PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fidel Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shigeru Tobla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tobla has chosen the red jumpsuit apparatus - face down as his entrance music. Shigeru Tobla is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Castro
vs
Tobla

191 cm
24
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

177 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Fidel Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shigeru Tobla!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Castro clinches with his opponent.
Castro tries to break free but Tobla pushes him back against the cage.
Tobla slowing the pace effectively.
Castro tries to break the clinch but Tobla is controlling the position.
Tobla drops down looking for an ankle pick but Castro pulls his leg out and moves away.
Castro looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Castro instigates a clinch.
Tobla can't find room to land a body shot as Castro controls the action.
Castro throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tobla is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Castro to keep the fight standing.
Tobla tries to pull guard but Castro holds him up against the cage and eventually Tobla drops back down to his feet.
Fidel Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shigeru Tobla.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tobla drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Castro gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Tobla pulls guard successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro wanted to stand there but Tobla had control of the position.
Castro controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Castro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Castro engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Castro wants to get up but he can't break Tobla's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Tobla working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Castro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Castro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

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

Tobla is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nice takedown defense from Castro. No joy for Tobla on that attempt.

Castro darts in and clinches Tobla up against the cage.
Tobla tries for a takedown but Castro manages to get underhooks.
Tobla slowing the pace effectively.
Castro stalling.
Tobla can't get the takedown.
Castro misses with a body punch.
Castro is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tobla tries to pull guard but Castro won't allow it.
Castro has had enough of the clinch but Tobla keeps him there for the moment.
Castro tries to break free but Tobla pushes him back against the cage.
Castro wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tobla drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Castro gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Castro can't break the clinch.
Tobla tries to pull guard but Castro won't allow it.
Castro wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tobla tries to work over Castro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tobla tries to pull guard but Castro forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Castro tries to throw a body punch but Tobla avoids it by throwing Castro back against the cage.
Castro wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tobla has him pressed against the cage.

Castro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

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.
Castro misses with a series of wild punches.
Castro lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tobla backs up against the cage.
Castro swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tobla shoots and misses
and Castro counters with a straight right hand.
Castro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tobla moves away.
Castro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fidel Castro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Castro scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A head kick misses from Tobla.
Castro seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Tobla fails with the takedown
and Castro makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fidel Castro dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Castro uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Castro looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Castro pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tobla back to the cage. Castro follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Castro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tobla.
Tobla fails to land the takedown.
Castro appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Tobla shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Castro counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Fidel Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shigeru Tobla.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro misses with a jab, cross combination.
Castro uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Castro is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Tobla looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Castro is fending him off so far but Tobla persists. Nope, Castro circles away and we're back to standing.
Tobla is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro connects with a body shot.

Castro forces Tobla back against the cage and clinches.
Castro has had enough of the clinch but Tobla keeps him there for the moment.
Tobla tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Castro is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Castro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Castro takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Castro tries to circle away but Tobla has him pinned against the cage.
Castro is trying to push Tobla away but Tobla has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A frustrated look appears on Castro's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Castro working hard to break the clinch.
Castro can't break the clinch.
Castro missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Tobla jumps guard and drags Castro to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Castro trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Castro wants to control from the top but Tobla keeps moving.
Castro has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Castro is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Castro's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Castro will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Castro preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Castro wants to improve his position but instead Tobla has moved into half guard.
Castro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Castro tries to kick Tobla off but Tobla keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Castro is trying to control but can't.

Castro has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Tobla is on him like a limpet, forcing Castro back against the cage.
Castro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tobla backwards.
Castro has had enough of the clinch but Tobla keeps him there for the moment.

Tobla decides to pull guard.
Tobla not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fidel Castro dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tobla avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from Castro.
Castro throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Castro throws a series of strikes that have Tobla backpedaling.
Castro ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tobla closes the distance looking to clinch
and Castro counters with a three punch combo that has Tobla backing up. Tobla nods at Castro to acknowledge the strikes.
Fidel Castro is winning the standup battle so far.
Tobla slips a jab and a cross from Castro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tobla moves in looking to clinch but Castro pushes him off.
Castro appears to be looking for a big counter.
Tobla takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Castro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tobla can do to turn this around?
Tobla fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tobla walks into a jab.
Castro lands an overhand right.
Castro scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Castro tries to bum rush Tobla with a series of wild strikes but Tobla uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Castro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Castro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tobla.
Shigeru Tobla seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Castro throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tobla throws a left and a right that both miss
and Castro counters with a series of strikes. Tobla will be more careful next time no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tobla will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Castro seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Castro stuffs the takedown attempt from Tobla. Tobla gets slowly back to his feet.
Fidel Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shigeru Tobla.
Tobla takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tobla takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Castro ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Castro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tobla moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Castro's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Tobla manages to break the clinch.
Tobla takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Castro throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Tobla moves in looking to clinch but Castro pushes him off.
Tobla misses with a takedown attempt - Castro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Tobla gets tackled into the cage by Castro. Castro maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro has had enough of the clinch but Tobla keeps him there for the moment.
Castro has Tobla pressed against the cage.

Tobla drags the fight down to the ground.
Castro is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tobla is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castro trying to get back to full guard but Tobla takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Shigeru Tobla has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fidel Castro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fidel Castro showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Castro, 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fidel Castro!
Shigeru Tobla was interviewed post fight and said 'I need to train harder'.