PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juho Pennanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Tate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pennanen
vs
Tate

182 cm
24
184 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

185 cm
21
192 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juho Pennanen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Tate!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Russell Pearce and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tate slaps away a takedown attempt from Pennanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Pennanen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tate to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Pennanen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tate doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tate manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Tate got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pennanen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tate has managed to get both his arms back between Pennanen's legs - danger averted.
Pennanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pennanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tate wants to control from the top but Pennanen keeps moving.

Pennanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tate can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pennanen wants to sweep but no luck.

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

Pennanen is looking for a triangle but Tate pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pennanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tate stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pennanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pennanen trying to control the position.
Tate looking to sit in guard and control but Pennanen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Pennanen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tate is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pennanen, into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tate passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Pennanen struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tate working the ground and pound.
Pennanen can't do much from the bottom here.
Pennanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pennanen regains half guard.
Tate sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Pennanen is trying to control but can't.
Tate prevents Pennanen from improving his position.
Pennanen trying to control from the bottom.
Tate takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pennanen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tate working over Pennanen with some ground and pound. Pennanen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Pennanen wants to improve his position but Tate is controlling well.
Tate trying to mount his opponent but Pennanen defends it.
Pennanen trying to control but Tate postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tate lands a nice short elbow.
Pennanen wants to control but Tate is keeping busy.
Pennanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tate is trying to control. Pennanen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pennanen trying to hold on to Tate's head to control him but Tate postures up.
Pennanen wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tate working Pennanen over with strikes.
Pennanen trying to get back to full guard but Tate takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Pennanen tries to lock up and control but Tate gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Pennanen is in a horrible position here. Tate smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
A nice elbow there by Tate.

Pennanen is rocked!

It looks like Juho Pennanen has been cut.
Tate lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Oh Pennanen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tate drops a big elbow. That's hurt Pennanen! More shots from Tate and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rob Tate! Rob Tate retains his middleweight title!