PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Mayfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kilafwa Tatlumahi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mayfield comes to the cage accompanied by Go to Sleep. 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.

Mayfield
vs
Tatlumahi

179 cm
23
157 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

170 cm
26
147 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Namunamu Clothing

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Curtis Mayfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kilafwa Tatlumahi!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Columbo Gatti and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tatlumahi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Mayfield closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mayfield passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Tatlumahi!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tatlumahi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mayfield with the ground and pound from mount.

It looks like Kilafwa Tatlumahi has been cut.

Mayfield is working for a guillotine from mount but Tatlumahi frees his head quite easily.
Mayfield 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.
Tatlumahi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tatlumahi is controlling Mayfield's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayfield thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tatlumahi's head.

Mayfield is working for a submission of some sort.
Tatlumahi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tatlumahi.

Mayfield thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mayfield stopping the sweep attempt from Tatlumahi.

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.
Mayfield throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tatlumahi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mayfield is looking to work some ground and pound but Tatlumahi has wrist control.
Mayfield content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tatlumahi 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.
Mayfield looking to pass the guard.
Mayfield in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Mayfield drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tatlumahi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tatlumahi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tatlumahi!

Tatlumahi tries to stand but Mayfield is controlling his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayfield tries to bench press Tatlumahi off him but Tatlumahi keeps the position.
Mayfield manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Mayfield is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tatlumahi sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mayfield missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tatlumahi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tatlumahi.
We've been hearing that Mayfield has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mayfield is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mayfield missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mayfield stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tatlumahi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tatlumahi is pulling down on Mayfield's head. It's preventing any offense from Mayfield, at least for the moment.
Mayfield passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Mayfield dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kilafwa Tatlumahi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mayfield shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tatlumahi defends it nicely.
Mayfield takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mayfield is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tatlumahi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tatlumahi fails to land with a series of punches.
Mayfield avoids the head kick by Tatlumahi.
Tatlumahi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tatlumahi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mayfield.
Mayfield working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
You can see the frustration on Tatlumahi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mayfield tries to move to mount but Tatlumahi blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayfield misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Mayfield tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mayfield has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tatlumahi prevents Mayfield from moving into mount.
Mayfield advances nicely into full mount.
Mayfield lands a big elbow.
Mayfield manages to capitalize on a mistake by Tatlumahi to take his back!
Tatlumahi covering up well under a series of strikes from Mayfield.
Tatlumahi covers up after that shot from Mayfield.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mayfield is looking for the choke from the back position but Tatlumahi is controlling his hands well.
Tatlumahi is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Tatlumahi has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Mayfield.

Mayfield looking to break Tatlumahi's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Tatlumahi remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Mayfield will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Mayfield missing with punches from the back.
Tatlumahi has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Mayfield.
Mayfield is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tatlumahi can do to turn this around?

Tatlumahi defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mayfield punches the canvas rather than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayfield scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Tatlumahi is looking for a way out.
Tatlumahi is trying to break free.
Even with his hooks in, Mayfield manages to miss with strikes from the back.

Mayfield is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Tatlumahi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Tatlumahi for a finish.

Tatlumahi fending off the submission attempt from Mayfield.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mayfield connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Tatlumahi to escape the position.
Tatlumahi trying to control the action but Mayfield just sinks the hooks in.

Mayfield tightening his grip on Tatlumahi, looking for the choke.
Curtis Mayfield overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mayfield is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Mayfield dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kilafwa Tatlumahi's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Tatlumahi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tatlumahi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tatlumahi connects with a solid leg kick.
Mayfield looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tatlumahi is fending him off so far but Mayfield persists. Nope, Tatlumahi circles away and we're back to standing.
Tatlumahi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mayfield scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tatlumahi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mayfield.

Tatlumahi gets caught flat footed, as Mayfield shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Tatlumahi looking to control.
Mayfield wants to control from the top but Tatlumahi keeps moving.

Mayfield drops back looking for a leg! Tatlumahi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tatlumahi manages to kick Mayfield off! Mayfield jumps back into Tatlumahi's guard.
Mayfield postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatlumahi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mayfield tries to free his leg and advance position but Tatlumahi is retaining full guard.
Mayfield preventing the sweep.
Tatlumahi controls Mayfield momentarily but Mayfield frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Mayfield shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mayfield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mayfield wants to control from the top but Tatlumahi keeps moving.
Tatlumahi wants to sweep here but Mayfield controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mayfield is looking to work some ground and pound but Tatlumahi has wrist control.
Tatlumahi has control of Mayfield's left arm, preventing Mayfield from doing any damage.
Mayfield wants to pass the guard but Tatlumahi is keeping the position.
Kilafwa Tatlumahi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mayfield accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tatlumahi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mayfield.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatlumahi misses with the combination.
Tatlumahi throws a head kick that misses.
Mayfield seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Mayfield blocks a head kick by Tatlumahi.
Mayfield takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mayfield tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tatlumahi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mayfield somewhat.
Tatlumahi just misses with a punch to the body.
Curtis Mayfield is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tatlumahi stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Mayfield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mayfield shoots in for a takedown but Tatlumahi shows good takedown defense.
Tatlumahi throws out a leg kick but Mayfield moves out of range and Tatlumahi only half commits.
Nice takedown defense from Tatlumahi. No joy for Mayfield on that attempt.
A shot to the liver by Tatlumahi. Beautiful body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mayfield or perhaps it was just good defense by Tatlumahi, which made it look bad.
Kilafwa Tatlumahi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Mayfield looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mayfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Tatlumahi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tatlumahi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mayfield can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mayfield is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mayfield pushes down on Tatlumahi's leg and manages to get into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Curtis Mayfield.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mayfield, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Curtis Mayfield!
Curtis Mayfield thanked the fans post fight for their support.