PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Creature (ranked 2358 p4p, 3588 weight class) and Caspian Tennessen (ranked 312 p4p, 441 weight class). Tennessen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Manowar - Warriors of the World. 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.

Creature
vs
Tennessen

190 cm
27
194
8 - 10 - 0

185 cm
26
185
6 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tom Creature!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Caspian Tennessen!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Creature takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tennessen takes a swing at Creature's ribcage but misses.
Creature throws a big counter combination but Tennessen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Tennessen avoids the body shot from Creature.
Creature keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tennessen.
We've been informed that Tennessen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Creature cracks Tennessen with an open hand slap.
Tennessen fails to land with a series of punches.
It looked like Creature was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Tennessen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tennessen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
It looked like Creature was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Tennessen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Creature slips a straight right by Tennessen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Creature throws a combination. Tennessen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Tennessen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Creature definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tennessen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Creature counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Creature misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tennessen.
A slow jab from Tennessen misses its intended target.
Tennessen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Creature rather than just go for the knockout.
Tennessen lands a slapping body shot.
Tennessen misses with an uppercut
and Creature counters with a three punch combo that has Tennessen backing up. Tennessen nods at Creature to acknowledge the strikes.

Tennessen gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Creature keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tennessen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tennessen lands with a punch from half guard.
Creature tries to roll over but Tennessen keeps him under control.
Tennessen lands strikes from half guard.
Creature blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tennessen.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tennessen moves into full mount! Creature won't be happy about that!
Creature is in all sorts of trouble here.
Tennessen looking to finish Creature with some ground and pound. This is bad for Creature!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tennessen looking for a guillotine from mount but Creature is having none of it.
Tennessen sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Creature tries to lock up and control but Tennessen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Creature sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Tennessen working over Creature with some ground and pound. Creature looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Creature trying to control but Tennessen postures up.

Creature looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tennessen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Creature is looking to improve his position.
Creature avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tennessen.
Tennessen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Creature has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Tennessen is on him like a limpet, forcing Creature back against the cage.
Creature working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tennessen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Creature avoids it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tennessen throws a punch but it's blocked by Creature.
A bit of stalling here from Creature.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Creature.
Creature effectively controlling the action here.
Tennessen blocking some punches.
Creature blocks an uppercut.
Tennessen missing with knees to the body.
Tennessen working aggressively here.
Tennessen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tennessen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Creature gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tennessen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Creature gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tom Creature has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caspian Tennessen.
Creature swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Creature blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tennessen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Creature's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tennessen tries a knee to the head but Creature blocks it.
Tennessen misses with a knee strike.
Tennessen blocks a body shot from Creature.
Still in the clinch, Tennessen scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tennessen misses with a knee to the head.
Creature blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tennessen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tennessen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tennessen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tennessen tries to land knees in the clinch but Creature avoids the damage to the body.
Tennessen tries to work over Creature's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tennessen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Creature lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Creature blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Creature - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Tennessen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Creature avoids it.
Creature makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caspian Tennessen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Creature displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tennessen throws out the jab.
Tennessen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Creature pinned against the cage. Creature gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tennessen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tennessen throws a sloppy body shot
and Creature counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Tennessen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Creature quickly recovers to half guard.
Creature is doing well to control the position and prevent Tennessen from advancing to side control.
Tennessen lands strikes from half guard.

Creature looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tennessen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tennessen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Creature's head.
Tennessen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Creature with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tennessen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tennessen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Creature defending well though.
Tennessen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Creature keeping control of the position.
Creature lands a couple of sideways elbows.
Tennessen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Tennessen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Creature trying to hold on to Tennessen's head to control him but Tennessen postures up.
Tennessen lands strikes from half guard.
Caspian Tennessen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Creature avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tennessen.
Tennessen working the head and body with strikes.
Tennessen stops Creature from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Creature keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Creature has hold of Tennessen's hands but Tennessen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Creature works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tennessen wants to pass the guard but Creature is keeping the position.
Creature is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tennessen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Creature works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tennessen lands a couple of elbows.
Tennessen with a flurry of punches that miss.

Creature is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tennessen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tennessen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tennessen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tennessen landing some decent shots from guard.
Tennessen throws a strike but Creature rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Creature preventing the sweep.
Tennessen looking to control.
Tennessen wants to sweep but no luck.
Tennessen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tennessen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tennessen lands a couple of digs.
Tennessen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Creature's head.
Creature avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tennessen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Creature doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tennessen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Creature is keeping the position for now.

Creature had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tennessen defends it easily.
Creature utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tennessen is working Creature over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tennessen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tennessen tries to free his leg and advance position but Creature is retaining full guard.
Tennessen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Creature is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Creature is thwarting Tennessen's attempts to control the position.
Tennessen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Creature haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Tennessen wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caspian Tennessen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tennessen throws a series of punches but Creature moves out of range.
Creature dodges the punch combination from Tennessen.

Tennessen has closed the distance and engaged Creature in a clinch.
Tennessen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Creature lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tennessen backwards.
Tennessen lands a knee to the body.
Creature lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Tennessen fails to land.
Creature on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Creature lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tennessen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Creature avoiding damage as Tennessen throws knees to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Creature - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Tennessen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Creature.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tennessen tries a body shot but Creature blocks it.

Creature breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tennessen throws a body shot but no joy.
Creature throws a big counter combination but Tennessen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Creature slips under a jab.
Creature misses with a series of wild punches.
Tennessen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Creature.
Tennessen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Creature's head backwards.
Tom Creature is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jab, jab by Creature - just one landing.
Creature just misses with a punch to the body.
Tennessen misses the shot to the body.
Creature takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Creature misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tennessen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Creature misses.
Tennessen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Tennessen rushes Creature and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Creature blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch on the inside from Tennessen fails to land.
Tennessen throws an elbow that misses.
Tennessen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Creature blocks it with crossed arms.

Creature escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Creature uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tennessen.
Creature closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Creature looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Caspian Tennessen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tennessen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tennessen loads up on a big right hand but Creature slips the punch.
Tom Creature is winning the standup battle so far.
Creature throws a right and a left that Tennessen avoids nicely.
Tennessen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tennessen with the counter takedown but Creature avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tennessen lands a jab.
Tennessen misses with a hook
and Creature counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Tennessen has closed the distance and engaged Creature in a clinch.
Caspian Tennessen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tennessen lands a left hand.
Nice body punch from Tennessen - that landed with a thud.
Creature is looking to control Tennessen's arms but Tennessen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Creature has his back to the cage.
Tennessen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tennessen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tennessen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tennessen pushes off an throws an elbow but Creature leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tennessen lands an uppercut.
Tennessen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tennessen misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Creature has a couple of punches blocked by Tennessen.
Tennessen missing with knees to the body.
Creature taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tennessen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tennessen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tennessen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Tennessen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tennessen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Creature is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tennessen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Creature fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tennessen fails with the takedown
and Creature counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tom Creature has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caspian Tennessen.
Tennessen throws a series of punches but Creature avoids them all with ease.
Creature jabs at Tennessen's body.
Tom Creature has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tennessen lands a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Caspian Tennessen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tennessen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Caspian Tennessen!
Caspian Tennessen was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.