PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tate Thai Guy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Taker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Tate Thai Guy has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Thai Guy
vs
Taker

176 cm
25
198 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

173 cm
26
190 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tate Thai Guy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Daniel Taker!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thai Guy has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Thai Guy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Taker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thai Guy defends it nicely.

Taker clinches with his opponent.
Thai Guy stops a takedown attempt from Taker.
Thai Guy lands an elbow just above Taker 's eye.
Thai Guy avoiding damage as Taker throws knees to the body.
Thai Guy lands a damaging elbow.
Thai Guy looking to stall.
Thai Guy seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Taker is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thai Guy throws an elbow but it misses.
Thai Guy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Taker has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Thai Guy after a bit of a struggle.
Tate Thai Guy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Taker.
Taker has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Thai Guy after a bit of a struggle.
Thai Guy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taker is keeping busy.
Taker pushes Thai Guy back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Thai Guy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Taker wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taker is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thai Guy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Thai Guy lands an elbow just above Taker 's eye.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Thai Guy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Taker's brow.
Thai Guy looking to stall.
Taker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Thai Guy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Taker is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thai Guy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Taker can't get the takedown.
Thai Guy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Taker changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thai Guy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Taker tries for a takedown but Thai Guy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Taker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thai Guy sprawls well. Thai Guy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Taker gets slowly back to his feet.
Thai Guy tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thai Guy tries to clinch up.
Thai Guy doesn't manage to clinch there - Taker circles away.
Taker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thai Guy defends it nicely.
Taker uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Daniel Taker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taker defending well as Thai Guy loads up on a big left hand.
Taker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thai Guy defends it nicely.
Tate Thai Guy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Taker rushes Thai Guy and presses him up against the cage.
Taker lands a shoulder strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Thai Guy.
Taker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Thai Guy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker lands a shoulder strike.
Thai Guy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Taker's defenses.
Taker blocks an elbow strike from Thai Guy.
Thai Guy content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Thai Guy trying to stall but Taker improves his position.
Taker takes an elbow to the forehead.
Thai Guy misses with an elbow over the top.
Thai Guy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tate Thai Guy.
A jab from Taker misses.
Thai Guy pushes Taker away with a front kick.
Taker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thai Guy circles away.
Both fighters circling a little - Thai Guy finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Taker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thai Guy, pushing him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thai Guy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Thai Guy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Taker's brow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taker misses with a knee to the head.
Taker misses with a knee strike.
Thai Guy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Taker lands a hook that snaps the head of Thai Guy backwards.
Thai Guy lands an elbow inside.
Thai Guy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Taker can't get the takedown.
Thai Guy is stalling here.
Thai Guy tries to stall but Taker uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the fighters up against the cage, Thai Guy throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Thai Guy.
Thai Guy is pressed up against the cage. Taker has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thai Guy down to the mat. Thai Guy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thai Guy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thai Guy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Taker.
Thai Guy scores with a head kick.
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 Tate Thai Guy will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thai Guy moves in looking to clinch but Taker pushes him off.
Taker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thai Guy defends it nicely.
Both fighters circling a little - Thai Guy finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Taker changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Thai Guy looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Thai Guy pushes Taker away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Taker gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Thai Guy tries to escape but Taker is in control.
Taker sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thai Guy is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Thai Guy defending against the ground and pound.
Taker trying to control the position but Thai Guy is working away.
Taker sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thai Guy is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Thai Guy on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taker lands a few punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thai Guy is trying to control Taker's posture but Taker avoids it.
Thai Guy is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Taker is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Taker is working Thai Guy over with some ground and pound from side control.
Thai Guy sneaks back into half guard.
Nice strikes from Taker there.
Taker is pressing down on Thai Guy's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thai Guy is holding on for now.
Thai Guy on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Thai Guy is looking to escape.
Thai Guy is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Taker scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taker decides to stand and escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thai Guy wants to clinch up but Taker keeps it at a distance.

Taker gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Taker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Taker.
Thai Guy is looking to control Taker's arms but Taker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thai Guy has his back to the cage.
Taker is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thai Guy lands a damaging elbow.
Thai Guy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Taker's defenses.
Thai Guy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taker is keeping busy.
Thai Guy stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Taker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taker is looking for a takedown.
Tate Thai Guy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Taker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai Guy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Taker misses with some punches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Thai Guy taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tate Thai Guy.

Taker gets a takedown into half guard.
Taker with the ground and pound but Thai Guy uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Thai Guy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Taker is controlling him.
Taker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taker postures up in Thai Guy's guard and throws a big left but Thai Guy blocks it.
Taker is looking to work some ground and pound but Thai Guy has wrist control.
Thai Guy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thai Guy keeping full guard, as Taker tries to pass.
Thai Guy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taker works over Thai Guy with some ground and pound from guard.
Taker with a flurry of punches that miss.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taker prevents Thai Guy from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Taker throws a strike but Thai Guy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Taker has control of Thai Guy's left arm, preventing Thai Guy from doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thai Guy trying to control but Taker is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Taker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Thai Guy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thai Guy fails in his attempt to clinch.

Taker has Thai Guy up against the cage in a clinch.
Thai Guy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Thai Guy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taker is keeping busy.
Thai Guy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Taker drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thai Guy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A bit of stalling here from Thai Guy.
Thai Guy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Thai Guy pressing his opponent against the cage.
Thai Guy throws an elbow that misses.
Thai Guy lands a nice elbow.
Thai Guy wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thai Guy lands an elbow just above Taker 's eye.
Taker takes an elbow to the forehead.
Taker wants to take the fight to the mat but Thai Guy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Taker tries to circle away but Thai Guy has him pinned against the cage.
Nice elbow from Thai Guy.
Taker is looking for a takedown.
Tate Thai Guy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Taker.
Thai Guy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Taker goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thai Guy prevents it.
Thai Guy wants to stall.
Taker tries to break the clinch but Thai Guy is controlling the position.

Taker has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Thai Guy is trying to keep an underhook but Taker manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Thai Guy manages to get to full guard.
Taker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thai Guy keeping moving, preventing Taker from controlling successfully.
Taker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thai Guy trying to keep a closed guard but Taker is proving a slippery customer.
Taker stops Thai Guy from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taker throws a strike but Thai Guy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Taker keeping full guard, as Thai Guy tries to pass.
Taker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thai Guy trying to control the position from guard on top but Taker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker seems keen to control Thai Guy's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thai Guy ducks under a wild hook from Taker.
Thai Guy tries to clinch up.
Taker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thai Guy.

Taker is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Thai Guy's half guard.
Taker working the head and body with strikes.
Taker working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Thai Guy is staying active underneath Taker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thai Guy is looking to improve his position.
Taker looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thai Guy with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Taker prevents Thai Guy from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taker wants to free his trapped foot but Thai Guy is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Taker trying to control from half guard but Thai Guy is working away.
Thai Guy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taker.
Thai Guy is looking to escape.

Taker is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thai Guy wants to control but Taker is keeping busy and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thai Guy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Taker winds up and cracks Thai Guy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Thai Guy tries to get to full guard but Taker has control of the leg.
Taker lands strikes from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Taker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Taker 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Taker!
During a confident post fight interview, Daniel Taker thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.