PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hertz Tatz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ray Maynard was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Tatz
vs
Maynard

189 cm
20
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
25
181 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hertz Tatz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ray Maynard!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maynard fails with the takedown.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tatz.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Maynard.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tatz but Tatz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hertz Tatz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Maynard.
Tatz lands a glancing blow to the side of Maynard's head.
Tatz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tatz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Maynard misses with a takedown attempt - Tatz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Maynard keeps the fight on the outside.
Maynard swats away the attempt to clinch by Tatz.
Maynard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tatz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maynard somewhat.
Maynard looks gassed!
Maynard tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ray Maynard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maynard tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tatz swivels and escapes.
Maynard keeps the fight on the outside.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tatz.
Tatz goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tatz connects with a high kick.
Tatz connects with a nice looking jab.
Tatz scoring well with a low kick there.
Maynard takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tatz scores with a kick to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Tatz.
Tatz lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good shot there by Tatz.
Tatz lands a high kick!
Tatz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Tatz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Maynard takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tatz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maynard paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatz lands with a straight right. Maynard didn't see that one coming.
Tatz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tatz scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Maynard needs to keep his hands up - Tatz had a free shot at his head there.
Maynard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tatz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Maynard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tatz lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Maynard closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tatz tries to close the distance and clinch but Maynard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tatz lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Maynard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tatz lunges at Maynard with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maynard's hand.
Tatz moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maynard moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tatz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maynard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tatz.
Tatz works the jab nicely.
Maynard has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tatz.
Tatz thumps Maynard with a low kick.
Tatz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maynard swats away the attempt to clinch by Tatz.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tatz.
Tatz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maynard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tatz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maynard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tatz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Tatz instigates a clinch.
Maynard managing to block the knees to the body from Tatz.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Maynard managing to block the knees to the body from Tatz.
Tatz tries to stall but Maynard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatz throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nice elbow from Tatz.

It looks like Ray Maynard has been cut.
Tatz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maynard is defending well for now.
Tatz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Maynard keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tatz's efforts to push away.
Tatz has had enough of the clinch but Maynard keeps him there for the moment.
Maynard avoids the elbow strike from Tatz, against the cage.
Tatz is trying to stall.
Tatz looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maynard prevents Tatz from breaking the clinch.
Tatz scores with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tatz looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tatz landing knees to the body.
Tatz comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hertz Tatz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ray Maynard's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Maynard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Maynard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tatz lands a really nice looking cross but Maynard seems unphased.
Tatz tries to clinch up but Maynard circles away and keeps his distance.
Hertz Tatz is winning the standup battle so far.
Tatz throws a nice outside leg kick.
Maynard's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Maynard darts in trying to clinch
and Maynard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Maynard.
Tatz tries to close the distance and clinch but Maynard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tatz counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Maynard thinking.
Tatz throws a head kick that half lands.
Tatz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maynard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maynard is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard keeps the fight on the outside.
Tatz lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Tatz has Maynard up against the cage in a clinch.
Tatz gets underhooks to prevent Maynard's takedown attempt.
Tatz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Maynard's defenses.
Tatz comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Tatz trying to stall but Maynard improves his position.
Tatz is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tatz tries to land knees in the clinch but Maynard avoids the damage to the body.
Tatz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tatz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Maynard is keeping busy.
Tatz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tatz looking to stall.
Tatz seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Maynard is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Tatz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Maynard in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatz tries to land knees in the clinch but Maynard avoids the damage to the body.
Tatz pushes off an throws an elbow but Maynard leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tatz looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maynard avoiding damage as Tatz throws knees to the body.
Tatz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tatz taking a breather.
Tatz lands a knee to the body.
Tatz working hard to break the clinch.
Tatz trying to stall but Maynard improves his position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tatz just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maynard's brow.
Tatz tries to break the clinch but Maynard is controlling the position.
Tatz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Maynard's defenses.
Nice elbow from Tatz.
Tatz stalling in the clinch but Maynard improves position.
Maynard on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tatz throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Maynard blocks an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatz is trying to break free.
Tatz stalling.
Tatz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maynard has him pressed against the cage.
Maynard can't get the takedown.
Hertz Tatz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Maynard.
Tatz misses with a knee to the head.
Tatz stalling in the clinch but Maynard improves position.
Tatz with a knee to the head.
Maynard jumps guard but Tatz stands there with Maynard around his waist. Maynard gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tatz wants to break free but Maynard has control.
Tatz throws an elbow that misses.
Tatz looking to stall.

Maynard has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tatz uses from the top position.

Maynard is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tatz is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Maynard wants to sweep here but Tatz controlling him for the moment.

Maynard has his foot on Tatz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tatz works his way back into a safe position though.
Tatz wants to control from the top but Maynard keeps moving.

Tatz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maynard looking for subs off his back but Tatz has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tatz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maynard does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hertz Tatz dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ray Maynard's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tatz smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tatz is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Maynard takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hertz Tatz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Tatz moves into range and clinches up with Maynard.

Maynard gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Tatz pushes Maynard off looking to stand but Maynard dives back in and keeps control.

Maynard wants to work for an arm triangle but Tatz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tatz manages to get to full guard.
Maynard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tatz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Maynard postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tatz is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Maynard, into his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tatz tries to stand but Maynard is controlling from the bottom.
Tatz wants to control from the top but Maynard keeps moving.

Maynard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tatz defends well.

Maynard working for submissions but it's allowed Tatz to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tatz is pressing down on Maynard's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maynard is holding on for now.
Maynard is looking to improve his position.
Tatz trying to control the action but Maynard is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatz tries to stand and escape but Maynard is controlling the position.
Maynard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Maynard is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tatz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maynard fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maynard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maynard has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tatz finds it's way round the side to connect with Maynard's head.
Tatz lands with a thumping leg kick.
A left and a right from Tatz both land. Nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tatz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tatz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maynard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tatz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maynard backs up against the cage.
Maynard fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tatz is looking to clinch.
Tatz buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tatz scores with a three punch combo!
Tatz cracks the inside of Maynard's front leg.
Maynard swats away the attempt to clinch by Tatz.
Hertz Tatz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A lazy left from Tatz finds it's target.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tatz cracks Maynard with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Maynard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ray Maynard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hertz Tatz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maynard chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tatz can pounce on him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hertz Tatz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tatz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:26
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hertz Tatz!