PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ric Tiger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Latish Festin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tiger kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Eye of the tiger. Latish Festin told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Tiger
vs
Festin

168 cm
21
155 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

170 cm
23
160 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ric Tiger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Latish Festin!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Festin tries to clinch up but Tiger circles away and keeps his distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Festin.
Festin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Festin throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tiger.
Tiger misses with a takedown attempt - Festin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Festin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tiger counters with a left and a right that stings Festin.
Festin moves in looking to clinch but Tiger pushes him off.
Festin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tiger was well out of range. Poor timing from Festin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Festin misses with a takedown attempt
and Tiger counters with a head kick.
Ric Tiger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Latish Festin.
Tiger throws a head kick that misses.
Tiger scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Festin doesn't seem bothered though.
Festin looks to clinch

and Tiger counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tiger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Festin keeping moving, preventing Tiger from controlling successfully.
Tiger lands a couple of elbows.
Festin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tiger is one step ahead there.

Tiger stands up and waves to Festin to follow him.
Festin takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Festin looks gassed!
A solid leg kick lands there for Tiger.
Festin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tiger counters with a single leg into guard. Festin didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tiger stands and steps away. Festin gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tiger. That's going to slow Festin down.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tiger throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Festin was covering up waiting for the punch and Tiger finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tiger 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.
Tiger postures up in Festin's guard and throws a big left but Festin blocks it.
Festin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tiger. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Tiger gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tiger throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Festin shoots and misses
and Festin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tiger throws a head kick that half lands.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tiger!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tiger shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Festin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tiger stands up over Festin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Festin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tiger connects with a couple of short punches.

Tiger stands up from Festin's guard - Tiger perhaps looking for a knockout.
Festin is trying desperately to land a takedown but Tiger is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Festin.

Tiger gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tiger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiger delivers a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tiger scores with a takedown into Festin's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tiger throws a big right hand that misses.

Tiger gets to his feet. Festin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Festin avoids the head kick by Tiger.

Tiger shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tiger showed some decent athleticism there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tiger stands up from half guard.

Tiger clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ric Tiger dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tiger fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tiger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Festin shoots and misses
and Tiger counters with an outside leg kick.
Tiger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Festin tries to clinch but Tiger is having none of it.

Tiger instigates a clinch.
Tiger lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tiger trying to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiger tries to break free but Festin pushes him back against the cage.
Tiger is stalling here.
Tiger tries to pull guard but Festin won't allow it.
Festin tries to break the clinch but Tiger is controlling the position.
Festin is breathing heavily.
Tiger is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Festin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Festin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tiger blocks it with crossed arms.
Festin throws a head punch that misses.
Festin is trying to drag Tiger to the mat but Tiger just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tiger wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ric Tiger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tiger tries to score a body lock takedown but Festin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Festin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tiger landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tiger gets underhooks to prevent Festin's takedown attempt.

Tiger gets control of Festin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tiger will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tiger lands a good elbow from the bottom.

Tiger pushes Festin off and scrambles back to his feet.
A lazy body kick from Festin

and Tiger moves into the clinch.

Tiger has hold of one of Festin's legs. Festin is fighting the takedown attempt but Tiger gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Tiger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiger is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Tiger gets to his feet - Festin follows without any prompting.

Tiger shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Festin is looking to escape.
Tiger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Festin wants to get back to full guard.
Tiger is thwarting Festin's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tiger escapes and gets back to his feet.
Festin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Festin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tiger.

Tiger drives through and clinches with Festin against the cage.
Tiger tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tiger tries to pull guard but Festin won't allow it.

Tiger ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tiger no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Festin decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Ric Tiger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tiger scoring well with a low kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tiger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tiger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Festin's calf.
Tiger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Festin. That did some damage!
Tiger shoots in for a takedown but Festin shows good takedown defense.
Festin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A low kick from Festin misses

and Tiger holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Tiger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Festin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tiger counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Festin!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ric Tiger dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Festin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tiger. Tiger obviously looking to wear him down.
Festin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tiger counters with a low kick, right behind Festin 's knee.
Festin wants to clinch but Tiger slips to the side
and Tiger counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tiger shoots in for a takedown but Festin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Festin shoots and misses

and Tiger counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tiger.
Tiger looking to slow down the pace here.

Tiger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Tiger has managed to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiger landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Festin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tiger just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ric Tiger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Latish Festin.

Tiger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiger lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ric Tiger is winning the standup battle so far.

Tiger drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Tiger stands up from Festin's guard - Tiger perhaps looking for a knockout.
Tiger throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Festin.
Tiger thumps Festin with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tiger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tiger has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Festin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Festin breaks from the clinch.
Tiger throws a head kick that misses.
Tiger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Festin but Festin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Festin tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Tiger makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tiger is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Festin can do to turn this around?
Festin tries to clinch but Tiger is having none of it.
Festin tries to clinch up but Tiger circles away and keeps his distance.
Tiger fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Festin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Festin tries to clinch
and Tiger counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Tiger drives through and clinches with Festin against the cage.
Tiger is trying to break the clinch but Festin has him pressed against the cage.
Tiger has Festin pressed against the cage, preventing Festin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Tiger tightens his grip and picks Festin up, before dumping him to the ground. Festin manages to land in guard.
Tiger stops Festin from standing up.
Festin looking to control.
Festin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tiger is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Festin controls Tiger momentarily but Tiger frees himself.

Tiger gets to his feet. Festin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Tiger moves into the clinch.
Tiger wants to get back to striking at distance but Festin won't allow it.
Festin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Tiger escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tiger.
Tiger wants to clinch up but Festin keeps it at a distance.
Latish Festin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ric Tiger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Festin misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tiger counters with a slapping leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ric Tiger showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tiger has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:26
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:26
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ric Tiger!