PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akihiro Tatsui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Granger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akihiro Tatsui has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tatsui
vs
Granger

173 cm
23
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

162 cm
22
149 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Akihiro Tatsui!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, James Granger!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Granger looking to score a takedown here. Tatsui is defending well but Granger drives through and ends up in Tatsui's guard.
Granger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tatsui works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Granger must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Tatsui has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Granger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Granger 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.

Tatsui looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Tatsui is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Granger is aware though and is defending well.
Tatsui keeping moving, preventing Granger from controlling successfully.

Tatsui is looking for a triangle but Granger pushes his legs off easily.
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!
Granger scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Tatsui keeping moving, preventing Granger from controlling successfully.
Granger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tatsui keeping full guard, as Granger tries to pass.
Granger trying to control but Tatsui is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tatsui escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Granger gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Granger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Granger tries to stand but Tatsui is controlling from the bottom.

Tatsui is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Granger wants to get up but he can't break Tatsui's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tatsui can't keep his opponent in guard - Granger advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tatsui trying to hold on to Granger's head to control him but Granger postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Granger connects with a nice short shot to Tatsui's temple.

Tatsui is defending against the submission attempts here by Granger.
Tatsui is trying to maintain the position but Granger is very close to passing his half guard.

Tatsui looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tatsui is controlling Granger's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Granger is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tatsui avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Granger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsui taking some punishment here, with Granger in his half guard.
Granger wants to control but Tatsui is keeping him busy.
Granger looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Granger trying to pass the guard but Tatsui defending well.
Tatsui trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Granger manages to pass to mount!
Tatsui wants to hold on but Granger pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Granger pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Granger landing strikes, looking to finish!
Granger lands a big elbow.
Granger raining down shots from the mount!
Tatsui is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tatsui is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Granger landing shots from mount.
Tatsui is looking to improve his position but Granger isn't that keen on the idea.
Tatsui taking shots to the head.
Tatsui is trying to escape the mount.

Granger jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Tatsui manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Granger in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tatsui tries to buck Granger off but Granger is having none of it.
Tatsui wants to control but Granger postures up.

Granger has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Granger dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Granger throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tatsui tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Granger is in Tatsui's guard.
Tatsui is trying to control the position but Granger postures up.

Tatsui has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Granger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Granger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Granger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tatsui is keeping the position for now.
Granger wants to control from the top but Tatsui keeps moving.

Tatsui is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Granger is aware though and is defending well.
Granger cracks Tatsui with a solid left hand.
Tatsui keeping moving, preventing Granger from controlling successfully.
Granger tries to stand but Tatsui is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granger content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Granger tries to free his leg and advance position but Tatsui is retaining full guard.

Tatsui looking for a guillotine here but Granger defends easily.
Granger is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Granger trying to control the position from guard on top but Tatsui is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Granger is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Granger passes Tatsui's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Granger performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tatsui is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Granger wants to pass to mount but Tatsui is defending the position.
Tatsui taking some punishment here, with Granger in his half guard.

Tatsui looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tatsui is looking for a sweep. Granger is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Granger slips a nice elbow through Tatsui's hands, connecting with Tatsui's forehead.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Granger looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Granger trying to control from half guard but Tatsui is working away.
James Granger has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Granger is trying to work for a kimura but Tatsui is defending well.
Granger misses with a head shot. Tatsui uses the momentum to regain guard.

Tatsui escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Granger gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tatsui keeping moving, preventing Granger from controlling successfully.
Granger is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Granger trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tatsui's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tatsui throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Granger trying to control the position from guard on top but Tatsui is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Granger connects with a couple of short punches.
Granger looking to pass the guard.
Tatsui is trying to keep Granger in close.
Granger trying to control but Tatsui is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tatsui has his foot on Granger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Granger works his way back into a safe position though.
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!
Granger slips nicely into half guard.
Granger drops an elbow to the side of Tatsui's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Granger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Granger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tatsui's guard.
Granger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tatsui swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Granger got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tatsui has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Granger has managed to get both his arms back between Tatsui's legs - danger averted.
Granger stays in close to Tatsui's body and controls the position.

Tatsui is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Granger is aware though and is defending well.
Tatsui avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tatsui pulls Granger in close to his closed guard and prevents Granger from doing any damage or advancing position.

Tatsui working for submissions but it's allowed Granger to get to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Granger working Tatsui over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Granger connects with a nice short shot to Tatsui's temple.
Granger wants to control but Tatsui is keeping him busy.
Granger not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tatsui is staying active underneath Granger, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Granger is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Tatsui as he works his way to full guard.
Granger scoring with some ground and pound.
Granger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tatsui is keeping the position for now.

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

Tatsui is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Granger trying to control but Tatsui is working from the bottom.

Tatsui looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Granger looking to pass the guard.

Granger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Granger postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Granger in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Granger accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Granger with a flurry of punches that miss.
Granger wants to pass the guard but Tatsui is keeping the position.

Tatsui working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Granger has passed into half guard!
Tatsui wants to control but Granger is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tatsui wants to get back to full guard.
Granger is looking to take a break and control but Tatsui is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tatsui wants to get back to full guard.
Granger is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Granger is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tatsui sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Granger keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Tatsui is defending against the submission attempts here by Granger.
Tatsui moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Granger wants to control from the top but Tatsui keeps moving.

Tatsui is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
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.
Granger scoring with some ground and pound.
Akihiro Tatsui has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Granger is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Granger postures up in Tatsui's guard and throws a big left but Tatsui blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Granger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Granger 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Granger!
James Granger thanked the fans post fight for their support.