PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mayuri Tatsuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Negreanu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tatsuki comes to the cage accompanied by Norther - Released. The crowd seem to be enjoying Negreanu's choice of entrance music: Make Her Say - Kid Cudi. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tatsuki
vs
Negreanu

170 cm
26
166 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

177 cm
26
164 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Fightwear

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 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mayuri Tatsuki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Daniel Negreanu!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Negreanu just misses with a punch to the body.

Tatsuki scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Negreanu wants to control but Tatsuki postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Negreanu tries to bench press Tatsuki off him but Tatsuki keeps the position.
Negreanu is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Negreanu manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tatsuki working over Negreanu with some ground and pound. Negreanu looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Negreanu wants to control but Tatsuki is keeping busy.
Negreanu is not content to let Tatsuki control the position.
Negreanu tries to get to full guard but Tatsuki has control of the leg.
Negreanu trying to control but Tatsuki postures up.
Negreanu won't allow Tatsuki to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Negreanu gets full guard.
Negreanu wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Negreanu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Negreanu looking for a sweep. Not yet Negreanu, not yet.
Tatsuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Negreanu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Daniel Negreanu wasn't active enough on the ground.
Negreanu looks to land a body kick but Tatsuki moved away.
Tatsuki does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tatsuki takes a swing at Negreanu's ribcage but misses.
Negreanu throws out a loose jab but Tatsuki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Negreanu throws a leg kick but Tatsuki sees it coming and moves out of range.
Negreanu throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Tatsuki just misses with a punch to the body.
A slow jab from Tatsuki misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Tatsuki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Negreanu moves away.
Negreanu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Negreanu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Negreanu has a takedown stuffed.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tatsuki moves out of range as Negreanu throws a body kick.
Negreanu throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Tatsuki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Negreanu takes a swing at Tatsuki's ribcage but misses.
Negreanu lands with an uppercut that bounces Tatsuki off the cage and back into rage.

Negreanu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Tatsuki lands a takedown into guard.
Tatsuki controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Negreanu keeping moving, preventing Tatsuki from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Negreanu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tatsuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Negreanu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tatsuki throws a right and a left that Negreanu avoids nicely.
Negreanu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Negreanu looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Negreanu wants to clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tatsuki.
Negreanu does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Negreanu wants to clinch.
Negreanu's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tatsuki connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Negreanu scrambles back to his feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tatsuki. That's going to slow Negreanu down.
Negreanu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Negreanu. Tatsuki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tatsuki takes one to the side of the head.
Tatsuki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tatsuki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Negreanu's waist but Negreanu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tatsuki off to one side.
Negreanu throws the kick towards the body but Tatsuki avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Negreanu is able to avoid easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tatsuki throws a leg kick but Negreanu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tatsuki misses with a series of wild punches.
Negreanu attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mayuri Tatsuki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tatsuki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Negreanu.
Tatsuki throws out a loose jab but Negreanu uses good head movement to avoid it.
A bone on bone clash there as Negreanu blocks the leg kick.
Tatsuki looks to throw the jab but Negreanu is out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Negreanu.
Negreanu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tatsuki was well out of range. Poor timing from Negreanu.
Negreanu slips a jab from Tatsuki.
A jab from Tatsuki does it's job there.
Negreanu scores with a leg kick.
Negreanu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tatsuki swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tatsuki slips a jab from Negreanu.
Tatsuki is looking to land body kicks.

Negreanu closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Negreanu lands in his opponent's guard.
Tatsuki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tatsuki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tatsuki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Daniel Negreanu wasn't active enough on the ground.
Negreanu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Negreanu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mayuri Tatsuki is winning the standup battle so far.
A big left from Negreanu misses.

Negreanu shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Negreanu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tatsuki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Daniel Negreanu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Tatsuki ducks right into an uppercut from Negreanu.
Negreanu looks to score with a jab to the body but Tatsuki is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Negreanu looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Negreanu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tatsuki.
Negreanu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tatsuki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tatsuki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Negreanu throws a body kick that misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Negreanu.
Negreanu checks the leg kick nicely there.
Negreanu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Negreanu connects with a right hand. Tatsuki shakes it off.
Good work by Tatsuki as he checks the leg kick.
Tatsuki misses with a leg kick
and Negreanu counters with a slapping leg kick.
Tatsuki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Negreanu, right into the meat.
Negreanu misses with a body shot
and Tatsuki counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki defending well as Negreanu loads up on a big left hand.
Negreanu looks for a takedown but Tatsuki sprawls well.
Tatsuki tried to score with a low kick but Negreanu checks it.
Tatsuki thuds his right hand into Negreanu's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tatsuki is looking to slow Negreanu down with leg kicks.
Negreanu closes the distance but Tatsuki moves to the side
and Tatsuki counters with a left to the body.
Tatsuki lands with a good body shot.
Tatsuki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Negreanu moves in looking to clinch but Tatsuki pushes him off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki throws a wild body kick that Negreanu sees coming a mile off.
Tatsuki swings for the body but Negreanu moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Tatsuki.
Negreanu scoring well with a low kick there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Negreanu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tatsuki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tatsuki looks to score with a jab to the body but Negreanu is just out of range.
Negreanu misses with a kick to the body.
Tatsuki throws a leg kick but Negreanu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tatsuki bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Negreanu's head backwards.
Tatsuki blocks the body kick.
Tatsuki throws a shot to the body.
Negreanu misses with a double jab.
Negreanu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tatsuki does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tatsuki misses with an uppercut
and Negreanu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tatsuki throws a looping overhand right but Negreanu ducks down to avoid it.
Negreanu has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Tatsuki throws an off balance right hand
and Negreanu counters with a good, hard body kick but Tatsuki shrugs it off.
Tatsuki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Negreanu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Negreanu.
Negreanu checks a low kick from Tatsuki.
A nice inside leg kick there by Negreanu. That's going to slow Tatsuki down.
Negreanu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Negreanu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tatsuki throws a chopping leg kick but Negreanu manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Negreanu cracks a nice hook into Tatsuki's ribs.
Negreanu tries to clinch there but Tatsuki circles away.
Tatsuki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Negreanu works Tatsuki's body with a nice hook.
Negreanu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Negreanu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Negreanu lands with a cross.
Tatsuki throws a shot to the body.
Tatsuki thows a body shot but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tatsuki misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki moves out of range of the leg kick from Negreanu.
Tatsuki circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Negreanu throws a leg kick which misses Tatsuki's front leg but catches the back leg as Tatsuki tries to avoid it.
Negreanu pushes Tatsuki away with a front kick.
Negreanu lands a nice looking body shot.
Negreanu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tatsuki doesn't seem bothered though.
Tatsuki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Negreanu.
Negreanu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tatsuki misses with an uppercut. Negreanu saw that one coming.
Tatsuki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Negreanu manages to avoid it.
Negreanu scores with a head kick. Tatsuki tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Tatsuki avoids the body shot from Negreanu.
Negreanu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Tatsuki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki throws a jab but it's blocked by Negreanu.
Negreanu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tatsuki.
Negreanu avoids the body shot from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki connects with a solid leg kick.
Negreanu throws a sloppy head kick and Tatsuki moves out of range easily.
Tatsuki misses with a hook.
A lazy left from Negreanu finds it's target.
Tatsuki misses with a hook.
Negreanu is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tatsuki sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tatsuki misses with a head kick.
Negreanu lands a high kick!
Tatsuki blocks a jab.
Negreanu scoring well with a low kick there.
Negreanu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki avoids the head kick by Negreanu.
Tatsuki misses with an uppercut. Negreanu saw that one coming.
Tatsuki has a takedown stuffed.
Negreanu cracks Tatsuki with an open hand slap.
Negreanu blocks a leg kick.
Negreanu misses with a double jab.
Negreanu looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A clash of legs there as Tatsuki blocks the low kick.
Negreanu scores with a kick to the midsection.
The fighters circling - Tatsuki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Negreanu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tatsuki swings away with a body shot that misses
and Negreanu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tatsuki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Negreanu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Negreanu has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Negreanu!