PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Naoyuki Tokudome (ranked 3549 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salahdine Parnasse (ranked 4073 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.

Tokudome
vs
Parnasse

180 cm
25
156 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

173 cm
25
156 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Naoyuki Tokudome!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Salahdine Parnasse!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Parnasse.

Tokudome shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Parnasse wants to control but Tokudome is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Tokudome is looking for a kimura but Parnasse is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tokudome to get the leverage.
Parnasse is trying to maintain the position but Tokudome is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Parnasse manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tokudome is looking to pass into half guard but Parnasse pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Parnasse is in guard.

Parnasse is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Parnasse wants to control from the top but Tokudome keeps moving.
Parnasse wanted to stand there but Tokudome had control of the position.
Tokudome throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tokudome looking for a sweep. Not yet Tokudome, not yet.
Tokudome looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Parnasse trying to control but Tokudome is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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.
Parnasse is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tokudome or perhaps it was just good defense by Parnasse, which made it look bad.
Parnasse will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Tokudome gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Parnasse misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokudome prevents a takedown attempt there.

Tokudome gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Parnasse regains guard.
Tokudome throwing strikes from guard but Parnasse blocks nicely.
Parnasse controlling the position.
Tokudome is stalling in the full guard.
Tokudome looking to sit in guard and control but Parnasse gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Parnasse tries to stand but Tokudome is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tokudome tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tokudome keeping moving, preventing Parnasse from controlling successfully.
Tokudome keeping full guard, as Parnasse tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Salahdine Parnasse will probably get the nod.
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.

Horrible takedown attempt by Tokudome or perhaps it was just good defense by Parnasse, which made it look bad.
Parnasse tries to counter by closing the distance.
Parnasse shoots in looking for a takedown. Tokudome tries to sprawl out of it but Parnasse keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tokudome manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Parnasse fails with the takedown.
Tokudome shoots in and drives through. Parnasse sprawls well.
Parnasse swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Parnasse tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tokudome defends well and Parnasse ends up having to push Tokudome into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Naoyuki Tokudome has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salahdine Parnasse.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Parnasse misses with the combination.
Nice sprawl there from Tokudome as Parnasse shoots in.
Parnasse tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tokudome swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tokudome throws a head kick but Parnasse moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tokudome looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Parnasse fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tokudome avoids it really well and circles away.
No luck for Parnasse with that takedown attempt.

Tokudome clinches with his opponent.
Tokudome jumps guard but Parnasse turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Tokudome pulls guard successfully.
Parnasse trying to control the position from guard on top but Tokudome is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Parnasse stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tokudome swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tokudome looking for a sweep. Not yet Tokudome, not yet.
Tokudome has his hands on Parnasse's head, controlling the position.

Tokudome has his foot on Parnasse's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Parnasse works his way back into a safe position though.
Parnasse slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tokudome is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Parnasse wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tokudome accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Parnasse wants to sweep here but Tokudome controlling him for the moment.
Naoyuki Tokudome overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Parnasse working a defensive guard but Tokudome passes into half guard.

Tokudome looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Parnasse is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tokudome keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Parnasse wants to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Parnasse wants to control but Tokudome is keeping busy.
Tokudome landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naoyuki Tokudome dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tokudome is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Parnasse's half guard.
Parnasse misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Tokudome content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Parnasse is looking for a sweep. Tokudome is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tokudome is trying to control. Parnasse wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Parnasse trying to control here.
Tokudome is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Parnasse can do to turn this around?
Parnasse is trying to control but Tokudome passes into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokudome trying to control the action but Parnasse is working from the bottom.
Parnasse struggling a bit here.
Tokudome trying to control the action but Parnasse is working from the bottom.
Tokudome wants to stand but Parnasse has his arm trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Parnasse manages to get back to half guard.
Parnasse is trying to control but Tokudome manages to pass to mount!
Tokudome wants to control the pace but Parnasse is squirming around nicely.
Tokudome controlling the pace for now.
Parnasse can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokudome looking to control but Parnasse is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tokudome tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Parnasse is working to get back to half guard.
Tokudome looking to control but Parnasse is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Parnasse is trying desperately to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Parnasse sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four 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.

Tokudome is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tokudome thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Parnasse's head.

Tokudome is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tokudome tries to stand but can't do so whilst Parnasse controls his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Naoyuki Tokudome showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tokudome has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Naoyuki Tokudome!