuki avoids nicely.
Tatsuki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Paulson scores with a body shot.
Mayuri Tatsuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paulson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Paulson ducks under a wild hook from Tatsuki.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tatsuki tries for a takedown but Paulson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Paulson misses with a wild body shot.
Paulson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tatsuki rather than just go for the knockout.
Nice defenses there by Tatsuki.
Paulson throws a body punch but Tatsuki moves out of range.
Tatsuki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paulson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mayuri Tatsuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuki gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tatsuki takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A head kick from Paulson lands but Tatsuki takes it in his stride.
Paulson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tatsuki avoids the head kick by Paulson.
Tatsuki misses with a takedown attempt - Paulson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A swing and a miss from Paulson.
Nice uppercut there from Paulson.
Tatsuki doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Paulson just misses with a punch to the body.
Paulson throws a head kick that misses.
Paulson lands a head kick. Tatsuki smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Mayuri Tatsuki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tatsuki misses with a double jab
and Paulson counters with a two punch combo.
Tatsuki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tatsuki looks to throw the jab but Paulson is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki shoots in for a takedown but Paulson shows good takedown defense.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Paulson.
Paulson misses with a jab to the body
and Tatsuki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Paulson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice sprawl there from Paulson as Tatsuki shoots in.
Paulson misses with a two punch combination.
Paulson defending well as Tatsuki loads up on a big left hand.
Paulson digs a good hook to Tatsuki's body.
Tatsuki takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tatsuki throws a series of punches but Paulson moves out of range.
Paulson scores with a spinning back kick!
Paulson moves out of range as Tatsuki strikes.
Paulson stalks Tatsuki and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tatsuki's face. Tatsuki staggers backwards, shaken.
Tatsuki lands a head shot.
Paulson scores with a head kick.
Tatsuki misses with a two punch combination.
Paul Paulson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tatsuki connects with a right hand. Paulson shakes it off.
No joy there for Paulson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Tatsuki misses.
Paulson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Paulson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tatsuki fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Paulson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tatsuki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Paulson.
A shot to the body from Paulson misses
and Tatsuki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tatsuki throws a series of punches but Paulson avoids them all with ease.
Paulson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Tatsuki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tatsuki lands in his opponent's guard.
Tatsuki passes Paulson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tatsuki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki throwing shots but Paulson is blocking nicely.
Tatsuki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tatsuki thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Paulson to regain full guard.

Paulson pushes Tatsuki off and gets back to his feet.
Paulson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tatsuki.
Paulson throws a hook to the side of Tatsuki's head but Tatsuki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Paulson looks for the body kick but Tatsuki saw that one coming.
Paulson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tatsuki checks it well.
Tatsuki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paulson moves away.
Tatsuki misses with a leg kick.
Tatsuki shoots in looking for a takedown. Paulson tries to sprawl out of it but Tatsuki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Paulson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Paulson throws a head kick but Tatsuki moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Paulson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Paulson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Paulson!