PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tomo Jr (ranked 4368 p4p, 4735 weight class) and Johnny Tanner (ranked 512 p4p, 453 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Jr
vs
Tanner

183 cm
25
170
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
162
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tomo Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johnny Tanner!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Sandra Marshall and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Jr misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tanner. Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jr throws a hook to the side of Tanner's head but Tanner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tanner tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Jr clinches up with Tanner and pushes him back against the cage.
Jr wants to take the fight to the mat but Tanner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Tanner trying to control the position but instead, Jr has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tanner into the cage.

Jr is fighting off a takedown attempt but Tanner is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Jr to the mat. Jr regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Tanner pushing down on Jr's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Tanner is looking for a kimura here.
Jr tries to get to full guard but Tanner has control of the leg.
Jr on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jr tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jr is trying to stand back up but Tanner is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanner wants to pass to mount but Jr is defending the position.
Tanner wants to stand up but Jr is controlling the position.

Tanner is looking for a kimura here.
Jr is trying is best to control the position here.

Jr looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jr tries to roll over but Tanner keeps him under control.

Tanner is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jr controlling the position well.
Jr wants to control but Tanner is keeping busy.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jr looking for submissions off his back.
Jr wants to improve his position but Tanner is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jr is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanner moves nicely into side control.
Jr tries to bench press Tanner off him but Tanner keeps the position.

Tanner stands up.

Jr gets caught napping as Tanner dives in and scores a takedown. Jr manages to retain guard.
Jr seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Tanner drops back looking for a leg! Jr is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jr manages to kick Tanner off! Tanner jumps back into Jr's guard.
Tanner looks winded!

Tanner drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tanner jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tanner trying to control but Jr is working from the bottom.

Tanner thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Jr seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

Jr is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Tanner dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tanner loads up on a big right hand but Jr slips the punch.
Tanner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Jr has managed to clinch.
Tanner tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tanner blocking some punches.
Jr goes for a takedown attempt but Tanner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Tanner gets tackled into the cage by Jr. Jr maintains the clinch.
Jr is trying to drag Tanner to the mat but Tanner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tanner taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jr tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomo Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tanner is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Jr can't fight it off and eventually Tanner manages to take the fight to the floor. Jr looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tanner trying to control the position from guard on top but Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jr has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Tanner is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Tanner looking to pass the guard.
Tanner is breathing heavily.
Tanner preventing the sweep.

Jr is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tanner is aware though and is defending well.
Jr is pulling down on Tanner's head. It's preventing any offense from Tanner, at least for the moment.
Tanner pushes down on Jr's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two 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.
Tanner is looking to advance position but Jr won't allow it.
Tanner is trying to control. Jr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tanner is working away from the top position though.

Tanner seems to be working for a kimura but Jr defends the submission attempt.
Jr is holding on to half guard well.
Tanner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jr wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr is controlling Tanner's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jr desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Tanner seems to be looking for submissions.
Jr is trying is best to control the position here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Jr has Tanner up against the cage in a clinch.
Jr is trying to drag Tanner to the mat but Tanner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jr jumps guard but Tanner turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Jr jumps guard but Tanner stands there with Jr around his waist. Jr gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tanner is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jr is keeping busy.
Jr is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Tanner is defending well.
Jr is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tanner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Jr is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tanner can't fight it off and eventually Jr manages to take the fight to the floor. Tanner looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

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

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tanner drops back looking for a leg! Jr is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jr manages to kick Tanner off! Tanner jumps back into Jr's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Tanner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jr instigates a clinch.
Jr has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tanner after a bit of a struggle.
Tanner gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jr.
Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tanner pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomo Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tanner looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanner thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tanner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanner seems to be looking for submissions.
Tanner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Tanner is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Jr wants to control but Tanner is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Tanner is looking for a kimura here.

Tanner is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jr is just riding it out for now. Tanner eventually gives up the hold.
Jr knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tanner on the ground.
Jr is looking for a sweep. Tanner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tomo Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Jr is holding on to half guard well.
Jr is trying to get back to full guard.
Jr trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanner is looking for a kimura here.
Jr is looking for a sweep. Tanner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jr wants to control but Tanner is keeping busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Jr forces Tanner back against the cage and clinches.
Jr is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tanner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tanner looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tanner is pressed up against the cage. Jr has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tanner down to the mat. Tanner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Jr rushes Tanner and presses him up against the cage.

Jr gets control of Tanner's arms and successfully pulls guard. Jr will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tanner works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Johnny Tanner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tanner prevents Jr from improving his position.
Tanner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tanner prevents Jr from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jr controlling the position well.
Jr tries to roll over but Tanner keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Tanner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tanner 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Tanner!