PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tomko TaTupa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Courageous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think TaTupa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Hollywood Undead--Undead. Kevin Courageous told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

TaTupa
vs
Courageous

190 cm
22
230 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
18
240 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tomko TaTupa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kevin Courageous!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

TaTupa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Courageous, who protects the arm well.

TaTupa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Courageous knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Courageous regains half guard.
TaTupa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
TaTupa wants to control but Courageous is keeping him busy.
Courageous is looking to improve his position.

TaTupa is trying to work for a kimura but Courageous is defending well.
Courageous is pressing down on TaTupa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Courageous is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Courageous looking to control.
TaTupa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

TaTupa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Courageous tries to roll over but TaTupa keeps him under control.
TaTupa trying to control from half guard but Courageous is working away.
TaTupa tries to pass to full mount but Courageous defends it.
TaTupa is keen to just control but Courageous is a slippery customer.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Courageous can do anything to dispel that myth.
TaTupa blocks the strikes from Courageous.
Courageous wants to control but TaTupa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
TaTupa is tying to control. Courageous wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Courageous really doesn't want to stay on the ground with TaTupa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
TaTupa is breathing heavily.
TaTupa is thwarting Courageous's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
TaTupa shoots in for a takedown but Courageous shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Courageous. No joy for TaTupa on that attempt.
TaTupa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Courageous tries to avoid it but TaTupa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Courageous to the ground. Courageous escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomko TaTupa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Courageous clinches.

TaTupa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

TaTupa closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

TaTupa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

TaTupa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Courageous knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
TaTupa trying to control the action but Courageous is working from the bottom.

TaTupa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Courageous wants to control but TaTupa postures up.

TaTupa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no TaTupa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Courageous regains half guard.
Courageous controlling the position for now.

TaTupa seems to be working for a kimura but Courageous defends the submission attempt.
TaTupa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Courageous's head.
Courageous wants to get back to his feet.
Courageous is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Courageous actively working from the bottom here.
TaTupa wants to control but Courageous is keeping him busy.
Courageous wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
TaTupa slips a straight right by Courageous.
Nice sprawl there from Courageous as TaTupa shoots in.
TaTupa shoots in for a double leg but Courageous sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

TaTupa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Courageous to the mat! Courageous manages to get full guard.
Courageous is pulling down on TaTupa's head. It's preventing any offense from TaTupa, at least for the moment.
TaTupa connects with a couple of short punches.
TaTupa passes Courageous's left leg - he's now in half guard.
TaTupa passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Courageous!
TaTupa lands a nice shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomko TaTupa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

TaTupa shoots in looking for a takedown. Courageous tries to sprawl out of it but TaTupa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Courageous manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
TaTupa shoots in looking for a takedown. Courageous tries to sprawl out of it but TaTupa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Courageous manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tomko TaTupa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

TaTupa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
TaTupa works over Courageous with some ground and pound from guard.
TaTupa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Courageous is looking for a triangle but TaTupa pushes his legs off easily.
TaTupa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Courageous avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tomko TaTupa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
TaTupa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
TaTupa works over Courageous with some ground and pound from guard.
TaTupa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Courageous preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
TaTupa wants to control from the top but Courageous keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
TaTupa passes easily into side control. Nice work.
TaTupa looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Courageous is avoiding damage well.
Courageous struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
TaTupa sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Courageous is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

TaTupa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Courageous has escaped the position, nice work there.
Courageous gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Courageous makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Courageous.
TaTupa throws a strike but Courageous rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Courageous slips nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Courageous tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

TaTupa actively working from the bottom here.
TaTupa is looking for a sweep. Courageous is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
TaTupa is pressing down on Courageous's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Courageous postures up.
TaTupa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
TaTupa is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
TaTupa uses his free foot to push down on Courageous's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Courageous.

TaTupa looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TaTupa lands a heavy elbow.
TaTupa postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Courageous looks a forlorn figure.

TaTupa has hold of Courageous's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Courageous manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

TaTupa is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Courageous is surviving well by controlling TaTupa's body position as best he can.
Courageous working to try and regain half guard.
Courageous should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Courageous bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Courageous seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
TaTupa tries to land a sweep but no joy.

TaTupa had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Courageous is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. TaTupa Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Courageous's back instead.

TaTupa is persistently looking for the submission but Courageous is defending it well.
TaTupa punches the canvas rather than the man.

Courageous is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if TaTupa gets his way!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
TaTupa lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by TaTupa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomko TaTupa dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

TaTupa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Courageous tries to avoid it but TaTupa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Courageous to the ground. Courageous escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
TaTupa shoots for a double leg takedown but Courageous sprawls well. He's pushed TaTupa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
TaTupa shoots in and drives through. Courageous sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomko TaTupa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

TaTupa scores a takedown into full mount!
Courageous tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Courageous wants to hold on but TaTupa pushes him away.
Courageous is working to get back to half guard.

TaTupa looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Courageous holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as TaTupa tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Courageous tries to hold on but TaTupa pushes him away.
TaTupa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Courageous regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

TaTupa is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Courageous is trying to control but can't.

TaTupa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Courageous defends it well.

TaTupa is looking for a kimura here.
TaTupa stops Courageous from getting back to his feet.
TaTupa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Courageous knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Courageous trying to control here.
TaTupa wants to pass to mount but Courageous is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

TaTupa is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
TaTupa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Courageous does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

TaTupa is working for a kimura but Courageous is defending it quite comfortably.
TaTupa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Courageous is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
TaTupa shoots in but Courageous avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Courageous gets a takedown into half guard.
TaTupa tries to roll over but Courageous keeps him under control.
Courageous landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TaTupa is looking for a sweep. Courageous is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

TaTupa actively working from the bottom here.
TaTupa misses with some strikes from the bottom.

TaTupa is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Courageous pulls his head out easily.
Courageous trying to mount his opponent but TaTupa defends it.

TaTupa actively working from the bottom here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
TaTupa keeps the fight on the outside.
TaTupa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Courageous counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
TaTupa moves into full guard.
TaTupa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Courageous manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

TaTupa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Courageous working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. TaTupa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. TaTupa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Courageous utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

TaTupa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
TaTupa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Courageous is keeping the position for now.
Kevin Courageous has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Courageous holds on and takes a little breather.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Courageous is on top in guard.
TaTupa tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Courageous comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think TaTupa 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomko TaTupa!