PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Curt LeMae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Siphiwe Tshabalala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Siphiwe Tshabalala has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Curt LeMae's chin.

LeMae
vs
Tshabalala

225 cm
24
335 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
165 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Fightwear
Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Curt LeMae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Siphiwe Tshabalala!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tshabalala misses the body punch
and LeMae counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tshabalala rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and LeMae counters with a body kick.
LeMae misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala fails to land with a series of punches.
LeMae fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tshabalala looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
LeMae thows a body kick. Tshabalala tries to catch it but that hurt him.
LeMae lands a nice hook to Tshabalala's body. Tshabalala takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
LeMae throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
LeMae scores with a kick to the midsection.
LeMae connects with a body shot.
LeMae thows a body shot but no joy.
LeMae throws a wild body kick that Tshabalala sees coming a mile off.
A shot to the body from LeMae misses
and Tshabalala counters with a stiff right hand.
LeMae just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeMae misses with a kick to the body
and LeMae takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tshabalala misses with a hook. LeMae ducked under it nicely.
Siphiwe Tshabalala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tshabalala misses with a double jab
and LeMae counters with a body kick.
LeMae is looking to wear down Tshabalala with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
LeMae misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tshabalala scores with a leg kick.
A low kick from Tshabalala is predictable there
and LeMae counters with a good, hard body kick but Tshabalala shrugs it off.
Tshabalala lands a slapping body shot.
LeMae misses with a shot to the body
and Tshabalala counters with a lovely straight right hand!
LeMae takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tshabalala thumps LeMae with a low kick.
Nice body kick there by Tshabalala.
Some wild striking there from Tshabalala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeMae uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
LeMae takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tshabalala connects with a body shot that sends LeMae's belly button to the back.
Tshabalala cracks the inside of LeMae's front leg.
Tshabalala fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
LeMae takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tshabalala chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tshabalala throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tshabalala misses with the body kick
and LeMae counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tshabalala scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tshabalala will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A jab from Tshabalala misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tshabalala closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Tshabalala fails to land.
Tshabalala tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. LeMae just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tshabalala throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Tshabalala breaks from the clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Tshabalala. That snapped LeMae's head back.
Tshabalala misses the jab.
Tshabalala throws a push kick but LeMae slaps the foot to one side.
Tshabalala scores with a nice strike.
Tshabalala fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and LeMae has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tshabalala swings for the body but LeMae moves out of range.
Tshabalala misses with a jab to the body
and LeMae counters with a stiff right hand.
Tshabalala lands a nice leg kick that just misses LeMae's sensitive parts.

Tshabalala has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeMae takes a shot to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tshabalala.
LeMae on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tshabalala working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tshabalala using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Tshabalala as the two fighters clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tshabalala fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Tshabalala jumps guard and drags LeMae to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Tshabalala has his foot on LeMae's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. LeMae works his way back into a safe position though.
LeMae postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tshabalala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
LeMae would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tshabalala throws a big shot that misses.
Tshabalala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but LeMae was well out of range. Poor timing from Tshabalala.
A head kick by LeMae misses
and Tshabalala counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tshabalala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tshabalala throws a lazy right hand but LeMae sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
LeMae throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Tshabalala connects with a body shot that sends LeMae's belly button to the back.
Tshabalala fails in his attempt to clinch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tshabalala, as that shot connected.
A big left from Tshabalala misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tshabalala rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and LeMae counters with a big head kick but Tshabalala shrugs it off.
A shot to the liver by Tshabalala. Beautiful body shot.
Tshabalala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but LeMae manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tshabalala lands a nice looking kick to the body. LeMae takes a step back to recover.
Tshabalala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tshabalala scores with a crisp jab that stopped LeMae in his tracks.
LeMae has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from LeMae there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tshabalala connects with a right hand. LeMae shakes it off.
Tshabalala looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
An inside leg kick lands from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala throws a hook but LeMae avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Tshabalala throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tshabalala misses with an uppercut. LeMae saw that one coming.
Tshabalala takes a swing at LeMae's ribcage but misses.
LeMae doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tshabalala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Tshabalala misses the target.
Tshabalala throws a body punch but LeMae moves out of range.

Tshabalala closes the distance and clinches.
Tshabalala stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Tshabalala scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tshabalala misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from LeMae.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tshabalala.
Tshabalala jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as LeMae walks away with a smile on his face. Tshabalala gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tshabalala moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tshabalala fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala chopping away at his opponent's legs.
LeMae avoids the body shot from Tshabalala.
LeMae ducks right into an uppercut from Tshabalala.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala lands a straight punch to the body, keeping LeMae at a distance.
Nice body kick there by Tshabalala.
LeMae takes one to the side of the head.
LeMae takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tshabalala throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
LeMae takes one on the button.
Tshabalala lets loose with a powerful body kick. LeMae will feel that in the morning.
Tshabalala misses with a straight left.
LeMae takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tshabalala has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from LeMae.
Tshabalala wants to clinch.
Tshabalala scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
LeMae avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala misses with a hook.
LeMae is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tshabalala throws a push kick but LeMae slaps the foot to one side.
LeMae fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tshabalala manages to avoid it.
Tshabalala misses with a hook. LeMae ducked under it nicely.
LeMae uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tshabalala looks to land a body kick but LeMae moved away.
LeMae's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tshabalala connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! LeMae scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tshabalala fakes the leg kick and cracks LeMae in the body.
Tshabalala tests LeMae's chin there with a solid looking shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tshabalala throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tshabalala bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of LeMae's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Siphiwe Tshabalala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tshabalala throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tshabalala throws a push kick but LeMae slaps the foot to one side.
A low kick from LeMae is predictable there
and Tshabalala counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tshabalala connects with a solid leg kick.
Tshabalala cracks LeMae with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tshabalala misses with a looping left.
Tshabalala lands with a nice body kick.
Tshabalala moves into range and connects with a jab.
LeMae drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tshabalala throws a jab when LeMae was well out of range.
LeMae moves out of range as Tshabalala strikes.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Tshabalala. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Tshabalala swings widly with a right hand
and LeMae makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Tshabalala really felt that one!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tshabalala throws out a loose jab but LeMae uses good head movement to avoid it.

Tshabalala clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tshabalala manages to break the clinch.
Tshabalala swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tshabalala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from LeMae.
LeMae jabs Tshabalala to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tshabalala connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tshabalala smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tshabalala misses with a lunging right hand
and LeMae counters with a good, hard body kick but Tshabalala shrugs it off.
LeMae keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tshabalala lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tshabalala feints and then cracks LeMae's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow LeMae down.
Tshabalala throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck LeMae on the side of the head.
Curt LeMae is winning the standup battle so far.
Tshabalala throws a series of punches but LeMae moves out of range.
Tshabalala looks to land a left hand but LeMae moved out of range nicely.
A jab lands there for Tshabalala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Tshabalala tenderised LeMae's leg. LeMae is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice shot lands for Tshabalala.
Tshabalala misses with a hook. LeMae ducked under it nicely.
LeMae misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tshabalala fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and LeMae has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A swing and a miss from Tshabalala.
The fighters circling - Tshabalala throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tshabalala.
LeMae looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
LeMae bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tshabalala lands a nice shot to the body.
LeMae gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tshabalala. That's going to slow LeMae down.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tshabalala - that will leave a mark!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tshabalala, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala scores with a nice strike.
Tshabalala missing with a left hand there. LeMae was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tshabalala misses with a hook
and LeMae counters with a left to the body.
Tshabalala scores with a jab to the body.
Tshabalala connects with a leg kick. LeMae looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tshabalala chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tshabalala misses with a straight right.
Tshabalala is looking to clinch but LeMae is avoiding it.
Tshabalala throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tshabalala throws a jab when LeMae was well out of range.
Tshabalala connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
LeMae staying out of range there.
Tshabalala with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Tshabalala misses.
Tshabalala throws a series of punches but LeMae moves out of range.
LeMae ducks under a wild hook from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala connects with a leg kick. LeMae looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
LeMae moves out of range of the strikes.
Tshabalala uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tshabalala buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tshabalala just misses with a punch to the body.
Tshabalala misses with a hook.
Tshabalala looks to throw a body kick
and LeMae counters with a nice body shot.
The fighters circling - Tshabalala throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tshabalala misses with a right hand
and LeMae counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tshabalala swings widly with a right hand
and LeMae counters with a left to the body.
LeMae just misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Siphiwe Tshabalala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tshabalala 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Siphiwe Tshabalala!