PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tomomi Tsuruta (ranked 15 p4p, 3 weight class) and Charley Hanagan (ranked 65 p4p, 10 weight class). Hanagan has chosen Guilty Until Proven Innocent as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Tsuruta
vs
Hanagan

192 cm
29
209 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

180 cm
30
211 lbs
21 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Dark Knight Nutrition
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tomomi Tsuruta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Charley Hanagan!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsuruta takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hanagan wants to clinch.
Tsuruta appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Hanagan misses with an uppercut. Tsuruta saw that one coming.
Nice shot by Hanagan.
Hanagan throws out a loose jab but Tsuruta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tsuruta swings for the body but Hanagan moves out of range.
Tsuruta looks to score with a jab to the body but Hanagan is just out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Tsuruta. No joy for Hanagan on that attempt.
Tsuruta cracks Hanagan with a good jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuruta looks to land a right hand but Hanagan moved out of range.
Hanagan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tsuruta takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Hanagan looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Tsuruta!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hanagan goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Tsuruta rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hanagan's guard! Nice work there by Tsuruta!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanagan has his foot on Tsuruta's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tsuruta works his way back into a safe position though.
Tsuruta trying to control but Hanagan is working from the bottom.
Tsuruta showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Tsuruta's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Tsuruta trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanagan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.
Tsuruta looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tsuruta has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

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.
Tsuruta trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanagan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tsuruta sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Tsuruta tries to free his leg and advance position but Hanagan is retaining full guard.

Hanagan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tsuruta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tsuruta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hanagan swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hanagan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta trying to control but Hanagan is working from the bottom.
Tsuruta showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hanagan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Hanagan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tsuruta defends well.
Tsuruta is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hanagan looking for a sweep. Not yet Hanagan, not yet.
Tsuruta trying to control but Hanagan is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hanagan cracks Tsuruta with a good jab.
Hanagan throws a hook but Tsuruta blocks it.
Hanagan misses with a straight left.
Charley Hanagan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tsuruta looks to land a right hand but Hanagan moved out of range.
Hanagan tries to counter with a clinch but Tsuruta shakes him off and moves away.
Hanagan's corner calls for a 1-2. Hanagan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hanagan misses with a left hand
and Tsuruta counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hanagan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tsuruta as he avoids it easily.
Hanagan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hanagan misses with a wild combination.
Hanagan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tsuruta counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tomomi Tsuruta will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hanagan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice defenses there by Hanagan.
Hanagan throws out a counter right but Tsuruta avoids it with no problem.
Hanagan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Hanagan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tsuruta preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Hanagan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hanagan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tsuruta trying to control here.
Hanagan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tsuruta is trying to control but Hanagan manages to pass to mount!
My spies in Marty Robbin's Fight Ranch™ inform me that Hanagan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta is desperately trying to improve his position but Hanagan has a good base and remains in mount.
Tsuruta regains half guard.
Tsuruta is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hanagan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hanagan's back!
Hanagan tries to escape the position.
A lull in the action here.
Hanagan breaks Tsuruta's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Hanagan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tsuruta is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tsuruta wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanagan tries to free his leg and advance position but Tsuruta is retaining full guard.
Charley Hanagan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hanagan cracks Tsuruta with a solid left hand.
Tsuruta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hanagan looking to pass the guard.
Hanagan working some strikes from top position.

Hanagan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tsuruta is trying to keep Hanagan in close.
Tsuruta is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hanagan is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hanagan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta trying to control the position.
Tsuruta will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hanagan is fighting to break Tsuruta's control of his arms but Tsuruta is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hanagan lands a couple of digs.
Hanagan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hanagan misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hanagan creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Tsuruta sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Tsuruta is trying to control Hanagan's posture but Hanagan avoids it.

Hanagan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hanagan advances nicely into full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta can't escape the position.
Tsuruta tries to hold on but Hanagan pushes him away.
Hanagan with good strikes from the mount here!
Tsuruta really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hanagan landing strikes from the mount and Tsuruta is in trouble!
Tsuruta is in a horrible position here. Hanagan smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tsuruta tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tsuruta wants to control but Hanagan is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charley Hanagan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Tsuruta's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hanagan lands a nice shot to the body.
Tsuruta uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hanagan.
Hanagan works the jab nicely.
Tsuruta is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hanagan takes a swing at Tsuruta's ribcage but misses.
Tsuruta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hanagan was well out of range. Poor timing from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta throws a big shot that misses.
Tsuruta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tsuruta gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuruta darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hanagan fails to land the takedown.
It looked like Tsuruta wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hanagan connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanagan thuds his right hand into Tsuruta's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tsuruta throws an overhand right that lands on Hanagan's shoulder, as Hanagan tries to avoid the shot.
Tsuruta ducks under a wild hook from Hanagan.
Charley Hanagan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hanagan throws a body punch but Tsuruta moves out of range.
Tsuruta lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hanagan throws the left hand but Tsuruta avoids the punch easily.
It looks like Tsuruta has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Tsuruta lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hanagan moves in looking to clinch but Tsuruta pushes him off.
Tsuruta is looking to counter punch.
Tsuruta throws a jab when Hanagan was well out of range.
Hanagan throws a body shot but no joy.
Tsuruta throwing a counter right hand but Hanagan manages to avoid it.

Hanagan dives in and scores a takedown into Tsuruta's guard.

Tsuruta scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanagan throws a shot from downtown. Tsuruta moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Tsuruta finds it's way through Hanagan's defenses.
Hanagan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hanagan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tsuruta was well out of range. Poor timing from Hanagan.
Hanagan looks to land a left hand but Tsuruta moved out of range nicely.
Tsuruta throws a big shot that misses.
Tomomi Tsuruta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tsuruta thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hanagan throws a hook but Tsuruta blocks it.
Tsuruta is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hanagan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tsuruta avoids it really well and circles away.
Hanagan misses with a body shot.
Hanagan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanagan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Tsuruta paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hanagan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tsuruta just misses with a punch to the body.
Hanagan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tsuruta as he jumps to the side.
It looked like Tsuruta wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tomomi Tsuruta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charley Hanagan.
Hanagan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Tsuruta was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hanagan.
Hanagan connects with the punch.
Tsuruta waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hanagan.
A little jabbing left from Hanagan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tsuruta throws a shot from downtown. Hanagan moves away and avoids it.
Tsuruta has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hanagan finds it's way round the side to connect with Tsuruta's head.
Hanagan avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanagan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tsuruta.
Tsuruta throws a big shot that misses.
Hanagan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tsuruta.
Tsuruta uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hanagan has time to react.
Tsuruta lands with a big left! Hanagan is wobbled badly! Tsuruta comes in with a flurry of punches and drops Hanagan to the floor. The ref jumps in to save him from unneccessary punishment.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Tomomi Tsuruta!
Tomomi Tsuruta retains his light heavyweight title!
Tomomi Tsuruta made sure to mention his sponsor, Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing in his post fight interview.
Charley Hanagan spoke after the fight, saying 'HOLY SHIT MAKE THE VOICES FUCKING GO AWAY!!!'.