PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tank Ispa (ranked 627 p4p, 218 weight class) and Tomomi Tsuruta (ranked 94 p4p, 38 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ispa
vs
Tsuruta

190 cm
33
216
27 - 14 - 2

192 cm
34
209
26 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hardcore Alchemy
Arcticus University: London

PWNAGE
Gatoroids

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tank Ispa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tomomi Tsuruta!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ispa slips a straight right by Tsuruta.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ispa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ispa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tsuruta misses the shot to the body.
Tsuruta lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ispa throws a lazy right hand but Tsuruta sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've been hearing reports that Ispa has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Ispa lands a leg kick that knocks Tsuruta off balance momentarily.
Ispa avoids the body shot from Tsuruta.
Ispa moves away from the strike by Tsuruta.
Ispa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tsuruta moves away from the strike by Ispa.
Ispa shoots for a takedown but Tsuruta saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tsuruta ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ispa shoots in looking for a takedown but Tsuruta manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ispa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ispa slips a straight right by Tsuruta.
Tsuruta avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tsuruta swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ispa feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Ispa scores with a decent looking hook.
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!
A slow jab from Tsuruta misses its intended target.
Tsuruta misses with a wild body shot.
Tsuruta throws a hook but Ispa blocks it.
Ispa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Ispa.
Ispa tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tsuruta is able to avoid easily.
Ispa throws a hook but Tsuruta avoids it easily.
Tsuruta throws a lazy right hand but Ispa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ispa misses with an uppercut.
Ispa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ispa does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
It seemed like Tsuruta was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ispa misses with a kick to the body.
Tsuruta looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Ispa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tsuruta is trying to defend but Ispa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tsuruta trying to hold on to Ispa's head to control him but Ispa postures up.

Tsuruta is defending against the submission attempts here by Ispa.

Ispa wants to work for an arm triangle but Tsuruta is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ispa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tsuruta wants to get back to full guard.

Ispa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tsuruta is just riding it out for now. Ispa eventually gives up the hold.
Tsuruta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tsuruta.
Tsuruta lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tsuruta engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ispa has an active guard here but Tsuruta has managed to pass into half guard.
Ispa is looking for a sweep. Tsuruta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ispa wants to control but Tsuruta is keeping busy.
Tsuruta controlling the action here.
Let's hope that Tsuruta has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Ispa is looking to control Tsuruta's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ispa avoid being mounted?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tsuruta takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ispa wants to control but Tsuruta is keeping busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tomomi Tsuruta dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ispa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tsuruta tries to avoid it but Ispa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tsuruta to the ground. Tsuruta escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ispa avoids the body shot from Tsuruta.
Ispa slips under a jab from Tsuruta.
Ispa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tsuruta scores with a hook to the body. Ispa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ispa ducks under a wild hook from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta misses the shot to the body.
Tsuruta misses with a wild body shot.
Ispa swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tsuruta misses with a shot to the body
and Ispa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ispa is looking to clinch.
Ispa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ispa swings away with a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuruta swings for the body but Ispa moves out of range.
Tsuruta throws a big shot that misses.
As Tsuruta backs away, Ispa returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

Ispa scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
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!
Tsuruta is trying to maintain the position but Ispa is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ispa is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Tsuruta reverses the position - he's now on top in Ispa's guard.

Tsuruta gets to his feet - Ispa follows without any prompting.
Tsuruta swings for the body but Ispa moves out of range.
Tsuruta throws a hook but Ispa blocks it.
Ispa tries a low kick but Tsuruta avoids it.
Nice shot by Tsuruta.
Tsuruta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ispa throws a leg kick
and Tsuruta cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ispa throws a leg kick that misses.
Ispa just misses with a punch to the body.
Tsuruta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ispa tries to land a leg kick but Tsuruta saw it coming and moves away.
Tsuruta takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tomomi Tsuruta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ispa connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ispa misses the jab.
Tsuruta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Ispa pushes Tsuruta up against the cage in a clinch.
Ispa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tsuruta.
Tsuruta lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short body shot lands from Ispa as the two fighters clinch.
Tsuruta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ispa throws an elbow that misses.
Tsuruta lands a shoulder strike.
Tsuruta softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tsuruta pushes Ispa back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ispa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Tsuruta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ispa is looking to slow Tsuruta down with leg kicks.
Tsuruta looks to land a left hand but Ispa moved out of range nicely.
Tsuruta throws a looping overhand right but Ispa ducks down to avoid it.
Ispa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ispa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta misses with an uppercut.
Ispa misses with a low kick.
Tsuruta throws an overhand right that lands on Ispa's shoulder, as Ispa tries to avoid the shot.
Ispa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ispa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ispa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ispa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tsuruta swats away the attempt to clinch by Ispa.
Tsuruta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ispa lands a lovely overhand right.
Ispa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ispa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsuruta. Ispa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ispa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tsuruta.
Ispa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tsuruta takes a swing at Ispa's ribcage but misses.
Tsuruta misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta throws a body shot but no joy.
Ispa misses with a body punch
and Tsuruta counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ispa throws a push kick but Tsuruta slaps the foot to one side.
Tsuruta misses with a wild body shot.
Ispa explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Ispa moves into the clinch.
Ispa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ispa prevents Tsuruta from breaking the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tsuruta.

Tsuruta manages to break the clinch.
Ispa throws a body punch but Tsuruta moves out of range.
Ispa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tsuruta's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
An inside leg kick from Ispa misses.
Tsuruta dodges the punch combination from Ispa.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ispa.
Ispa doesn't manage to clinch there - Tsuruta circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tomomi Tsuruta will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Tsuruta getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tsuruta throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Tsuruta throws a body punch but Ispa moves out of range.
Ispa is looking to counter the offense by Tsuruta and move into the clinch.
Tsuruta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ispa was well out of range. Poor timing from Tsuruta.
Ispa attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tsuruta looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsuruta. Ispa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ispa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ispa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tsuruta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ispa scores with a leg kick.
Ispa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsuruta. Ispa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tsuruta throws a series of punches but Ispa avoids them all with ease.
Tomomi Tsuruta seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tsuruta has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ispa.
Ispa connects with an inside leg kick.
Ispa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ispa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tsuruta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta lands a jab.
Tsuruta changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ispa.
Tsuruta moves out of range of the body kick.
Tsuruta throws a body punch but Ispa moves out of range.
Tsuruta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ispa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsuruta throws a body shot but no joy.
Ispa staying out of range there.
Ispa with a nice calf kick.
Tsuruta throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ispa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tsuruta looks to score with a jab to the body but Ispa is just out of range.
Tsuruta lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ispa backs up against the cage.
Tsuruta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tsuruta takes a swing at Ispa's ribcage but misses.
Ispa half committed to a counter leg kick.

Ispa drives through with a takedown into Tsuruta's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Tsuruta has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Ispa is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ispa lands with a left to the head.
Ispa misses with an elbow over the top.
Tsuruta is looking to break free of the clinch but Ispa has double underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Ispa scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ispa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tsuruta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Tsuruta breaks from the clinch.
Ispa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tsuruta jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It appears Ispa was looking to counter with a kick there.
Tsuruta throws a body shot but no joy.

Ispa feints and as Tsuruta raises his hands in defense, Ispa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Ispa drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tsuruta looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tsuruta looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tsuruta!

Ispa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Ispa struggling a bit here.
Ispa manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tsuruta's best efforts.
Tomomi Tsuruta is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tsuruta trying to control the pace.
Tsuruta prevents Ispa from improving his 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.
Tank Ispa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tomomi Tsuruta has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tsuruta takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ispa won't allow Tsuruta to pass to mount.
Ispa tries to roll over but Tsuruta keeps him under control.

Ispa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tsuruta pulls his head out easily.
Still in half guard, Tsuruta seems content to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tomomi Tsuruta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tsuruta 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomomi Tsuruta!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Tomomi Tsuruta waved his t-shirt featuring 160Q Energy for $150's logo in front of the cameras.