PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kova Tangis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Ellison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tangis
vs
Ellison

182 cm
26
218 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

189 cm
36
215 lbs
13 - 18 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Kova Tangis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Anthony Ellison!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Winston Howard and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ellison misses with the body kick

and Tangis counters by moving into the clinch.
Ellison gets underhooks to prevent Tangis's takedown attempt.
Ellison misses with a punch to the body.
Ellison working hard to break the clinch.
Tangis drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ellison pulls his leg out and moves away.

Ellison pushes Tangis up against the cage in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Tangis scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tangis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kova Tangis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ellison tries to break free but Tangis pushes him back against the cage.
Tangis lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ellison tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tangis's elbow.
Ellison stops a takedown attempt from Tangis.
Ellison pushes Tangis back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ellison stops a takedown attempt from Tangis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tangis makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ellison is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tangis trying to control the position but instead, Ellison has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tangis into the cage.
Tangis swings wildly with an uppercut but Ellison uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ellison's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ellison is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Ellison.
Tangis is trying to maintain a safe position but Ellison gets an underhook and turns Tangis into the cage.
Ellison has Tangis pressed against the cage, preventing Tangis from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tangis managing to block the knees to the body from Ellison.
Tangis tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ellison has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Tangis seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ellison can turn it around.
Ellison missing with knees to the body.
Ellison is trying to break the clinch but Tangis has him pressed against the cage.
Tangis has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ellison is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellison misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ellison with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ellison prevents a takedown attempt there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tangis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tangis checks the leg kick.
Ellison tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ellison doesn't manage to clinch there - Tangis circles away.

Tangis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tangis with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ellison misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ellison.
Ellison tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tangis working aggressively here.
Ellison lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tangis backwards.
Tangis is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ellison is defending well.
Ellison lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellison will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tangis up against the cage.
Tangis tries to throw a body punch but Ellison avoids it by throwing Tangis back against the cage.

Tangis gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Ellison regains guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Ellison manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Tangis gets underhooks to prevent Ellison's takedown attempt.
Tangis softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Tangis wants the takedown. Ellison is fighting it off but Tangis persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ellison's guard against the cage.
Tangis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ellison works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tangis has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tangis wants to stand but Ellison is controlling his posture from full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Tangis stands up and waves to Ellison to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tangis with a poor takedown
and Ellison finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Tangis swats away the attempt to clinch by Ellison.
Tangis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ellison as he avoids it easily.
Tangis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ellison counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tangis is breathing heavily.
Tangis looks for a takedown but Ellison sprawls well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice takedown defense from Tangis. No joy for Ellison on that attempt.
Ellison stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ellison wants it to stay on the feet.
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 Kova Tangis will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ellison throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Ellison moves into the clinch.

Ellison manages to break the clinch.

Ellison darts in and clinches Tangis up against the cage.
Ellison keeps control of Tangis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tangis is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ellison gets underhooks to prevent Tangis's takedown attempt.
Ellison gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tangis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kova Tangis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body punch from Tangis - that landed with a thud.
Kova Tangis has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ellison landing knees to the body.

Ellison pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ellison clinches with his opponent.
Ellison is defending well against a takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ellison wants to get back to striking at distance but Tangis won't allow it.
Tangis is working for takedown but Ellison is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellison using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tangis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ellison misses with some punches.
Ellison pushes off an throws an elbow but Tangis leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Tangis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ellison gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tangis counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Ellison closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tangis counters with a left and a right that stings Ellison.
Tangis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Tangis clinches.
Ellison lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tangis turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ellison is looking for a sweep.
The ground and pound from Tangis seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tangis throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Ellison is trying to get back to his feet.
Tangis misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Ellison sneaks out the side door and pushes Tangis away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Tangis closes the distance and pushes Ellison back into the cage.
Ellison has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tangis is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ellison tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellison prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tangis slows down the pace here.
Tangis lands an uppercut.
Ellison is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Tangis is defending well.
Ellison using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tangis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Tangis manages to break the clinch.
We've been told by Tangis's head coaches at Blunt Force Training that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Tangis drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tangis misses with the ground and pound.

Tangis stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tangis darts in looking for a takedown but Ellison gets double underhooks and turns Tangis into the cage.
Tangis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ellison manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kova Tangis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ellison has a closed guard, preventing Tangis from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tangis stands and steps away. Ellison gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kova Tangis dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ellison doesn't manage to clinch there - Tangis circles away.
Tangis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tangis dives in for a single leg takedown but Ellison sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ellison presses Tangis against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ellison managing to block the knees to the body from Tangis.

Tangis has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Ellison regains guard immediately.
Ellison keeping moving, preventing Tangis from controlling successfully.

Ellison looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tangis is looking to pass into half guard but Ellison pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ellison is in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ellison gets to his feet - Tangis follows without any prompting.

Ellison clinches up with Tangis and pushes him back against the cage.

Ellison escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Tangis has closed the distance and engaged Ellison in a clinch.
Ellison unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ellison blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ellison gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tangis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kova Tangis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tangis misses with a hook from the clinch.

Ellison's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tangis closes the distance and clinches.
Kova Tangis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellison misses with an elbow over the top.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ellison tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ellison throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tangis blocks it with crossed arms.
Ellison throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ellison misses with the head strike.
Ellison scores with a hook to the body.
Ellison softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ellison misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Anthony Ellison has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ellison lands a hook that snaps the head of Tangis backwards.
Ellison is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tangis is defending well for now.
Tangis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Ellison breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tangis dives in and scores a takedown into Ellison's guard.
Tangis tries to stand but Ellison is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellison utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tangis is looking to stand up but Ellison won't let him.
Tangis not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ellison keeping moving, preventing Tangis from controlling successfully.

We're going to have a standup here because Kova Tangis wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Tangis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ellison connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Anthony Ellison seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tangis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tangis can't get the takedown.

Ellison escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters circling a little - Ellison finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Ellison stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ellison wants it to stay on the feet.

Ellison has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ellison using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tangis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tangis wants to take the fight to the mat but Ellison manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Ellison breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tangis dodges an elbow strike from Ellison.
Ellison misses with a knee strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Ellison comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tangis has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!