PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jim Storm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yang Tao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tao has chosen Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting as his entrance music. Yang Tao acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Storm
vs
Tao

172 cm
24
162 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
170 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jim Storm!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yang Tao!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Bruno Hogan and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Storm.
Tao throws a leg kick that misses.
Tao misses the shot to the body.
Storm checks a leg kick nicely.
Tao will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tao scores with a spinning back kick!
Storm shoots in looking for a takedown but Tao manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Storm's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Storm fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tao throws the kick towards the body but Storm avoids it.
Storm closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tao circles away.
Storm shoots in and drives through. Tao sprawls well.
Storm walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tao checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao pivots, looking for a leg kick but Storm is out of range and Tao settles back down.
Storm tries a head kick but it misses.
Storm checks a leg kick.
Tao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tao throws a leg kick that is checked

and Storm counters with a takedown into side control.
An elbow from Storm crashes against the mat.
Tao is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Storm is trying to control the action in half guard but Tao is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Storm seems to be looking for submissions.
Tao has his hands clasped together around Storm's back. He's all about the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Storm is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tao defends it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Storm wants to control but Tao is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Storm wants to work for an arm triangle but Tao is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tao is refusing to be controlled, as Storm sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Storm is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tao has managed to free his arm - good work.

Storm is trying to work for a kimura but Tao is defending well.
Tao tries to roll over but Storm keeps him under control.

Storm seems to be working for a kimura but Tao defends the submission attempt.
Tao keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm is stalling here. Tao is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Storm seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Tao has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Storm manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Storm wants to work for an arm triangle but Tao is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Storm is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Storm dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Storm drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Storm swings around for an armbar but Tao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Storm's guard.

Storm has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tao can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tao wants to control from the top but Storm keeps moving.

Storm working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tao has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao is keen to just control but Storm is a slippery customer.
Storm is looking for a sweep. Tao is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Storm wants to control but Tao is keeping busy.
Tao is looking to take a break and control but Storm is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm tries to roll over but Tao keeps him under control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Storm looking for submissions off his back.
Tao content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Storm trying to hold on to Tao's head to control him but Tao postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tao throws out a leg kick but Storm moves out of range and Tao only half commits.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tao.
Tao misses with a low kick.
Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Storm manages to avoid it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tao.
Tao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Jim Storm is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tao fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Storm checks it well.
Tao scoring well with a low kick there.
Yang Tao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Storm with that takedown attempt.
Tao misses with a low kick as Storm jumps back.
Storm staying out of range there.
Tao is looking to chop away at Storm's legs.
Storm tries to land a leg kick but Tao saw it coming and moves away.
Storm shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tao sprawls well. Tao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Storm gets slowly back to his feet.
Tao connects with a looping right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yang Tao will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Storm looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Storm takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tao jabs Storm right on the nose. Storm blinks but takes it well.
Tao throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Storm counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Storm wants to control from the top but Tao keeps moving.
Storm trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Storm is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Storm with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Storm drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Tao dives on top into guard.

Storm is looking for a triangle but Tao pushes his legs off easily.
Tao postures up.

Storm has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tao can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Storm looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tao is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Storm is trying to control the position but Tao postures up.
Storm looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Storm trying to control the position.
Jim Storm overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Yang Tao.
Storm missing with a left hand there. Tao was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tao lands with a thumping leg kick.
Storm shoots in looking for a takedown. Tao tries to sprawl out of it but Storm keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tao manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Storm shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tao sprawls well. Tao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Storm gets slowly back to his feet.
Tao lands a nice shot that snaps Storm's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tao throws a wild body kick that Storm sees coming a mile off.
Storm checks a leg kick nicely.
Storm tries for a takedown but Tao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tao bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tao throws a nice head kick!
Tao feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Storm's calf.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Storm tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tao throws a leg kick which misses Storm's front leg but catches the back leg as Storm tries to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Storm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tao counters with a nice kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Yang Tao just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tao connects with the punch.

Storm shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Storm was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Storm avoids the attempt from Tao to control.
Tao can't escape the position.
Tao blocking the ground and pound.
Storm avoids the attempt from Tao to control.

Storm wants to finish this one by submission but Tao is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Storm.
The referee warns Tao that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Storm is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Tao has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Tao!
Storm doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Storm working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tao has passed into half guard!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tao in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Tao wants to lay and pray for a moment but Storm keeps working.
Storm is trying to control but Tao passes into side control!
Storm gets back to half guard.
Storm has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tao is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm is looking to improve his position.
Storm is staying active underneath Tao, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Storm strikes from the bottom but Tao passes into mount!
Storm looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Storm trying to control the hands but Tao breaks the grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tao trying to control momentarily.
Storm is trying to get back to his feet but Tao has full control of the position and if anything, Storm has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Storm is keeping busy.
Storm tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Storm wants to hold on but Tao pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Storm regains half guard.
Storm trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Storm had his way with Yang Tao in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Storm shoots for a takedown but Tao saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Storm checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tao throws a low kick but it's checked well by Storm.
Tao lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tao is looking to clinch but Storm is avoiding it.
Tao misses with a body kick.
Tao looks to land a right hand but Storm moved out of range.
Tao stuffs the takedown attempt from Storm. Storm gets slowly back to his feet.
Tao slaps away a takedown attempt from Storm, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Storm. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao throws a body punch but Storm moves out of range.
Storm shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tao counters with a thumping low kick.
Tao tries to land a front kick but Storm steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Good leg kick by Tao there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tao just misses with a punch to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tao.
Storm looks for a takedown but Tao sprawls well.
Tao throws a jab when Storm was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tao connects with a looping right hand.
Storm takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Yang Tao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A bone on bone clash there as Storm blocks the leg kick.
Storm shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tao as he avoids it easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Tao is looking to score with low kicks.
Tao misses with a looping left.
Storm throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tao's waist but Tao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Storm off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao looks for the body kick but Storm saw that one coming.
A good leg kick by Tao.
Tao throws a low kick, looking for Storm's leg but Storm calmly moves out of range.
Storm doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tao counters with a solid body kick.
Tao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tao wants to clinch up but Storm keeps it at a distance.
Storm fails with a takedown attempt.
Tao tries a head kick but it misses.
Storm is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tao scores with a shot to the body.
Storm checks a leg kick.
Tao lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Storm checks a leg kick.
Tao motions for Storm to come forward. Tao throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck for Storm with that takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yang Tao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tao has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 47:48
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 47:48
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yang Tao!
Yang Tao is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Yang Tao thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.