PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paco Taco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Thirtynine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taco comes to the cage accompanied by Angel Doze - Clack Clack. Thirtynine has chosen Speed 2 Remix by Tetsuya Komura as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The key to victory for Paco Taco has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Taco
vs
Thirtynine

178 cm
22
168 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

178 cm
27
169 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Paco Taco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Thirtynine!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thirtynine throws a hook but Taco avoids it easily.
Thirtynine waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Taco.
Taco connects with the punch.
A head kick misses from Taco.
Thirtynine misses with the combination.
No joy there for Thirtynine, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick misses from Taco.
Taco with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice sprawl there from Taco as Thirtynine shoots in.
Nice shot lands for Taco.
Saku Thirtynine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taco lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Thirtynine bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taco is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Thirtynine is controlling him well.
Thirtynine has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Taco is trying to escape the mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taco is working hard here to advance position.
Thirtynine avoids the attempt from Taco to control.

Thirtynine is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Taco is surviving well by controlling Thirtynine's body position as best he can.

Thirtynine jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Taco is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Taco and Thirtynine has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Thirtynine looks gassed!
Thirtynine throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Taco is trying to get back to half guard.

Thirtynine goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Taco has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Thirtynine but great work by Taco.
Thirtynine is looking for a sweep.
Taco working away.
Thirtynine tries to control but Taco manages to take his back.
Taco has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Thirtynine.
Taco is riding his opponent, not letting Thirtynine buck him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Taco lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Thirtynine trying to control the hands but Taco won't let him.
Taco lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Thirtynine tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Thirtynine can't escape the position.
Taco looking to control but Thirtynine is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Thirtynine is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taco looking to control and managing it successfully.
Thirtynine tries to hold on but Taco postures up.
Taco controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paco Taco dominated that round.
That's time! Taco's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thirtynine tries to score with a low kick but Taco moves his leg out of the way.
Thirtynine looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Taco tries a head kick but it misses.
Taco uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thirtynine.
Taco goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Taco dodges the punch combination from Thirtynine.
Taco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thirtynine shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Taco but Taco pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Taco tries a head kick but it misses.
Saku Thirtynine is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thirtynine is breathing heavily.
Taco dodges the punch combination from Thirtynine.
Taco dodges the punch combination from Thirtynine.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taco connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Taco bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Thirtynine's head.
Thirtynine changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Taco tries to avoid it but Thirtynine manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Taco to the ground. Taco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paco Taco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Thirtynine.
A head kick misses from Taco.
Nice jab there from Taco.
Taco scores with a jab. Thirtynine acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thirtynine shoots in and drives through. Taco sprawls well.
Taco thuds a left hand into Thirtynine's body.
Taco 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.
Taco throws a head kick that Thirtynine semi-blocks.
Paco Taco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taco dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Thirtynine. That did some damage!
Taco cracks Thirtynine with an open hand slap.
Thirtynine takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Thirtynine misses with a hook. Taco ducked under it nicely.
Taco throws a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thirtynine takes a kick to the side of the head.

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

Thirtynine swings around for an armbar but Taco sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thirtynine's guard.
Thirtynine being controlled here, momentarily.
Thirtynine striking off his back but it's not causing Taco any problems.

Thirtynine throws his legs up looking for a submission but Taco uses it to pass to side control.
A lull in the action here as Taco stalls from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taco lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Thirtynine is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Taco stalling.

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.

Thirtynine looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Taco postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Thirtynine to stand up.
Thirtynine closes the distance and clinches up with Taco, looking for a takedown. Thirtynine pushes Taco against the cage but Taco circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Taco. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Taco.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jab by Taco.
Thirtynine shoots in for a double leg but Taco sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Paco Taco is winning the standup battle so far.
A head kick from Taco lands but Thirtynine takes it in his stride.
Taco wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paco Taco dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Good shot there by Taco.
Taco throws a nice head kick!
Thirtynine ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thirtynine misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thirtynine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taco as he avoids it easily.
Thirtynine takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Taco throws a head kick that Thirtynine semi-blocks.
Thirtynine throws a right and a left that Taco avoids nicely.
Thirtynine takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Taco jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Taco takes a jab right on the kisser.
Thirtynine swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thirtynine throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Taco's waist but Taco gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thirtynine off to one side.
Paco Taco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Thirtynine.
Taco lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thirtynine staying out of range there.
Thirtynine looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taco throws a sloppy head kick and Thirtynine moves out of range easily.
Thirtynine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taco as he avoids it easily.
Taco misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thirtynine looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Taco throws a head kick but Thirtynine moves out of range.
Taco throws an overhand right that lands on Thirtynine's shoulder, as Thirtynine tries to avoid the shot.

Thirtynine gets a takedown into half guard.
Taco has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thirtynine is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thirtynine is looking for a kimura here.
Thirtynine seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taco does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thirtynine looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Thirtynine seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Taco has recovered full guard.
Thirtynine tries to free his leg and advance position but Taco is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taco has Thirtynine pulled in close to control his posture.
Thirtynine trying to control but Taco is working from the bottom.
Thirtynine throwing strikes but missing.
Thirtynine is looking to work some ground and pound but Taco has wrist control.
Taco is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Taco keeping moving, preventing Thirtynine from controlling successfully.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Taco lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thirtynine shoots in for a takedown but Taco shows good takedown defense.
Taco lands a head kick. Thirtynine smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nice body punch from Taco.
Saku Thirtynine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taco throws a head kick but Thirtynine moves out of range.
Taco throws a head kick but Thirtynine moves out of range.
Thirtynine 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.
Thirtynine fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Taco bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Thirtynine's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paco Taco showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Taco, 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paco Taco!