PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shelton Vader (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marc Tong Panong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tong Panong has chosen Tetris Song (remix) as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Vader
vs
Tong Panong

178 cm
20
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
190 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shelton Vader!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marc Tong Panong!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vader looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tong Panong throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Tong Panong is looking for a triangle but Vader pushes his legs off easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vader accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Vader thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tong Panong wants to sweep here but Vader controlling him for the moment.

Vader drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tong Panong looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tong Panong looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tong Panong!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vader is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tong Panong's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Vader wants to control but Tong Panong is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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. Tong Panong connects with a nice short shot to Vader's temple.

Tong Panong seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tong Panong seems to be looking for submissions.

Tong Panong is working for a submission of some sort.

Vader looking for submissions off his back.
Vader tries to roll over but Tong Panong keeps him under control.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tong Panong is working for a submission of some sort.
Vader missing with punches from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vader misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vader punching from the bottom.
Tong Panong working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tong Panong slips a nice elbow through Vader's hands, connecting with Vader's forehead.
Vader is trying to maintain the position but Tong Panong is very close to passing his half guard.
Tong Panong moves nicely into side control.

Tong Panong thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Vader throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Vader might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vader is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Vader's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tong Panong working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Vader misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Vader is not content to let Tong Panong control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vader can't do much from the bottom here.
Tong Panong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vader taking punishment in the form of punches.

Tong Panong is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Vader has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tong Panong landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Vader takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Tong Panong decides to stand back up. Tong Panong steps back and let's Vader get back to his feet.
Vader looks to land a right hand but Tong Panong moved out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tong Panong.
Vader tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tong Panong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tong Panong will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vader with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tong Panong counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tong Panong.
Vader has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tong Panong avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vader is breathing heavily.
Tong Panong drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vader pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shelton Vader has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marc Tong Panong.

Vader drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Vader working the ground and pound.
Vader lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Tong Panong is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Vader's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Vader not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tong Panong actively working from the bottom here.
Vader content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Tong Panong dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tong Panong shoots in looking for a takedown. Vader tries to sprawl out of it but Tong Panong keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vader manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from Vader misses the target.

Tong Panong looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tong Panong preventing the sweep.
Vader tries to strike from the bottom.
Tong Panong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vader lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Tong Panong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vader throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Tong Panong forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong is pressing down on Vader's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vader is holding on for now.
Marc Tong Panong has got the better of the ground game so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tong Panong looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Vader misses with a takedown attempt

and Tong Panong counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tong Panong is nestled in close to Vader, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Vader is in trouble now - Tong Panong has advanced to mount!
Tong Panong landing strikes from the mount.
Tong Panong lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Tong Panong looking to secure an arm triangle but Vader defends it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tong Panong is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Vader has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Vader tries to hold on but Tong Panong pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vader throws a strike but has given up his back in the process.
Vader wants to escape the position.
Tong Panong gets his hands free as Vader looks to control.
Vader is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tong Panong is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tong Panong lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Tong Panong punishes Vader with strikes from the back mount.
Can Vader hold on?! Tong Panong is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Vader is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tong Panong is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Vader turns into Tong Panong and is now in his guard.
Vader lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tong Panong thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Vader avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vader trying to control but Tong Panong is working from the bottom.
Vader postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Tong Panong working for a triangle but Vader defends it easily.
Tong Panong tries to strike from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vader working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tong Panong's head.
Vader makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Tong Panong throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Vader thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Tong Panong has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vader can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vader has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Tong Panong throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vader 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Tong Panong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Vader misses with a double jab

and Tong Panong counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vader won't be happy with that.
Vader misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Vader is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Tong Panong thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Vader sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Tong Panong wants to stand but Vader has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Tong Panong is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Tong Panong is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Vader has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tong Panong looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong blocks the strikes from Vader.
Tong Panong is pressing down on Vader's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vader is holding on for now.
Tong Panong blocks the strikes from Vader.
Vader wants to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Vader misses with a two punch combination.
Vader misses with a takedown attempt

so Tong Panong counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tong Panong is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Vader has momentary wrist control but Tong Panong slips an elbow through the middle.

Tong Panong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tong Panong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tong Panong looking to pass the guard.
Vader throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Vader escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tong Panong gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shelton Vader has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tong Panong drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Tong Panong as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Vader screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Tong Panong! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Marc Tong Panong!