PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jayson Tatum (ranked 3858 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luukas Kuukas (ranked 7190 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.

Tatum
vs
Kuukas

203 cm
16
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jayson Tatum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luukas Kuukas !
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Eliza Hachem and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tatum clinches up against the cage.
Kuukas stops a takedown attempt from Tatum.
Kuukas is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tatum is defending well for now.
Kuukas blocks a body shot from Tatum.
Tatum on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kuukas utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tatum avoiding damage as Kuukas throws knees to the body.
Tatum misses with a body punch.
I was talking to Tatum's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Tatum blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuukas is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tatum throws a head punch that misses.
Tatum wants to take the fight to the mat but Kuukas manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jayson Tatum. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tatum has clasped his hands together around Kuukas 's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Tatum tries to advance to mount but can't.
You can see the frustration on Kuukas 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kuukas is working to avoid the ground and pound but Tatum connects with a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tatum has hold of Kuukas 's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Kuukas seems comfortable defending it but Tatum has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Kuukas is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Kuukas is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Tatum couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jayson Tatum!
An out of breath Jayson Tatum thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.