PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hank Le Tank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sarah Northcote (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Le Tank might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Trooper. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Le Tank
vs
Northcote

169 cm
26
141 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

165 cm
25
138 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Cage Wars Nutrition
Cage Wars Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hank Le Tank!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sarah Northcote!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Northcote is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Le Tank fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Northcote sprawls well initially but Le Tank persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Le Tank wants to take a breather but Northcote is having none of it.
Northcote makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Northcote.
Le Tank stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Northcote swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Le Tank has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Northcote has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Le Tank is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Northcote.
Sloppy strikes there by Le Tank.
Northcote tries to bench press Le Tank off him but Le Tank keeps the position.
Northcote is not content to let Le Tank control the position.
Northcote struggling a bit here.
Le Tank trying to control the position but Northcote is working away.
Northcote is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Northcote closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Le Tank did well to prevent Northcote getting side control.
Le Tank keeping hold of Northcote's head, controlling as best he can.

Northcote seems to be working for a kimura but Le Tank defends the submission attempt.

Northcote is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Le Tank as he works his way to full guard.
Le Tank is adopting a defensive guard.

Le Tank is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Northcote defends well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Northcote stopping the sweep attempt from Le Tank.
Le Tank is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Le Tank throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Northcote works his way to full guard. Good work.

Le Tank got a little sloppy there for a moment and Northcote has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Le Tank has managed to get both his arms back between Northcote's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le Tank lands a couple of digs.
Northcote has momentary wrist control but Le Tank slips an elbow through the middle.
Le Tank trying to control the position from guard on top but Northcote is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Northcote is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Le Tank working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Le Tank keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Northcote's head.
Le Tank trying to control the position from guard on top but Northcote is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Le Tank is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Northcote is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Northcote looks gassed!
Le Tank trying to control but Northcote is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Le Tank lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Le Tank trying to control but Northcote is working from the bottom.
Le Tank missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Northcote not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Le Tank wants to control from the top but Northcote keeps moving.

Northcote looking for subs off his back but Le Tank has passed one foot through into half guard.
Le Tank wants to lay and pray for a moment but Northcote keeps working.
Le Tank working the head and body with strikes.
Le Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Le Tank keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Le Tank dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Northcote looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Le Tank throws a one two combo.

It looks like Sarah Northcote has been cut.
Northcote fails with a takedown attempt.
Le Tank takes a swing at Northcote's ribcage but misses.
Hank Le Tank seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Le Tank thows a left - swing and a miss!
Le Tank rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Northcote moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Le Tank misses with the combination.
Le Tank misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Northcote.
Le Tank throws a jab but it's blocked by Northcote.
Le Tank fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Northcote avoids it really well and circles away.
Le Tank is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Northcote shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Northcote slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Northcote goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Le Tank has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Northcote but great work by Le Tank.
Northcote is breathing heavily.
Le Tank lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Northcote down.
Northcote manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Le Tank controlling the position well.

Northcote is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Le Tank still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Le Tank has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Le Tank works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Northcote is not content to let Le Tank control the position.
Le Tank connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Northcote some visible discomfort.
Le Tank cracks Northcote with a big elbow.
Northcote is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Le Tank wants to lay and pray for a moment but Northcote keeps working.
Le Tank is working Northcote over with some ground and pound from side control.
Le Tank connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Northcote some visible discomfort.
Le Tank working the ground and pound.
Le Tank trying to control the position but Northcote is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Northcote sneaks back into half guard.
Le Tank winds up and cracks Northcote with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Le Tank tries to pass the half guard into mount. Northcote knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Le Tank landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Le Tank trying to mount his opponent but Northcote defends it.
Northcote has hold of Le Tank's hands but Le Tank slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Le Tank is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Northcote is just riding it out for now. Le Tank eventually gives up the hold.
Northcote keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's four 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.
Le Tank wants to control but Northcote is keeping him busy.
Le Tank drops an elbow to the side of Northcote's head.
Northcote manages to get to full guard.
Northcote controls Le Tank momentarily but Le Tank frees himself.
Le Tank trying to control but Northcote is working from the bottom.
Le Tank wants to pass the guard but Northcote is keeping the position.
Hank Le Tank overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Northcote is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Northcote looking to control.
Northcote keeping moving, preventing Le Tank from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Le Tank dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sarah Northcote's cut.
That's time! Le Tank's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Northcote swats away the attempt to clinch by Le Tank.
Le Tank throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Northcote takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Le Tank swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A punch combination from Le Tank misses.
Le Tank has his takedown stuffed
and Northcote counters with a left and a right that stings Le Tank.
Le Tank has his takedown stuffed

and Northcote counters with a single leg into guard. Le Tank didn't expect that.
Le Tank controlling the position.
Northcote wants to pass the guard but Le Tank is keeping the position.
Le Tank wants to sweep here but Northcote controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Northcote trying to control the position from guard on top but Le Tank is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Le Tank tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Le Tank has Northcote pulled in close to control his posture.
Le Tank controls Northcote momentarily but Northcote frees himself.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Northcote staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Le Tank misses with a combination

and Northcote counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Northcote.
Northcote has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Le Tank is proving hard to escape from.
Le Tank is trying to keep Northcote in close.

Northcote postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Le Tank is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Northcote, into his guard.
Northcote takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Northcote is looking for a triangle but Le Tank pushes his legs off easily.
Le Tank lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Le Tank trying to control but Northcote is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le Tank lands a couple of digs.
Le Tank postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Le Tank content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Le Tank scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Northcote keeping moving, preventing Le Tank from controlling successfully.

Northcote looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Le Tank passes into side control.
Le Tank trying to control the action but Northcote is working from the bottom.

Le Tank tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Northcote wants to control but Le Tank postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Le Tank trying to control the position but Northcote is working away.

Le Tank looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Northcote is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Le Tank's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sarah Northcote has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Le Tank working over Northcote with some ground and pound. Northcote looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Le Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Le Tank works his way into full mount!
Hank Le Tank is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Le Tank takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sarah Northcote.
Well Le Tank has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hank Le Tank!