PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Knuckles OToole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominic Tattum (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.

OToole
vs
Tattum

185 cm
32
166 lbs
12 - 11 - 1

185 cm
29
153 lbs
12 - 14 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Knuckles OToole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dominic Tattum!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

OToole takes the fight into the clinch.
OToole gets through Tattum's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
OToole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
OToole lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tattum is trying to break free.

Tattum breaks from the clinch.
Tattum throws a sloppy head kick and OToole moves out of range easily.
OToole tries to clinch but Tattum moves out of range.
OToole tries to land a front kick but Tattum steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A telegraphed right hand from OToole misses the target.
Tattum misses with a double jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tattum.
Dominic Tattum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tattum tries a head kick but it misses.
Tattum goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
OToole is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tattum circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tattum throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by OToole.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tattum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tattum throws a nice head kick!
Tattum throws a head kick that misses.
OToole is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tattum tries to clinch there but OToole circles away.
Tattum takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tattum is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tattum looks to land a body kick but OToole moved away.
OToole keeps the fight on the outside.
Tattum lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
OToole looks for the body kick but Tattum saw that one coming.
OToole moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tattum throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Tattum takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
OToole scores with a decent looking hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
OToole throws a low kick but Tattum avoids it.
OToole moves out of range as Tattum throws a body kick.

OToole has Tattum up against the cage in a clinch.
OToole throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tattum lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tattum goes for a takedown attempt but OToole pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fighters circling - OToole throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
OToole looks to land a left hand but Tattum moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OToole throws a lazy right hand but Tattum sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tattum plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tattum thuds his shin into the meat of OToole's side.
Tattum looks to land a body kick but OToole moved away.
Tattum uses good head movement to avoid the hook from OToole.
Tattum delivers a nice body kick.
OToole throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tattum plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
OToole circles away from the clinch attempt.
OToole misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tattum.
Tattum tries to clinch up.
Tattum misses with a head kick.
Tattum bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As OToole backs off Tattum throws a huge counter combo but OToole manages to avoid it all.
Nice defenses there by Tattum.
Tattum swats away the attempt to clinch by OToole.
Tattum lands a head kick!
OToole misses with a hook. Tattum ducked under it nicely.
OToole throws an overhand right that lands on Tattum's shoulder, as Tattum tries to avoid the shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tattum.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tattum checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tattum fails in his attempt to clinch.
OToole is looking to land body kicks.
Tattum throws a head kick that half lands.
Tattum keeps OToole at a distance using the push kick.
OToole tries to bum rush Tattum with a series of wild strikes but Tattum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tattum unleashes a big counter combination but OToole bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Tattum tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. OToole manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tattum staying out of range there.
Tattum tries to close the distance and clinch but OToole swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tattum takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tattum connects with a high kick.
Tattum tries to clinch but OToole moves out of range.
Tattum misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tattum slips a straight right by OToole.
OToole walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tattum.
Tattum throws a head kick that misses.
Tattum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tattum is looking to clinch.
OToole shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
OToole takes a swing at Tattum's ribcage but misses.
Tattum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tattum throws a quick head kick that skims the top of OToole's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OToole misses with a head kick.
Tattum tries to close the distance and clinch up but OToole swats him away and circles back towards the center.
OToole steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Tattum. That one must have hurt.

Tattum forces OToole back against the cage and clinches.
OToole scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Tattum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
OToole takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Tattum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
OToole swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Tattum lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

OToole takes the fight into the clinch.
OToole has Tattum pressed against the cage, preventing Tattum from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by OToole.
OToole tries a body shot but Tattum blocks it.
I was talking to OToole's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Tattum lands with a right to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
OToole swings wildly with an uppercut but Tattum uses good head movement to avoid it.
OToole will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Tattum's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tattum lands a hook that snaps the head of OToole backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Tattum dominated that round.
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.

Tattum checks a low kick from OToole.
Tattum throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tattum tries to clinch up but OToole circles away and keeps his distance.
Tattum takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tattum plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
OToole is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tattum.
OToole blocks a head kick by Tattum.
OToole misses the jab.
Tattum throws a head kick but OToole moves out of range.
Tattum slips under a jab from OToole.
OToole looks to land a body kick but Tattum moved away.
OToole tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tattum manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tattum slips a straight right by OToole.
Tattum scores with a head kick.
Tattum keeps OToole at a distance using the push kick.
OToole avoids the head kick by Tattum.
Tattum misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
OToole avoids the head kick by Tattum.
Tattum tries to clinch there but OToole circles away.
OToole throws a big shot that misses.
OToole throws a looping overhand right but Tattum ducks down to avoid it.
OToole throws a body shot but no joy.
Tattum throws a counter combo.
Dominic Tattum seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tattum throws a series of punches but OToole moves out of range.
OToole misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tattum.
OToole blocks a head kick by Tattum.
A left lands for OToole.
Tattum lands a high kick!

Tattum moves into the clinch successfully.
Tattum takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for OToole.
Tattum has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
OToole works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
OToole throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tattums head.
A short right from OToole.
OToole lands with a right to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
OToole scores with a shot to the side of Tattum's head.
OToole tries a body shot but Tattum blocks it.
OToole pushes Tattum back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tattum is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tattum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
OToole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tattum's elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Tattum.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OToole looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Tattum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tattum misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tattum misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tattum closes the distance and pushes OToole back into the cage.
Knuckles OToole has scored more points in the clinch so far.
OToole lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Still in the clinch, OToole scores with a nice short uppercut.
OToole swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tattum blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Good body shot from OToole.
OToole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tattum's elbow.
A short body shot lands from OToole as the two fighters clinch.
OToole misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Tattum.
Tattum lands a shoulder strike.
OToole throws an elbow that misses.
Tattum has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
OToole throws an elbow but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from OToole fails to land.
Tattum tries a body shot but OToole blocks it.
OToole misses with a hook to the ribs.

Tattum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tattum is looking to clinch but OToole is avoiding it.
OToole throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tattum sees it coming and avoids it easily.
OToole digs a good hook to Tattum's body.
OToole swings and misses with a hook to the body.
OToole lands with a hook. Tattum tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
OToole takes a head kick and keeps coming.
OToole with a jab.
Tattum plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tattum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
OToole lands a jab.
OToole cracks Tattum with a good jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
OToole swats away the attempt to clinch by Tattum.
OToole lands with a shot to the body.
Dominic Tattum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OToole misses the shot to the body.
Tattum displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Tattum tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. OToole manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Tattum forces OToole back against the cage and clinches.
OToole cracks Tattum with a nice body shot.
OToole swings wildly with an uppercut but Tattum uses good head movement to avoid it.
OToole works on Tattum's body with a couple of short punches.
OToole struggles to land a body shot inside as Tattum controls his hands.
Tattum misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tattum blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
OToole lands with a short shot to the head.
Tattum is trying to force a seperation but OToole has the dominant position.
Tattum lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt OToole or not.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tattum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tattum staying out of range there.
Tattum counters with a body kick.
OToole connects with a body shot that sends Tattum's belly button to the back.
Tattum is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Knuckles OToole dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

OToole pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tattum is out of range and OToole settles back down.
OToole ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tattum tries to clinch but OToole is having none of it.
Tattum tries to clinch up but OToole circles away and keeps his distance.
Tattum keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tattum lands a nice looking body kick.
OToole scores with a jab to the jaw.

OToole fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tattum, pushing him back against the cage.

Tattum manages to break the clinch.
Tattum throws a nice head kick!
Tattum lands a high kick!

OToole has Tattum up against the cage in a clinch.
Tattum has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tattum blocking some punches.
OToole misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tattum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tattum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
OToole misses with some punches.
OToole lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OToole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tattum avoids it.
OToole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tattum tries a body shot but OToole blocks it.
OToole blocks an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by OToole.

Tattum breaks the clinch.
OToole misses with a wild body shot.
OToole pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tattum uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by OToole.
Tattum lands with a nice body kick.
Tattum misses with a head kick.
Tattum moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
OToole throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
OToole just misses with a punch to the body.
Tattum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
OToole is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tattum.
Tattum throws a fast counter high kick but OToole manages to duck under it in time.
OToole throws a hook to the side of Tattum's head but Tattum sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tattum connects with a high kick.
OToole throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from OToole.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tattum throws a sloppy head kick and OToole moves out of range easily.
OToole takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tattum is on the wrong end of a nice combination from OToole.
Tattum wants to land a leg kick but OToole is out of range.

OToole closes the distance and pushes Tattum back into the cage.
OToole misses with a hook to the ribs.
OToole lands a left hand.
OToole lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
OToole gets through Tattum's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tattum has had enough of the clinch but OToole keeps him there for the moment.
OToole struggles to land a body shot inside as Tattum controls his hands.
OToole scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Tattum breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
OToole avoids the head kick by Tattum.
A head kick misses from Tattum.
Tattum ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
OToole takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tattum walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Jab from OToole.
OToole with a nice cross.
Tattum throws a head kick but OToole moves out of range.
Tattum throws a body kick that misses.
Tattum moves out of range as OToole throws a body kick.
Tattum moves out of range of the strikes.
Tattum lands a head kick. OToole smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tattum takes a shot to the body in his stride.
OToole fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tattum checks it well.
A head kick from Tattum lands but OToole takes it in his stride.
A telegraphed right hand from OToole misses the target.
Tattum throws a fast counter high kick but OToole manages to duck under it in time.
Tattum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tattum plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tattum takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OToole misses with a straight right.
Despite the aggression on Tattum's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
OToole lands a nice shot that snaps Tattum's head back.
Tattum takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
OToole misses with an uppercut.
Tattum throws a big counter head kick but OToole avoids it with no problem.
Tattum has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from OToole.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tattum misses with a head kick.
OToole throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tattum lands with a kick to the temple. OToole shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Tattum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from OToole misses the target.
Tattum swinging wildly here.
Tattum lands a nice looking body kick.

OToole forces Tattum back against the cage and clinches.
OToole struggles to land a body shot inside as Tattum controls his hands.
A short left from OToole.
OToole pushes Tattum back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tattum tried to land a shot to the body but connects with OToole's elbow.
Tattum's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tattum blocks an elbow strike from OToole.
OToole working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tattum's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
OToole lands an elbow that stopped Tattum in his tracks for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Knuckles OToole showed his dominance in that final round.
I think OToole has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Knuckles OToole!
In his post fight interview, Knuckles OToole started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.