PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thiego Sussumu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marc Tong Panong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sussumu comes to the cage accompanied by sakuraba theme. The crowd seem to be enjoying Tong Panong's choice of entrance music: Tetris Song (remix). Marc Tong Panong has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Thiego Sussumu's chin.

Sussumu
vs
Tong Panong

180 cm
20
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
19
190 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thiego Sussumu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marc Tong Panong!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tong Panong gets the takedown into side control.

Tong Panong decides to stand back up.
Sussumu with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tong Panong counters by moving into the clinch.
Sussumu drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sussumu drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tong Panong gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiego Sussumu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tong Panong lands a nice knee to the body.
Tong Panong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tong Panong is trying to maintain a safe position but Sussumu gets an underhook and turns Tong Panong into the cage.
Tong Panong tries for a takedown. No joy.

Tong Panong has clasped his hands together around Sussumu's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Tong Panong is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sussumu knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sussumu managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Tong Panong.
Sussumu is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tong Panong's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sussumu is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong misses with a head shot. Sussumu uses the momentum to regain guard.
Sussumu pulls Tong Panong in to control the position.

Sussumu pushes Tong Panong off and scrambles back to his feet.
Sussumu with a poor takedown

and Tong Panong counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tong Panong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tong Panong trying to pass the guard but Sussumu defending well.
Tong Panong is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tong Panong looks gassed!
Sussumu trying to control here.

Tong Panong is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sussumu is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sussumu wants to improve his position but Tong Panong is controlling well.
Tong Panong is thwarting Sussumu's attempts to control the position.
Tong Panong tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sussumu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tong Panong has taken the fight to the clinch.

Tong Panong successfully pulls guard.
Tong Panong wants to sweep but no luck.

Tong Panong has his foot on Sussumu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sussumu works his way back into a safe position though.
Sussumu slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Tong Panong.
Tong Panong wants to get back to full guard but Sussumu has mounted him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong is looking to get to half guard.
Sussumu controlling from mount.
Sussumu prevents Tong Panong from getting the reversal.
Sussumu looking to control but Tong Panong is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sussumu sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tong Panong is working to get back to half guard.
Sussumu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Tong Panong regains half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sussumu in particular looking to stall.
Sussumu prevents Tong Panong from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Tong Panong dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tong Panong shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sussumu's guard.
Tong Panong trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sussumu's guard.
Sussumu is controlling Tong Panong's posture.
Sussumu is trying to keep Tong Panong in close.
Tong Panong postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tong Panong looking to pass the guard.
Sussumu pulls Tong Panong in close to prevent any damage.
Tong Panong is looking to stand up but Sussumu won't let him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sussumu shoots in and drives through. Tong Panong sprawls well.
Tong Panong tries for a takedown but Sussumu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tong Panong misses with a takedown attempt - Sussumu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tong Panong gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sussumu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thiego Sussumu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marc Tong Panong.
Sussumu throws a body kick that misses.

Tong Panong moves into the clinch.

Tong Panong ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tong Panong no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tong Panong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Tong Panong had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sussumu is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Tong Panong Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sussumu's back instead.

Tong Panong working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sussumu fending off the submission attempt from Tong Panong.
Tong Panong punches the canvas rather than the man.

Sussumu is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Tong Panong throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Tong Panong avoiding Sussumu 's attempts to control his hands.

Tong Panong is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong doesn't have the hooks in and Sussumu manages to turn into his guard.
Sussumu advances position into side control!
Tong Panong sneaks back into half guard.
Tong Panong is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Tong Panong looking for submissions off his back.
Tong Panong is pressing down on Sussumu's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tong Panong manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Poor strikes thrown by Tong Panong there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong avoids the attempt from Sussumu to control.
Sussumu holds on for dear life.
Tong Panong throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Tong Panong prevents Sussumu from getting the reversal.
Sussumu bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Tong Panong keeping moving, preventing Sussumu from controlling successfully.

Tong Panong working for a triangle but Sussumu defends it easily.
Tong Panong can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sussumu controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Tong Panong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sussumu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sussumu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tong Panong swivels and escapes.
Tong Panong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sussumu shoots in for a takedown but Tong Panong shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiego Sussumu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big left from Sussumu misses.

Tong Panong scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Tong Panong seems to be looking for submissions.

Tong Panong wants to work for an arm triangle but Sussumu is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sussumu trying to control from the bottom.

Tong Panong is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sussumu is just riding it out for now. Tong Panong eventually gives up the hold.
Marc Tong Panong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sussumu won't allow Tong Panong to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tong Panong gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Tong Panong looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sussumu looking to control.

Tong Panong drops back looking for a leg! Sussumu is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sussumu manages to kick Tong Panong off! Tong Panong jumps back into Sussumu's guard.
Sussumu has Tong Panong pulled in close to control his posture.
Sussumu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sussumu trying to strike off his back.

Tong Panong postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sussumu is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tong Panong, into his guard.
Sussumu sitting in guard here, content to control.

Sussumu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Tong Panong working for a triangle but Sussumu defends it easily.

Tong Panong escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sussumu gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sussumu is one step ahead there.
Sussumu looking to pass the guard.

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

Sussumu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Tong Panong working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sussumu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sussumu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Tong Panong pushes Sussumu off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Thiego Sussumu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tong Panong with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sussumu counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sussumu working Tong Panong over with strikes.
Sussumu content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sussumu is tying to control. Tong Panong wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tong Panong is trying to get back to full guard.

Tong Panong looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sussumu is controlling the pace.

Tong Panong looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marc Tong Panong.
Well Tong Panong 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marc Tong Panong!