PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marc Tong Panong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Lindberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tong Panong comes to the cage accompanied by Tetris Song (remix). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Tong Panong
vs
Lindberg

190 cm
24
190 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

184 cm
22
199 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good knees
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

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 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marc Tong Panong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matt Lindberg!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lindberg has Tong Panong up against the cage in a clinch.
Lindberg stops a takedown attempt from Tong Panong.
Lindberg misses with a knee to the head.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Tong Panong blocks it.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tong Panong has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lindberg is pressed up against the cage. Tong Panong has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lindberg down to the mat. Lindberg avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Tong Panong looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lindberg looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tong Panong is one step ahead there.
Lindberg trying to keep a closed guard but Tong Panong is proving a slippery customer.
Lindberg keeping moving, preventing Tong Panong from controlling successfully.
Tong Panong working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Tong Panong postures up in Lindberg's guard and throws a big left but Lindberg blocks it.

Tong Panong drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lindberg manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tong Panong has Lindberg in his guard.
Tong Panong wants to sweep here but Lindberg controlling him for the moment.
Lindberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Tong Panong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lindberg must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lindberg might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Tong Panong kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lindberg trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tong Panong's guard.
Tong Panong has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

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.

Tong Panong had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lindberg defends it easily.
Lindberg trying to control but Tong Panong is working from the bottom.
Tong Panong working a defensive guard but Lindberg manages to pass into side control anyway.
Tong Panong is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lindberg's best efforts.
Lindberg prevents Tong Panong from improving his position.
Tong Panong is staying active underneath Lindberg, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tong Panong wants to improve his position but Lindberg is controlling well.
It looks like Lindberg is going to stand back up.

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.
Tong Panong slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Tong Panong is looking for a triangle but Lindberg pushes his legs off easily.
Tong Panong looking for a sweep. Not yet Tong Panong, not yet.
Tong Panong trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Tong Panong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lindberg wants to stand but Tong Panong is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Tong Panong dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tong Panong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tong Panong lands a body shot.
Tong Panong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marc Tong Panong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tong Panong looks to score with a jab to the body but Lindberg is just out of range.
Lindberg misses with a straight right.
Tong Panong wants to clinch up but Lindberg keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown but Lindberg shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lindberg as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc Tong Panong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Tong Panong with that takedown attempt.
Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lindberg as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jab by Lindberg.
Tong Panong shoots for a double leg takedown but Lindberg sprawls well. He's pushed Tong Panong's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tong Panong takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lindberg throws a good cross that connects.

Tong Panong closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tong Panong lands in his opponent's guard.
Lindberg pulls Tong Panong in close to prevent any damage.
Tong Panong trying to control the position from guard on top but Lindberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg looking for a sweep. Not yet Lindberg, not yet.

Tong Panong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tong Panong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tong Panong trying to control but Lindberg is working from the bottom.
Tong Panong prevents Lindberg from getting back to his feet.
Lindberg can't keep his opponent in guard - Tong Panong advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tong Panong has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Tong Panong swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Lindberg is now in Tong Panong's guard. A big mistake from Tong Panong there, giving up the dominant position!
Lindberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Tong Panong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tong Panong bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lindberg's guard.
Tong Panong wants to control from the top but Lindberg keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong throws a big right hand that misses.
Tong Panong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tong Panong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Tong Panong is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Lindberg keeping moving, preventing Tong Panong from controlling successfully.
Tong Panong with a nice head shot there.
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 Marc Tong Panong will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown but Lindberg shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tong Panong fails with a takedown attempt.
Tong Panong has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc Tong Panong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lindberg misses with a hook. Tong Panong ducked under it nicely.
Tong Panong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lindberg defends it nicely.
Lindberg slaps away a takedown attempt from Tong Panong, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tong Panong.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lindberg thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong darts in trying to clinch
and Lindberg makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tong Panong walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lindberg connects with the punch.
Lindberg fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lindberg throws a head kick but Tong Panong moves out of range.
Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown but Lindberg shows good takedown defense.
Lindberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tong Panong.
Lindberg blocks a head kick by Tong Panong.
Marc Tong Panong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tong Panong with a poor takedown
and Lindberg counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Marc Tong Panong has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong swats away the attempt to clinch by Lindberg.
A swing and a miss from Lindberg.
Lindberg pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tong Panong darts in trying to clinch
and Lindberg cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tong Panong gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lindberg counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tong Panong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Lindberg scores with a hook.
Tong Panong throws a series of punches but Lindberg avoids them all with ease.
Tong Panong misses with a takedown attempt

and Lindberg counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lindberg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tong Panong fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lindberg is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tong Panong is defending well for now.
Tong Panong has Lindberg pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lindberg manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lindberg misses with a knee strike.
Tong Panong blocks the elbow strike.
Tong Panong is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lindberg misses with a knee strike.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tong Panong jumps guard but Lindberg stands there with Tong Panong around his waist. Tong Panong gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tong Panong changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lindberg fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lindberg misses with a head kick.
Tong Panong lands a body shot.

That's four 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.
Tong Panong with a poor takedown
and Lindberg counters with a nice uppercut.

Tong Panong has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lindberg missing with knees to the body.
Lindberg is pressed up against the cage. Tong Panong has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lindberg down to the mat. Lindberg avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tong Panong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matt Lindberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tong Panong takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tong Panong with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lindberg finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Lindberg jabs at Tong Panong's body.
Matt Lindberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lindberg lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lindberg defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tong Panong.
Marc Tong Panong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tong Panong tries for a takedown but Lindberg circles away easily
and Lindberg cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Lindberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tong Panong 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Marc Tong Panong!