PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Hansen (ranked 1204 p4p, 1332 weight class) and Manolito Tai Kung (ranked 158 p4p, 175 weight class). Hansen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Black Sabbath - Iron Man. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Hansen
vs
Tai Kung

182 cm
26
183
12 - 9 - 0

180 cm
35
170
29 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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NARCOS

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marcus Hansen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Manolito Tai Kung!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tai Kung throws a body shot but no joy.
Hansen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tai Kung moves away.

Hansen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tai Kung misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Still in the clinch, Hansen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tai Kung misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hansen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hansen blocking some punches.
Tai Kung lands a left hand.
Come on Tai Kung - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hansen has a couple of punches blocked by Tai Kung.
Hansen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hansen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hansen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tai Kung's elbow.
Hansen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hansen misses with a body punch.
Hansen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tai Kung wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tai Kung pushes Hansen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tai Kung lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hansen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tai Kung lands a hook that snaps the head of Hansen backwards.
Tai Kung stalling against the cage.
Hansen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've been hearing reports that Hansen has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hansen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tai Kung creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tai Kung scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hansen lands an uppercut.
Tai Kung blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hansen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hansen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tai Kung pushes Hansen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hansen avoids a wild elbow strike from Tai Kung.
Tai Kung blocks a body shot from Hansen.
Hansen takes a shot to the head.
Hansen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hansen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hansen throws a punch but it's blocked by Tai Kung.
Tai Kung blocks a body shot from Hansen.
Tai Kung trying to control the position but instead, Hansen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tai Kung into the cage.
Tai Kung blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hansen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tai Kung working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tai Kung.
Hansen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tai Kung effectively controlling the action here.
Hansen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hansen lands with a short shot to the head.
Hansen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hansen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Hansen jumps guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Tai Kung stands and throws Hansen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hansen is working to avoid the ground and pound but Tai Kung connects with a decent elbow.
Hansen is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Check out the look on Tai Kung's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung scoring with punches and elbows.
Hansen tries to bench press Tai Kung off him but Tai Kung keeps the position.
Tai Kung throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hansen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Tai Kung lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hansen is pressing down on Tai Kung's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hansen keeping moving, preventing Tai Kung from controlling successfully.
Hansen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tai Kung trying to control the position from guard on top but Hansen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tai Kung won't allow Hansen to sweep him here.
Tai Kung must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hansen is on top in guard.

Hansen with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hansen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tai Kung works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hansen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tai Kung working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hansen.
Hansen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hansen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tai Kung is keeping the position for now.
Tai Kung seems keen to control Hansen's posture.
Tai Kung lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hansen trying to control the position.
Tai Kung not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marcus Hansen will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tai Kung connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hansen. Hansen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Good shot there by Hansen.
Hansen jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Tai Kung gets caught napping as Hansen dives in and scores a takedown. Tai Kung manages to retain guard.
Tai Kung avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hansen throwing strikes from guard but Tai Kung blocks nicely.
Tai Kung is pulling down on Hansen's head to control his posture.
Hansen scoring with some ground and pound.
Marcus Hansen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tai Kung lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tai Kung working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tai Kung tries to stand but Hansen is controlling from the bottom.
Hansen doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hansen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tai Kung controls the pace.
Hansen trying to strike off his back.
Tai Kung trying to control the position from guard on top but Hansen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hansen 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.
Hansen trying to control the position.
Tai Kung trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hansen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tai Kung trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hansen punching from the bottom.
Tai Kung preventing the sweep.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hansen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tai Kung trying to control the position.
Hansen trying to move into half guard but instead Tai Kung has managed to sweep!

Hansen wants to sweep here but Tai Kung controlling him for the moment.
Tai Kung trying to control the position from guard on top but Hansen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tai Kung wants to stand but Hansen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hansen keeping moving, preventing Tai Kung from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tai Kung's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tai Kung accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tai Kung with a nice head shot there.
Tai Kung chips away with some ground and pound.
Tai Kung sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hansen is pulling down on Tai Kung's head to control his posture.
Tai Kung controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hansen 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hansen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hansen throws a big elbow that misses.
Hansen landing with the ground and pound.
Hansen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tai Kung is keeping the position for now.
Tai Kung looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hansen is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hansen chips away with some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Hansen dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tai Kung throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tai Kung tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tai Kung throws a wild body kick that Hansen sees coming a mile off.
Hansen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hansen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Despite the aggression on Tai Kung's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Tai Kung shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hansen eats them both and turns towards Tai Kung to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tai Kung fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hansen manages to avoid it.
A big right from Tai Kung misses.
Tai Kung lands a nice hook to Hansen's body. Hansen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tai Kung fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Manolito Tai Kung seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hansen walks into a straight right hand from Tai Kung.
Tai Kung connects with a leg kick.
Tai Kung ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hansen moves away.
Hansen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tai Kung.
A telegraphed right hand from Tai Kung misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hansen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tai Kung.
Hansen misses the shot to the body.
Tai Kung missing with a left hand there. Hansen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tai Kung lands a lovely overhand right.
Tai Kung misses with a looping left.
Manolito Tai Kung seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hansen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tai Kung.
Hansen throws a jab when Tai Kung was well out of range.
Tai Kung looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hansen misses with a body shot.
Hansen clobbers Tai Kung with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
That kick from Tai Kung tenderised Hansen's leg. Hansen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tai Kung connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tai Kung lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hansen will feel that in the morning.
Tai Kung misses with a body kick.
Hansen attempts a counter takedown but Tai Kung avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hansen slips under a jab from Tai Kung.
Hansen walks into a stiff left hand from Tai Kung.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tai Kung thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hansen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tai Kung throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tai Kung gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Manolito Tai Kung has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tai Kung stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tai Kung wants it to stay on the feet.
Tai Kung lands a nice looking body shot.
Tai Kung lands with a hook. Hansen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Hansen is rocked!
Tai Kung connects with an inside leg kick.
Oh Hansen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hansen fails with a takedown attempt.
Hansen seems to have got his legs back now.
Tai Kung fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Manolito Tai Kung is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung lands a jab to Hansen's midsection.
Good leg kick by Tai Kung.
Hansen throws a shot from downtown. Tai Kung moves away and avoids it.
Tai Kung lands with a shot to the body.
Tai Kung takes a swing at Hansen's ribcage but misses.
Tai Kung swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hansen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tai Kung loads up on a big right hand but Hansen slips the punch.
Hansen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tai Kung moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tai Kung! But no joy.
Marcus Hansen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tai Kung lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Hansen falls backwards - clearly groggy! Tai Kung dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Manolito Tai Kung!
A relieved looking Manolito Tai Kung thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.