PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tanner Pounds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Tono (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Pounds
vs
Tono

168 cm
22
150 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

170 cm
27
152 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Machine Fight Gear

Machine Fight Gear
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tanner Pounds!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeshi Tono!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Pounds misses.
Tono throws an off balance right hand

and Pounds counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Tono trying to keep a closed guard but Pounds is proving a slippery customer.
Pounds is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tono not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
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.
Tono wants to sweep here but Pounds controlling him for the moment.
Pounds is looking to work some ground and pound but Tono has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pounds controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tono looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pounds is one step ahead there.
Tono keeping full guard, as Pounds tries to pass.
Pounds with a nice head shot there.
Pounds works over Tono with some ground and pound from guard.
Pounds is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tono is trying to keep Pounds in close.
Pounds controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.
Pounds lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Pounds drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tono manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pounds has Tono in his guard.

Pounds is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pounds 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.

Pounds is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tono throwing strikes but missing.
Tono wants to control from the top but Pounds keeps moving.
Tono must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pounds is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Pounds is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tono defends well.

Tono avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Pounds looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tono with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tono with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pounds has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tono trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pounds looking to control.

Pounds looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tono tries to free his leg and advance position but Pounds is retaining full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tono is looking to work some ground and pound but Pounds has wrist control.
Tono working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tanner Pounds dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pounds misses with a wild body shot.
Pounds cracks Tono with an open hand slap.
Pounds just misses with a punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by Pounds. Beautiful body shot.

Pounds fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tono to the ground. Pounds is now in Tono's guard.
Tono wants to sweep but no luck.
Pounds is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tono can do to turn this around?
Tono trying to control the position.
Tono is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pounds is working Tono over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Our spies down at at Lock and Roll Grappling Gym inform us that Tono has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Tono working a defensive guard here.
Pounds connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tono looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pounds postures up and lands a big shot to Tono's brow.

Tono has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Pounds off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Tono is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pounds's half guard.
Tono not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Tono is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Pounds is defending against the submission attempts here by Tono.
Pounds keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pounds trying to hold on to Tono's head to control him but Tono postures up.
Pounds is pressing down on Tono's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pounds is pulling down on Tono's head. It's preventing any offense from Tono, at least for the moment.
Tono trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tono stopping the sweep attempt from Pounds.
Tono postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tono trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pounds lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tono holds on and takes a little breather.
Pounds is looking to work some ground and pound but Tono has wrist control.
Tanner Pounds overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pounds lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tono utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pounds is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tono pulls Pounds in close to prevent any damage.
Pounds trying to control but Tono is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pounds tries to free his leg and advance position but Tono is retaining full guard.
Pounds trying to control the position from guard on top but Tono is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tono wants to hit a switch here but Pounds passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Tono there!
Tono can't escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pounds looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Pounds dominating with strikes here.
Pounds putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tanner Pounds dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pounds tests Tono's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pounds.
Pounds throws a hook but Tono blocks it.
Pounds throws a nice outside leg kick.

Tono scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Pounds regains half guard.
Pounds moves into full guard.
Tono connects with a couple of short punches.
Pounds looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tono is one step ahead there.
Tono with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pounds looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tono postures up in Pounds's guard and throws a big left but Pounds blocks it.
Pounds keeping moving, preventing Tono from controlling successfully.
Tono pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pounds is keeping the position for now.
Tono is looking to work some ground and pound but Pounds has wrist control.
Tono stopping the sweep attempt from Pounds.
Pounds is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Pounds takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tono tries to get to full guard but Pounds has control of the leg.

Pounds is looking for a kimura but Tono is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pounds to get the leverage.
Pounds slows the pace down in half guard.
Pounds not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pounds keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Pounds throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tono taking some punishment here, with Pounds in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pounds sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Pounds is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tono sees it coming and defends easily.
Tono is trying to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pounds connects with a nice short shot to Tono's temple.
Tono tries to roll over but Pounds keeps him under control.
Tono is refusing to be controlled, as Pounds sits in half guard.
Pounds throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tono is looking to improve his position.
Pounds lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Pounds is working for a submission of some sort.
Pounds controlling the action here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pounds takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tanner Pounds clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tono throws a right hand that Pounds ducks under and follows up with a left that Pounds also avoids with ease.
Pounds throws a hook but Tono blocks it.
Pounds throws a good cross that connects.
Pounds throws a shot to the body.
Pounds scores with a hook to the body. Tono takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tono swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pounds shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tono sprawls well. Tono wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pounds gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tono takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pounds tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tono was well out of range. Poor timing from Pounds.
Tono takes one on the button.
Pounds is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tono keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pounds lands the left hand.
Pounds lands a right hook to the body.
Pounds stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pounds wants it to stay on the feet.
Pounds lands with a thumping leg kick.
That kick from Pounds tenderised Tono's leg. Tono is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tono avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tono with the counter takedown but Pounds avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pounds throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tono tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Pounds scores with a jab. Tono acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Tono throws a leg kick but Pounds sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Pounds avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tono looks to score with a jab to the body but Pounds is just out of range.
Pounds throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pounds lands a nice shot that snaps Tono's head back.
A low kick from Tono misses

so Pounds counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Pounds trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pounds makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pounds's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tono looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pounds chips away with some ground and pound.
Pounds working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tono's head.
Tono tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pounds throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tono works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pounds is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tono keeping moving, preventing Pounds from controlling successfully.
Pounds sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tono's guard.
Pounds lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pounds has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Tono defend it? Pounds steps over the head and cranks it - Tono is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Pounds!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:06 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tanner Pounds!
Tanner Pounds retains his featherweight title!