PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Grease St Pierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinobu Tsukasa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Pierre's entrance music is Jag - Worst Nightmare. A fine choice. Grease St Pierre has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

St Pierre
vs
Tsukasa

175 cm
25
175 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

188 cm
25
174 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Grease St Pierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shinobu Tsukasa!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsukasa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tsukasa throws a leg kick but St Pierre checks it.
St Pierre throws a body punch but Tsukasa moves out of range.
St Pierre scores with a decent looking hook.
St Pierre connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tsukasa's hands.
St Pierre swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
St Pierre just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tsukasa. That's going to slow St Pierre down.

Tsukasa moves into the clinch.
Tsukasa creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through St Pierre's defenses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tsukasa obliges.
Tsukasa lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tsukasa.
St Pierre's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tsukasa lands a nice elbow.
Tsukasa lands an elbow inside.
Tsukasa lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsukasa throws a knee to the head but misses.
St Pierre letting Tsukasa take a breather here.
St Pierre throws a punch but it's blocked by Tsukasa.
Tsukasa swings wildly with an uppercut but St Pierre uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tsukasa landing knees to the head.
Good body shot from Tsukasa.
St Pierre is looking for a takedown.
Tsukasa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
St Pierre managing to block the knees to the body from Tsukasa.
Tsukasa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tsukasa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and St Pierre avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsukasa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but St Pierre blocks it with crossed arms.
Tsukasa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but St Pierre has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tsukasa misses with a knee to the head.
Tsukasa creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through St Pierre's defenses.
St Pierre avoids a wild elbow strike from Tsukasa.
Tsukasa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. St Pierre is defending well for now.
Tsukasa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
St Pierre drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tsukasa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with St Pierre's elbow.
St Pierre avoiding damage as Tsukasa throws knees to the body.

St Pierre has Tsukasa pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. St Pierre pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Tsukasa tumbling to the mat - St Pierre dives into Tsukasa's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
St Pierre wants to control from the top but Tsukasa keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsukasa looking for a sweep. Not yet Tsukasa, not yet.
St Pierre trying to control but Tsukasa is working from the bottom.
St Pierre definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
St Pierre trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tsukasa looking for a sweep. Not yet Tsukasa, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Grease St Pierre.
Tsukasa throws a leg kick which misses St Pierre's front leg but catches the back leg as St Pierre tries to avoid it.
Tsukasa motions for St Pierre to come forward. Tsukasa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Tsukasa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tsukasa wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grease St Pierre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsukasa throws a front kick aimed at St Pierre's knee but St Pierre avoids it well.
Tsukasa lands a jab to St Pierre's midsection.
Tsukasa throws out a loose jab but St Pierre uses good head movement to avoid it.
St Pierre jabs at Tsukasa's body.
Tsukasa looks to score with a jab to the body but St Pierre is just out of range.
Tsukasa fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and St Pierre has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
St Pierre scores with a hook to the body. Tsukasa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
St Pierre takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
St Pierre throws a looping overhand right but Tsukasa ducks down to avoid it.
Tsukasa misses with a body shot.
Shinobu Tsukasa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Tsukasa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from St Pierre.
A lazy left from St Pierre finds it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinobu Tsukasa dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tsukasa cracks St Pierre with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tsukasa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but St Pierre manages to avoid it.
Tsukasa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tsukasa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
St Pierre is looking to wear down Tsukasa with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
St Pierre lands with a nice combination. Tsukasa backs away looking to recover.
St Pierre shoots in but Tsukasa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tsukasa lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tsukasa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tsukasa tried to score with a low kick but St Pierre checks it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by St Pierre.
Tsukasa throws a head kick that misses.
Tsukasa misses with a low kick as St Pierre jumps back.
Tsukasa throws a looping overhand right but St Pierre ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tsukasa clinches up against the cage.
St Pierre tries to pull guard but Tsukasa won't allow it.
St Pierre drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tsukasa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grease St Pierre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsukasa working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tsukasa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from St Pierre.
A knee to the head by Tsukasa.
Tsukasa slowing the pace effectively.
Tsukasa misses with a hook from the clinch.
St Pierre blocks an elbow strike.
Tsukasa struggles to land a body shot inside as St Pierre controls his hands.
St Pierre changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tsukasa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tsukasa throws a head kick but St Pierre moves out of range.
Shinobu Tsukasa seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

St Pierre shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tsukasa napping and manages to drive through into side control!

St Pierre is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tsukasa has escaped the position, nice work there.
St Pierre tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Tsukasa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but St Pierre wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
St Pierre wants to control but Tsukasa is keeping him busy.
Tsukasa tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but St Pierre presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsukasa wants to hold on but St Pierre pushes him away.
St Pierre fails to take his opponent's back.
St Pierre trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tsukasa tries to get back to half guard but can't.

St Pierre jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tsukasa is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tsukasa and St Pierre has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
St Pierre tries to advance to mount but Tsukasa denies him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre trying to control the action but Tsukasa is working from the bottom.
Tsukasa sneaks back into half guard.
St Pierre is trying to control the action in half guard but Tsukasa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tsukasa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
St Pierre thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tsukasa's head.
Tsukasa wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shinobu Tsukasa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

St Pierre takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
St Pierre misses with a looping right.
St Pierre displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tsukasa throws out the jab.
St Pierre throws a shot from downtown. Tsukasa moves away and avoids it.
Tsukasa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but St Pierre moves away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! St Pierre crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tsukasa - the referee stops the clock and St Pierre gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tsukasa. St Pierre manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Tsukasa walks into a jab.
Tsukasa pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
St Pierre looks to throw the jab but Tsukasa is out of range.
Tsukasa looks to land a left hand but St Pierre moved out of range nicely.
Tsukasa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tsukasa throws a sloppy head kick and St Pierre moves out of range easily.
Tsukasa connects with a leg kick. St Pierre looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
St Pierre bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsukasa walks into a left hand.
Tsukasa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but St Pierre moves away.
St Pierre throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tsukasa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Tsukasa. No joy for St Pierre on that attempt.
St Pierre misses the shot to the body.
St Pierre walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
St Pierre throws a looping overhand right but Tsukasa ducks down to avoid it.
St Pierre misses with a hook.
Tsukasa swings away with a leg kick that misses.
St Pierre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tsukasa.
Tsukasa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt St Pierre.
Tsukasa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tsukasa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsukasa thows a body shot but no joy.
St Pierre scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tsukasa misses with a kick to the body.
Tsukasa is looking to clinch but St Pierre is avoiding it.
St Pierre works Tsukasa's body with a nice hook.
St Pierre is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tsukasa.

St Pierre drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
St Pierre wants to control from the top but Tsukasa keeps moving.
Tsukasa pulls St Pierre in close to his closed guard and prevents St Pierre from doing any damage or advancing position.
Grease St Pierre has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tsukasa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre looking to pass the guard.
Tsukasa keeping moving, preventing St Pierre from controlling successfully.
Shinobu Tsukasa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A head kick from Tsukasa lands but St Pierre takes it in his stride.
St Pierre throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tsukasa's waist but Tsukasa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing St Pierre off to one side.
St Pierre has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tsukasa.
Tsukasa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tsukasa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
St Pierre throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tsukasa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by St Pierre.
Tsukasa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
St Pierre goes for a double leg but Tsukasa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tsukasa continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grease St Pierre. That's going to take a lot out of him.

St Pierre lands a takedown into guard.
St Pierre pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tsukasa is keeping the position for now.
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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tsukasa is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shinobu Tsukasa.
I've got Tsukasa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinobu Tsukasa!