PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tsyuoshi Taranaki (ranked 5271 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ousmane Sene (ranked 4950 p4p, 0 weight class). Ousmane Sene has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Taranaki
vs
Sene

175 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

182 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tsyuoshi Taranaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ousmane Sene!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sene misses with a takedown attempt - Taranaki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sene throws a right hand that Taranaki ducks under and follows up with a left that Taranaki also avoids with ease.
Taranaki changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Sene has Taranaki up against the cage in a clinch.

Sene lands a takedown into guard.
Taranaki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taranaki wants to get back to his feet but Sene is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sene wants to stand but Taranaki has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sene is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sene with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taranaki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taranaki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sene working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taranaki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sene is controlling him.
Sene really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Taranaki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sene showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sene wants to get up but he can't break Taranaki's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Taranaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sene.

Sene shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Taranaki manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sene is looking to advance position but Taranaki has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sene can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sene holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Taranaki tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Sene is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Taranaki avoids the attempt from Sene to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sene is desperately trying to improve his position but Taranaki has a good base and remains in mount.
Taranaki throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Sene because Taranaki loaded up on that one.
Taranaki looking to control but Sene is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sene is wriggling around trying to escape.
Poor strikes thrown by Taranaki there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sene is wriggling around trying to escape.
Taranaki misses with a head shot.
Sene is desperately trying to improve his position but Taranaki has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sene is squirming around, avoiding Taranaki's attempts to control the action.
Sene can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sene keeps trying to improve his position.
Taranaki wants to control the pace but Sene is squirming around nicely.
Sene is looking to improve his position but Taranaki isn't that keen on the idea.
Taranaki trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sene tries to control the position but Taranaki now has his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Taranaki is not going to allow Sene to sit and survive in this position.
Taranaki keeps control of the position as Sene tries to break free.
Sene is trying to get back to his feet but Taranaki has full control of the position and if anything, Sene has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sene trying to control the hands but Taranaki won't let him.
Taranaki misses with an elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tsyuoshi Taranaki dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Taranaki shoots in looking for a takedown but Sene manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taranaki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Sene shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Taranaki is trying to defend but Sene finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sene controlling the action here.
Taranaki trying to hold on to Sene's head to control him but Sene postures up.
Sene wants to free his trapped foot but Taranaki is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Taranaki is not content to let Sene control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taranaki wants to control but Sene is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sene stalling.
Sene is looking to take a break and control but Taranaki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sene working the head and body with strikes.
Sene seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taranaki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sene is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sene stops Taranaki from getting back to his feet.
Tsyuoshi Taranaki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Well, if Sene is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Let's hope that Sene has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Sene sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Taranaki defending well though.
Sene tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Taranaki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Taranaki is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sene is looking to stand up but Taranaki won't let him.
Sene pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Taranaki is keeping the position for now.

Sene drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Taranaki dives on top into guard.

Sene looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taranaki stops Sene from standing up.

Sene is looking for a triangle here but Taranaki uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Sene is breathing heavily.

Taranaki tries for a kimura but Sene is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sene wants to control but Taranaki postures up.

Taranaki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sene is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sene is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Taranaki is looking to take a break and control but Sene is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taranaki tries to stand but Sene is controlling his head.
Sene trying his best to control but Taranaki has mounted him.
Taranaki avoids the attempt from Sene to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sene is working to get back to half guard.
Sene is squirming around, avoiding Taranaki's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tsyuoshi Taranaki will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sene misses the jab.
No luck for Sene with that takedown attempt.
Sene shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Taranaki defends it nicely.
Taranaki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Taranaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Sene sprawls well. He's pushed Taranaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sene fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sene has a takedown stuffed.
Tsyuoshi Taranaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ousmane Sene.
Taranaki lands with a nice combination. Sene backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taranaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sene.
Sene waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Taranaki.
Taranaki half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Taranaki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Sene. No joy for Taranaki on that attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sene or perhaps it was just good defense by Taranaki, which made it look bad.
Sene takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sene misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Taranaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taranaki keeps Sene at a distance using the push kick.
Taranaki gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Taranaki keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taranaki scores with a head kick.
Taranaki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sene manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Taranaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taranaki seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tsyuoshi Taranaki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taranaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Sene fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Taranaki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sene defends well and Taranaki ends up having to push Sene into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Despite the aggression on Sene's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Taranaki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sene swivels and escapes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sene.
Taranaki fails with the takedown.
Sene with the counter takedown but Taranaki avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sene is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Taranaki leaves Sene with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Taranaki shoots in for a takedown but Sene shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Taranaki backs off Sene throws a huge counter combo but Taranaki manages to avoid it all.
Sene takes a swing at Taranaki's ribcage but misses.
Taranaki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sene swivels and escapes.
Taranaki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sene sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sene uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sene tries to close the distance and clinch but Taranaki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sene fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Taranaki avoids it really well and circles away.
Taranaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sene rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taranaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taranaki lands a nice hook to Sene's body. Sene takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Taranaki tries to clinch up.
Tsyuoshi Taranaki is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Taranaki goes for a double leg but Sene avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sene continues to drive forward.
Sene steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Taranaki.
Taranaki shoots in looking for a takedown but Sene manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taranaki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ousmane Sene has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tsyuoshi Taranaki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taranaki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

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 Tsyuoshi Taranaki.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Taranaki, 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tsyuoshi Taranaki!