PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hanzo Hattori (ranked 6778 p4p, 480 weight class) and Monkhbat Togoruutan (ranked 6530 p4p, 476 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hattori
vs
Togoruutan

184 cm
20
195 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

177 cm
21
180 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hanzo Hattori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Monkhbat Togoruutan!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Togoruutan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hattori defends it nicely.

Hattori gets caught napping as Togoruutan dives in and scores a takedown. Hattori manages to retain guard.
Togoruutan stopping the sweep attempt from Hattori.
Togoruutan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hattori swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Togoruutan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Togoruutan pushes down on Hattori's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hattori tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Togoruutan has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Togoruutan prevents Hattori from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Togoruutan controlling his opponent.
Hattori bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Togoruutan looking to control.

Togoruutan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hattori gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Togoruutan is trying to keep Hattori in close.
Hattori scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hattori trying to control the position from guard on top but Togoruutan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togoruutan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Togoruutan keeps moving.

Togoruutan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hattori is aware though and is defending well.
Togoruutan is pulling down on Hattori's head to control his posture.
Hattori trying to control but Togoruutan is working from the bottom.
Togoruutan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hattori controls the pace.
Hattori working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hattori landing with the ground and pound.
Hattori is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Russian Bears Training Center that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Togoruutan working for a triangle but Hattori defends it easily.
Togoruutan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hattori postures up in Togoruutan's guard and throws a big left but Togoruutan blocks it.
Hattori trying to control but Togoruutan is working from the bottom.
Hattori postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Togoruutan keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Togoruutan holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Togoruutan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Togoruutan keeps moving.

Togoruutan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Togoruutan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hattori throws a big right hand that misses.
Togoruutan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Togoruutan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hattori controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan is trying to control the position but Hattori postures up.
Hattori has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hattori keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Togoruutan's head.

Togoruutan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hattori is aware though and is defending well.
Hattori trying to move into half guard but instead Togoruutan has managed to sweep!

Hattori is pulling down on Togoruutan's head. It's preventing any offense from Togoruutan, at least for the moment.
Hattori is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Togoruutan looking to pass the guard.
Hattori trying to control the position.
Togoruutan slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hattori is trying to keep Togoruutan in close.
Hattori looking to hit a scissor sweep but Togoruutan is one step ahead there.
Togoruutan trying to control the position from guard on top but Hattori is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togoruutan is stalling in the full guard.
Togoruutan trying to control the position from guard on top but Hattori is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togoruutan controlling from the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hattori trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Togoruutan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Togoruutan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hattori circles away.
Hanzo Hattori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Monkhbat Togoruutan.
Hattori shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Togoruutan defends it nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Hattori. No joy for Togoruutan on that attempt.
Hattori throws a quick counter head kick but Togoruutan was just out of range.

Togoruutan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hattori not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hattori wants to sweep but no luck.
Togoruutan tries to free his leg and advance position but Hattori is retaining full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Togoruutan trying to control the position from guard on top but Hattori is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hattori is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Togoruutan tries to free his leg and advance position but Hattori is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hattori is on top in guard.

Hattori trying to control but Togoruutan is working from the bottom.
Togoruutan wants to sweep but no luck.
Togoruutan is adopting a defensive guard.
Togoruutan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Togoruutan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hattori is aware though and is defending well.
Hattori scoring with punches to the head and body.
Togoruutan tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Togoruutan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hattori doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hattori manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hattori controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Togoruutan keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hattori is really struggling to control Togoruutan but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monkhbat Togoruutan dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Togoruutan has a takedown stuffed.
Togoruutan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hattori circles away.
Hattori appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hattori.
And Togoruutan tries to counter it with a takedown but Hattori pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hattori shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Togoruutan pinned against the cage. Togoruutan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Togoruutan closes the distance and clinches up with Hattori, looking for a takedown. Togoruutan pushes Hattori against the cage but Hattori circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hanzo Hattori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Monkhbat Togoruutan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Togoruutan shoots in but no luck this time.
Hanzo Hattori is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Togoruutan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hattori sprawls well initially but Togoruutan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hattori is trying to maintain the position but Togoruutan is very close to passing his half guard.
Hattori is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hattori has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Togoruutan is working away from the top position though.
Hattori is staying active underneath Togoruutan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hattori slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hattori looking to hit a scissor sweep but Togoruutan is one step ahead there.
Togoruutan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Togoruutan is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Togoruutan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hattori is keeping the position for now.
Hattori keeping moving, preventing Togoruutan from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Togoruutan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hattori is fending him off so far but Togoruutan persists. Nope, Hattori circles away and we're back to standing.

Togoruutan looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Hattori!

Togoruutan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hattori, who protects the arm well.
Hattori manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Togoruutan is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hattori is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hattori is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Hattori has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Togoruutan is working away from the top position though.
Hattori moves into full guard.
Togoruutan trying to control the position from guard on top but Hattori is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togoruutan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hattori looking to control but Togoruutan passes into half guard.
Hattori is trying to get back to full guard.
Hattori is trying to maintain the position but Togoruutan is very close to passing his half guard.
Hattori trying to get back to full guard but Togoruutan takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hattori really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Togoruutan takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Togoruutan wants to control the pace but Hattori is squirming around nicely.
Hattori is in all sorts of trouble here.
Togoruutan avoids the attempt from Hattori to control.
Togoruutan fails to move to back control.

That's six 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.
Togoruutan content just to control the position here.
Hattori is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Togoruutan is looking to work his way around to Hattori's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Hattori slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hattori manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hattori is pulling down on Togoruutan's head. It's preventing any offense from Togoruutan, at least for the moment.
Hattori keeping moving, preventing Togoruutan from controlling successfully.
Hattori looking to control.
Monkhbat Togoruutan has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hattori is keeping the position for now.
Togoruutan seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hattori is looking to stand up but Togoruutan isn't so interested in that idea.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Togoruutan trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hattori manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Hattori trying to control the position from guard on top but Togoruutan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togoruutan being controlled here, momentarily.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Togoruutan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hattori can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hattori trying to control but Togoruutan is working from the bottom.
Hattori wants to pass the guard but Togoruutan is keeping the position.
Togoruutan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Togoruutan keeps moving.
Hattori distracts Togoruutan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hattori wants to control from the top but Togoruutan keeps moving.
Hattori with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Togoruutan looking to control.
Hattori with a nice head shot there.
Togoruutan has momentary wrist control but Hattori slips an elbow through the middle.
Hattori trying to control the position from guard on top but Togoruutan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hanzo Hattori has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Togoruutan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hattori manages to get himself to full guard.

Togoruutan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hattori swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hattori looking to control but Togoruutan passes into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Togoruutan wants to pass the guard but Hattori is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Monkhbat Togoruutan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Togoruutan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Monkhbat Togoruutan!
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight for Monkhbat Togoruutan!
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight for Monkhbat Togoruutan!

Monkhbat Togoruutan wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Monkhbat Togoruutan rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.