PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vaan Tseng (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Dantes (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.

Tseng
vs
Dantes

205 cm
33
255 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

200 cm
31
250 lbs
24 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vaan Tseng!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Dantes!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Paul Tew and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tseng fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck for Tseng with that takedown attempt.
Good shot there by Tseng.
Tseng shoots in for a double leg but Dantes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vaan Tseng. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dantes throws a big shot that misses.
Tseng lands a jab to the nose.
Dantes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tseng was well out of range. Poor timing from Dantes.
Tseng goes for a double leg but Dantes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dantes continues to drive forward.
Vaan Tseng seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dantes lands with a nice body punch.
Dantes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tseng.
Dantes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Dantes misses with a double jab.
Dantes throws a low kick, looking for Tseng's leg but Tseng calmly moves out of range.
Tseng looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tseng.
Nice defenses there by Dantes.
Tseng has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Netherlands Top Team & KT in the buildup to the fight.
Dantes takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tseng keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dantes swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tseng throws a head kick but Dantes moves out of range.
Dantes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tseng.
Dantes doesn't manage to clinch there - Tseng circles away.
Tseng throwing a counter right hand but Dantes manages to avoid it.
Dantes moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tseng misses with a takedown attempt
and Dantes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Vaan Tseng has been cut.
Tseng with a jab.
Dantes avoids the head kick by Tseng.

Dantes has closed the distance and engaged Tseng in a clinch.
Dantes can't find room to land a body shot as Tseng controls the action.
Dantes gets underhooks to prevent Tseng's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dantes throws a punch but it's blocked by Tseng.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tseng wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dantes misses with some punches.
Dantes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dantes blocks an uppercut.
Tseng struggles to land a body shot inside as Dantes controls his hands.
Dantes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dantes crunches a lovely knee into Tseng's ribcage.
Tseng lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dantes backwards.
Tseng misses with a hook to the ribs.
Dantes misses with some punches.
Dantes prevents the takedown attempt.
Dantes lands with a left to the head.
Dantes lands a left hand.
Tseng working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Dantes lands a right hand.
Dantes misses with a punch on the inside.
Dantes effectively controlling the action here.
A body shot lands from Tseng.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dantes keeps control of Tseng as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dantes working aggressively here.
Dantes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dantes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tseng's elbow.
Dantes tries to throw a body punch but Tseng avoids it by throwing Dantes back against the cage.

Tseng breaks the clinch.
Tseng tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dantes swivels and escapes.
Dantes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Tseng looks to land a left hand but Dantes moved out of range nicely.
Tseng misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dantes throws a counter combo.
Dantes thows a leg kick but Tseng checks it

and Tseng counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tseng lands with a punch from half guard.
Tseng throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dantes is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Tseng sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dantes defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tseng looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Dantes keeping control of the position.
Tseng 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.
Tseng throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dantes looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Dantes is concentrating on defense, preventing Tseng from advancing position.
Dantes is looking to improve his position.
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 Vaan Tseng will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vaan Tseng's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dantes needs to keep his hands up - Tseng had a free shot at his head there.

Tseng scores with a takedown into Dantes's guard.
Dantes looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Tseng scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tseng seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tseng trying to control but Dantes is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tseng throwing strikes from guard but Dantes blocks nicely.
Tseng throwing strikes but missing.
Dantes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tseng scoring with punches to the head and body.
Dantes wants to sweep here but Tseng controlling him for the moment.
Dantes controlling the position.

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.
Dantes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tseng throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dantes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dantes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dantes keeping moving, preventing Tseng from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tseng misses with a hook.
Tseng misses with a lunging right hand

and Dantes counters by moving into the clinch.
Tseng lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dantes.
Dantes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tseng's elbow.
Dantes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Dantes fails to land.
Good body shot from Dantes.
A short uppercut from Dantes.
Dantes swings wildly with an uppercut but Tseng uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tseng tries to work over Dantes's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Marcus Dantes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dantes has a couple of punches blocked by Tseng.
Dantes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dantes lands an uppercut.
Tseng prevents a body shot from Dantes.
Dantes is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tseng doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tseng has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Dantes after a bit of a struggle.
Tseng is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dantes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vaan Tseng. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dantes lands an uppercut.

Tseng has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Dantes is trying to keep an underhook but Tseng manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Tseng with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Dantes is looking for a sweep. Tseng is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tseng is keen to just control but Dantes is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dantes gets full guard.
Dantes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tseng is one step ahead there.
Tseng wants to control from the top but Dantes keeps moving.
Tseng missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tseng preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tseng not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Dantes keeping moving, preventing Tseng from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Marcus Dantes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Vaan Tseng's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tseng throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vaan Tseng is winning the standup battle so far.
A shot to the liver by Tseng. Beautiful body shot.
Dantes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tseng.
Tseng moves out of range as Dantes strikes.
Tseng walks into a straight right hand from Dantes.
Tseng shoots in for a takedown but Dantes shows good takedown defense.
Tseng loads up on a big right hand but Dantes slips the punch.
Dantes slaps away a takedown attempt from Tseng, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dantes looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tseng pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tseng feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dantes's calf.
Tseng shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dantes sprawls well. Dantes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tseng gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vaan Tseng. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dantes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dantes cracks Tseng with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Tseng lunges at Dantes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Dantes's hand.
Dantes looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tseng displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dantes throws out the jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Tseng misses its target.
Tseng is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Dantes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tseng looks to throw the jab but Dantes is out of range.
Dantes tries to work over Tseng's front leg with a kick but Tseng checks it.
Dantes throws a shot from downtown. Tseng moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dantes lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Tseng misses with a wild body shot.
Tseng sets himself, and Dantes steps forward looking for the clinch! Tseng avoids it this time.
Dantes swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tseng counters with a big head kick but Dantes shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dantes misses with a hook. Tseng ducked under it nicely.
Tseng swings widly with a right hand
and Dantes counters with an inside leg kick.
Tseng scores with a jab to the body.
Tseng misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tseng. Dantes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tseng throws a leg kick which misses Dantes's front leg but catches the back leg as Dantes tries to avoid it.
Tseng scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tseng misses with an uppercut
letting Dantes counter with a right hand.
Tseng throws a head kick that misses.

Tseng gets the takedown into side control.

Dantes explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dantes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tseng sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tseng dives in for a single leg takedown but Dantes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tseng looks to score with a jab to the body but Dantes is just out of range.
Tseng lands a lovely overhand right.
Dantes wants to clinch up but Tseng keeps it at a distance.
Tseng misses with a head kick.
Tseng takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tseng tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Dantes.
Dantes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dantes connects with a right hand. Tseng shakes it off.
Tseng pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dantes rushes Tseng and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tseng blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dantes lands with a left to the head.

Tseng pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tseng throws a leg kick that is checked
and Dantes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big right from Tseng misses.
Dantes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tseng throws a looping overhand right but Dantes ducks down to avoid it.

Tseng is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Dantes's half guard.
Tseng is trying to control the action in half guard but Dantes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Dantes controlling the position for now.
Tseng thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dantes's head.
Dantes trying to control but Tseng postures up.
Dantes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tseng.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marcus Dantes.
I think Dantes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Marcus Dantes!
Marcus Dantes was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.