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Play
by Play - Fighter's Fight Commentary
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Event:
BANZAI COMBAT 53
Date: Jun 22, 2024 |
#R1#
A jab from Hope finds it's way through Tahara's defenses.
Hope digs a good hook to Tahara's body.
Hope lands a right hook to the body.
Tahara misses with a body kick.
Tahara takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tahara shoots in looking for a takedown. Hope tries to sprawl out of it but Tahara keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hope manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tahara tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hope sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tahara somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Hope misses.
Tahara throws a big counter head kick but Hope avoids it with no problem.
Hope throws a body shot but no joy.
Tahara shoots in looking for a takedown but Hope manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tahara's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Broken Hope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsuo Tahara.
Hope throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
#T1#
Hope throws a series of punches but Tahara avoids them all with ease.
Hope lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hope sizes up Tahara with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hope listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tahara misses with a body punch
enabling Hope to counter with a crisp jab.
Hope connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tahara momentarily.
Hope misses with a series of wild punches.
Tahara's coach down at Gym Goroshi London was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Tahara's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Hope lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tahara on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tahara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hope.
Tahara tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tahara or perhaps it was just good defense by Hope, which made it look bad. #T2#
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hope misses the jab.
Nice sprawl there from Hope as Tahara shoots in.#TD2#
Tahara gets a double leg takedown into Hope's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tahara is fighting to break Hope's control of his arms but Hope is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.#SU2#
Tahara gets to his feet - Hope follows without any prompting.
Tahara tries a head kick but it misses.
Hope throws a right hand that Tahara ducks under and follows up with a left that Tahara also avoids with ease.
Hope just misses with a punch to the body.
Tahara misses with the body kick
and Hope counters with a stiff right hand.
Hope misses with an uppercut.
Hope is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hope throws a lazy right hand but Tahara sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.#T3#
Hope darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tahara fails with a takedown attempt.
Hope scores with the left hand. Tahara knows he should have avoided that one.
Tahara tries a head kick but it misses.
Hope connects with a looping right hand.
Hope lands a nice hook to Tahara's body. Tahara takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hope connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tahara. Tahara circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tahara fails with a takedown attempt.
Tahara closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so. #T4#
Tahara misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hope's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hope duly obliges.
Hope definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tahara throws a shot from downtown. Hope moves away and avoids it.
Hope appears to be looking for a big counter.#TD2#
Tahara scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hope on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hope tries to get out of the position.
Tahara happy to just control the position for now.
Hope can't do much from the bottom here.
Tahara throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Broken Hope dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!#R2#
Hope moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tahara wants to clinch up but Hope keeps it at a distance.
Hope was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tahara fails with the takedown.
Hope pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tahara takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hope is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tahara can do to turn this around?
Hope connects with the punch.
Nice jab there from Hope.
Hope wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hope misses with a hook. Tahara ducked under it nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tahara is defended easily by Hope.#T1#
Tahara misses the jab.
Broken Hope is winning the standup battle so far.
Tahara throws a sloppy head kick
and Hope counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tahara changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hope tries to avoid it but Tahara manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hope to the ground. Hope escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Broken Hope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsuo Tahara.
Hope scores with the left hand. Tahara knows he should have avoided that one.
Hope fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tahara manages to avoid it.
Tahara appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hope leaves Tahara with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hope with a hook.
Hope cracks Tahara with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hope feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Taharas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tahara fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tahara has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hope avoids the head kick by Tahara.
#T2#
Tahara closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hope circles away.
Hope's jab looks to have found its range, popping Tahara under the eye.
Hope ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It looked like Hope wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hope throws a combination. Tahara tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hope throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tahara.
Tahara throws a hook but Hope blocks it.
Hope ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tahara moves away.
Hope lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hope connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tahara is defended easily by Hope.
Hope swats away the attempt to clinch by Tahara.#T3#
Good shot there by Hope.
Nice takedown defense from Hope. No joy for Tahara on that attempt.
Hope scores with a hook to the body. Tahara takes a step back and tries to catch his breath. #TD2#
Tahara gets a takedown into half guard.
Hope has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Tahara is on him like a limpet, forcing Hope back against the cage.#BC#
Hope breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Katsuo Tahara is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tahara blocks a jab.
Broken Hope is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.#T4#
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tahara throws a head kick but Hope moves out of range.
Tahara takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hope takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hope ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tahara moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tahara looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tahara tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hope manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It looked like Hope was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Hope avoids a kick to the body.
Hope closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tahara misses with a takedown attempt - Hope sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It looked like Hope was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Hope moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Broken Hope dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!#R3#
Tahara misses with a takedown
and Hope counters with a left to the body.
Hope uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tahara.
Hope connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tahara momentarily.
A swing and a miss from Hope.
Tahara takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tahara closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hope counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hope fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hope connects with a nice looking jab.
Tahara doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hope makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.#T1#
Tahara with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Hope counter with a right hand.
Broken Hope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsuo Tahara.
Hope cracks Tahara with an open hand slap.#ROC#Tahara is rocked!
Tahara fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hope just misses with a punch to the body.
Tahara shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hope counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tahara takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tahara is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hope changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tahara shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hope lands with a good body shot.#T2#
Tahara shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hope sprawls well. Hope wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tahara gets slowly back to his feet.
Jab, jab by Hope - just one landing.
Hope cracks Tahara with an open hand slap.
Hope scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tahara misses with a takedown attempt
and Hope connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hope ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tahara moves away.
Tahara slips a jab from Hope.
Tahara tries to move into range but Hope moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tahara with a poor takedown
enabling Hope to counter with a crisp jab. #T3#
Hope cracks Tahara with a good jab.
Tahara is still on wobbly legs! Can Hope finish him?
Tahara misses with a takedown attempt
and Hope counters with a straight right hand.
Tahara throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hope.
Hope lands with a shot to the body.
Broken Hope is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hope misses with a wild body shot.
Tahara steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hope.
Tahara seems to have recovered his senses.
Hope scores with a jab to the head.
Tahara is looking to clinch.
Hope lands a nice looking body shot.
Tahara slips a straight right by Hope.
Hope scores with a body shot.
Tahara throws a leg kick but Hope sees it coming and checks it nicely. #T4#
Nice uppercut there from Hope.
Hope scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tahara doesn't seem bothered though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tahara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hope throws a good cross that connects.
Tahara dives in and grabs Hope's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hope pushes down on Tahara's head and hops out.
Hope scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tahara in his tracks.
Nice shot lands for Hope.
Hope fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tahara shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hope but Hope pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A little feinted left hand from Hope on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hope's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hope duly obliges.
And that's the end of the fight!
Broken Hope showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hope, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:26
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Broken Hope! |
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Event:
BC FIGHT NIGHT 9
Date: May 22, 2024 |
#R1##TD2#
Tahara closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lieb did well to prevent Tahara getting side control.
Tahara content to control rather than advance. #SUB2#
Tahara is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lieb is looking to improve his position.
#T1#
Tahara wants to stand but Lieb has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Tahara is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Lieb trying to control here.
Lieb is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Tahara trying to pass the guard but Lieb defending well. #SUB2#
Tahara is working for a submission of some sort.
Tahara is taking a breather. Lieb says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.#T2#
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lieb trying to control here.
Tahara looks to score some points with some ground and pound.#SUB2#
Tahara is looking for a kimura but Lieb is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tahara to get the leverage.
Lieb works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lieb wants to sweep but no luck. #SUB#
Lieb is looking for a triangle but Tahara pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tahara seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up. #T3#
Tahara tries to stand but Lieb is controlling from the bottom. #REF3#
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tahara or perhaps it was just good defense by Lieb, which made it look bad.
Katsuo Tahara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.#TD2#
Tahara closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lieb quickly recovers to half guard.
Lieb regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lieb wants to get back to his feet but Tahara is in a dominant position and won't allow it. #T4#
Lieb trying to control the position.
Lieb is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tahara loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry. #SU2#
Tahara decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lieb, up you get!
Lieb misses with a wild body shot. #CL2#
Tahara gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Lieb is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tahara to keep the fight standing.
Lieb is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Tahara is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Katsuo Tahara dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!#R2#
Tahara closes the distance and clinches up with Lieb, looking for a takedown. Tahara pushes Lieb against the cage but Lieb circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lieb misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tahara uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lieb.#CL#
Lieb gets a clinch.
Lieb tries to pull guard but Tahara holds him up against the cage and eventually Lieb drops back down to his feet.
Lieb keeps control of Tahara as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks. #TD#
Lieb has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tahara uses from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lieb being controlled here, momentarily.
Lieb tries to land a sweep but no joy. #T1#
Tahara not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Lieb looking for a sweep. Not yet Lieb, not yet.
Tahara is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tahara won't allow Lieb to sweep him here. #REF3#
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lieb swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tahara looks to land a combination but Lieb avoids it well.
Lieb appears to be looking for a big counter.#T2#
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lieb keeps the fight on the outside.
Tahara shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lieb pinned against the cage. Lieb gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lieb shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tahara as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruan Lieb. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lieb shoots in for a double leg but Tahara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tahara wants to counter the offense by Lieb and move into the clinch position.
Tahara misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lieb is looking to counter the offense by Tahara and move into the clinch.
Tahara throws a series of punches but Lieb moves out of range.
Lieb half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.#TD2#
Tahara is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lieb's half guard.
Tahara prevents Lieb from improving his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.#T3#
Lieb is trying to escape back to his feet but Tahara uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Tahara tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lieb is looking to regain half guard here but Tahara keeps moving and retains side control.
Lieb seems a little lost for a moment, as Tahara dominates the positioning.
Tahara creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Lieb sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Tahara.
Tahara content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though. #T4#
Tahara misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lieb tries to improve position but can't.
Tahara advances nicely into full mount.
Tahara postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Lieb looks a forlorn figure.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Katsuo Tahara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!#R3##CL#
Lieb clinches up with Tahara and pushes him back against the cage.
Lieb is trying to drag Tahara to the mat but Tahara just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lieb gets underhooks to prevent Tahara's takedown attempt.
#TD#
Lieb has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tahara clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Tahara prevents Lieb from getting a body triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tahara is trying to get back to his feet but Lieb has full control of the position and if anything, Tahara has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Tahara turns into Lieb and is now in his guard.
#T1##SUB#
Lieb escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tahara gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Katsuo Tahara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lieb avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tahara is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lieb looking for a sweep. Not yet Lieb, not yet.
Tahara wanted to stand there but Lieb had control of the position.
Tahara controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tahara trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. #T2#
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tahara tries to free his leg and advance position but Lieb is retaining full guard.
Tahara controlling from the top position. #SUB#
Lieb has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Tahara is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Lieb.
Lieb seems a little lost for a moment, as Tahara dominates the positioning.
Tahara fails to land a wild elbow strike.
#T3#
Tahara cracks Lieb with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Lieb prevents Tahara from moving into mount.
Tahara is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Lieb will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Ruan Lieb has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lieb taking a bit of punishment here - Tahara scoring with strikes.
Tahara working away.
Tahara tries to land with some ground and pound but misses. #SUB2#
Tahara thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tahara working the ground and pound from side control.#T4#
Tahara is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position. #SU2#
Tahara stands up and beckons Lieb to his feet. #TD2#
Tahara drives through with a takedown into Lieb's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tahara wants to get up but he can't break Lieb's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Lieb looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Lieb is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tahara advances position into side control!
And that's the end of the fight!
Katsuo Tahara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tahara 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsuo Tahara!
A relieved looking Katsuo Tahara thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it. |
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