PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandre Nieto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mayuri Tatsuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nieto kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bullet the Blue Sky. Tatsuki is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Norther - Released. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nieto
vs
Tatsuki

170 cm
29
162 lbs
20 - 4 - 1

170 cm
33
166 lbs
27 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!

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 20 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexandre Nieto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mayuri Tatsuki!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Reed Andrews and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Tatsuki.
Nieto misses with a shot to the body
and Tatsuki counters with a series of strikes. Nieto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nieto lands a lovely overhand right.
Tatsuki swats away the attempt to clinch by Nieto.
Nieto throws a shot from downtown. Tatsuki moves away and avoids it.
Nieto misses the shot to the body.
Nieto misses with a wild body shot.
Tatsuki throws a low kick but Nieto moves out of range easily.
Nieto slaps away a takedown attempt from Tatsuki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nieto lands with a shot to the body.
Good work by Tatsuki as he checks the leg kick.
Nieto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tatsuki digs a good hook to Nieto's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuki fails to land the takedown.
Tatsuki clobbers Nieto with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tatsuki missing with a left hand there. Nieto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A leg kick checked by Tatsuki.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nieto. Tatsuki does a little dance to reset his feet.
A shot to the liver by Nieto. Beautiful body shot.
Tatsuki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nieto.
An inside leg kick from Nieto misses.
Tatsuki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nieto.
Nieto is looking to chop away at Tatsuki's legs.

Nieto fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tatsuki to the ground. Nieto is now in Tatsuki's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Nieto stopping the sweep attempt from Tatsuki.
Nieto tries to free his leg and advance position but Tatsuki is retaining full guard.
Tatsuki 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nieto with a nice head shot there.
Nieto lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Tatsuki looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nieto passes into side control.
Tatsuki takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Tatsuki tries to improve position but can't.
Nieto is putting a hurting on Tatsuki here, landing some big shots from side control.
Tatsuki is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Tatsuki tries to get to full guard but Nieto has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tatsuki is trying to control but can't.
Tatsuki tries to roll over but Nieto keeps him under control.
Nieto lands strikes from half guard.

Tatsuki looking for submissions off his back.
Nieto is trying to control. Tatsuki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nieto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Tatsuki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nieto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tatsuki keeps working.
Nieto 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieto is pressing down on Tatsuki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tatsuki is holding on for now.
Tatsuki wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nieto takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nieto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nieto is trying to control the action in half guard but Tatsuki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Tatsuki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nieto looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandre Nieto dominated that round.
That's time! Nieto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nieto walks into a straight right hand from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nieto.
Nieto falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tatsuki counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Nieto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tatsuki.
Tatsuki moves out of range of the strikes.
Nieto throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Tatsuki counter with a right hand.
Tatsuki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tatsuki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nieto shoots in looking for a takedown but Tatsuki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nieto's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nieto avoids the head kick by Tatsuki.
Tatsuki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieto on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nieto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tatsuki slips under a jab.
Nieto connects with a right hand. Tatsuki shakes it off.
Tatsuki misses with a double jab.
Tatsuki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tatsuki on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nieto. Nieto obviously looking to wear him down.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tatsuki.
Tatsuki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nieto throws a low kick but Tatsuki avoids it.
Nieto lands a leg kick that knocks Tatsuki off balance momentarily.
Nieto throws a jab but it's blocked by Tatsuki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nieto connects with a looping right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tatsuki misses the shot to the body.
Tatsuki's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nieto under the eye.
No luck for Tatsuki with that takedown attempt.
Nieto misses with a body shot.
Nieto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tatsuki but Tatsuki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandre Nieto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nieto throws a low kick but Tatsuki moves out of range easily.
Tatsuki throws a sloppy head kick and Nieto moves out of range easily.
Nieto blocks the body kick.
Nieto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tatsuki defends it nicely.
Nieto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto throws a lazy right hand but Tatsuki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tatsuki checks a low kick from Nieto.
Tatsuki lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nieto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nieto works the jab nicely.
Nieto on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tatsuki. Tatsuki obviously looking to wear him down.
Tatsuki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nieto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tatsuki connects with a nice looking jab.
Tatsuki walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nieto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nieto swings for the body but Tatsuki moves out of range.
Tatsuki throws a body punch but Nieto moves out of range.
Nieto swings for the body but Tatsuki moves out of range.
Nieto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tatsuki avoids it really well and circles away.
Tatsuki lands a nice shot that snaps Nieto's head back.
Alexandre Nieto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
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!
Tatsuki avoids the body shot from Nieto.
No luck for Nieto with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mayuri Tatsuki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tatsuki works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Alexandre Nieto is winning the standup battle so far.
Nieto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nieto. Tatsuki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tatsuki slaps away a takedown attempt from Nieto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tatsuki misses with a hook.
Nieto moves out of range as Tatsuki strikes.
Nieto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tatsuki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nieto 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.
Tatsuki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tatsuki throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuki tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tatsuki lands with a nice body punch.
Tatsuki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tatsuki avoids the body shot from Nieto.
Nieto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nieto connects with a high kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nieto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tatsuki lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nieto is looking to score with low kicks.
Nieto stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tatsuki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki misses with a low kick.
Nieto misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Tatsuki counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tatsuki.
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!
Nieto trying to control the position.
Tatsuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Nieto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tatsuki postures up in Nieto's guard and throws a big left but Nieto blocks it.
Tatsuki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tatsuki wants to control from the top but Nieto keeps moving.
Tatsuki working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nieto's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tatsuki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tatsuki postures up.
Nieto pulls Tatsuki in close to prevent any damage.
Tatsuki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nieto can't keep his opponent in guard - Tatsuki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tatsuki misses with a head shot. Nieto uses the momentum to regain guard.
Tatsuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Nieto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki stopping the sweep attempt from Nieto.
Nieto keeping moving, preventing Tatsuki from controlling successfully.
Mayuri Tatsuki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nieto is trying to keep Tatsuki in close.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mayuri Tatsuki really dominated that round.
That's time! Nieto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nieto scores with a body shot.

Tatsuki tries to keep at a distance but Nieto has taken the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tatsuki.

Tatsuki breaks from the clinch.
Tatsuki looks to land a combination but Nieto avoids it well.
Nieto throws a looping overhand right but Tatsuki ducks down to avoid it.
Tatsuki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tatsuki fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nieto is out of range.
Tatsuki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nieto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tatsuki moves away.
A bone on bone clash there as Tatsuki blocks the leg kick.
Nieto misses with a hook

and Tatsuki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieto is trying to get back to full guard.
Tatsuki drops an elbow to the side of Nieto's head.
Tatsuki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nieto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Nieto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tatsuki scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tatsuki throwing shots but Nieto is blocking nicely.
Tatsuki trying to control the action but Nieto is working from the bottom.
Tatsuki lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki trying to control the action but Nieto is working from the bottom.
Nieto trying to control but Tatsuki postures up.
Nieto is trying to get back to full guard.
Nieto trying to control here.
Tatsuki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tatsuki seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki is stalling here. Nieto is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Tatsuki seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Nieto has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Tatsuki is trying to escape the position but Nieto is controlling the position.
Tatsuki manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tatsuki slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Nieto pushing down on Tatsuki's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Nieto moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki is working to avoid the ground and pound but Nieto connects with a decent elbow.
Tatsuki is looking to regain half guard here but Nieto keeps moving and retains side control.
Nieto is looking to take a break and control but Tatsuki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki is looking for a sweep.
Tatsuki on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Tatsuki can't do much from the bottom here.
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!
Nieto wants to control for a moment but Tatsuki uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Nieto tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tatsuki knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nieto throwing shots but Tatsuki is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nieto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nieto lands with a punch from half guard.
Tatsuki wants to improve his position but Nieto is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mayuri Tatsuki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nieto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tatsuki checks it well.
Nieto is looking to wear down Tatsuki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tatsuki throws a head kick that misses.
Tatsuki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nieto attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nieto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nieto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tatsuki's sensitive parts.
Nieto misses with a shot to the body
and Tatsuki counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tatsuki looks to land a body kick but Nieto moved away.
Nieto is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nieto throws a chopping leg kick but Tatsuki manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tatsuki looks for a takedown but Nieto sprawls well.
Nieto shoots in looking for a takedown. Tatsuki tries to sprawl out of it but Nieto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tatsuki manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieto looks to throw the jab but Tatsuki is out of range.
Tatsuki lands with a straight right. Nieto didn't see that one coming.
Nieto throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nieto dips to his left and cracks Tatsuki with an uppercut!
A head kick misses from Nieto.
Nieto misses with a straight right.
Tatsuki moves away from the strike by Nieto.
Tatsuki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nieto.
Nieto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tatsuki manages to avoid it.
Nieto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
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.
Tatsuki thuds his right hand into Nieto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tatsuki tries to bum rush Nieto with a series of wild strikes but Nieto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tatsuki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nieto manages to avoid it.
Nieto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tatsuki moves away.
Tatsuki misses with a low kick as Nieto jumps back.
A jab from Nieto misses.
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!
Nieto misses with a few strikes there.
Mayuri Tatsuki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tatsuki.
Nieto stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A punch combination from Nieto misses.
A low kick from Nieto is predictable there
and Tatsuki counters with a low kick, right behind Nieto 's knee.
Nieto scores with a head kick. Tatsuki tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Tatsuki throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nieto was covering up waiting for the punch and Tatsuki finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tatsuki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tatsuki wants to control from the top but Nieto keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nieto holds on and takes a little breather.
Alexandre Nieto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nieto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki clobbers Nieto with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nieto misses with a looping left.
Nieto throws a leg kick

so Tatsuki counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mayuri Tatsuki.
I think Tatsuki 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 46:49
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 46:49
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mayuri Tatsuki! Mayuri Tatsuki retains his lightweight title!
Mayuri Tatsuki decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.