PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Carl Stryker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akihiro Tatsui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Stryker
vs
Tatsui

172 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
23
156 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Carl Stryker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Akihiro Tatsui!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tatsui tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stryker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tatsui somewhat.
Stryker tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Stryker.

Stryker shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tatsui manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tatsui looking to control.
Tatsui keeping moving, preventing Stryker from controlling successfully.
Stryker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tatsui is keeping the position for now.

Tatsui has his foot on Stryker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stryker works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stryker wants to control from the top but Tatsui keeps moving.
Stryker looking to pass the guard.
Stryker sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Carl Stryker wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Tatsui throws a sloppy body shot

and Stryker holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tatsui tries to pull guard but Stryker holds him up against the cage and eventually Tatsui drops back down to his feet.

Stryker pulls guard successfully.
Tatsui passes Stryker's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tatsui trying to control the action but Stryker is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsui is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Tatsui wants to work for an arm triangle but Stryker is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Tatsui is working for a submission of some sort.
Tatsui wants to free his trapped foot but Stryker is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tatsui is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stryker prevents Tatsui from taking his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stryker wants to hold on but Tatsui pushes him away.
Stryker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stryker slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Tatsui is pressing down on Stryker's thigh, looking to free his foot. Stryker is holding on for now.

Tatsui is trying to work for a kimura but Stryker is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stryker wants to improve his position but Tatsui is controlling well.
Tatsui works his way into full mount!
Tatsui can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stryker is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akihiro Tatsui dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stryker closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Tatsui drags the fight down to the ground.
Tatsui not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stryker 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 throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tatsui keeping moving, preventing Stryker from controlling successfully.
Stryker throws a big right hand that misses.

Stryker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsui working a defensive guard here.

Stryker is sitting in close to Tatsui's body. Tatsui has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Stryker is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Stryker is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Tatsui.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Akihiro Tatsui!
After winning the bout, Akihiro Tatsui thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.