PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nate Sorenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akihito Tatsuhiko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tatsuhiko has chosen Save Yourself as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sorenson
vs
Tatsuhiko

175 cm
26
169 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

188 cm
29
168 lbs
12 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Nate Sorenson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Akihito Tatsuhiko!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sorenson lands with a nice combination. Tatsuhiko backs away looking to recover.
Tatsuhiko misses with a double jab
and Tatsuhiko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sorenson throws a shot from downtown. Tatsuhiko moves away and avoids it.

Sorenson rushes Tatsuhiko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sorenson.
Tatsuhiko gets through Sorenson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sorenson tries to break free but Tatsuhiko pushes him back against the cage.

Sorenson breaks from the clinch.
Sorenson blocks a head kick by Tatsuhiko.
Sorenson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tatsuhiko.
Sorenson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sorenson throws a push kick but Tatsuhiko slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Tatsuhiko does no damage.
Tatsuhiko misses with a few strikes there.
Sorenson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sorenson misses with a body kick.
Tatsuhiko fails with an attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sorenson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tatsuhiko wants a takedown but no success here.

Sorenson manages to break the clinch.
Tatsuhiko throws a leg kick which misses Sorenson's front leg but catches the back leg as Sorenson tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson throws the kick towards the body but Tatsuhiko avoids it.
Tatsuhiko throws a sloppy head kick and Sorenson moves out of range easily.

Tatsuhiko gets a clinch.
Sorenson blocks a body shot from Tatsuhiko.

Sorenson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Sorenson does no damage.

Tatsuhiko pushes Sorenson up against the cage in a clinch.
Tatsuhiko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sorensons head.
Sorenson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sorenson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sorenson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tatsuhiko missing with a left hand there. Sorenson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tatsuhiko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sorenson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tatsuhiko drives through and clinches with Sorenson against the cage.

Sorenson breaks from the clinch.
Tatsuhiko misses with a lunging right hand
and Sorenson counters with a nice uppercut.
Tatsuhiko throws a sloppy head kick
and Sorenson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Akihito Tatsuhiko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tatsuhiko clinches up against the cage.

Tatsuhiko breaks the clinch.
Tatsuhiko jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tatsuhiko dodges the punch combination from Sorenson.
Sorenson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tatsuhiko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson throws a series of punches but Tatsuhiko moves out of range.
Tatsuhiko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sorenson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Tatsuhiko counters with a stiff right hand.
Tatsuhiko tries to close the distance and clinch but Sorenson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tatsuhiko defending well as Sorenson loads up on a big left hand.
Sorenson throws a right and a left that both miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sorenson forces Tatsuhiko back against the cage and clinches.
Tatsuhiko looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Akihito Tatsuhiko will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sorenson misses with a double jab.

Sorenson moves into the clinch.
Sorenson has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Tatsuhiko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sorenson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tatsuhiko connects with a knee to the head.

Sorenson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tatsuhiko misses with a double jab.
Tatsuhiko doesn't manage to clinch there - Sorenson circles away.
Tatsuhiko throws a head kick that misses.
Sorenson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Sorenson gets tackled into the cage by Tatsuhiko. Tatsuhiko maintains the clinch.
Sorenson can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorenson is pressed up against the cage. Tatsuhiko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sorenson down to the mat. Sorenson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sorenson misses with a series of wild punches.
Tatsuhiko moves out of range as Sorenson strikes.
Sorenson throws a right hand that Tatsuhiko ducks under and follows up with a left that Tatsuhiko also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from Tatsuhiko.
Sorenson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tatsuhiko moves out of range as Sorenson strikes.
Sorenson misses with the combination.
Tatsuhiko lands with a nice combination. Sorenson backs away looking to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson slips under a jab.
A combination from Tatsuhiko does no damage.

Tatsuhiko has managed to clinch.

Tatsuhiko manages to break the clinch.
Sorenson slips a jab and a cross from Tatsuhiko.
Tatsuhiko tries to close the distance and clinch but Sorenson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tatsuhiko misses with a looping right.
Tatsuhiko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sorenson misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tatsuhiko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tatsuhiko throws a jab but it's blocked by Sorenson.
Tatsuhiko throws a head kick but Sorenson moves out of range.
Tatsuhiko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sorenson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sorenson tries to bum rush Tatsuhiko with a series of wild strikes but Tatsuhiko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tatsuhiko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Akihito Tatsuhiko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tatsuhiko is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No joy there for Tatsuhiko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sorenson throws the left hand but Tatsuhiko avoids the punch easily.

Tatsuhiko pushes Sorenson up against the cage in a clinch.

Sorenson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tatsuhiko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sorenson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tatsuhiko.
Tatsuhiko lands a head kick. Sorenson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tatsuhiko tries to clinch but Sorenson is having none of it.
Tatsuhiko is looking to clinch but Sorenson is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akihito Tatsuhiko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tatsuhiko tries to bum rush Sorenson with a series of wild strikes but Sorenson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tatsuhiko misses with a wild combination.
Sorenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tatsuhiko.
Tatsuhiko misses with a series of wild punches.
Tatsuhiko throws out a loose jab but Sorenson uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sorenson misses with a series of wild punches.
Sorenson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuhiko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tatsuhiko throws a sloppy head kick and Sorenson moves out of range easily.
Sorenson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tatsuhiko walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Sorenson closes the distance and clinches.
Sorenson struggles to land a body shot inside as Tatsuhiko controls his hands.
Tatsuhiko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sorenson is trying to force a seperation but Tatsuhiko has the dominant position.
Tatsuhiko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tatsuhiko lands with a light punch inside.
Sorenson working hard to break the clinch.
Sorenson is trying to force a seperation but Tatsuhiko has the dominant position.
Sorenson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sorenson breaks from the clinch.
A lazy left from Sorenson finds it's target.
Sorenson looks to score with a jab to the body but Tatsuhiko is just out of range.
Tatsuhiko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sorenson.
Sorenson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tatsuhiko doesn't manage to clinch there - Sorenson circles away.
Tatsuhiko moves away from the strike by Sorenson.
Tatsuhiko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Tatsuhiko moves into the clinch.
Sorenson is trying to push Tatsuhiko away but Tatsuhiko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tatsuhiko has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Sorenson regains guard immediately.
Sorenson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tatsuhiko is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sorenson keeping full guard, as Tatsuhiko tries to pass.
Sorenson wants to stand and escape but Tatsuhiko is having none of it.
Tatsuhiko trying to control the position from guard on top but Sorenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sorenson working a defensive guard here.
Tatsuhiko is looking to stand up but Sorenson won't let him.
Tatsuhiko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Sorenson pushes Tatsuhiko up against the cage in a clinch.
Tatsuhiko has had enough of the clinch but Sorenson keeps him there for the moment.

Sorenson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nate Sorenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Sorenson misses.
Tatsuhiko tries to clinch up.
Sorenson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Sorenson clinches.

Tatsuhiko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tatsuhiko misses with a hook.
Sorenson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tatsuhiko circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A swing and a miss from Sorenson.
Sorenson just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Sorenson clearly takes that round.
That's time! Sorenson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tatsuhiko lands a head kick!
Sorenson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tatsuhiko misses with a double jab.
Tatsuhiko throws a head kick that misses.
Sorenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tatsuhiko.
Tatsuhiko takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sorenson swats away the attempt to clinch by Tatsuhiko.
A head kick misses from Tatsuhiko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuhiko tries to clinch but Sorenson is having none of it.
Tatsuhiko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sorenson connects with a body shot.
Tatsuhiko is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Sorenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tatsuhiko.
A shot to the liver by Sorenson. Beautiful body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tatsuhiko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tatsuhiko throws a series of punches but Sorenson moves out of range.
Sorenson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson misses with a double jab.
Sorenson ducks under a wild hook from Tatsuhiko.
Tatsuhiko takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sorenson misses with a head kick.
Sorenson slips a jab and a cross from Tatsuhiko.
Sorenson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tatsuhiko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Sorenson has managed to clinch.

Sorenson breaks from the clinch.
Sorenson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson throws a lazy right hand but Tatsuhiko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tatsuhiko tries to bum rush Sorenson with a series of wild strikes but Sorenson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Sorenson takes the fight into the clinch.
Sorenson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tatsuhiko has Sorenson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sorenson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tatsuhiko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sorenson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Tatsuhiko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sorenson instigates a clinch.

Sorenson breaks the clinch.
Sorenson scores with a jab. Tatsuhiko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sorenson misses with a hook. Tatsuhiko ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tatsuhiko wants to clinch up but Sorenson keeps it at a distance.
Tatsuhiko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sorenson cracks the inside of Tatsuhiko's front leg.
Jab from Tatsuhiko.
Sorenson throws a head kick but Tatsuhiko moves out of range.
Sorenson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tatsuhiko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sorenson is looking to slow Tatsuhiko down with leg kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sorenson throws a looping overhand right but Tatsuhiko ducks down to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Sorenson had his way with Akihito Tatsuhiko in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tatsuhiko moves into the clinch.

Tatsuhiko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tatsuhiko misses with a wild combination.
Tatsuhiko throws a right and a left that Sorenson avoids nicely.
Tatsuhiko throws a series of strikes that have Sorenson backpedaling.
Sorenson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sorenson throws a hook but Tatsuhiko avoids it easily.
Sorenson fails to land with a series of punches.
Sorenson keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorenson avoids the head kick by Tatsuhiko.
Tatsuhiko is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Tatsuhiko darts in trying to clinch
and Sorenson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sorenson lands with a nice body punch.
A left lands for Tatsuhiko.
Sorenson lands a head shot.

Sorenson pushes Tatsuhiko up against the cage in a clinch.
Tatsuhiko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sorenson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson scores with a hook to the body. Tatsuhiko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tatsuhiko throws a nice looking combination but Sorenson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tatsuhiko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Sorenson moves into the clinch.
Tatsuhiko trying to land knees to the body.
Sorenson wants to get back to striking at distance but Tatsuhiko won't allow it.

Tatsuhiko gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sorenson is trying to control the position but Tatsuhiko postures up.
Sorenson wants to stand but Tatsuhiko is controlling the position.

Sorenson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
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.

Sorenson pushes Tatsuhiko off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Tatsuhiko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sorenson tries a low kick but Tatsuhiko avoids it.
Sorenson throws a head kick that half lands.
Tatsuhiko throws a sloppy head kick and Sorenson moves out of range easily.
Tatsuhiko wants to clinch.
Sorenson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tatsuhiko backs up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuhiko wants to clinch.
Tatsuhiko throws a head kick but Sorenson moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sorenson has closed the distance and engaged Tatsuhiko in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Sorenson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tatsuhiko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sorenson walks away with a smile on his face. Tatsuhiko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nate Sorenson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sorenson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Nate Sorenson!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Akihito Tatsuhiko!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Nate Sorenson!

Nate Sorenson wins by split decision!
Nate Sorenson retains his lightweight title!