PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Datu I (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chibi Tsushima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I 's entrance music is LmFaO. A fine choice. Datu I could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Chibi Tsushima's chin.

I
vs
Tsushima

169 cm
25
146 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

160 cm
24
140 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

QFClothing
[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « NAF↑ TRIPLE 160Q ®

5th Round Clothing
TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Datu I !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chibi Tsushima!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsushima misses with a hook
letting I counter with a right hand.
I has a takedown stuffed.
Tsushima bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
I shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
I checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A shot to the liver by Tsushima. Beautiful body shot.
Tsushima darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
I moves out of range as Tsushima throws a body kick.
I pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
I swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by I .
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
I is looking to take a break and control but Tsushima is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsushima manages to work his way to half guard, despite I 's best efforts.
I seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Tsushima is looking to improve his position.

I is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tsushima defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tsushima is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Tsushima makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tsushima.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I wants to control from the top but Tsushima keeps moving.
I stands up over Tsushima, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tsushima trying to control the position here.
I connects with a couple of short punches.
Tsushima keeping full guard, as I tries to pass.
I is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima trying to keep a closed guard but I is proving a slippery customer.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as I accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
I stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tsushima swivels though and keeps the full guard.
I postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tsushima keeping moving, preventing I from controlling successfully.
I 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.

Tsushima throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
I wants to control from the top but Tsushima keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

I got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tsushima has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, I has managed to get both his arms back between Tsushima's legs - danger averted.
I connects with a couple of short punches.
Tsushima is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tsushima controlling the position.
I tries to free his leg and advance position but Tsushima is retaining full guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
I advances to half guard.
Tsushima is not content to let I control the position.
Tsushima slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
I trying to control the position from guard on top but Tsushima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
I not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
I missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Tsushima looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima tries to land a sweep but no joy.
I scoring with punches to the head and body.
I wants to control from the top but Tsushima keeps moving.
I throws an elbow that misses. Tsushima uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in I 's guard. Nice move by Tsushima!
Tsushima controlling from the top position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tsushima missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tsushima throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
I is trying to keep Tsushima in close.
Tsushima wants to control from the top but I keeps moving.
Tsushima postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
I looking to control.
Tsushima throws a big right hand that misses.
Tsushima looking to pass the guard.

I working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tsushima doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tsushima manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
I not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima is looking to work some ground and pound but I has wrist control.
I working a defensive guard here.
Tsushima missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
I controls Tsushima momentarily but Tsushima frees himself.

Datu I has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
I lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tsushima tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but I was well out of range. Poor timing from Tsushima.
I has his takedown stuffed
and Tsushima counters with an inside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Datu I . That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Tsushima drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Tsushima postures up.
Tsushima advances position into side control!
Tsushima scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at I to see if he's OK.
Tsushima is staying tight to I 's torso, preventing him from escaping.
I regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tsushima in particular looking to stall.
I is pressing down on Tsushima's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
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 Datu I will probably get the nod.
That's time! I 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

I shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tsushima pinned against the cage. Tsushima gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A jab from I misses.

Tsushima closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming I to the mat! I manages to get full guard.
Tsushima distracts I with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tsushima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. I is keeping the position for now.
I is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tsushima landing some decent shots from guard.

I looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

I had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tsushima defends it easily.

I has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tsushima can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tsushima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. I is keeping the position for now.
I keeping moving, preventing Tsushima from controlling successfully.
Tsushima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. I is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
I keeping moving, preventing Tsushima from controlling successfully.

I is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tsushima defends well.
I is trying to control the position but Tsushima postures up.
I keeping moving, preventing Tsushima from controlling successfully.
Tsushima wants to pass the guard but I is keeping the position.
I preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

I is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tsushima is aware though and is defending well.
I working a defensive guard here.
Tsushima stays in close to I 's body and controls the position.
Tsushima wants to control from the top but I keeps moving.

I looking for a guillotine here but Tsushima defends easily.
Tsushima cracks I with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I is pulling down on Tsushima's head to control his posture.
Tsushima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. I is keeping the position for now.
Tsushima's corner is telling him to maintain position.

I working for a triangle but Tsushima defends it easily.
Tsushima passes I 's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
I manages to get to full guard.
Tsushima missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

I is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tsushima is aware though and is defending well.
Tsushima is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tsushima lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tsushima postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
I wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tsushima is now in half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
I is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tsushima scores with a couple of nice shots.

Tsushima is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Tsushima wants to work for an arm triangle but I is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
I wants to improve his position but Tsushima is controlling well.
I is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tsushima scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tsushima looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
I tries to get to full guard but Tsushima has control of the leg.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima wants to lay and pray for a moment but I keeps working.

I looking for submissions off his back.

I looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
I tries to get to full guard but Tsushima has control of the leg.
Ground and pound from Tsushima.
I tries to get to full guard but Tsushima has control of the leg.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
I moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tsushima is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tsushima's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
I is trying to keep Tsushima in close.

I looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
I trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
I wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tsushima is now in half guard.
I gets full guard.
Tsushima trying to control but I is working from the bottom.
I striking off his back but it's not causing Tsushima any problems.
Tsushima trying to control but I is working from the bottom.
I throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

I looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
I keeping moving, preventing Tsushima from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chibi Tsushima showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tsushima takes one on the chin but seems OK.
I looks to score with a jab to the body but Tsushima is just out of range.
I looks to land a right hand but Tsushima moved out of range.
I takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Tsushima misses with a wild body shot.
I looks to land a left hand but Tsushima moved out of range nicely.
Good exchange - I coming out on top.
I with a hook.
Tsushima scores with a one two! I had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Tsushima closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. I quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
I moves into full guard.
Tsushima trying to control but I is working from the bottom.
Tsushima is looking to work some ground and pound but I has wrist control.

I looking for subs off his back but Tsushima has passed one foot through into half guard.
Tsushima wants to pass to mount but I is defending the position.
Tsushima lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima is nestled in close to I , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tsushima is trying to control the action in half guard but I is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
I avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tsushima.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
I taking some punishment here, with Tsushima in his half guard.
I is looking for a sweep. Tsushima is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
I trying to control from the bottom.
I wants to get back to full guard but Tsushima has passed into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
I is looking for a sweep.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
I on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
I tries to bench press Tsushima off him but Tsushima keeps the position.
I is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tsushima off and has taken his back!

I goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Tsushima escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Tsushima is taking a breather. I says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
I is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tsushima seems to be looking for submissions.
I trying to control from the bottom.
Tsushima looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

I actively working from the bottom here.
Tsushima trying to control from half guard but I is working away.
Tsushima not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
I tries to roll over but Tsushima keeps him under control.

I looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tsushima scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tsushima is taking a breather. I says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Tsushima is trying to work for a kimura but I is defending well.
I gets full guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

I has his foot on Tsushima's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tsushima works his way back into a safe position though.
I looking to control.
Tsushima is working I over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

I looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tsushima wants to control from the top but I keeps moving.
I is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima trying to control but I is working from the bottom.
Tsushima is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tsushima trying to control but I is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

I working for submissions but it's allowed Tsushima to get to half guard.
Chibi Tsushima has got the better of the ground game so far.
I moves into full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
I keeping moving, preventing Tsushima from controlling successfully.
Tsushima passes I 's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tsushima is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Tsushima wants to lay and pray for a moment but I keeps working.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tsushima sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. I defending well though.
I is trying to stand back up but Tsushima is controlling him
I blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tsushima.
I gets back to full guard.
Tsushima connects with a couple of short punches.
Tsushima missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tsushima postures up.

Tsushima got a little sloppy there for a moment and I has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tsushima has managed to get both his arms back between I 's legs - danger averted.
Tsushima sitting in guard, not really doing much.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chibi Tsushima comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tsushima 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Chibi Tsushima!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Chibi Tsushima!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Chibi Tsushima!

Chibi Tsushima wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Chibi Tsushima thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.