PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Whourkr Tamatoa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Hordeen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hordeen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by in this together. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tamatoa
vs
Hordeen

176 cm
25
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
26
186 lbs
2 - 14 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Whourkr Tamatoa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kevin Hordeen!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hordeen misses with a combination
and Tamatoa counters with a two punch combo.
Hordeen looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Tamatoa moves into range and clinches up with Hordeen.
Tamatoa stalling the fight.
Tamatoa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hordeen is keeping busy.
Hordeen tries to circle away but Tamatoa has him pinned against the cage.
Tamatoa lands a shot to the body.
Tamatoa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Tamatoa successfully pulls guard.
Tamatoa wants to get back to his feet but Hordeen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tamatoa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tamatoa decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Tamatoa fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hordeen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hordeen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tamatoa shoots in looking for a takedown. Hordeen tries to sprawl out of it but Tamatoa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hordeen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tamatoa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hordeen as he jumps to the side.
Tamatoa lands a head kick. Hordeen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tamatoa fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Whourkr Tamatoa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tamatoa moves into the clinch successfully.
Hordeen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Tamatoa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Tamatoa drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tamatoa showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamatoa trying to control the position from guard on top but Hordeen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hordeen told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Tamatoa stands and throws Hordeen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hordeen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tamatoa has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Tamatoa tries to advance to mount but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tamatoa passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hordeen!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamatoa trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tamatoa pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Tamatoa has control of Hordeen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hordeen regains control of the situation pretty easily.
A nice elbow there by Tamatoa.
Hordeen wants to get back to his feet.
Tamatoa looking to control but Hordeen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hordeen is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Tamatoa has taken his back!
Hordeen is trying to get back to his feet but Tamatoa has full control of the position and if anything, Hordeen has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Tamatoa biding his time, looking for the opening.
Hordeen is trying to get back to his feet but Tamatoa has full control of the position and if anything, Hordeen has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Hordeen covers up after that shot from Tamatoa.
Tamatoa lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Hordeen is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tamatoa drives through and clinches with Hordeen against the cage.

Tamatoa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Some wild striking there from Hordeen.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

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

Tamatoa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hordeen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hordeen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hordeen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tamatoa's guard.
Hordeen is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tamatoa is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamatoa wants to pass the guard but Hordeen is keeping the position.
Tamatoa slips nicely into half guard.
Tamatoa trying to control the action but Hordeen is working from the bottom.

Tamatoa is working for a submission of some sort.
Tamatoa is looking to take a break and control but Hordeen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hordeen tries to kick Tamatoa off but Tamatoa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Tamatoa seems to be working for a kimura but Hordeen defends the submission attempt.
Hordeen looks like he's trying to stand up.

Tamatoa decides to stand and escape the position.
Hordeen stuffs the takedown attempt from Tamatoa. Tamatoa gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Hordeen. No joy for Tamatoa on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hordeen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Tamatoa to counter with a crisp jab.
Hordeen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tamatoa.
Tamatoa lands an overhand right.
Tamatoa shoots for a takedown but Hordeen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Whourkr Tamatoa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tamatoa moves in looking to clinch but Hordeen pushes him off.
Kevin Hordeen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hordeen misses with a combination
and Tamatoa counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hordeen thinking.

Tamatoa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hordeen's half guard.
Tamatoa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hordeen can do to turn this around?
Hordeen is not content to let Tamatoa control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hordeen kicks Tamatoa off and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hordeen misses with a double jab
and Tamatoa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tamatoa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hordeen moves in looking to clinch but Tamatoa pushes him off.
Tamatoa looks for a takedown but Hordeen sprawls well.
Whourkr Tamatoa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hordeen misses with a double jab.
Hordeen misses with a combination
and Tamatoa counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice takedown defense from Hordeen. No joy for Tamatoa on that attempt.
Hordeen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Whourkr Tamatoa dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tamatoa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hordeen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kevin Hordeen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hordeen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tamatoa counters with a stiff right hand.
Tamatoa stalks Hordeen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hordeen's face. Hordeen staggers backwards, shaken.
Tamatoa shoots in looking for a takedown but Hordeen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tamatoa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tamatoa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tamatoa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Whourkr Tamatoa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hordeen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hordeen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hordeen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tamatoa circles away quickly and effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hordeen misses with a double jab
and Tamatoa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tamatoa moves in looking to clinch but Hordeen pushes him off.

Tamatoa closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hordeen's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hordeen is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Tamatoa presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamatoa goes for a takedown attempt but Hordeen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hordeen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tamatoa counters with a big head kick but Hordeen shrugs it off.
Tamatoa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tamatoa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hordeen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hordeen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tamatoa counters with a straight right hand.
Tamatoa fails with a takedown attempt.
Hordeen works over Tamatoa's head and body with a nice combination.
Hordeen looks to land a combination but Tamatoa avoids it well.
Hordeen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tamatoa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tamatoa dives in and grabs Hordeen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hordeen pushes down on Tamatoa's head and hops out.
Tamatoa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Whourkr Tamatoa is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Tamatoa with that takedown attempt.
Hordeen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tamatoa shoots in for a takedown but Hordeen shows good takedown defense.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No joy there for Hordeen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Tamatoa drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hordeen wants to stand but Tamatoa is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamatoa distracts Hordeen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hordeen wants to stand but Tamatoa is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tamatoa trying to control the position from guard on top but Hordeen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whourkr Tamatoa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tamatoa is pushing down on Hordeen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hordeen is fighting to maintain full guard but Tamatoa has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hordeen tries to kick Tamatoa off but Tamatoa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tamatoa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hordeen wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Tamatoa drives through with a takedown into Hordeen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Hordeen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Hordeen is looking for a takedown.
Tamatoa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tamatoa has Hordeen pressed against the cage, preventing Hordeen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kevin Hordeen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Whourkr Tamatoa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hordeen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tamatoa has him pressed against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kevin Hordeen.
Well Tamatoa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Whourkr Tamatoa!