PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between So Tell Me Why (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rani Yayha Toure (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Toure has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tell Me Why
vs
Yayha Toure

200 cm
25
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
270 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, So Tell Me Why!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rani Yayha Toure!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Why fails with the takedown.
Why tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Toure defends well and Why ends up having to push Toure into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Toure.
Why wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for So Tell Me Why. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Why prevents a body shot from Toure.
Why drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Why is looking to take this one to the mat.
Toure gets underhooks to prevent Why's takedown attempt.
Why tries for a takedown but Toure manages to get underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Toure fails to land.
Why can't get the takedown.
Toure gets underhooks to prevent Why's takedown attempt.
Why is looking for a takedown.
Why is breathing heavily.
Toure makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Toure lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Toure.
Toure gets underhooks to prevent Why's takedown attempt.
Toure lands a left hand that snaps the head of Why backwards.
Toure scores with a shoulder strike.
Toure lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Toure throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Toure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Toure lands with a left to the head.
A hook to the body from Toure.
Toure lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Toure creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Toure.
Toure scores with a hook to the body.
Toure scores with a shot to the side of Why's head.
Toure lands a hook that snaps the head of Why backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Toure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toure lands a right hand that snaps the head of Why backwards.
Toure lands a right hand that snaps the head of Why backwards.
The referee calls for Toure to work.
Toure digs a right hand into Why's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Why's gas tank.
Toure throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Whys head.
Toure scores with a shoulder strike.
Why is looking to take this one to the mat.
Toure lands a left hand.
Toure lands a nice uppercut.
Toure pushes Why back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Toure gets through Why's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Toure.
Toure scores with a nice hook to the head.
Toure lands a body punch.
Toure scores with a shot to the side of Why's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toure content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Toure pushes Why back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Toure lands a shot to the body.
Toure cracks Why with a nice body shot.
Why goes for a takedown attempt but Toure pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Toure scores with a jab to the head.
Toure stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Toure wants it to stay on the feet.
Toure throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toure lands with an overhand left.
Why ducks under a wild hook from Toure.
Why has a takedown stuffed.
Toure works over Why's head and body with a nice combination.
Toure jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A jab from Toure misses.
Toure leaves Why with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rani Yayha Toure dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Toure lands with a cross.
Why misses with a takedown
and Toure counters with a straight right hand.
Toure has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Toure throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The fighters circling - Toure throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Why tries to score a power double leg takedown but Toure sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Why somewhat.
Toure swings away with a body shot that misses
and Why counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Why shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Toure counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for So Tell Me Why. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Why shoots in for a takedown but Toure shows good takedown defense.
Why shoots in and drives through. Toure sprawls well.

Why tries to keep at a distance but Toure has taken the fight into the clinch.
Why's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Toure prevents the takedown attempt.
A short right from Toure.
A nice right hand lands inside from Toure.
Why takes a shot to the head.
Why takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toure slows down the pace here.
Why is looking for a takedown.
Toure lands a nice uppercut.
Why is working for takedown but Toure is calmly controlling the position for now.
Toure works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A right hook to the body lands for Toure.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Toure.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Toure.
Toure makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right from Toure on the inside.
Why has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Toure is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Toure lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Why backwards.
Toure lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toure lands a right hand.
Toure lands an uppercut.
Toure tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Why blocks an uppercut.
Why blocking some punches.
Why drops down looking for an ankle pick but Toure pulls his leg out and moves away.
Toure ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Why doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Toure counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toure is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Toure.
Toure softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Toure lands a right hand.
Toure lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Why.
Toure lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Toure lands with a left to the head.
Toure stalling in the clinch.
Toure doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Toure fails to land.
Why looking for a takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Toure softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Why is trying to drag Toure to the mat but Toure just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short uppercut from Toure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rani Yayha Toure showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Why tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Toure swivels and escapes.
So Tell Me Why is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Toure throws a hook but Why avoids it easily.
Why shoots in looking for a takedown. Toure tries to sprawl out of it but Why keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Toure manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Why steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Toure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toure lands a jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Why shoots in for a takedown but Toure shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for So Tell Me Why. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toure scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Why dives in for a single leg takedown but Toure sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Toure lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Toure scores with a nice hook to the head.
Why being controlled against the cage.
Toure lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Why goes for a takedown attempt but Toure pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Toure works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Toure forces Why back against the cage and clinches.
Why has Toure pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Toure manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Toure lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Toure goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Toure softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Toure working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Toure swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Toure throws a head punch that misses.
Why has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Toure after a bit of a struggle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is keeping an eye on Toure - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Why changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Toure fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toure throws a series of punches but Why avoids them all with ease.
Why shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Toure pinned against the cage. Toure gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Toure paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Why takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Toure closes the distance and pushes Why back into the cage.
Why is trying to drag Toure to the mat but Toure just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rani Yayha Toure seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Why looking for a takedown.
Toure scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Why's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Toure has a couple of punches blocked by Why.
Toure scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Toure misses with a short punch on the inside.
Toure is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Toure prevents a takedown attempt there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rani Yayha Toure comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Toure 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rani Yayha Toure!