PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Status (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manu Tuilagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manu Tuilagi will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Status
vs
Tuilagi

160 cm
25
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

174 cm
20
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Status!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Manu Tuilagi!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tuilagi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Status's guard.
Tuilagi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tuilagi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Status will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Tuilagi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tuilagi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tuilagi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tuilagi wants to control from the top but Status keeps moving.
Status striking from the bottom here.
Tuilagi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tuilagi distracts Status with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tuilagi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Status has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tuilagi has managed to get both his arms back between Status's legs - danger averted.
Tuilagi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuilagi lands a couple of elbows.
Status might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Status 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.
Tuilagi is in close to Status's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Status 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.
Tuilagi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Tuilagi drops back looking for a leg! Status is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Status manages to kick Tuilagi off! Tuilagi jumps back into Status's guard.
Tuilagi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tuilagi trying to control but Status is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tuilagi postures up and lands a big shot to Status's brow.
Tuilagi prevents Status from getting back to his feet.
Tuilagi works over Status with some ground and pound from guard.
Tuilagi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Status's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Status controls Tuilagi momentarily but Tuilagi frees himself.
Tuilagi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Status working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tuilagi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tuilagi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Manu Tuilagi wasn't active enough on the ground.

Tuilagi rushes Status and presses him up against the cage.

Tuilagi has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Status regains guard immediately.
Tuilagi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Status swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tuilagi pushing down on Status's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tuilagi prevents Status from standing back up.
Tuilagi controlling the action here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tuilagi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuilagi slips a nice elbow through Status's hands, connecting with Status's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Tuilagi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tuilagi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Status doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tuilagi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Tuilagi trying to control but Status is working from the bottom.
Tuilagi distracts Status with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tuilagi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tuilagi postures up and lands a big shot to Status's brow.
Tuilagi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tuilagi wants to control from the top but Status keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuilagi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Status escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tuilagi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tuilagi tries to free his leg and advance position but Status is retaining full guard.
Tuilagi scoring with some ground and pound.
Tuilagi stops Status from standing up.
Status trying to keep a closed guard but Tuilagi is proving a slippery customer.
Status working a defensive guard but Tuilagi passes into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Status tries to get to full guard but Tuilagi has control of the leg.
Tuilagi is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi is nestled in close to Status, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tuilagi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tuilagi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tuilagi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuilagi trying to control the pace.
Tuilagi wants to free his trapped foot but Status is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Tuilagi in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Status tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Tuilagi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Manu Tuilagi!