PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shogun Ninja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Taison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ninja's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Bonde da Oskley - Cachorrinho. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ninja
vs
Taison

190 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
217 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

ZSTAR

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shogun Ninja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Taison!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taison changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ninja tries to avoid it but Taison manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ninja to the ground. Ninja escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Taison shoots in but Ninja avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ninja tries to clinch but Taison is having none of it.
Ninja fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ninja throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Taison's waist but Taison gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ninja off to one side.
Ninja wants to clinch up but Taison keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ninja is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mike Taison seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ninja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taison paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taison uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ninja has time to react.
Taison thows a left - swing and a miss!
No luck for Taison with that takedown attempt.
Shogun Ninja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Taison.
Taison fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ninja is looking to clinch but Taison is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taison motions for Ninja to come forward. Taison throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ninja slips a straight right by Taison.
Taison fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ninja is out of range.
Ninja tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taison swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ninja staying out of range there.
Taison tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ninja paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ninja tries to clinch up
and Taison counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taison doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ninja counters with a left and a right that stings Taison.
Ninja is breathing heavily.
Ninja tries to clinch but Taison moves away
and Taison counters with a right hand to the body.
Taison rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ninja moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ninja closes the distance but Taison moves to the side
and Taison counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taison tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ninja swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck for Taison with that takedown attempt.
Ninja misses with a takedown attempt - Taison sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taison misses with a takedown attempt - Ninja sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
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 Shogun Ninja will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taison tries to bum rush Ninja with a series of wild strikes but Ninja uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Taison shoots for a double leg takedown but Ninja sprawls well. He's pushed Taison's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ninja closes the distance looking to clinch
and Taison counters with a three punch combo that has Ninja backing up. Ninja nods at Taison to acknowledge the strikes.
Ninja with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Taison to score with a decent uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taison lands a glancing blow to the side of Ninja's head.
Ninja shoots in and drives through. Taison sprawls well.
Mike Taison seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheers as Taison lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ninja doesn't seem phased though.
No luck for Taison with that takedown attempt.
Ninja moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Taison scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taison works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
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!
Taison throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Taison dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ninja. That did some damage!
No luck for Taison with that takedown attempt.
Shogun Ninja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Taison.
Taison throws a right and a left that Ninja avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taison throws a series of strikes that have Ninja backpedaling.
Ninja stuffs the takedown attempt from Taison. Taison gets slowly back to his feet.
Ninja misses with a combination
and Taison counters with a three punch combo that has Ninja backing up. Ninja nods at Taison to acknowledge the strikes.
Taison showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ninja.

Taison has closed the distance and engaged Ninja in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Taison smiles and moves away.
Ninja shoots for a takedown but Taison saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Taison shoots in but Ninja avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taison getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Taison showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Taison darts in and clinches Ninja up against the cage.
Taison scores with a nice hook to the head.
Taison has Ninja pushed against the cage.
Taison wants a takedown but no success here.
Taison prevents Ninja from breaking the clinch.
Taison prevents Ninja from breaking the clinch.

Taison has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ninja uses from the top position.
Ninja wants to stand but Taison has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ninja has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Taison has his foot on Ninja's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ninja works his way back into a safe position though.
Ninja is looking to stand up but Taison won't let him.
Ninja won't allow Taison to sweep him here.

Taison working for a triangle but Ninja defends it easily.
Ninja wants to stand but Taison is controlling his posture from full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ninja wants to stand and escape but instead Taison has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Taison trying to control the position from guard on top but Ninja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taison is pushing down on Ninja's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ninja is fighting to maintain full guard but Taison has managed to sneak the leg through.
Taison stops Ninja from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Taison looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Taison passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ninja!
Ninja wants to get back to his feet.

Taison looking for a guillotine from mount but Ninja is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taison moves to the back position.

Taison looking for the choke from the back.
Taison thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Ninja looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Taison thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Ninja wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taison looking for the RNC.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Taison is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Ninja is trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Taison comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taison 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Taison!