PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tazuna Sarutobi (ranked 4381 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Soprano (ranked 4979 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sarutobi
vs
Soprano

180 cm
22
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tazuna Sarutobi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marco Soprano!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soprano shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sarutobi pinned against the cage. Sarutobi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Sarutobi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Sarutobi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Soprano knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Sarutobi swings around for an armbar but Soprano sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sarutobi's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Soprano stands and steps away. Sarutobi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Soprano stuffs the takedown attempt from Sarutobi. Sarutobi gets slowly back to his feet.
Sarutobi misses with a takedown attempt - Soprano sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soprano fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Sarutobi drives through with a takedown into Soprano's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soprano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sarutobi postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Soprano is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sarutobi, into his guard.

Soprano wanted to stand there but Sarutobi had control of the position.

Soprano gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Soprano dives in for a single leg takedown but Sarutobi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tazuna Sarutobi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Soprano.
Soprano keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarutobi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sarutobi shoots in looking for a takedown but Soprano manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sarutobi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Soprano gets caught napping as Sarutobi dives in and scores a takedown. Soprano manages to retain guard.
Sarutobi is breathing heavily.
Soprano wants to get back to his feet but Sarutobi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Soprano is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Sarutobi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soprano keeping moving, preventing Sarutobi from controlling successfully.
Sarutobi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sarutobi is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Soprano is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Soprano has escaped and now he's on top!

Soprano would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarutobi tries to strike from the bottom.
Soprano would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Sarutobi has his foot on Soprano's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Soprano works his way back into a safe position though.

Soprano stands up and waves to Sarutobi to follow him.
Soprano tries to close the distance and clinch but Sarutobi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Soprano shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sarutobi defends it nicely.
Sarutobi seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Soprano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sarutobi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Soprano wants to break free but Sarutobi has control.
Soprano using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sarutobi keeps control of Soprano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Soprano has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Soprano dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Soprano fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sarutobi avoids it really well and circles away.
Sarutobi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sarutobi keeps the fight on the outside.
Soprano dives in and grabs Sarutobi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sarutobi pushes down on Soprano's head and hops out.

Sarutobi gets a takedown into half guard.

Sarutobi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Soprano is just riding it out for now. Sarutobi eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sarutobi maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Soprano could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Sarutobi has cracked it and Soprano is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Sarutobi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tazuna Sarutobi!