PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tomomisan Tsuruta (ranked 1455 p4p, 199 weight class) and Keijo Maki (ranked 1080 p4p, 146 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.

Tsuruta
vs
Maki

192 cm
23
209 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

205 cm
22
220 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tomomisan Tsuruta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keijo Maki!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maki misses with a hook

and Tsuruta counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tsuruta.
Tsuruta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tsuruta accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Maki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tsuruta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Maki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maki keeping full guard, as Tsuruta tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maki has control of Tsuruta's left arm, preventing Tsuruta from doing any damage.
Tsuruta missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta tries to free his leg and advance position but Maki is retaining full guard.
Maki seems keen to control Tsuruta's posture.
Tsuruta 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.
Tsuruta with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tsuruta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tsuruta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tsuruta is looking to work some ground and pound but Maki has wrist control.
Tsuruta is working Maki over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tsuruta throws a big elbow that misses.
Tsuruta wants to control from the top but Maki keeps moving.
Tsuruta might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Tsuruta postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tsuruta working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maki's head.
Tsuruta postures up in Maki's guard and throws a big left but Maki blocks it.
Tsuruta passes into half guard.
Maki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tsuruta.
Maki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tsuruta drops an elbow to the side of Maki's head.
Tsuruta throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tsuruta working Maki over with strikes.
Tsuruta throwing shots but Maki is blocking nicely.
Ground and pound from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tsuruta connects with a nice short shot to Maki's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tsuruta stalling away here and it's allowed Maki to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Maki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tsuruta is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Maki keeping moving, preventing Tsuruta from controlling successfully.
Tsuruta postures up and lands a big shot to Maki's brow.
Maki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Maki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tsuruta postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tsuruta working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've been hearing that Tsuruta has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Tsuruta advances to half guard.
Tsuruta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Maki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tsuruta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tsuruta working Maki over with strikes.
Tsuruta thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maki's head.
Tsuruta working the head and body with strikes.

Maki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tsuruta working Maki over with strikes.
Tsuruta not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Maki is not content to let Tsuruta control the position.
Tsuruta drops an elbow to the side of Maki's head.
Maki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tsuruta.
Maki is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tsuruta scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tsuruta takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tsuruta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tsuruta connects with a nice short shot to Maki's temple.
Maki is refusing to be controlled, as Tsuruta sits in half guard.
Tsuruta trying to mount his opponent but Maki defends it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta is trying to control. Maki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tsuruta looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maki with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tsuruta stops Maki from getting back to his feet.
Tsuruta slips a nice elbow through Maki's hands, connecting with Maki's forehead.
Maki taking some punishment here, with Tsuruta in his half guard.
Tsuruta landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tsuruta throws a strike but Maki avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Maki wants to sweep but no luck.
Tsuruta throws a big right hand that misses.
Tsuruta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Maki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tsuruta.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Maki has momentary wrist control but Tsuruta slips an elbow through the middle.
Maki keeping moving, preventing Tsuruta from controlling successfully.
Tsuruta with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tsuruta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tsuruta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Maki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tsuruta wants to pass the guard but Maki is keeping the position.
Tsuruta is working Maki over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tsuruta throws a big elbow that misses.
Tsuruta postures up in Maki's guard and throws a big left but Maki blocks it.
Tsuruta scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta tries to free his leg and advance position but Maki is retaining full guard.
Tsuruta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tsuruta with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tsuruta with a nice head shot there.
Tsuruta postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tsuruta landing some decent shots from guard.
Tsuruta trying to control the position from guard on top but Maki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tsuruta trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tsuruta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tsuruta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tsuruta distracts Maki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Maki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tsuruta keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Maki's head.
Tsuruta lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tsuruta throws a strike but Maki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tsuruta looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maki is one step ahead there.
Maki postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tsuruta keeping moving, preventing Maki from controlling successfully.
Tsuruta is pulling down on Maki's head. It's preventing any offense from Maki, at least for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomomisan Tsuruta dominated that round.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A big left from Maki misses.
Tsuruta feinted with a counter takedown.
Tsuruta blocks a low kick nicely.
Maki scores with a jab to the jaw.
Maki lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Maki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice cross by Maki.
Maki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tsuruta tries to counter with a takedown but Maki is quick to defend against it.
Maki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maki swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Tsuruta counters with a left to the body.
Maki throws a chopping leg kick but Tsuruta manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tsuruta appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Maki misses with a right hand
and Tsuruta cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maki.
Maki tests Tsuruta's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tsuruta moves out of range as Maki strikes.
Maki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tsuruta shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tsuruta ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tsuruta steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maki.
Maki lands a right hook to the body.
Tsuruta punishes Maki's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maki throws a looping overhand right but Tsuruta ducks down to avoid it.
Tsuruta closes the distance and clinches up with Maki, looking for a takedown. Tsuruta pushes Maki against the ropes but Maki circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Maki connects with a jab.
Tsuruta takes a swing at Maki's ribcage but misses.
Tsuruta jabs at Maki's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tsuruta appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Maki throws a leg kick but Tsuruta moved away.
Tsuruta was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Maki throws the left hand but Tsuruta avoids the punch easily.
Maki misses with a straight left.
Maki is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Tsuruta throws a hook to the side of Maki's head but Maki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maki lands a right hook to the body.
Maki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tsuruta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tsuruta is looking to wear down Maki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tsuruta slips under a jab.
Tsuruta uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maki.
Tsuruta scores with a hook to the body. Maki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Maki walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Maki connects with a nice looking jab.
A big right from Maki misses.
A little feinted left hand from Tsuruta on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tsuruta has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Maki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maki swings widly with a right hand

and Tsuruta counters with a shoot takedown. Maki fights it but they end up in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tsuruta keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Maki's head.
Maki being controlled here, momentarily.
Tsuruta postures up in Maki's guard and throws a big left but Maki blocks it.
Tsuruta is stalling in the full guard.
Tsuruta throwing strikes from guard but Maki blocks nicely.
Maki looking to control.
Tsuruta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maki can do to turn this around?

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tsuruta with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tsuruta is in close to Maki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tsuruta working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tsuruta scoring with some ground and pound.
Tsuruta is in close to Maki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tomomisan Tsuruta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tsuruta working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maki's head.
Tsuruta throws an elbow that misses. Maki uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tsuruta's guard. Nice move by Maki!

Tsuruta is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tsuruta thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maki's head.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tsuruta sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maki defending well though.
Maki taking some punishment here, with Tsuruta in his half guard.
Tsuruta is looking to stall here but Maki recovers full guard.
Tsuruta trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tsuruta with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tsuruta wants to control from the top but Maki keeps moving.
Tsuruta scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tsuruta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Keijo Maki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta tries to free his leg and advance position but Maki is retaining full guard.
Tsuruta throws a strike but Maki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tsuruta trying to keep a closed guard but Maki is proving a slippery customer.
Maki preventing the sweep.
Tsuruta is trying to keep Maki in close.
Tsuruta has momentary wrist control but Maki slips an elbow through the middle.
Tsuruta lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tsuruta with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tsuruta lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tsuruta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta is looking to work some ground and pound but Maki has wrist control.
Tsuruta throws a strike but Maki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Maki wanted to stand there but Tsuruta had control of the position.
Tsuruta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maki trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tsuruta's guard.
Maki is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Maki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tsuruta wants to sweep but no luck.
Maki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tsuruta is proving hard to escape from.
Tsuruta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tomomisan Tsuruta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tsuruta working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maki.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maki throws a leg kick that is checked

and Tsuruta counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Tsuruta trying to control the position from guard on top but Maki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tsuruta looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Keijo Maki.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Tomomisan Tsuruta!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Tomomisan Tsuruta!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Tomomisan Tsuruta!

Tomomisan Tsuruta wins by unanimous decision!