PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tango Cash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shin Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sato has chosen Thunderstruck as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Tango Cash has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cash
vs
Sato

200 cm
18
255 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

196 cm
22
276 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tango Cash!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shin Sato!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Sato looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sato doesn't manage to clinch there - Cash circles away.
Sato fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sato shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cash as he avoids it easily.

Cash moves into the clinch successfully.

Cash jumps into guard, dragging Sato to the mat.
Sato trying to control but Cash is working from the bottom.
Sato might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cash kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Cash trying to control the position.
Cash has a closed guard, preventing Sato from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato looking to sit in guard and control but Cash gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sato has his feet on Cash's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Cash keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cash.

Cash bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sato sneaks back into half guard.
Sato is trying to get back to full guard.
Sato has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cash is working away from the top position though.
Cash slips a nice elbow through Sato's hands, connecting with Sato's forehead.
Sato wants to sweep but Cash has passed to side control!
Cash tries to advance to mount but Sato denies him.
Sato is looking for a sweep.
Cash tries to move to mount but Sato blocks the move with his legs.
Sato tries to improve position but can't.
Sato looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cash is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sato is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sato tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cash fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sato clinches but Cash breaks the clinch

and Cash counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Sato has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cash off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds. A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cash.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tango Cash. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sato lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cash backs up against the cage.
A combination from Cash does no damage.

Cash moves into range and clinches up with Sato.

Sato jumps guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sato throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Sato is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cash wants to stand but Sato has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sato tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Cash stands and steps away. Sato gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sato is looking to land body kicks.
Sato throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cash's waist but Cash gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sato off to one side.
Shin Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sato misses with a body kick.
Sato throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cash sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cash looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cash lands with a nice body kick.

Cash drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cash tries to free his leg and advance position but Sato is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cash gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Sato tries to clinch up

and Cash counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cash.
Sato tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cash wants to stand but Sato has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Cash pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sato is keeping the position for now.

Sato working for a triangle but Cash defends it easily.

Sato had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Cash is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sato Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Cash's back instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Will Sato go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Sato doesn't have the hooks in and Cash manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cash moves out of range as Sato throws a body kick.
Cash looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sato is fending him off so far but Cash persists. Nope, Sato circles away and we're back to standing.
Sato throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cash avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cash stuffs the takedown.
Sato throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sato tries to clinch but Cash moves out of range.
Sato takes a swing at Cash's ribcage but misses.

Cash drives through and clinches with Sato against the cage.
Sato prevents a takedown attempt there.

Cash jumps guard.
Sato should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Sato postures up.
Sato stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cash swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Cash uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Cash fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tango Cash. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Sato as Cash shoots in.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cash fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Cash or perhaps it was just good defense by Sato which made him look bad.
Cash dodges the punch combination from Sato.
A shot to de liver by Sato. Beautiful body shot.
Sato misses with a takedown

and Cash counters by clinching up.

Cash manages to pull guard.

Sato drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sato jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sato stands up and waves to Cash to follow him.
Sato throws a front kick that sends Cash stumbling back into the cage.
Sato misses with a body kick.

Sato drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cash tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Cash is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sato looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Sato thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sato tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Cash stops Sato from passing to mount.

Sato is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cash knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Sato stands up and beckons Cash to his feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sato.
Sato scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Sato. No joy for Cash on that attempt.
Cash shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sato but Sato pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A left and a right from Cash both land. Nice combination.

Sato gets caught flat footed, as Cash shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Sato looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cash pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sato is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sato is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sato wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sato is on top in guard.
Sato forces his way into half guard.
Cash is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Sato is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cash doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sato.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Cash here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Cash is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Cash is trying to get back to full guard.
Cash moves into full guard.
Sato stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cash swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cash manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Sato tries to clinch but Cash is having none of it.
Cash shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sato as he jumps to the side.
Cash swats away the attempt to clinch by Sato.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cash misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice body kick from Sato.
Sato takes a swing at Cash's ribcage but misses.
Sato closes the distance looking to clinch

and Cash counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Sato has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cash can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cash trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.
Sato wants to sweep here but Cash controlling him for the moment.
Cash prevents Sato from getting back to his feet.

Sato looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sato working for a triangle but Cash defends it easily.
Cash stopping the sweep attempt from Sato.

Sato is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sato is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cash is controlling him.

Sato throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sato throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cash preventing the sweep.

Sato looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sato looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sato looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sato tests Cash's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cash takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cash misses with a takedown attempt - Sato sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sato misses with a lunging right hand

and Cash moves into the clinch.
Cash stops a takedown attempt from Sato.
Sato can't break the clinch.
Cash scores with a hook to the body.

Cash breaks from the clinch.
Sato is looking to land body kicks.
Cash on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sato shoots in for a takedown but Cash shows good takedown defense.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cash.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tango Cash. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sato lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cash backs up against the cage.

It looks like Tango Cash has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Sato throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Sato takes a swing at Cash's ribcage but misses.

Cash gets the takedown into side control.
Sato is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cash's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Cash is keen to just control but Sato is a slippery customer.
Sato is pressing down on Cash's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cash preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cash decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sato, up you get!
Sato fails in his attempt to clinch.

Cash gets a clinch.
Cash prevents Sato from breaking the clinch.
Cash prevents Sato from breaking the clinch.
Cash stops a takedown attempt from Sato.
Sato landing knees to the head.
Sato wants to get back to striking at distance but Cash won't allow it.
Cash stops a takedown attempt from Sato.

Sato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sato lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Cash has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cash and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sato throws a wild body kick that Cash sees coming a mile off.
Sato throws the kick towards the body but Cash avoids it.

Cash gets the takedown into side control.
Cash passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Sato!
Cash controlling from the full mount.
Cash postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sato looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Cash stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Cash will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Cash throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sato's waist but Sato gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cash off to one side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shin Sato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sato 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight for Tango Cash!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Shin Sato!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Tango Cash!

Tango Cash wins by split decision!