PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ife Edwards (ranked 582 p4p, 913 weight class) and Tank Tribute (ranked 88 p4p, 142 weight class). Edwards comes to the cage accompanied by Damian Marley - Road to Zion. Tribute is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: tank abbot tribute. 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.

Edwards
vs
Tribute

189 cm
36
209
35 - 21 - 1

184 cm
32
204
21 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer
Conviction

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 35 - 21 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ife Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tank Tribute!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Tribute.
Edwards swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tribute scores with a leg kick.
Edwards throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tribute stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tank Tribute seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Edwards chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tribute can pounce on him.
Edwards throws a leg kick but Tribute sees it coming and moves out of range.
Edwards throws a sloppy head kick and Tribute moves out of range easily.
Tribute getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tribute tried to score with a low kick but Edwards checks it.
Tribute throws a jab when Edwards was well out of range.
Tribute misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tribute.
Edwards checks the leg kick nicely there.
Edwards misses with a low kick.
Donk. Edwards catches Tribute right on the button with a cross.

It looks like Tank Tribute has been cut.
Tribute digs a good body shot into Edwards's ribs.
Tribute rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Edwards counters with a solid body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tribute throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Edwards throws a body punch but Tribute moves out of range.
Tribute looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tribute misses with a hook.
Edwards throws a wild body kick that Tribute sees coming a mile off.
Good standup being displayed there by Edwards as he connects with a hook.
Edwards takes a swing at Tribute's ribcage but misses.
Edwards fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tribute swings widly with a right hand
and Edwards counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tribute avoids a kick to the body.
Tribute replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Edwards blocks it well.
Edwards thumps Tribute with a low kick.
Tribute swinging wildly here.
Tribute ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Edwards misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tribute lands a leg kick that knocks Edwards off balance momentarily.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tribute.
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!
Edwards rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tribute cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A big right from Edwards misses.
Tribute throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Edwards cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tribute misses with a hook.
An attempted straight right counter from Edwards misses the target.
Tribute throws a good cross that connects.
Tribute misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Edwards.
Tribute misses with an uppercut
and Edwards connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tribute missing with a left hand there. Edwards was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tribute throws a body punch but Edwards moves out of range.
Tribute shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Edwards eats them both and turns towards Tribute to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Edwards swings for the body but Tribute moves out of range.
Tribute fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Edwards has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Edwards jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tribute waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Edwards.
A little feinted left hand from Edwards on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tribute looks to land a left hand but Edwards moved out of range nicely.
Edwards misses the shot to the body.
Tribute's corner calls for a 1-2. Tribute obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Edwards throws a leg kick
and Tribute counters with a nice uppercut.
A slapping leg kick lands for Edwards.
Tribute throws out a loose jab but Edwards uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tribute throws a jab but it's blocked by Edwards.
Tribute lands a nice looking kick to the body. Edwards takes a step back to recover.
Tribute with a nice cross.
Edwards tries to score with a low kick but Tribute moves his leg out of the way.
Edwards swings for the body but Tribute moves out of range.
Edwards takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Edwards is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Edwards connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tribute scores with a spinning back kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edwards misses with a two punch combination.
Tribute throws a body kick that misses
and Edwards counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tribute pivots, looking for a leg kick but Edwards is out of range and Tribute settles back down.
Edwards takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
An inside leg kick lands from Edwards.
Tribute misses with a head kick.
Edwards throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Donk. Edwards catches Tribute right on the button with a cross.
Tribute fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tribute connects with a right hand. Edwards shakes it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Edwards slips under a jab from Tribute.
Tribute jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tribute lands a nice looking body kick.
Edwards takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tank Tribute dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tank Tribute's cut.
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.

Tribute throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tribute throws a leg kick but Edwards sees it coming and moves out of range.
Tribute looks for the body kick but Edwards saw that one coming.
Edwards checks a low kick from Tribute.
Edwards throwing a counter right hand but Tribute manages to avoid it.
Tribute scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Edwards doesn't seem bothered though.
Tribute checks a low kick from Edwards.
Edwards thows a left - swing and a miss!
Edwards cracks Tribute with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tribute ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tribute scores with a nice body kick.
Edwards jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tribute throws the kick towards the body but Edwards avoids it.
Edwards feints and then cracks Tribute's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tribute down.
Edwards throws a hook but Tribute avoids it easily.
Edwards throws an overhand right that lands on Tribute's shoulder, as Tribute tries to avoid the shot.
Tribute ducks under a wild hook from Edwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards scores with a body shot.
Tribute throws a looping overhand right but Edwards ducks down to avoid it.
Tribute explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Edwards throws out a loose jab but Tribute uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tribute gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Edwards takes a swing at Tribute's ribcage but misses.
Tribute connects with an inside leg kick.
Tribute throws a wild body kick that Edwards sees coming a mile off.
Edwards defending well as Tribute loads up on a big left hand.
Edwards throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tribute misses with a straight right.
Tribute tries to bum rush Edwards with a series of wild strikes but Edwards uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Edwards needs to keep his hands up - Tribute had a free shot at his head there.
Tribute connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tribute fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Edwards manages to avoid it.
Edwards will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tribute tried to score with a low kick but Edwards checks it.
Tribute misses with a kick to the body.
Edwards takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tribute looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tribute looks to land a combination but Edwards avoids it well.
Tank Tribute seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Edwards takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Tribute moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tribute lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Edwards blocks a low kick nicely.
Tribute scores with a leg kick.
Tribute thuds a left hand into Edwards's body.
Tribute lands with a shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tribute.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Edwards might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Edwards misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards throws a hook but Tribute avoids it easily.
It seemed like Tribute was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tribute takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Edwards throws the left hand but Tribute avoids the punch easily.
Tribute lands with a nice body punch.
Tribute takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tribute cracks Edwards with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Edwards throws an overhand right that lands on Tribute's shoulder, as Tribute tries to avoid the shot.
Edwards buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tribute's corner calls for a 1-2. Tribute obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Edwards works Tribute's body with a nice hook.
Tribute throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Edwards on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice body punch from Tribute.
Tribute throws a leg kick
and Edwards cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Edwards is looking to land body kicks.
Tribute misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tribute moves out of range as Edwards strikes.
Tribute has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tribute avoids a kick to the body.
Tribute flicks out a counter leg kick but Edwards steps away.
Edwards moves out of range of the body kick.
Edwards misses the shot to the body.
Edwards slips a jab and a cross from Tribute.
Tribute blocks a leg kick.
Edwards misses with a body shot.
Edwards takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Edwards throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Tribute lands a nice looking body kick.
Tribute throws out a loose jab but Edwards uses good head movement to avoid it.
Edwards lands an overhand right.
Edwards fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tribute manages to avoid it.
Tribute moves out of range of the body kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tank Tribute showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tank Tribute's cut.
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!

Edwards throws a body shot but no joy.
Tribute blocks a leg kick.
Tribute lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Edwards connects with a jab.
Edwards takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Edwards ducks under a wild hook from Tribute.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tribute.
It appears Edwards was looking to counter with a kick there.
Tribute throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Edwards takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tribute digs a good hook to Edwards's body.
Edwards lunges at Tribute with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tribute's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tribute moves out of range as Edwards throws a body kick.
Edwards tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tribute is able to avoid easily.
Tribute waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Edwards.
Crunch! Edwards slams his shin into Tribute's torso.
Edwards takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tribute is out of range and Edwards settles back down.
Edwards looks to throw the jab but Tribute is out of range.
Tribute moves out of range of the strikes.
Tribute swings for the body but Edwards moves out of range.
Tribute moves away from the strike by Edwards.
Tribute tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good standup being displayed there by Tribute as he connects with a hook.
Decent striking displayed by Edwards there.
Tribute moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Tribute lands the left hand.
Edwards swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tribute counters with a straight right hand.
Edwards turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tribute throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Edwards stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Edwards throws a body shot but no joy.
Tribute is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ife Edwards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Edwards throws a head kick that misses.
Edwards on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tribute moves out of range of the strikes.
Tribute was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Tribute throws a looping overhand right but Edwards ducks down to avoid it.
Tribute throws the kick towards the body but Edwards avoids it.
Edwards was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tribute scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tribute fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Edwards.
The fighters circling - Edwards throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tribute's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tribute gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That has opened up Tank Tribute's cut even more.
Tribute with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Edwards throws a leg kick but Tribute sees it coming and moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tribute.
Some wild striking there from Tribute.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Tribute.
Edwards misses with a straight left.
Tribute throws a hook but Edwards blocks it.
Tribute throws a sloppy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Tribute.
Tribute blocks a head kick by Edwards.
A jab from Tribute misses.
Tribute lands a leg kick that knocks Edwards off balance momentarily.
Edwards lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tribute circles away quickly and effectively.
Edwards throws a leg kick
and Tribute counters with a head kick.
Tribute thows a body kick. Edwards tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tribute lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tribute's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Edwards connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tribute scrambles back to his feet.
Tribute swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Edwards looks to score with a jab to the body but Tribute is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tribute dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tribute throws a half hearted mid kick.
Edwards fires out a quick counter leg kick but Tribute just manages to avoid it.
Tribute connects with a body shot that sends Edwards's belly button to the back.
Jab by Tribute.
A leg kick checked by Tribute.
Edwards throws the left hand but Tribute avoids the punch easily.
Tribute ducks under a wild hook from Edwards.
Edwards throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tribute throws a head kick that Edwards semi-blocks.
Tribute blocks a jab.
Edwards backing away here, and Tribute unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tank Tribute.
Well Tribute has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tank Tribute!
During a confident post fight interview, Tank Tribute thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.