PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlton Kerhley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tsuyoshi Tamatso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kerhley
vs
Tamatso

175 cm
25
168 lbs
13 - 6 - 1

180 cm
36
191 lbs
28 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlton Kerhley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tsuyoshi Tamatso!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Daniel Bishop and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kerhley looks to score with a jab to the body but Tamatso is just out of range.

Kerhley shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kerhley was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Kerhley thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tamatso gets back to half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Kerhley is looking for a kimura here.
Tamatso gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kerhley got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tamatso has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kerhley has managed to get both his arms back between Tamatso's legs - danger averted.
Kerhley wants to control from the top but Tamatso keeps moving.
Kerhley preventing the sweep.
Kerhley trying to control the position from guard on top but Tamatso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kerhley wants to pass the guard but Tamatso is keeping the position.
Kerhley stopping the sweep attempt from Tamatso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamatso working a defensive guard but Kerhley passes into half guard.

Tamatso is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kerhley pulls his head out easily.

Kerhley is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tamatso doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kerhley.
Kerhley prevents Tamatso from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerhley working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Tamatso's thigh. Tamatso counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Tamatso wants to sweep here but Kerhley controlling him for the moment.
Kerhley advances position into side control!

Kerhley is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tamatso has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tamatso is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerhley is looking to take a break and control but Tamatso is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kerhley thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kerhley trying to control the position but Tamatso is working away.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Kerhley is trying to get an arm triangle but Tamatso is defending well.
Tamatso is looking for a sweep.
Kerhley trying to control the position but Tamatso is working away.
Tamatso tries to buck Kerhley off but Kerhley is having none of it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Kerhley thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tamatso is looking to regain half guard here but Kerhley keeps moving and retains side control.
Kerhley trying to control the action but Tamatso is working from the bottom.
Tamatso is looking to reverse the position.
Kerhley looking to control but instead Tamatso has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tamatso wants to control but Kerhley is keeping busy.
Kerhley wants to control but Tamatso is keeping him busy.
Tamatso wants to get back to full guard.
Tamatso has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kerhley is working away from the top position though.
Tamatso won't allow Kerhley to pass to mount.
Tamatso wants to get back to full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Kerhley is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kerhley wants to control but Tamatso is keeping him busy.
Kerhley is looking to advance position but Tamatso won't allow it.
Kerhley is working hard here to advance position.
Tamatso is trying to get back to full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Tamatso is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kerhley pulls his head out easily.

Kerhley is looking for a kimura but Tamatso is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kerhley to get the leverage.

Kerhley wants to work for an arm triangle but Tamatso is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kerhley prevents Tamatso from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlton Kerhley dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kerhley throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tamatso's waist but Tamatso gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kerhley off to one side.
Kerhley misses the shot to the body.
Kerhley misses the shot to the body.
Kerhley throws a poor cross that misses

so Tamatso counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kerhley is trying to control the position but Tamatso postures up.
We've been hearing good reports from Kerhley's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kerhley keeping full guard, as Tamatso tries to pass.
Tamatso trying to control but Kerhley is working from the bottom.
Tamatso looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerhley is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tamatso advances to half guard.
Tamatso seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kerhley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kerhley wants to get back to full guard.
Tamatso is taking a breather. Kerhley says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kerhley manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tamatso trying to control the position from guard on top but Kerhley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kerhley is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Tamatso rolls with it to try and escape but Kerhley cranks on the arm and Tamatso is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Carlton Kerhley!
Carlton Kerhley thanked the fans post fight for their support.