PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between el viz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Tennenbaum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

viz
vs
Tennenbaum

220 cm
21
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Russian Experiments

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, el viz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rich Tennenbaum!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
viz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
viz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tennenbaum as he jumps to the side.
viz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tennenbaum tries to avoid it but viz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tennenbaum to the ground. Tennenbaum escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

viz closes the distance and clinches.
viz takes a knee right on the jaw!
viz wants to break free but Tennenbaum has control.
viz jumps guard but Tennenbaum stands there with viz around his waist. viz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for el viz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tennenbaum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but viz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tennenbaum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tennenbaum keeps control of viz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Tennenbaum manages to break the clinch.
Tennenbaum tries to clinch

and viz decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tennenbaum's guard.
viz trying to control but Tennenbaum is working from the bottom.
Tennenbaum not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tennenbaum is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst viz is controlling him.
viz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tennenbaum looking to hit a scissor sweep but viz is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

viz decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tennenbaum, up you get!

viz darts in and clinches Tennenbaum up against the cage.
viz is trying to break the clinch but Tennenbaum has him pressed against the cage.
viz fails to pull guard.

Tennenbaum breaks from the clinch.
viz works over Tennenbaum's head and body with a nice combination.

viz closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tennenbaum.

Tennenbaum breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tennenbaum tries to close the distance and clinch but viz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
viz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tennenbaum paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tennenbaum wants to clinch.
viz tries to clinch but Tennenbaum is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tennenbaum pushes viz up against the cage in a clinch.
Tennenbaum jumps guard but viz stands there with Tennenbaum around his waist. Tennenbaum gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
viz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tennenbaum smiles and moves away.
Tennenbaum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tennenbaum tries to clinch there but viz circles away.
viz circles away from the clinch attempt
and viz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
viz lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
viz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tennenbaum but Tennenbaum pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tennenbaum takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tennenbaum lands a jab to viz's midsection.
viz is breathing heavily.
viz wants to clinch up but Tennenbaum keeps it at a distance.
viz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tennenbaum tries to clinch but viz is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tennenbaum has managed to clinch.
Tennenbaum with a knee to the head.
Tennenbaum throws a knee to the head but misses.
viz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tennenbaum pulls his leg out and moves away.

Tennenbaum fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with viz, pushing him back against the cage.
Tennenbaum landing knees to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Tennenbaum.

Tennenbaum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tennenbaum tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and viz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tennenbaum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but viz blocks it with crossed arms.
viz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tennenbaum has him pressed against the cage.
Tennenbaum with a knee to the head.
viz stalling in the clinch but Tennenbaum improves position.
Tennenbaum misses with a knee to the head.
viz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Tennenbaum jumps into guard, dragging viz to the mat.
Tennenbaum looking to control.
viz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tennenbaum swivels though and keeps the full guard.
viz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
viz preventing the sweep.
Tennenbaum lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for viz!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
viz working to try and regain half guard.
viz trying desperately to get to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tennenbaum trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Tennenbaum stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that el viz will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

viz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tennenbaum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tennenbaum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

viz closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tennenbaum to the mat! Tennenbaum manages to get full guard.
viz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
viz wants to control from the top but Tennenbaum keeps moving.

Tennenbaum has his feet on viz's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
viz fails with an attempt to clinch.
viz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tennenbaum looks to clinch

and viz counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tennenbaum moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
viz wants to stand and escape but instead Tennenbaum has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Tennenbaum decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on viz, up you get!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tennenbaum closes the distance looking to clinch
and viz counters with an outside leg kick.
viz doesn't manage to clinch there - Tennenbaum circles away.
Tennenbaum circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from viz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tennenbaum tries to clinch up

and viz counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Tennenbaum's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

viz drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Tennenbaum dives on top into guard.
viz looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tennenbaum is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tennenbaum has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
viz shoots in but no luck this time.
viz wants to clinch but Tennenbaum slips to the side
and Tennenbaum counters with a head kick. That will keep viz thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
viz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
viz tries to clinch but Tennenbaum moves out of range.
Tennenbaum clinches but viz breaks the clinch

and viz counters by moving into the clinch.
viz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tennenbaum has him pressed against the cage.
Tennenbaum is pressed up against the cage. viz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tennenbaum down to the mat. Tennenbaum avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for el viz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
viz connects with a nice looking jab.
Tennenbaum wants to clinch but viz slips to the side
and viz counters with a stiff right hand.

viz instigates a clinch.
Tennenbaum connects with a nasty looking knee right to viz's face.
Tennenbaum tries a knee to the head but viz blocks it.
viz wants to get back to striking at distance but Tennenbaum won't allow it.
Tennenbaum prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tennenbaum blocks the elbow strike.
Tennenbaum stops a takedown attempt from viz.
viz tries to pull guard but Tennenbaum holds him up against the cage and eventually viz drops back down to his feet.
Tennenbaum unloads a knee to the mid-section. viz lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tennenbaum landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tennenbaum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but viz blocks it with crossed arms.
viz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tennenbaum gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
viz looking for a takedown.
Tennenbaum tries to score a body lock takedown but viz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tennenbaum keeps control of viz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
viz tries to stall but Tennenbaum uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Tennenbaum jumps into guard, dragging viz to the mat.
Tennenbaum wants to control the position but viz says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Tennenbaum wants to control but viz is keeping busy.
Tennenbaum keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tennenbaum is trying to defend against the ground and pound but viz scores with a couple of nice shots.
viz is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Tennenbaum wants to improve his position but viz is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

el viz dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

viz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tennenbaum keeps the fight on the outside.
viz is looking to clinch but Tennenbaum is avoiding it.
Tennenbaum needs to keep his hands up - viz had a free shot at his head there.

viz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tennenbaum wants to get back to his feet but viz is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
viz preventing the sweep.
Tennenbaum controls viz momentarily but viz frees himself.
Tennenbaum is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Tennenbaum looking for submissions from the bottom but instead viz passes into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tennenbaum tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
viz avoids the attempt from Tennenbaum to control.
Tennenbaum tries to reverse the position but viz maintains control.
Tennenbaum regains half 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.
Tennenbaum regains full guard. Nicely done.

Tennenbaum has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but viz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tennenbaum wants to stand up but viz is controlling him.
Tennenbaum not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
viz wants to control from the top but Tennenbaum keeps moving.
viz throws and elbow that misses. Tennenbaum uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in viz's guard. Nice move by Tennenbaum!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tennenbaum pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. viz is keeping the position for now.
Tennenbaum trying to control but viz is working from the bottom.
Tennenbaum stops viz from standing up.
Tennenbaum lands a couple of digs.

viz has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Tennenbaum off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four 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.
viz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tennenbaum avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Tennenbaum takes the fight into the clinch.
viz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tennenbaum tries to pull guard but viz holds him up against the cage and eventually Tennenbaum drops back down to his feet.
viz is looking to control Tennenbaum's arms but Tennenbaum gets an underhook and turns him. Now viz has his back to the cage.
viz can't break the clinch.
viz managing to block the knees to the body from Tennenbaum.
viz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tennenbaum blocks it with crossed arms.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Tennenbaum creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tennenbaum doesn't manage to clinch there - viz circles away.
Tennenbaum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

viz looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Tennenbaum looking for submissions from the bottom but instead viz passes into side control.
Rich Tennenbaum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tennenbaum is looking to regain half guard here but viz keeps moving and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
el viz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for viz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... el viz!