PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hans Tuckich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tetsuya Tate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Tuckich
vs
Tate

170 cm
26
146 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

183 cm
22
152 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Solid chin

The Adrenaline Matrix

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hans Tuckich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tetsuya Tate!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tate takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tate throws a head kick but Tuckich moves out of range.
Tuckich half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tate is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tate misses with a head kick.
Tetsuya Tate seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tuckich scores with a jab to the head.
Tate dives in and grabs Tuckich's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tuckich pushes down on Tate's head and hops out.
Tate buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tuckich has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Tate shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Tate closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Tuckich prevents Tate from improving position.

Tate is trying to get an arm triangle but Tuckich is defending well.
Tuckich tries to buck Tate off but Tate is having none of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tate wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tuckich keeps working.
Tate taking a break here but Tuckich is having none of it and regains half guard.
My spies in St Petersburg MMA Gym inform me that Tate has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate wants to take a breather but Tuckich is having none of it.
Tuckich avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tate.
Tuckich is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tuckich manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tuckich trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Tate trying to control but Tuckich is working from the bottom.
Tuckich is trying to control the position but Tate postures up.
Tate trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tuckich keeping moving, preventing Tate from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Tate avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tate wants to pass the guard but Tuckich is keeping the position.
Tuckich tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Tuckich is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tate is aware though and is defending well.
Tuckich has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tate has passed into side control.
Tuckich manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tate's best efforts.

Tate is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tuckich blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tate is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tate tries to stand and escape but Tuckich is controlling the position.
Tuckich is looking for a sweep. Tate is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tate is keen to just control but Tuckich is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tuckich slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Tuckich is looking to cinch up a triangle. Tate throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Tuckich's body to avoid the submission. Tuckich has instead reached around Tate's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Tuckich arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Hans Tuckich!
During a confident post fight interview, Hans Tuckich thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.