PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Immortal Technique (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Tonon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Technique might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Eye in the sky . Gary Tonon told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Technique
vs
Tonon

179 cm
28
164 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

174 cm
28
161 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Amped Performance

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 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Immortal Technique!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gary Tonon!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Richard Clark and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tonon avoids the head kick by Technique.
Tonon with a hook.

It looks like Immortal Technique has been cut.
Technique throws a right and a left that Tonon avoids nicely.
Technique misses with a double jab.
Technique scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A combination from Technique does no damage.
Sloppy strikes from Technique. Those never looked like landing.
Technique throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tonon.
Technique throws a hook but Tonon blocks it.
Technique dodges the punch combination from Tonon.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Technique is looking to slow Tonon down with leg kicks.
Technique swinging wildly here.
Technique takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tonon lands a slapping body shot.
Technique throws a right and a left that Tonon avoids nicely.
And Tonon tries to counter it with a takedown but Technique pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Technique throws a series of punches but Tonon moves out of range.

Tonon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Technique quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonon with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Technique makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Technique throws a right hand that Tonon ducks under and follows up with a left that Tonon also avoids with ease.
Nice shot by Tonon.
Tonon keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tonon misses with a double jab.

Tonon looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Technique!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tonon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Technique keeps working.
Technique's coaches at London MMA Club have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tonon tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tonon has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Technique is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tonon has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Tonon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Technique is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tonon has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Tonon is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Technique is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tonon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Technique keeps working.
Tonon creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Technique is not content to let Tonon control the position.
Technique tries to escape but Tonon is in control.
Tonon tries to score with some ground and pound. Technique controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Tonon is looking to take a break and control but Technique is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tonon is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Technique has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tonon tries for a kimura but Technique is defending well.
Technique is pushing Tonon's head away, looking to escape. Tonon manages to hold on to the position though.

Tonon working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Technique is pushing Tonon's head away, looking to escape. Tonon manages to hold on to the position though.
Tonon misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tonon throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Tonon looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Tonon throws a strike aimed at the side of Technique's head but Technique avoids it well.
Technique is not content to let Tonon control the position.

Tonon tries for a kimura but Technique is defending well.

Tonon working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Tonon is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Technique is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tonon prevents Technique from escaping the position.
Tonon wants to control but Technique is keeping him busy.
Technique is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tonon asserts his dominance and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gary Tonon will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Immortal Technique's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tonon tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Technique swivels and escapes.
Nice cross by Tonon.
Technique will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tonon drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Technique defends it well.
Technique lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tonon circles away quickly and effectively.
Tonon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Technique moves away.
Tonon lands with a shot to the body.
Technique throws a series of punches but Tonon moves out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Technique.

It looks like Gary Tonon has been cut.
No joy there for Technique, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tonon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tonon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Technique sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tonon somewhat.

Tonon scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Technique wants to get back to his feet.
Tonon looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Technique with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tonon is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tonon is looking to advance position but Technique won't allow it.
Technique is refusing to be controlled, as Tonon sits in half guard.
Technique is trying to stand back up but Tonon is controlling him
Tonon is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tonon working Technique over with strikes.
Tonon trying to pass the guard but Technique defending well.
Gary Tonon has got the better of the ground game so far.

Technique makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Tonon darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tonon stops Technique from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tonon seems to be working for a kimura but Technique defends the submission attempt.
Technique is trying to stand back up but Tonon is controlling him
Tonon not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Technique is trying to stand.
Tonon wants to control but Technique is keeping him busy.

Tonon is working for a submission of some sort.

Technique manages to escape and get 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!
Tonon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Immortal Technique is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tonon lands with an uppercut that bounces Technique off the cage and back into range.
No luck for Tonon with that takedown attempt.
Immortal Technique has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Tonon.
Technique is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Technique with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tonon to score with a decent uppercut.
Technique throws a leg kick but Tonon checks it.

Tonon closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Technique did well to prevent Tonon getting side control.
Tonon is trying to control the action in half guard but Technique is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tonon stops Technique from getting back to his feet.

Tonon is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Technique defends it well.

Tonon is trying to work for a kimura but Technique is defending well.
Technique is looking to escape.
Tonon lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Technique wants to get back to his feet.

Tonon is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Technique defends it well.
Tonon is trying to control. Technique wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Technique kicks off Tonon and gets to his feet.
Technique lands a glancing blow to the side of Tonon's head.
Tonon scores with a punch to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tonon looks to throw the jab but Technique is out of range.
Technique lands a leg kick that knocks Tonon off balance momentarily.
A jab from Technique misses.
Tonon misses with a double jab.
Tonon lands with a nice body punch.
Technique thumps Tonon with a low kick.
Tonon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Technique was well out of range. Poor timing from Tonon.
Tonon misses with a wild body shot.
Technique defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tonon.
Tonon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Technique pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Immortal Technique is winning the standup battle so far.
Technique throws a right and a left that Tonon avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Immortal Technique will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Technique tries to bum rush Tonon with a series of wild strikes but Tonon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Technique misses with a combination

and Tonon counters with a single leg into guard. Technique didn't expect that.
Tonon trying to control but Technique is working from the bottom.
Tonon controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tonon prevents Technique from getting back to his feet.
Technique utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tonon sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Technique is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonon has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tonon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tonon prevents Technique from getting 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.
A punch combination from Technique misses.
Technique works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonon scores with a nice right hand.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Technique sprawls well. Technique wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tonon gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice body punch from Technique.
No joy there for Technique, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tonon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Immortal Technique seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Technique throws a series of punches but Tonon moves out of range.
A combination from Technique does no damage.
Technique sets himself, and Tonon steps forward looking for the clinch! Technique avoids it this time.
Technique misses with a looping right.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Technique looks to throw the jab but Tonon is out of range.
Tonon fails with an attempt to clinch.

Tonon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Technique on his heels. He'll look to pass Technique's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Technique can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tonon controls the pace.
Tonon wants to pass the guard but Technique is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tonon keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Technique's head.
Technique wants to get back to his feet but Tonon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tonon is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tonon stops Technique from standing up.
Tonon with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tonon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Technique swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tonon wants to control from the top but Technique keeps moving.

Technique pushes Tonon off and gets back to his feet.
Technique misses with a hook.
Technique throws out a leg kick but Tonon moves out of range and Technique only half commits.
Technique misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Technique throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Technique gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tonon to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tonon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Technique wants to stand up but Tonon is controlling him.
Tonon postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Technique is looking to stand up but Tonon isn't so interested in that idea.
Tonon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Technique swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tonon trying to control the position from guard on top but Technique is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Technique wants to get back to his feet but Tonon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tonon looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Technique fails to land with a series of punches.
Technique tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tonon changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Tonon finds it's way through Technique's defenses.
No joy there for Technique, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tonon fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Technique avoids it really well and circles away.
Technique looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tonon changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Tonon dives in and scores a takedown into Technique's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Technique wants to stand and escape but Tonon is having none of it.
Tonon advances to half guard.
Technique is refusing to be controlled, as Tonon sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Immortal Technique.
I think Technique has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Immortal Technique!
Post fight, an emotional Immortal Technique said 'The voice of racism preaching the Gospel is devilish. A fake church called the prophet Muhammad a terrorist, for "getting God" is not religion, but a spiritual bond and Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the Quran. '.