PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gunner Larsson (ranked 524 p4p, 83 weight class) and Manolito Tai Kung (ranked 882 p4p, 126 weight class). Larsson comes to the cage accompanied by Machine Gun Kelly - Till I Die. Manolito Tai Kung has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Larsson
vs
Tai Kung

182 cm
28
182 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

180 cm
21
170 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Threads of HARDCORE
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Shadow Warrior Nutrition
Hardcore Nutrition 160Q ($150)

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gunner Larsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Manolito Tai Kung!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Colin Fray and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tai Kung throws a leg kick which misses Larsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Larsson tries to avoid it.
Tai Kung throws out a powerful jab.
Larsson throws a leg kick but Tai Kung moved away.
Larsson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tai Kung throws a leg kick

and Larsson counters with a takedown into side control.
Tai Kung is looking to reverse the position.
Larsson working the body and head with strikes.
Tai Kung tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Larsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Larsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tai Kung keeps working.

Larsson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Larsson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Tai Kung felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tai Kung takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Tai Kung defending against the ground and pound.
Tai Kung is looking for a sweep.
We've been hearing that Larsson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Larsson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tai Kung manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tai Kung is nestled in close to Larsson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Larsson tries to roll over but Tai Kung keeps him under control.
Tai Kung working over Larsson with some ground and pound. Larsson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larsson wants to control but Tai Kung is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tai Kung missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tai Kung lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Tai Kung working Larsson over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Larsson has hold of Tai Kung's hands but Tai Kung slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Larsson taking some punishment here, with Tai Kung in his half guard.

Larsson is rocked!
Larsson tries to roll over but Tai Kung keeps him under control.
Oh Larsson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Larsson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tai Kung tries to stand but Larsson is controlling from the bottom.
Larsson seems to have got his legs back now.
Tai Kung pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Larsson is keeping the position for now.
Tai Kung postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung is in close to Larsson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tai Kung advances position into side control!
Larsson stops Tai Kung from passing to mount.
Larsson can't do much from the bottom here.
Tai Kung in side control lands a decent elbow.
Tai Kung scores with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Larsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tai Kung paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A nice side step and Tai Kung releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tai Kung listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Larsson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tai Kung can pounce on him.
Good leg kick by Tai Kung there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Larsson takes one on the button.
Larsson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tai Kung can pounce on him.
Larsson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tai Kung connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Larsson scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tai Kung avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tai Kung throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tai Kung catches Larsson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson swings for the body but Tai Kung moves out of range.
It seemed like Tai Kung was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tai Kung connects with the punch.
Tai Kung lands a head shot.
Tai Kung throws a leg kick

so Larsson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Larsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Tai Kung is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tai Kung wants to stand up but Larsson is controlling him.
Larsson throws a big right hand that misses.
Larsson prevents Tai Kung from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung 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.
Larsson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tai Kung works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Larsson throwing strikes but missing.
Larsson with a nice head shot there.
Tai Kung tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tai Kung is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Larsson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Larsson preventing the sweep.
Larsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Larsson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tai Kung lands a head kick. Larsson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A lazy left from Tai Kung finds it's target.
Tai Kung thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Larsson if he has to take too many more of those.
Larsson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A punch lands to the side of Larsson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A jab from Tai Kung finds it's way through Larsson's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung lands with a shot to the body.
Manolito Tai Kung seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tai Kung fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tai Kung jabs Larsson right on the nose. Larsson blinks but takes it well.
Tai Kung misses with a head kick.
Larsson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Larsson moves into the clinch.
Larsson looking for a takedown.
Tai Kung lands a body shot.
Tai Kung softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Tai Kung breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Larsson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manolito Tai Kung showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Tai Kung lands a body shot.
Larsson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tai Kung.
Tai Kung has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Decent striking displayed by Tai Kung there.
Tai Kung misses the shot to the body.
Larsson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Tai Kung sprawls and moves away.
Larsson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tai Kung throws a front kick aimed at Larsson's knee but Larsson avoids it well.
Larsson tries to counter with a takedown but Tai Kung is quick to defend against it.
Tai Kung scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tai Kung connects with a solid leg kick.
Tai Kung with a nice cross.
Tai Kung connects with a right hand. Larsson shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tai Kung uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Larsson.
Larsson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tai Kung works Larsson's body with a nice hook.
Larsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Tai Kung misses with a body kick.
Tai Kung keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tai Kung gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Larsson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tai Kung works his way to full guard. Good work.
Larsson is pushing down on Tai Kung's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tai Kung is fighting to maintain full guard but Larsson has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson winds up and cracks Tai Kung with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Larsson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Larsson is nestled in close to Tai Kung, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tai Kung is looking for a sweep. Larsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Larsson is working for a submission of some sort.
Tai Kung misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Larsson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tai Kung defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsson wants to control but Tai Kung is keeping him busy.
Manolito Tai Kung has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tai Kung is trying to get back to full guard.
Tai Kung taking some punishment here, with Larsson in his half guard.
Gunner Larsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Larsson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Larsson throwing shots but Tai Kung is blocking nicely.
Larsson prevents Tai Kung from improving his position.
Tai Kung is staying active underneath Larsson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tai Kung makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tai Kung.
Tai Kung looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Larsson postures up in Tai Kung's guard and throws a big left but Tai Kung blocks it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tai Kung connects with a jab.
Tai Kung is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Larsson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tai Kung cracks the inside of Larsson's front leg.
Tai Kung throws a nice inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manolito Tai Kung comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tai Kung 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manolito Tai Kung!
An out of breath Manolito Tai Kung thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.