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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thiago de Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). de Souza's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Dry County. Thiago de Souza has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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183 cm
28
177 lbs
23 - 9 - 0 |
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178 cm
23
183 lbs
15 - 6 - 0 |
Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank |
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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
23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thiago de Souza! And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr! The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and Skip Squint.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Tatsuhiko Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Tatsuhiko Jr defending well as de Souza loads up on a big left hand. A head kick misses from de Souza. de Souza closes the distance and pushes Tatsuhiko Jr back into the cage. Tatsuhiko Jr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tatsuhiko Jr wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tatsuhiko Jr is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables de Souza to keep the fight standing. Tatsuhiko Jr jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as de Souza walks away with a smile on his face. Tatsuhiko Jr gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head. Thiago de Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr. de Souza lands a nice hook to Tatsuhiko Jr's body. Tatsuhiko Jr takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. de Souza misses with a wild body shot. de Souza missing with a left hand there. Tatsuhiko Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one. Thiago de Souza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. de Souza misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tatsuhiko Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
de Souza looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily. Tatsuhiko Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round. de Souza avoids a low kick by using good footwork. Tatsuhiko Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tatsuhiko Jr throws a front kick aimed at de Souza's knee but de Souza avoids it well. de Souza misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tatsuhiko Jr counters with a nice body kick. de Souza lands with an overhand left. Tatsuhiko Jr thows a leg kick but de Souza checks it and de Souza counters with a nice uppercut. de Souza misses with a wild combination.
de Souza fails with a takedown attempt from distance. Tatsuhiko Jr ducks under a wild hook from de Souza. de Souza is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tatsuhiko Jr.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr lands a nice leg kick that just misses de Souza's sensitive parts. de Souza shoots in looking for a takedown but Tatsuhiko Jr manages to keep the fight standing, pushing de Souza's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away. de Souza with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tatsuhiko Jr to score with a decent uppercut. de Souza avoids a kick to the body.
de Souza just misses with a punch to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr thows a body kick. de Souza tries to catch it but that hurt him. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Tatsuhiko Jr swings away with a leg kick that misses. Tatsuhiko Jr walks into a left hand. Tatsuhiko Jr avoids a punch combination nicely.
de Souza wants to clinch. Tatsuhiko Jr throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tatsuhiko Jr shoots in but doesn't get the takedown and de Souza finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body. de Souza lands a really nice looking cross but Tatsuhiko Jr seems unphased.
de Souza tries to clinch but Tatsuhiko Jr is having none of it. Tatsuhiko Jr looking to land some kicks to the body here.
de Souza leaves Tatsuhiko Jr with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt. Tatsuhiko Jr lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tatsuhiko Jr checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time. Nice takedown defense from Tatsuhiko Jr. No joy for de Souza on that attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round. de Souza avoids the head kick by Tatsuhiko Jr.
de Souza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Tatsuhiko Jr is trying hard to land a takedown here. de Souza sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet. de Souza is looking to clinch. de Souza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tatsuhiko Jr. No joy there for Tatsuhiko Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tatsuhiko Jr tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and de Souza is able to avoid easily. de Souza fails in his attempt to clinch. Tatsuhiko Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
de Souza moves into the clinch. This has been an exciting period of action! As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Tatsuhiko Jr is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but de Souza is defending well. de Souza lands on the inside with an uppercut. Good body shot from de Souza.
de Souza using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Thiago de Souza dominated that round. The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Tatsuhiko Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as de Souza throws out the jab. de Souza misses with a series of wild punches.
de Souza closes the distance and pushes Tatsuhiko Jr back into the cage. de Souza stops a takedown attempt from Tatsuhiko Jr.
A frustrated look appears on Tatsuhiko Jr's face as he tries to break the clinch. Tatsuhiko Jr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tatsuhiko Jr tries for a takedown but de Souza manages to get underhooks.
Thiago de Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr. Tatsuhiko Jr tries to pull guard but de Souza holds him up against the cage and eventually Tatsuhiko Jr drops back down to his feet.
de Souza gets underhooks to prevent Tatsuhiko Jr's takedown attempt.
Tatsuhiko Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
de Souza goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
de Souza gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tatsuhiko Jr.
de Souza scores a nice knee to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round. de Souza is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body. Tatsuhiko Jr is breathing heavily. de Souza landing knees to the head.
It looks like Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr has been cut. de Souza tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tatsuhiko Jr avoids it. de Souza utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body. de Souza using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from de Souza as the two fighters clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. de Souza lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tatsuhiko Jr or not. de Souza lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tatsuhiko Jr backwards. de Souza scores with an uppercut up the middle. de Souza is leaning against Tatsuhiko Jr and scores with a nice uppercut to the body. de Souza scores a nice knee to the body.
de Souza struggles to land a body shot inside as Tatsuhiko Jr controls his hands.
de Souza creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tatsuhiko Jr's defenses. de Souza unloads a knee to the mid-section. de Souza lands with a short shot to the head. A short body shot lands from de Souza as the two fighters clinch.
de Souza unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tatsuhiko Jr lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh. de Souza struggles to land a body shot inside as Tatsuhiko Jr controls his hands.
de Souza using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round. A knee to the head by de Souza.
de Souza digs a right hand underneath Tatsuhiko Jr's ribcage. Tatsuhiko Jr let out a lung full of air as it connected. de Souza lands a shoulder strike. de Souza lands with a short shot to the head. Tatsuhiko Jr has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by de Souza after a bit of a struggle. de Souza misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tatsuhiko Jr.
de Souza lands a body shot in the clinch.
de Souza presses Tatsuhiko Jr against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot. de Souza lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tatsuhiko Jr or not. de Souza lands a damaging elbow. de Souza tries to work over Tatsuhiko Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. de Souza lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tatsuhiko Jr backwards. de Souza comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Tatsuhiko Jr is rocked! de Souza working some nice short punches in the clinch. Tatsuhiko Jr is still on wobbly legs! Can de Souza finish him? The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now. Tatsuhiko Jr has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate. Tatsuhiko Jr takes a knee to the side of the body. de Souza lands with a short head shot on the inside. de Souza trying to land knees to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables de Souza to keep the fight standing. Nice elbow from de Souza.
That has opened up Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr's cut even more. de Souza lands a good knee to the midsection. Tatsuhiko Jr won't want to take too many of those. de Souza connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tatsuhiko Jr's face.
de Souza lands a left hand.
de Souza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tatsuhiko Jr can do to turn this around? A right handed body shot lands from de Souza.
Tatsuhiko Jr goes for a takedown attempt but de Souza pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
de Souza throws a half hearted mid kick. Tatsuhiko Jr seems to have recovered his senses. de Souza throws a head kick but Tatsuhiko Jr moves out of range.
de Souza lands with a nice combination. Tatsuhiko Jr backs away looking to recover. de Souza clinches up against the cage. de Souza lands a body punch in the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round. 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! Tatsuhiko Jr is looking for a takedown up against the cage. de Souza gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt. de Souza lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tatsuhiko Jr backwards. de Souza misses with a punch to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr is trying to work for a single leg takedown but de Souza pulls him back up using the underhooks. Tatsuhiko Jr jumps guard but de Souza turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing. de Souza tries to work over Tatsuhiko Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. de Souza lands with a right to the head. An uppercut to the body lands inside from de Souza. Tatsuhiko Jr takes a knee to the side of the body. de Souza pushes Tatsuhiko Jr back against the cage and unloads with a body punch. de Souza trying to land knees to the body.
de Souza misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tatsuhiko Jr.
A right hand to the body from de Souza.
de Souza lands with a right to the head. The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action! A right handed body shot lands from de Souza.
Tatsuhiko Jr prevents a body shot from de Souza. de Souza has Tatsuhiko Jr pressed against the cage, preventing Tatsuhiko Jr from circling away and getting back to striking at range. Tatsuhiko Jr tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. de Souza smiles and moves away.
de Souza doesn't manage to clinch there - Tatsuhiko Jr circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Thiago de Souza dominated that second round. The cut man is working on Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr's cut. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
de Souza scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard. Thiago de Souza is winning the standup battle so far. de Souza takes a swing at Tatsuhiko Jr's ribcage but misses. de Souza scores with the left hand. Tatsuhiko Jr knows he should have avoided that one. de Souza looks to score with a combo but nothing lands. de Souza moves into the clinch. de Souza misses with a punch to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr working hard to break the clinch. de Souza goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
de Souza lands with a short shot to the head. Tatsuhiko Jr is looking for a takedown. Tatsuhiko Jr is looking for a takedown. Tatsuhiko Jr is trying to break the clinch but de Souza is controlling him. de Souza lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tatsuhiko Jr backwards. A short left from de Souza. Tatsuhiko Jr jumps guard but de Souza turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing. Thiago de Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr. Tatsuhiko Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired. A short right from de Souza. de Souza lands with a right to the head.
That's one minute gone in the round. de Souza works on Tatsuhiko Jr's body with a couple of short punches. de Souza unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tatsuhiko Jr lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh. de Souza working Tatsuhiko Jr over with knees to the body. de Souza lands an uppercut. A nice right hand lands inside from de Souza. de Souza lands a body shot. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! A nice right hand lands inside from de Souza. de Souza lands a right hand. Nice body punch from de Souza - that landed with a thud.
de Souza is leaning against Tatsuhiko Jr and scores with a nice uppercut to the body. de Souza tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tatsuhiko Jr's elbow. A right hand to the body from de Souza.
A short right from de Souza on the inside. de Souza goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
de Souza lands a left hand.
de Souza landing knees to the body.
de Souza lands a good knee to the midsection. Tatsuhiko Jr won't want to take too many of those. de Souza lands a body punch. de Souza landing knees to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round. de Souza tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tatsuhiko Jr avoids it. de Souza missing with knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by de Souza.
de Souza with a knee to the head.
Tatsuhiko Jr goes for a takedown attempt but de Souza pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
de Souza forces Tatsuhiko Jr back against the cage and clinches. A nice glancing elbow lands by de Souza. A nice glancing elbow lands by de Souza.
The cut above Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr's eye is starting to cause him problems now. Tatsuhiko Jr can't break the clinch.
Tatsuhiko Jr is trying to drag de Souza to the mat but de Souza just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there. Tatsuhiko Jr avoiding damage as de Souza throws knees to the body.
de Souza landing knees to the body.
de Souza misses with a hook to the ribs.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning. de Souza lands with a good tight uppercut to the head. de Souza gets underhooks to prevent Tatsuhiko Jr's takedown attempt.
de Souza tries to land knees in the clinch but Tatsuhiko Jr avoids the damage to the body. A quick uppercut on the inside from de Souza. Tatsuhiko Jr is looking for a takedown up against the cage. de Souza gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt. Tatsuhiko Jr is trying to drag de Souza to the mat but de Souza just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there. A short right from de Souza on the inside. de Souza lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards. de Souza scores with an uppercut up the middle. de Souza misses with a punch to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr takes a knee to the side of the body. de Souza lands a good knee to the midsection. Tatsuhiko Jr won't want to take too many of those. 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! de Souza lands a body shot in the clinch.
de Souza lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tatsuhiko Jr backwards. Thiago de Souza has scored more points in the clinch so far. de Souza presses Tatsuhiko Jr against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot. de Souza lands a shoulder strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round. de Souza lands on the inside with an uppercut. de Souza unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tatsuhiko Jr lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh. A right handed body shot lands from de Souza.
de Souza lands a left hand.
Tatsuhiko Jr takes an elbow to the temple. de Souza lands an elbow that stopped Tatsuhiko Jr in his tracks for a moment. Tatsuhiko Jr wants to break the clinch but can't.
de Souza unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tatsuhiko Jr lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh. de Souza lands with a short punch from the clinch.
de Souza landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A quick uppercut on the inside from de Souza.
Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters. A hook to the body from de Souza.
Tatsuhiko Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
de Souza tries to throw a body punch but Tatsuhiko Jr avoids it by throwing de Souza back against the cage. The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action! de Souza misses with a punch to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
de Souza trying to land knees to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr is looking to break free of the clinch but de Souza has double underhooks. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Thiago de Souza clearly takes that round. The cut man is working on Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr's cut. The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Tatsuhiko Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but de Souza moves out of range and avoids them all easily. de Souza moves into the clinch. de Souza scores with a hook to the body. Tatsuhiko Jr prevents a body shot from de Souza. Tatsuhiko Jr wants to take the fight to the mat but de Souza manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch. de Souza trying to land knees to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr jumps guard but de Souza turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing. Tatsuhiko Jr drops to a knee looking for a takedown but de Souza gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thiago de Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr. de Souza tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tatsuhiko Jr avoids it. Tatsuhiko Jr avoiding damage as de Souza throws knees to the body.
Tatsuhiko Jr drops to a knee looking for a takedown but de Souza gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tatsuhiko Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but de Souza pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tatsuhiko Jr is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted. de Souza cracks Tatsuhiko Jr with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
That's one minute gone in the round. de Souza misses with a wild body shot. de Souza fakes a jab and scores with a low kick. de Souza tries to clinch up. Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things. Tatsuhiko Jr avoids a punch combination nicely.
de Souza tries to clinch but Tatsuhiko Jr moves out of range. de Souza throws the left hand but Tatsuhiko Jr avoids the punch easily. de Souza misses with a body kick. de Souza misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round. de Souza doesn't manage to clinch there - Tatsuhiko Jr circles away.
Tatsuhiko Jr defending well as de Souza loads up on a big left hand. Tatsuhiko Jr tries a low kick but de Souza avoids it. Tatsuhiko Jr takes a swing at de Souza's ribcage but misses. de Souza is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tatsuhiko Jr. Tatsuhiko Jr fails with the takedown. de Souza throws a head kick but Tatsuhiko Jr moves out of range.
Tatsuhiko Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. de Souza wants to clinch. Tatsuhiko Jr shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. de Souza defends it nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by de Souza.
de Souza is looking to clinch but Tatsuhiko Jr is avoiding it.
de Souza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tatsuhiko Jr throws out the jab. de Souza scores with a body shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tatsuhiko Jr, right into the meat.
de Souza blocks a head kick by Tatsuhiko Jr.
Tatsuhiko Jr misses the shot to the body. de Souza throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr thows a body shot but no joy. Tatsuhiko Jr is looking to score with low kicks. de Souza is looking to clinch but Tatsuhiko Jr is avoiding it.
Tatsuhiko Jr looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily. Tatsuhiko Jr throws out a leg kick but de Souza moves out of range and Tatsuhiko Jr only half commits. de Souza closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tatsuhiko Jr did well to prevent de Souza getting side control. The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up. Tatsuhiko Jr is looking to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end. de Souza postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Tatsuhiko Jr to stand up. Nice shot lands for de Souza. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Tatsuhiko Jr throws a head kick but de Souza moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Thiago de Souza had his way with Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr in that round. The cut man is working on Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr's cut. The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
de Souza misses the shot to the body. A bone on bone clash there as Tatsuhiko Jr blocks the leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tatsuhiko Jr - that will leave a mark!
Tatsuhiko Jr blocks a head kick by de Souza.
Tatsuhiko Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tatsuhiko Jr tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and de Souza is able to avoid easily. de Souza lands a high kick!
Tatsuhiko Jr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Tatsuhiko Jr keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from de Souza. Tatsuhiko Jr feints and then cracks de Souza's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow de Souza down. A nice leg kick lands there from Tatsuhiko Jr. de Souza misses with an uppercut. Tatsuhiko Jr saw that one coming.
That's one minute gone in the round. de Souza goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo. de Souza throws a low kick but Tatsuhiko Jr moves out of range easily. Tatsuhiko Jr fails with a takedown attempt from distance. Tatsuhiko Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with de Souza but de Souza pushes him off and we're back to square one. A right-left combo lands from de Souza. de Souza is looking to clinch but Tatsuhiko Jr is avoiding it.
de Souza ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tatsuhiko Jr moves away. de Souza lands a jab-cross combination. Tatsuhiko Jr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from de Souza. Tatsuhiko Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with de Souza but de Souza pushes him off and we're back to square one. Thiago de Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr takes a swing at de Souza's ribcage but misses. de Souza doesn't manage to clinch there - Tatsuhiko Jr circles away.
de Souza tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tatsuhiko Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat. Tatsuhiko Jr scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Tatsuhiko Jr wants to take a breather but de Souza manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Tatsuhiko Jr. Tatsuhiko Jr stopping the sweep attempt from de Souza. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. de Souza looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tatsuhiko Jr drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tatsuhiko Jr jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Tatsuhiko Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but de Souza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. de Souza throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tatsuhiko Jr engaging in some classic timewasting tactics. Tatsuhiko Jr scoring with some ground and pound. de Souza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tatsuhiko Jr is one step ahead there. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Tatsuhiko Jr trying to control but de Souza is working from the bottom. de Souza tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's four minutes gone in the round. de Souza is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. de Souza trying to control from half guard but Tatsuhiko Jr is working away. de Souza seems to be looking for submissions.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt. de Souza blocks the strikes from Tatsuhiko Jr.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here! Tatsuhiko Jr gets full guard. Tatsuhiko Jr trying to keep a closed guard but de Souza is proving a slippery customer.
Thiago de Souza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach. Tatsuhiko Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Tatsuhiko Jr, not yet. Akihito Tatsuhiko Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! The crowd are loving this. Great action here. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Tatsuhiko Jr is persisting with the attempt to improve his position. Tatsuhiko Jr keeping moving, preventing de Souza from controlling successfully.
And that's the end of the fight! That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Thiago de Souza. Well de Souza has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 50:44 Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 50:43 Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 50:43
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago de Souza! Thiago de Souza retains his middleweight title! Jumping up and down and very excited, Thiago de Souza waved his t-shirt featuring [WOT] GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !'s logo in front of the cameras.
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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