PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nelius Van Tonder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Deniro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Tonder's entrance music is Weapons of Mass Distortion by The Crystal Method. A fine choice. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Van Tonder
vs
Deniro

180 cm
22
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

KAISER

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 Tokyo, Nelius Van Tonder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Steve Deniro!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deniro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Deniro fails in his attempt to clinch.
Van Tonder throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Deniro.

Deniro closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Van Tonder quickly recovers to half guard.
Deniro is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Van Tonder has one foot on Deniro's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Deniro takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Van Tonder tries to clinch but Deniro moves out of range.

Deniro bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Van Tonder sneaks out the side door and pushes Deniro away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Deniro tries a head kick but it misses.
Van Tonder wants to clinch.
Van Tonder fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Van Tonder.
Van Tonder moves out of range as Deniro throws a body kick.
Van Tonder throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Van Tonder shoots in looking for a takedown. Deniro tries to sprawl out of it but Van Tonder keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Deniro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Van Tonder throws a head kick that misses.
Van Tonder is breathing heavily.

Deniro drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Deniro trying to control the position but Van Tonder is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Tonder managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Deniro.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Deniro wants to stand but Van Tonder has his arm trapped.
Deniro working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Deniro swings around for an armbar but Van Tonder sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Deniro's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deniro controls Van Tonder momentarily but Van Tonder frees himself.
Deniro really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Van Tonder. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Deniro 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.

Van Tonder decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Deniro changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Van Tonder looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Deniro just content to control the position.

Deniro is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Van Tonder knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Deniro tries for a kimura but Van Tonder is defending well.
Van Tonder is trying to buck Deniro off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Deniro will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Deniro keeps the fight on the outside.
Deniro tries to clinch up but Van Tonder circles away and keeps his distance.
Nelius Van Tonder is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Deniro is looking to clinch.
Van Tonder misses with a double jab.

Deniro scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Van Tonder is in trouble now - Deniro has advanced to mount!
Van Tonder is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Deniro goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Van Tonder is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Deniro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Deniro wants to get back to his feet but Van Tonder is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Van Tonder sitting in guard here, content to control.

Van Tonder stands and steps away. Deniro gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Deniro shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Van Tonder avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Deniro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deniro is trying to control. Van Tonder wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Deniro perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Deniro throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Steve Deniro has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Deniro scores with a sloppy right hand. Van Tonder should have avoided that one.
Deniro throws a push kick but Van Tonder slaps the foot to one side.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Deniro shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Van Tonder manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Deniro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Tonder is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deniro is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Deniro distracts Van Tonder with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Van Tonder wants to stand but Deniro is controlling the position.
Deniro throwing strikes from guard but Van Tonder blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deniro wanted to stand there but Van Tonder had control of the position.
Deniro must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Deniro wants to control from the top but Van Tonder keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Steve Deniro wasn't active enough on the ground.
Deniro misses with a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Deniro.

Deniro closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Van Tonder's guard.
Deniro trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Tonder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Deniro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Deniro closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Van Tonder to the mat! Van Tonder manages to get full guard.
Deniro would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Van Tonder is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Van Tonder is looking to break free of the clinch but Deniro has double underhooks.
Van Tonder can't break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Van Tonder manages to break the clinch.
A low kick from Deniro misses
and Van Tonder counters with a straight right hand.
Van Tonder pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Deniro throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Van Tonder was covering up waiting for the punch and Deniro finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Van Tonder has a closed guard, preventing Deniro from standing up.
Van Tonder keeping moving, preventing Deniro from controlling successfully.
Deniro is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Deniro shoots in and gets a takedown into Van Tonder's guard.
Deniro trying to control but Van Tonder is working from the bottom.
Deniro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Deniro trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Tonder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Steve Deniro.
Van Tonder keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deniro is looking to clinch.

Deniro scores a takedown into full mount!
Deniro trying to control but Van Tonder is having none of it.
Steve Deniro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deniro controlling the pace for now.
Van Tonder trying desperately to get to his feet.
Nelius Van Tonder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Deniro trying to control but Van Tonder is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Steve Deniro was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Deniro lands a lovely overhand right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Deniro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Deniro winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Deniro!