PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yushi Tatizu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Go Hasegawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tatizu
vs
Hasegawa

160 cm
19
137 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

167 cm
19
142 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yushi Tatizu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Go Hasegawa!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hasegawa misses with a takedown
and Tatizu counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
No luck for Hasegawa with that takedown attempt.
Hasegawa shoots in for a double leg but Tatizu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yushi Tatizu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Go Hasegawa.
Hasegawa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tatizu counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hasegawa's guard now.

Tatizu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tatizu is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
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!

Hasegawa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tatizu preventing the sweep.
Tatizu trying to control the position from guard on top but Hasegawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatizu tries to free his leg and advance position but Hasegawa is retaining full guard.
Tatizu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Tatizu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tatizu looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tatizu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hasegawa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tatizu is one step ahead there.
Tatizu wants to pass the guard but Hasegawa is keeping the position.

Hasegawa working for a triangle but Tatizu defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatizu is pushing down on Hasegawa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hasegawa is fighting to maintain full guard but Tatizu has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hasegawa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Hasegawa working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tatizu has passed into half guard!
Tatizu slows the pace down in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hasegawa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatizu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hasegawa keeps working.
Tatizu perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Tatizu 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.
Tatizu wants to get back to his feet.
Hasegawa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hasegawa lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tatizu!
Tatizu wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hasegawa goes for an armbar but Tatizu turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Tatizu.

Hasegawa is looking for a triangle here but Tatizu uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Hasegawa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tatizu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Tatizu is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hasegawa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hasegawa tries to buck Tatizu off but Tatizu is having none of 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 Yushi Tatizu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Tatizu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tatizu fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hasegawa sprawls well initially but Tatizu persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hasegawa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Hasegawa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tatizu defends it easily.

Hasegawa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tatizu gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tatizu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tatizu stopping the sweep attempt from Hasegawa.
Tatizu wants to control from the top but Hasegawa keeps moving.
Tatizu content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hasegawa tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hasegawa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tatizu sitting in guard here, content to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yushi Tatizu.
Hasegawa ducks under a wild hook from Tatizu.

Tatizu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Hasegawa has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tatizu uses from the top position.
Tatizu wants to stand but Hasegawa has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tatizu trying to control the position from guard on top but Hasegawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatizu trying to control but Hasegawa is working from the bottom.
Tatizu wanted to stand there but Hasegawa had control of the position.
Tatizu throwing strikes from guard but Hasegawa blocks nicely.
Tatizu pushing down on Hasegawa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hasegawa has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tatizu is working away from the top position though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tatizu seems to be working for a kimura but Hasegawa defends the submission attempt.
Hasegawa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hasegawa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatizu wants to control from the top but Hasegawa keeps moving.
Tatizu tries to free his leg and advance position but Hasegawa is retaining full guard.
Hasegawa looking for a sweep. Not yet Hasegawa, not yet.
Tatizu tries to free his leg and advance position but Hasegawa is retaining full guard.

Tatizu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hasegawa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tatizu has managed to get both his arms back between Hasegawa's legs - danger averted.
Hasegawa wants to sweep but no luck.
Hasegawa is breathing heavily.

Tatizu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tatizu sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hasegawa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hasegawa throws his legs up looking for a submission but Tatizu uses it to pass to side control.
Tatizu cracks Hasegawa with an elbow. That is naaassty.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tatizu wants to control but Hasegawa is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hasegawa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tatizu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Go Hasegawa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hasegawa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tatizu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hasegawa somewhat.
Tatizu throws a nice looking combination but Hasegawa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Tatizu closes the distance and clinches.

Tatizu tightens his grip and picks Hasegawa up, before dumping him to the ground. Hasegawa manages to land in guard.

Hasegawa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hasegawa throws his legs up looking for a submission but Tatizu uses it to pass to side control.
Hasegawa sneaks back into half guard.
Hasegawa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tatizu connects with a nice short shot to Hasegawa's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hasegawa on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hasegawa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tatizu scores with a couple of nice shots.

Hasegawa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tatizu is trying to control. Hasegawa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hasegawa wants to improve his position but Tatizu is controlling well.
Tatizu controlling the action here.

Hasegawa with the active half guard here but Tatizu passes nicely into side control.
Hasegawa tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Tatizu presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hasegawa can't escape the position.
Hasegawa is squirming around, avoiding Tatizu's attempts to control the action.
Hasegawa manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hasegawa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tatizu's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tatizu's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatizu wriggles onto his back under a barage of strikes.
Hasegawa won't let Tatizu get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Hasegawa jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tatizu is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tatizu and Hasegawa has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Tatizu regains half guard.
Tatizu wants to get back to full guard.

Hasegawa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tatizu wants to get back to full guard.

Tatizu is defending against the submission attempts here by Hasegawa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hasegawa is working for a kimura here but Tatizu manages to reverse the position and he's now in Hasegawa's guard.
Tatizu controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tatizu trying to control the position from guard on top but Hasegawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatizu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yushi Tatizu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tatizu has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yushi Tatizu!