PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Saku Thirtynine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Tilman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thirtynine's entrance music is Speed 2 Remix by Tetsuya Komura . A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thirtynine
vs
Tilman

178 cm
25
170 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

187 cm
24
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Thirtynine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tony Tilman!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thirtynine bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Tilman! He dives into his guard looking to finish!

Tilman is rocked!

It looks like Tony Tilman has been cut.
Tilman keeping moving, preventing Thirtynine from controlling successfully.
Tilman is still in real trouble! Can Thirtynine finish him?
Thirtynine preventing the sweep.

Tilman looking for a guillotine here but Thirtynine defends easily.
Tilman seems to have recovered his senses.
Thirtynine trying to control but Tilman is working from the bottom.
Thirtynine controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thirtynine thows a big elbow that misses.
Tilman 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 referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Thirtynine gets a takedown into half guard.

Thirtynine trying to work for an americana but Tilman has managed to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tilman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thirtynine defends it easily.
Tilman can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thirtynine controls the pace.

Tilman scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Tilman displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thirtynine.

Tilman shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Tilman was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Thirtynine is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Thirtynine takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tilman seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Thirtynine is holding on tight.
Tilman sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Thirtynine really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Thirtynine stops Tilman from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Thirtynine wants to hold on but Tilman pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tilman stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Thirtynine scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tilman doesn't seem bothered though.
Tilman checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thirtynine misses with the combination.

Tilman scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tilman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thirtynine is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tilman looks gassed!
Tilman is looking to take a break and control but Thirtynine is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thirtynine can't do much from the bottom here.
Thirtynine is looking for a sweep.

Tilman goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Thirtynine rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Tilman's guard! Nice work there by Thirtynine!

Tilman is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thirtynine is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thirtynine trying to control but Tilman is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thirtynine throws a head kick but Tilman moves out of range.
Tilman misses with a straight left.
Tilman stalks Thirtynine and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thirtynine's face. Thirtynine staggers backwards, shaken.
Thirtynine goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Tilman checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Thirtynine misses with a few strikes there.
Thirtynine shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tilman counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thirtynine misses with a head kick.
Thirtynine throws out a loose jab but Tilman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tilman misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tony Tilman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tony Tilman's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tilman blocks a head kick by Thirtynine.
Tilman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thirtynine wants to slow Tilman down by chopping away at his legs.
Tilman throws an overhand right that lands on Thirtynine's shoulder, as Thirtynine tries to avoid the shot.
Tilman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thirtynine defends it nicely.
Thirtynine shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tilman defends it nicely.
Tilman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tilman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thirtynine.
Thirtynine defending well as Tilman loads up on a big left hand.
Thirtynine throws a sloppy head kick and Tilman moves out of range easily.
Saku Thirtynine is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thirtynine defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tilman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thirtynine throws a hook to the side of Tilman's head but Tilman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thirtynine swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thirtynine shoots for a double leg takedown but Tilman sprawls well. He's pushed Thirtynine's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thirtynine misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tilman moves out of range as Thirtynine throws a body kick.
Thirtynine throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thirtynine tries a head kick but it misses.
Thirtynine moves away from the strike by Tilman.
Some wild striking there from Thirtynine.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Tilman feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Thirtynine is trying to keep Tilman in close.
Tilman wants to control from the top but Thirtynine keeps moving.
Tilman might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Thirtynine kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thirtynine working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tilman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tilman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tilman wants to control from the top but Thirtynine keeps moving.
Tilman stopping the sweep attempt from Thirtynine.
Tilman postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tilman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saku Thirtynine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Tilman.
Thirtynine lands a jab to Tilman's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thirtynine throws a combination that misses
and Tilman counters with a left and a right that stings Thirtynine.
Thirtynine gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tilman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Tilman looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Thirtynine wants to get back to full guard.
Thirtynine is trying to maintain the position but Tilman is very close to passing his half guard.
Tilman trying to control from half guard but Thirtynine is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thirtynine looks like he's trying to stand up.
Thirtynine is refusing to be controlled, as Tilman sits in half guard.
Tilman works his foot free and advances to mount.
Tony Tilman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tilman misses with a head shot.
Thirtynine tries to lock up and control but Tilman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Thirtynine can't escape the position.

Tilman with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Thirtynine wants to control but Tilman is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Tilman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tony Tilman's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Tilman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thirtynine swivels and escapes.
Tilman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thirtynine as he jumps to the side.
Thirtynine slips under a jab.
Thirtynine avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thirtynine throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tilman.
Thirtynine throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tilman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thirtynine throws a head kick but Tilman moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thirtynine wants to land a leg kick but Tilman is out of range.
Saku Thirtynine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tilman throws a head kick that misses.
Thirtynine fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thirtynine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tilman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saku Thirtynine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Tilman.
Tilman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thirtynine looks for the body kick but Tilman saw that one coming.
Thirtynine lands with a nice combination. Tilman backs away looking to recover.
Saku Thirtynine is winning the standup battle so far.
Tilman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thirtynine closes the distance and clinches up with Tilman, looking for a takedown. Thirtynine pushes Tilman against the cage but Tilman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thirtynine fails to land with a series of punches.
Tilman ducks under a wild hook from Thirtynine.
Thirtynine falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tilman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thirtynine missing with a left hand there. Tilman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thirtynine throws a series of punches but Tilman moves out of range.
Tilman lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Thirtynine is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Tilman's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Thirtynine motions for Tilman to come forward. Thirtynine throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thirtynine looks to land a combination. Tilman sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Tilman avoids the head kick by Thirtynine.
Thirtynine misses with the combination.
Tilman shoots for a takedown but Thirtynine saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Tilman drives through with a takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tilman wants to control from the top but Thirtynine keeps moving.
Thirtynine looking to control.
Tilman looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tilman stops Thirtynine from standing up.
Thirtynine is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tilman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thirtynine misses with a takedown attempt
and Tilman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tilman misses the shot to the body.
Thirtynine throws a front kick aimed at Tilman's knee but Tilman avoids it well.
Tilman throws a hook but Thirtynine avoids it easily.
Tilman staying out of range there.

Tilman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Tilman decides to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tilman misses with a looping left.
A leg kick checked by Thirtynine.
Thirtynine fails with the takedown

and Tilman counters with a single leg into guard. Thirtynine didn't expect that.
Tilman won't allow Thirtynine to get back to his feet.
Thirtynine wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tilman is now in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Tilman seems to be working for a kimura but Thirtynine defends the submission attempt.

Tilman looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Saku Thirtynine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thirtynine manages to get to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Tilman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tilman 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Tilman!