PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Freddy Schoenaerts (ranked 4812 p4p, 4711 weight class) and Derrick Tanner (ranked 530 p4p, 525 weight class). Schoenaerts comes to the cage accompanied by MMA Entrance Music / Robert Whittaker. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Schoenaerts
vs
Tanner

191 cm
18
210
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
218
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Freddy Schoenaerts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Derrick Tanner!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanner scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Schoenaerts checks a low kick from Tanner.
Schoenaerts shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tanner as he jumps to the side.
Tanner darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Schoenaerts.
Sloppy strikes from Tanner. Those never looked like landing.
Schoenaerts fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Freddy Schoenaerts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Schoenaerts with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schoenaerts shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tanner lands a nice hook to Schoenaerts's body. Schoenaerts takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Schoenaerts tries to clinch up.
Schoenaerts is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanner scores with a body shot.
Tanner's corner calls for a 1-2. Tanner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tanner pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Schoenaerts back to the cage. Tanner follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Schoenaerts swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tanner with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Schoenaerts throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tanner's waist but Tanner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Schoenaerts off to one side.
Nice shot by Tanner.
Derrick Tanner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanner stuffs the takedown attempt from Schoenaerts. Schoenaerts gets slowly back to his feet.
A lazy left from Tanner finds it's target.
Tanner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A jab from Tanner does it's job there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanner lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Schoenaerts tries to clinch there but Tanner circles away.
As Schoenaerts backs off Tanner throws a huge counter combo but Schoenaerts manages to avoid it all.
Schoenaerts tries for a takedown but Tanner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tanner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It seemed like Tanner was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schoenaerts shoots in but Tanner avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tanner with a hook.
Tanner scores with a hook.
Schoenaerts with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tanner counters with a left and a right that stings Schoenaerts.
Schoenaerts shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tanner sprawls well. Tanner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Schoenaerts gets slowly back to his feet.
Tanner scores with a shot to the body.
Tanner fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tanner's corner calls for a 1-2. Tanner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Tanner.
Tanner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanner's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Tanner duly obliges.
Tanner keeps the fight on the outside.
Schoenaerts checks the leg kick.
Tanner misses with the combination.
Tanner throws a right hand that Schoenaerts ducks under and follows up with a left that Schoenaerts also avoids with ease.
As Tanner looks to move away, Schoenaerts throws a big counter combo but Tanner just gets out of the way.
Schoenaerts changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tanner tries to avoid it but Schoenaerts manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tanner to the ground. Tanner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tanner lands with a hook. Schoenaerts tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tanner keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tanner connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Schoenaerts momentarily.
Good shot there by Tanner.
Tanner misses with a double jab

and Schoenaerts counters by moving into the clinch.
Come on Tanner - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Schoenaerts tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanner stalling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Schoenaerts lands a takedown into guard.
Schoenaerts being controlled here momentarily.
Schoenaerts is in close to Tanner's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tanner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schoenaerts.
Schoenaerts tries to free his leg and advance position but Tanner is retaining full guard.
Schoenaerts postures up.
Tanner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Schoenaerts. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Schoenaerts postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Schoenaerts trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Tanner 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.

Tanner lands with a straight right. Schoenaerts didn't see that one coming.
Tanner connects with a body shot.
Tanner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Schoenaerts moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tanner wants it to stay on the feet.
Tanner lands a jab.
Schoenaerts will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tanner cracks Schoenaerts with a right hand to the side of the head.

Schoenaerts drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Schoenaerts is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tanner is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Schoenaerts decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tanner to his feet.
Schoenaerts looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoenaerts misses with a takedown
and Tanner counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Freddy Schoenaerts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schoenaerts takes a jab right on the kisser.
Schoenaerts fails in his attempt to clinch.
Schoenaerts checks the leg kick.
Schoenaerts fails with the takedown
and Tanner counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tanner stalks Schoenaerts and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Schoenaerts's face. Schoenaerts staggers backwards, shaken.
Schoenaerts doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Tanner counter with a right hand.
Tanner lands a body shot.
Tanner scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tanner misses with a body shot.
Tanner just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromSchoenaerts.
Schoenaerts shoots for a takedown but Tanner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tanner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tanner lands with a nice body punch.
A jab from Tanner does it's job there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanner with a jab.
Tanner 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.
Tanner will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Schoenaerts takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Schoenaerts tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tanner defends well and Schoenaerts ends up having to push Tanner into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Schoenaerts tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tanner just stands there and leans against the cage.
Schoenaerts fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Schoenaerts changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tanner fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Schoenaerts fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Schoenaerts is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tanner throws a right hand that Schoenaerts ducks under and follows up with a left that Schoenaerts also avoids with ease.
Tanner scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Tanner.
Schoenaerts takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Schoenaerts tries to move into range but Tanner moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tanner works over Schoenaerts's head and body with a nice combination.
Tanner leaves Schoenaerts with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tanner bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Schoenaerts's head.
Tanner lands a two punch combo.
Horrible takedown attempt by Schoenaerts or perhaps it was just good defense by Tanner, which made it look bad.
Tanner lands with a good body shot.
Schoenaerts is looking to clinch but Tanner is avoiding it.
Tanner throws a counter combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schoenaerts looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tanner is fending him off so far but Schoenaerts persists. Nope, Tanner circles away and we're back to standing.
Tanner scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanner connects with a body shot that sends Schoenaerts's belly button to the back.
Tanner falls off balance throwing a combination

and Schoenaerts counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Schoenaerts takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tanner can do anything to dispel that myth.
Schoenaerts missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Schoenaerts seems to be working for a kimura but Tanner defends the submission attempt.
Schoenaerts thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tanner is trying to get back to full guard.

Schoenaerts is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tanner doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Schoenaerts.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Tanner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Schoenaerts shoots in looking for a takedown. Tanner tries to sprawl out of it but Schoenaerts keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tanner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A combination from Tanner does no damage.
Tanner scores with a one two! Schoenaerts had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Freddy Schoenaerts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Schoenaerts clinches up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tanner takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Schoenaerts manages to break the clinch.
Derrick Tanner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Tanner misses.
As Tanner tries to get set, Schoenaerts tries to push him back and clinch up but Tanner manages to avoid the attempt.
Tanner connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schoenaerts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Schoenaerts shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tanner pinned against the cage. Tanner gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanner will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Schoenaerts is looking to counter the offense by Tanner and move into the clinch.
Tanner lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tanner throws a right and a left that Schoenaerts avoids nicely.
Schoenaerts misses with a wild body shot.
Schoenaerts tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tanner swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tanner throws a right and a left that Schoenaerts avoids nicely.
Tanner looks to score with a jab to the body but Schoenaerts is just out of range.
Schoenaerts throws a big counter combination but Tanner scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Schoenaerts has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Schoenaerts fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Freddy Schoenaerts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schoenaerts has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Tanner gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Schoenaerts to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schoenaerts slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Schoenaerts works to advance to full mount. Tanner defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Schoenaerts dominating with strikes here.

Schoenaerts wants to finish this one by submission but Tanner is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Schoenaerts.
Tanner is wriggling around trying to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schoenaerts has isolated one of Tanner's arms. Tanner looking to fight him off but Schoenaerts twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Freddy Schoenaerts!
In his post fight interview, Freddy Schoenaerts gave a big smile as he said 'A big thanks to Caged Dragons Fight Club for the possibility to fight here tonight and also for the great fans and public. '.