PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kosuke Ishimura (ranked 3015 p4p, 2171 weight class) and Jayson Tatum (ranked 399 p4p, 289 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ishimura
vs
Tatum

197 cm
35
220
19 - 18 - 0

203 cm
25
210
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kosuke Ishimura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jayson Tatum!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tatum throws a series of punches but Ishimura avoids them all with ease.
Ishimura misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tatum.
Ishimura looks to land a left hand but Tatum moved out of range nicely.
Kosuke Ishimura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ishimura lands with a hook. Tatum tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Tatum scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tatum is looking to take a break and control but Ishimura is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tatum scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tatum tries for a kimura but Ishimura is defending well.
Ishimura is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Ishimura's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
An elbow from Tatum crashes against the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ishimura is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Tatum throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Ishimura is not content to let Tatum control the position.
Ishimura is looking to regain half guard here but Tatum keeps moving and retains side control.
Ishimura manages to get back to half guard.
Ishimura keeping control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatum thows a huge punch but Ishimura dodges it nicely.
Tatum slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ishimura looks to land a right hand but Tatum moved out of range.
We've been told by Ishimura's head coaches at MONEY TEAM!!! that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A low kick lands for Ishimura.
No joy there for Ishimura, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ishimura swings widly with a right hand
and Tatum counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tatum misses with a kick to the body
and Ishimura counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ishimura takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ishimura looks to land a combination but Tatum avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatum throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ishimura defending well as Tatum loads up on a big left hand.
Tatum drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ishimura misses with a combination
and Tatum counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ishimura misses with a wild body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tatum throws a leg kick but Ishimura sees it coming and moves out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ishimura.
Ishimura takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A good leg kick by Ishimura.
Ishimura connects with a high kick.

It looks like Jayson Tatum has been cut.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ishimura - that will leave a mark!
Ishimura getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ishimura loads up on a big right hand but Tatum slips the punch.
Ishimura throws a head kick but Tatum moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kosuke Ishimura will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jayson Tatum's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ishimura takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ishimura lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ishimura throws a push kick but Tatum slaps the foot to one side.
Ishimura sets himself, and Tatum steps forward looking for the clinch! Ishimura avoids it this time.
Ishimura throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tatum counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ishimura connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tatum connects with a jab.
Ishimura throws a hook to the side of Tatum's head but Tatum sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tatum throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tatum throws the kick towards the body but Ishimura avoids it.
An inside leg kick from Ishimura misses.
Ishimura lands a leg kick that knocks Tatum off balance momentarily.
Tatum takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tatum scores with a shot to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ishimura blocks the body kick.
Ishimura throws a jab but it's blocked by Tatum.
Tatum uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ishimura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Ishimura misses its intended target.
Tatum with the counter takedown but Ishimura avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Ishimura misses the target.
Ishimura misses with a low kick.
Ishimura moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromTatum.
Tatum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ishimura.
Ishimura throws a leg kick that misses.
Ishimura tries to move into range but Tatum moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tatum throws a wild body kick that Ishimura sees coming a mile off.
Ishimura looks to land a left hand but Tatum moved out of range nicely.
Ishimura throws an overhand right that lands on Tatum's shoulder, as Tatum tries to avoid the shot.
Ishimura swings widly with a right hand
and Tatum cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice shot by Tatum.
Tatum on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Tatum closes the distance and clinches.
Tatum has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ishimura after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tatum.
Tatum trying to stall but Ishimura improves his position.
Ishimura tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tatum's elbow.
Tatum is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ishimura is defending well.
Ishimura landing knees to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tatum stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ishimura tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Ishimura.
Ishimura presses Tatum against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tatum blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ishimura has a couple of punches blocked by Tatum.
Tatum throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ishimuras head.
Ishimura misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Ishimura.
Ishimura trying to land knees to the body.

Tatum tightens his grip and picks Ishimura up, before dumping him to the ground. Ishimura manages to land in guard.
Ishimura is wriggling around but Tatum manages to pass to half guard.

Ishimura controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Ishimura is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tatum scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tatum prevents Ishimura from improving his position.
Ishimura is staying active underneath Tatum, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jayson Tatum has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatum content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Tatum passes into side control, despite Ishimura's attempt to control the position.
Ishimura dodges the ground and pound from Tatum.
Ishimura is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Ishimura's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ishimura avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Tatum.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jayson Tatum will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jayson Tatum's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ishimura jabs Tatum right on the nose. Tatum blinks but takes it well.
Ishimura feints and then cracks Tatum's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tatum down.
Tatum takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ishimura lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tatum shoots in but Ishimura avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It looked like Ishimura wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tatum throws a push kick but Ishimura slaps the foot to one side.
Tatum gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Good exchange - Ishimura coming out on top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tatum closes the distance and pushes Ishimura back into the cage.
Ishimura misses with a punch to the body.
Ishimura wants to get back to striking at distance but Tatum won't allow it.
Ishimura scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatum lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ishimura backwards.
Ishimura lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tatum is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ishimura avoiding damage.
Kosuke Ishimura has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tatum misses with a punch on the inside.
Tatum misses with some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Tatum wants to stall.
Tatum is trying to stall.
Ishimura misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatum avoiding damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tatum.
Ishimura lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tatum backwards.
A short right from Tatum.

Ishimura breaks from the clinch.
Tatum has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Ishimura rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tatum counters with an outside leg kick.
Ishimura scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ishimura scoring well with a low kick there.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A big left from Tatum misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tatum.
Tatum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ishimura swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kosuke Ishimura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tatum throws a chopping leg kick but Ishimura manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ishimura's jab looks to have found its range, popping Tatum under the eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishimura throws a head kick but Tatum moves out of range.
Ishimura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ishimura looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tatum blocks a head kick by Ishimura.
Tatum misses with a takedown attempt - Ishimura sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tatum's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A slow jab from Ishimura misses its intended target.
Tatum moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tatum closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ishimura counters with a nice uppercut.
Ishimura lands a glancing blow to the side of Tatum's head.
Kosuke Ishimura is winning the standup battle so far.
Ishimura throws a shot from downtown. Tatum moves away and avoids it.
Tatum looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tatum takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishimura on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tatum staying out of range there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ishimura takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice defenses there by Ishimura.
Tatum moves out of range of the leg kick from Ishimura.
Ishimura fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tatum.
Ishimura uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tatum has time to react.
Ishimura misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tatum steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ishimura.
Tatum throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
The crowd cheers as Ishimura lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tatum doesn't seem phased though.
Ishimura scoring well with a low kick there.
Ishimura with a jab.
The fighters circling - Tatum throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kosuke Ishimura showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ishimura 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kosuke Ishimura!
Kosuke Ishimura was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.