PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taivu Uche (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sherman Tank (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.

Uche
vs
Tank

202 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Pinoy Fightwear (90% Laundry)

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Taivu Uche!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sherman Tank!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Reed Andrews and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Uche throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Uche scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tank is looking for a sweep. Uche is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tank trying to hold on to Uche's head to control him but Uche postures up.

Tank looking for submissions off his back.
Tank wants to control the action here but instead Uche manages to pass to full mount!
Uche misses with a head shot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Uche is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.

Uche is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Tank to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Tank shrugs it off.
Tank tries to lock up and control but Uche gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tank blocking the ground and pound.
Tank is desperately trying to improve his position but Uche has a good base and remains in mount.
Uche can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tank is looking to escape.
Uche has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tank's face.
Uche tries to control but Tank wriggling away.
Uche with a couple of short strikes.
Uche thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Tank has eaten all the pies!
Uche wants to control the pace but Tank is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Uche unloads with some shots from mount but Tank bucks and avoids them well.
Tank is working to get back to half guard.
Uche wants to control but instead Tank manages to regain half guard.

Tank looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Uche seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Uche wants to take a breather but Tank is having none of it.
Tank regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Uche.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uche trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tank's guard.
Tank is adopting a defensive guard.
Uche trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tank's guard.
Tank is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Tank throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Uche wants to control from the top but Tank keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Taivu Uche wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Uche fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tank sprawls well initially but Uche persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Uche tries to pass to full mount but Tank defends it.
Tank holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Uche trying to control the action but Tank is working from the bottom.
Tank wants to get back to full guard but Uche has mounted him!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taivu Uche dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Uche drives through with a takedown into Tank's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Taivu Uche overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Tank is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Uche defends well.

Tank is working an open guard so Uche takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Uche closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Tank quickly recovers to half guard.
Uche is thwarting Tank's attempts to control the position.
Tank is trying to get back to full guard.
Tank trying to control but Uche postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uche is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Tank tries to get to full guard but Uche has control of the leg.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Sherman Tank hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Tank dives in and scores a takedown into Uche's guard.
Tank trying to control the position from guard on top but Uche is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tank tries to free his leg and advance position but Uche is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tank slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Tank tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tank has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tank in side control, throwing shots but Uche defends.
Uche struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tank tries for a kimura but Uche is defending well.
Uche is trying to get back to his feet.
Uche tries to bench press Tank off him but Tank keeps the position.
Tank controls the position.

Tank goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Uche has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tank but great work by Uche.
Tank manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Uche perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uche thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tank's head.
Tank is trying to control but can't.
Uche is just content to waste time from the top position. Tank takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Tank trying to keep a closed guard but Uche is proving a slippery customer.
Uche wants to control from the top but Tank keeps moving.

Uche decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Uche moves in looking to clinch but Tank pushes him off.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tank.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sherman Tank will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Uche.
Taivu Uche is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Uche throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tank was covering up waiting for the punch and Uche finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Uche trying to control but Tank is working from the bottom.
Tank wants to sweep here but Uche controlling him for the moment.
Uche is standing up over Tank. Tank looks to escape but Uche dives into side control.

Uche tries for a kimura but Tank is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tank sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Tank trying to control from the bottom.
Uche wants to pass to mount but Tank is defending the position.
Uche will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
It looks like Uche is going to stand back up.
Tank trying to control from the bottom.
Uche trying to control the action but Tank is working from the bottom.
Tank trying to hold on to Uche's head to control him but Uche postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Uche closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Tank is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Uche off and has taken his back!
Tank is hanging on to Uche's back as he tries to escape.

Tank patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Tank takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Uche rolls, trying to escape but Tank keeps control of the position.
Tank is riding his opponent, not letting Uche buck him off.

Tank working for a choke but Uche is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tank has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Uche tries to roll but Tank sticks to his back.

Tank is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Uche is defending well though. Tank let's go of the attempt for now.
Uche looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uche prevents Tank from getting a body triangle.

Uche defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Tank's arms.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Uche can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sherman Tank.
I think Tank has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sherman Tank!