PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Katsuya Tawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Milton Vessey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tawajiri comes to the cage accompanied by Carpe Diem. Katsuya Tawajiri had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 157.6lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. On his way into the cage it seems that Katsuya Tawajiri has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Katsuya Tawajiri seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Tawajiri
vs
Vessey

178 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Improved boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Katsuya Tawajiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Milton Vessey!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tawajiri throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Vessey bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Tawajiri tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tawajiri manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Vessey gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Vessey darts in and clinches Tawajiri up against the cage.

Vessey lands a takedown into guard.

Tawajiri looking for a guillotine here but Vessey defends easily.
Tawajiri is breathing heavily.
Tawajiri 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.
Vessey wants to control from the top but Tawajiri keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vessey accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vessey scoring with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vessey accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vessey must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vessey with a flurry of punches that miss.

Tawajiri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vessey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vessey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Vessey stands and throws Tawajiri's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vessey is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Tawajiri's shoulder. That is not cool.
Vessey wants to control but Tawajiri is keeping him busy.
Tawajiri is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Tawajiri is not content to let Vessey control the position.
Vessey working the ground and pound.
Vessey tries to score with some ground and pound. Tawajiri controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Vessey in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Tawajiri tries to escape but Vessey is in control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Tawajiri misses the shot to the body.

Vessey closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Tawajiri slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Tawajiri had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vessey is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Tawajiri Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vessey's back instead.

Vessey showing good submission defense here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Tawajiri is landing with strikes from the back.
Vessey covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Vessey is trapped and Tawajiri is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Vessey manages to reverse the position and now he's in Tawajiri's guard. Nice work there by Vessey.
Vessey trying to control the position from guard on top but Tawajiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vessey won't allow Tawajiri to sweep him here.
Vessey chips away with some ground and pound.

Tawajiri stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Tawajiri shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Vessey is rocked!

Tawajiri working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Vessey turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Tawajiri off and cradles Vessey's limp body as Tawajiri celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Katsuya Tawajiri!