PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tappy Gilmore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaji Maruo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maruo has chosen Avril Lavigne - Hello Kitty as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Gilmore
vs
Maruo

175 cm
26
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
23
152 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tappy Gilmore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kaji Maruo!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gilmore feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Maruo is looking to stand up but Gilmore isn't so interested in that idea.
Gilmore wants to control from the top but Maruo keeps moving.
Maruo is looking to stand up but Gilmore isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gilmore tries to free his leg and advance position but Maruo is retaining full guard.
Gilmore trying to control but Maruo is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gilmore sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Maruo's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilmore is keen to just control but Maruo is a slippery customer.

Gilmore seems to be working for a kimura but Maruo defends the submission attempt.
Maruo looks like he's trying to stand up.

Gilmore is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Maruo sees it coming and defends easily.
Maruo looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gilmore is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gilmore sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maruo defending well though.
Gilmore wants to free his trapped foot but Maruo is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Left hook, right uppercut from Maruo.
Maruo misses with a double jab.

Gilmore gets a double leg takedown into Maruo's guard.
Gilmore controlling from the top position.
Gilmore trying to control the position from guard on top but Maruo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gilmore trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gilmore wants to control from the top but Maruo keeps moving.
We've been informed that Maruo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Gilmore advances to half guard.
Gilmore seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maruo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Gilmore is looking for a kimura but Maruo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gilmore to get the leverage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maruo wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gilmore moves nicely into side control.

Gilmore tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gilmore has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gilmore moves into full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gilmore looking to control but Maruo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tappy Gilmore dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Maruo swats away the attempt to clinch by Gilmore.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gilmore is defended easily by Maruo.
Maruo throws a series of punches but Gilmore avoids them all with ease.
Gilmore is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Sloppy strikes from Maruo. Those never looked like landing.
Maruo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Gilmore shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Maruo's guard.
Gilmore passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Gilmore is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maruo has escaped the position, nice work there.

Maruo throws Gilmore to one side and escapes!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Maruo.

Gilmore throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Maruo was covering up waiting for the punch and Gilmore finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Maruo keeping moving, preventing Gilmore from controlling successfully.
Gilmore stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maruo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maruo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gilmore is pushing down on Maruo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maruo is fighting to maintain full guard but Gilmore has managed to sneak the leg through.
Maruo wants to get back to his feet.
Gilmore trying to control the pace.
Gilmore moves nicely into side control.

Gilmore has hold of Maruo's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Maruo tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Gilmore cranks the arm and Maruo screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Maruo, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Tappy Gilmore!