PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marc Tong Panong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kimbo Lice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tong Panong might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Tetris Song (remix). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tong Panong
vs
Lice

190 cm
24
190 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

182 cm
23
200 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good knees
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

MADE IN GERMANY

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 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marc Tong Panong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kimbo Lice!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lice misses with a series of wild punches.

Tong Panong scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Tong Panong scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Tong Panong is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lice defends it well.

Tong Panong is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lice defends it well.
Tong Panong tries to pass to full mount but Lice defends it.
Lice pushes Tong Panong off looking to stand but Tong Panong dives back in and keeps control.
Tong Panong throwing shots but Lice is blocking nicely.
Tong Panong throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lice tries to kick Tong Panong off but Tong Panong keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tong Panong is keen to just control but Lice is a slippery customer.
Tong Panong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lice's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lice's head.
Lice won't allow Tong Panong to pass to mount.
Lice is looking to escape.
Lice won't allow Tong Panong to pass to mount.
Lice blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tong Panong.

Tong Panong is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tong Panong uses his free foot to push down on Lice's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lice.
You get the feeling that Lice really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Tong Panong is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Lice can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Tong Panong trying to control but Lice is having none of it.
Tong Panong thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lice tries to buck Tong Panong off but he can't manage it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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.
Tong Panong throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Lice is trying to stand up.

Tong Panong has hold of Lice's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Lice manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Tong Panong can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lice is looking to escape.

Lice defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Tong Panong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lice is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Tong Panong raining down shots from the mount!
Lice blocking the ground and pound.
Lice trying desperately to get to his feet.
BOOM! Tong Panong connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tong Panong postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Lice looks a forlorn figure.

Lice defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Tong Panong.
Lice tries to buck Tong Panong off but he can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tong Panong goes for an armbar but Lice turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Lice.
Lice won't allow Tong Panong to sweep him here.

Tong Panong has his foot on Lice's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lice works his way back into a safe position though.
Tong Panong is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lice tries to stand but Tong Panong is controlling from the bottom.

Tong Panong escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lice gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tong Panong wants to sweep here but Lice controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Tong Panong dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tong Panong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lice.
Lice missing with a left hand there. Tong Panong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tong Panong slips a jab from Lice.
Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lice but Lice pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lice thuds a left hand into Tong Panong's body.
Lice takes a swing at Tong Panong's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tong Panong closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lice circles away.
Lice throws a jab but it's blocked by Tong Panong.
Lice thows a body shot but no joy.
Lice swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tong Panong pushes Lice up against the cage in a clinch.
Lice misses with a punch to the body.
Lice gets underhooks to prevent Tong Panong's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc Tong Panong. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lice breaks the clinch.
Lice throws a big shot that misses.
Lice misses with an uppercut.
Kimbo Lice is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tong Panong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tong Panong ducks under a wild hook from Lice.
Tong Panong closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lice circles away.
A big left from Lice misses.
Lice misses with a straight left.
Kimbo Lice seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

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.
A slow jab from Lice misses its intended target.
Lice is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Lice takes a swing at Tong Panong's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from Lice misses its intended target.
Lice misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tong Panong.
Lice will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Tong Panong closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lice quickly recovers to half guard.

Lice pushes Tong Panong off and gets back to his feet.
Tong Panong slips under a jab from Lice.
Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown but Lice shows good takedown defense.
Tong Panong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tong Panong dives in and grabs Lice's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lice pushes down on Tong Panong's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong shoots in for a double leg but Lice sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tong Panong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lice.
Tong Panong lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lice will feel that in the morning.
Tong Panong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lice throws a jab but it's blocked by Tong Panong.
Lice rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tong Panong moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lice misses with a wild combination.
Lice is breathing heavily.
A telegraphed right hand from Lice misses the target.
Lice throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Lice gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tong Panong to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tong Panong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lice swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tong Panong postures up in Lice's guard and throws a big left but Lice blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tong Panong accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lice wants to stand and escape but Tong Panong is having none of it.

Tong Panong drops back looking for a leg! Lice is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lice manages to kick Tong Panong off! Tong Panong jumps back into Lice's guard.

Tong Panong thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Lice is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
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 fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tong Panong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lice is fending him off so far but Tong Panong persists. Nope, Lice circles away and we're back to standing.
Tong Panong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lice defends it nicely.
Lice stuffs the takedown attempt from Tong Panong. Tong Panong gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc Tong Panong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lice defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tong Panong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Lice misses the target.
Lice misses with a few strikes there.
Lice looks to score with a jab to the body but Tong Panong is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tong Panong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lice sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tong Panong somewhat.
Lice stuffs the takedown attempt from Tong Panong. Tong Panong gets slowly back to his feet.
Tong Panong avoids the body shot from Lice.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tong Panong is defended easily by Lice.
Tong Panong ducks under a wild hook from Lice.
Kimbo Lice has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lice misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tong Panong.

Tong Panong feints and as Lice raises his hands in defense, Tong Panong changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lice wants to stand and escape but Tong Panong is having none of it.
Tong Panong trying to control but Lice is working from the bottom.
Tong Panong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lice swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Lice pushes Tong Panong off and scrambles back to his feet.
Lice takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tong Panong closes the distance and clinches up with Lice, looking for a takedown. Tong Panong pushes Lice against the cage but Lice circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tong Panong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lice sprawls well. Lice wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tong Panong gets slowly back to his feet.
Lice just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong tries for a takedown but Lice sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lice throws an overhand right that lands on Tong Panong's shoulder, as Tong Panong tries to avoid the shot.

Tong Panong throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lice was covering up waiting for the punch and Tong Panong finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Lice is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Marc Tong Panong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tong Panong slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Tong Panong is trying to get an arm triangle but Lice is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tong Panong tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tong Panong lands an elbow.
Tong Panong scoring with punches and elbows.
Tong Panong grinds an elbow into Lice's temple.
Lice wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Tong Panong in side control lands a decent elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marc Tong Panong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tong Panong, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

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