PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zach Striker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tangina Tarantado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Striker
vs
Tarantado

200 cm
19
189 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zach Striker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tangina Tarantado!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tarantado forces Striker back against the cage and clinches.
Striker wants to get back to striking at distance but Tarantado won't allow it.
Striker swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Striker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Striker clinches but Tarantado breaks the clinch

so Tarantado counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tarantado stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Striker swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Striker isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Tarantado stacks Striker on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Tarantado!

Tarantado stands up.
Tarantado throws a sloppy head kick and Striker moves out of range easily.
Striker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tarantado circles away from the clinch attempt

so Tarantado counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Striker wants to sweep here but Tarantado controlling him for the moment.
Striker looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Tarantado puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarantado prevents Striker from improving his position.
Tarantado takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tarantado's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Striker is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Tarantado jumps into side control!
Striker manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Still in half guard, Striker seems content to control.
Tarantado is looking to escape.

Striker wants to work for an arm triangle but Tarantado is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tarantado has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Striker is working away from the top position though.
Striker will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tarantado tries to kick Striker off but Striker keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Striker is working for a kimura but Tarantado is defending it quite comfortably.
Striker is breathing heavily.

Tarantado actively working from the bottom here.

Striker is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tarantado defends it well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Striker looks to clinch

and Tarantado moves into the clinch.

Tarantado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tarantado throws a jab when Striker was well out of range.

Tarantado closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tarantado pushes Striker back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Tarantado works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Striker looking for a sweep. Not yet Striker, not yet.
Tarantado won't allow Striker to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarantado is in close to Striker's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tarantado slips nicely into half guard.
Striker tries to get to full guard but Tarantado has control of the leg.
Ground and pound from Tarantado.
Striker is trying to maintain the position but Tarantado is very close to passing his half guard.

Striker kicks off Tarantado and gets to his feet.
Striker misses with a takedown attempt

and Tarantado counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Striker trying to control here.
Striker tries to get to full guard but Tarantado has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striker manages to get to full guard.
Tarantado stopping the sweep attempt from Striker.
Tarantado controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tarantado is pushing down on Striker's leg trying to pass to half guard. Striker is fighting to maintain full guard but Tarantado has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Striker looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Striker tries to roll over but Tarantado keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tangina Tarantado dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Striker closes the distance but Tarantado moves to the side

and Tarantado counters with a takedown into side control.
Striker tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tarantado wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tarantado working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Striker sneaks back into half guard.
Tarantado works his foot free and advances to mount.
Striker is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Tangina Tarantado has got the better of the ground game so far.
Striker is looking to get to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker is working hard here to advance position.
Striker tries to improve his position but instead Tarantado has taken his back!
Striker tries to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Tarantado lands strikes to the head.
I really don't envy Striker right now.
Tarantado connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Striker to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tarantado scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Good control from Tarantado.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tarantado doesn't have the hooks in and Striker manages to turn into his guard.
Striker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Striker trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarantado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tarantado manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Striker manages to get himself to full guard.
Striker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tarantado is one step ahead there.
Tarantado looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tarantado preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarantado stands and throws Striker's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Tarantado stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Striker looks to clinch
and Tarantado counters with an outside leg kick.
Striker misses with a jab, cross combination.

Striker gets caught flat footed, as Tarantado shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Tarantado is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Striker wants to sweep but no luck.
Tarantado working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Striker is looking for a triangle but Tarantado pushes his legs off easily.
Tarantado trying to control the position from guard on top but Striker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tarantado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Striker wants to stand and escape but Tarantado is having none of it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tarantado takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Tarantado shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Striker is trying desperately to improve position.
Tarantado lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Striker hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tangina Tarantado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Striker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Tarantado shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tarantado showed some decent athleticism there.
Striker is trying to get back to full guard.

Tarantado is looking for a kimura but Striker is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tarantado to get the leverage.
Striker is looking for a sweep. Tarantado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Striker manages to get to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Striker being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Tarantado puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Striker tries to roll over but Tarantado keeps him under control.
Tarantado is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tarantado wants to free his trapped foot but Striker is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tarantado tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Striker fails with the takedown

and Tarantado decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Striker's guard.
Striker manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Striker looking to control but Tarantado is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarantado bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Striker looking for a sweep. Not yet Striker, not yet.
Striker wants to hit a switch here but Tarantado passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Striker there!
Striker really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tarantado avoids the attempt from Striker to control.
Striker bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Striker wants to control from the top but Tarantado keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striker wants to stand but Tarantado is controlling his posture from full guard.
Striker trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarantado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Striker postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tarantado is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Striker, into his guard.
Tarantado has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Striker 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tangina Tarantado really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tarantado lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Striker circles away quickly and effectively.
Striker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tarantado leaves Striker with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Tarantado gets a takedown into half guard.
Striker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tarantado's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tarantado's back!
Tarantado looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Striker patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Tarantado rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Tarantado is concentrating on defense, preventing Striker from advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarantado trying to control from the bottom.
Striker slows the pace down in half guard.
Tarantado is concentrating on defense, preventing Striker from advancing position.
Striker wants to take a breather but Tarantado is having none of it.

Tarantado is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Striker pulls his head out easily.
Tarantado has his hands clasped together around Striker's back. He's all about the action.
Tarantado is looking to improve his position.

That's two 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.

Striker seems to be looking for submissions.
Striker wants to control but Tarantado is keeping him busy.

Tarantado actively working from the bottom here.

Striker seems to be working for a kimura but Tarantado defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Striker is looking to clinch.
Striker misses with a takedown attempt

and Tarantado counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Striker's guard now.
Striker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Striker is looking to sweep but instead, Tarantado has passed into half guard.
Striker tries to get to full guard but Tarantado has control of the leg.
Tarantado wants to pass to mount but Striker is defending the position.
Tarantado works his foot free and advances to mount.
Tarantado takes Striker's back.
Tarantado controlling well, preventing Striker from escaping the position.
Tarantado doesn't have the hooks in and Striker manages to turn into his guard.
Striker stands and throws Tarantado's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Striker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striker trying to control the action but Tarantado is working from the bottom.
Tarantado is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

Striker is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tarantado knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tarantado isn't going anywhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tangina Tarantado dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tarantado shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Striker's guard.
Tarantado won't allow Striker to sweep him here.
Striker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tarantado slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Striker throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Striker scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Striker tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Tarantado moves into the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Tarantado works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarantado slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Striker wants to hit a switch here but Tarantado passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Striker there!
Striker keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Striker bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Striker trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarantado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Striker tries to free his leg and advance position but Tarantado is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tarantado tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Striker trying to control but Tarantado is working from the bottom.

Striker drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tarantado manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Striker has Tarantado in his guard.
Striker controls Tarantado momentarily but Tarantado frees himself.

Striker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tarantado can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Striker tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarantado cracks Striker with a solid left hand.
Striker trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Tarantado won't allow Striker to get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tarantado misses with a wild combination.
Striker closes the distance but Tarantado moves to the side

and Tarantado counters with a single leg into guard. Striker didn't expect that.
Striker wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striker manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tarantado just holding on.

Striker has control of Tarantado's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Tarantado regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Tarantado is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Striker moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Tarantado has worked his arm free - good work by Tarantado!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tangina Tarantado comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tarantado 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 45:50
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 45:50
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tangina Tarantado!
Tangina Tarantado is the new middleweight champion!