PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ross Kemp (ranked 974 p4p, 132 weight class) and Mukinio Tambua (ranked 1339 p4p, 176 weight class). Mukinio Tambua has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ross Kemp's chin.

Kemp
vs
Tambua

190 cm
27
269 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

196 cm
24
265 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ross Kemp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mukinio Tambua!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Bruno Lombardi and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tambua throws out a loose jab but Kemp uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kemp moves forwards but Tambua connects with a nice, crisp jab.

It looks like Ross Kemp has been cut.
Tambua has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kemp is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Kemp avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Tambua fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kemp sprawls well initially but Tambua persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tambua looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kemp with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Tambua seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tambua sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kemp defending well though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kemp manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kemp is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tambua won't allow Kemp to sweep him here.
Tambua throws a big right hand that misses.

Tambua is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kemp is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kemp has escaped and now he's on top!

Kemp has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tambua tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kemp sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Tambua wants to sweep here but Kemp controlling him for the moment.
Tambua looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kemp puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Kemp content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Tambua tries to get to full guard but Kemp has control of the leg.
Kemp knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tambua on the ground.

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.
Kemp is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Tambua is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Tambua actively working from the bottom here.
Kemp not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tambua moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tambua striking off his back but it's not causing Kemp any problems.
Tambua 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tambua is on top in guard.

Tambua landing with the ground and pound.
Kemp trying to keep a closed guard but Tambua is proving a slippery customer.
Tambua trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tambua postures up in Kemp's guard and throws a big left but Kemp blocks it.
Kemp is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tambua regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tambua has his hands on Kemp's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tambua looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kemp wants to get up but he can't break Tambua's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tambua has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kemp has passed into side control.
Tambua is looking to regain half guard here but Kemp keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mukinio Tambua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ross Kemp's cut.
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.

Kemp misses with a body shot.
Kemp stuns Tambua with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tambua looks to throw the jab but Kemp is out of range.
Kemp moves out of range as Tambua strikes.
Kemp has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kemp there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kemp lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tambua takes one on the chin but seems OK.

It looks like Mukinio Tambua has been cut.
Kemp swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Tambua counter with a right hand.
Tambua misses with a series of wild punches.
Kemp swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kemp moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tambua throws a hook but Kemp blocks it.
Tambua lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tambua closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kemp quickly recovers to half guard.
Kemp keeping hold of Tambua's head, controlling as best he can.
Kemp is trying to control but can't.
Kemp tries to roll over but Tambua keeps him under control.
Kemp is working hard here to advance position.
Kemp is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Outer Heaven Dojo, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Tambua trying to control the action but Kemp is working from the bottom.
Kemp keeping control of the position.

Tambua is working for a kimura but Kemp is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kemp works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tambua looking to pass the guard.
Tambua lands a couple of digs.
Tambua trying to control the position from guard on top but Kemp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tambua drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tambua jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tambua wants to pass the guard but Kemp is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tambua throws an elbow that misses. Kemp uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tambua's guard. Nice move by Kemp!

Tambua has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kemp has passed into side control.
Tambua is trying to get back to half guard.

Kemp decides to stand back up.
Ross Kemp is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tambua throws a hook but Kemp blocks it.
Kemp slips a straight right by Tambua.
A telegraphed right hand from Kemp misses the target.
Kemp jabs Tambua right on the nose. Tambua blinks but takes it well.
Tambua's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kemp under the eye.

Ross Kemp's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kemp ducks under a wild hook from Tambua.
Tambua scores with a nice head shot.
Kemp uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tambua.
Tambua has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kemp throws a head kick that misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tambua.

Ross Kemp's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kemp lands a right hook to the body.
Tambua shoots in but no luck this time.
Kemp slips under a jab from Tambua.
Kemp misses with a low kick as Tambua jumps back.
It seemed like Tambua was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tambua defending well as Kemp loads up on a big left hand.
Mukinio Tambua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tambua ducks right into an uppercut from Kemp.
Kemp misses with a left hand
and Tambua counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Tambua misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mukinio Tambua will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tambua looks to land a left hand but Kemp moved out of range nicely.
A big right from Kemp misses.
Tambua swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kemp keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kemp bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Kemp misses the target.
Tambua bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kemp misses the body punch
and Tambua counters with a straight right hand.
Kemp slips under a jab from Tambua.
Kemp throws a quick counter kick to the body but Tambua avoids it.
Kemp connects with a looping right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tambua connects with a right hand. Kemp shakes it off.
Tambua stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kemp connects with an inside leg kick.
Tambua throws a nice looking combination but Kemp bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kemp motions for Tambua to come forward. Kemp throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kemp fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tambua checks it well.
Tambua connects with a looping right hand.
Kemp throws a push kick but Tambua slaps the foot to one side.
Kemp cracks a nice hook into Tambua's ribs.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tambua or perhaps it was just good defense by Kemp, which made it look bad.
Kemp listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kemp avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tambua tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mukinio Tambua seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tambua shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kemp thinks about countering with a body kick.
Ross Kemp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mukinio Tambua.
Kemp ducks under a wild hook from Tambua.
Tambua tries for a takedown but Kemp circles away easily
and Kemp counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Kemp finds it's target.
Tambua throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch lands to the side of Kemp 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kemp avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kemp tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tambua was well out of range. Poor timing from Kemp.
Kemp scores with a nice head shot.
Tambua ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tambua might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kemp motions for Tambua to come forward. Kemp throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tambua throws out a counter right but Kemp avoids it with no problem.
Tambua misses with a hook. Kemp ducked under it nicely.
Tambua swings widly with a right hand

and Kemp counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kemp.
Kemp is pressed up against the cage. Tambua has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kemp down to the mat. Kemp avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kemp tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tambua was well out of range. Poor timing from Kemp.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tambua is defended easily by Kemp.
Kemp is looking to counter punch.
Ross Kemp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mukinio Tambua is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kemp throws a head kick that misses.
Tambua on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tambua will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tambua shoots in looking for a takedown. Kemp tries to sprawl out of it but Tambua keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kemp manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tambua shoots in for a takedown but Kemp shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tambua goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tambua cracks Kemp with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kemp connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tambua's hands.

That has opened up Mukinio Tambua's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kemp misses with a straight left.
Tambua tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kemp rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Tambua counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tambua prevents Kemp from improving his position.
Tambua wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kemp keeps working.
Kemp is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tambua wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kemp keeps working.

Tambua is trying to work for a kimura but Kemp is defending well.

Tambua is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

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 Ross Kemp.
I think Tambua 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mukinio Tambua!
Mukinio Tambua thanked the fans post fight for their support.