PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Akira Tanahashi (ranked 4967 p4p, 8020 weight class) and Junichi Sasai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanahashi comes to the cage accompanied by The Man. Akira Tanahashi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tanahashi
vs
Sasai

184 cm
18
180
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
194
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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, Akira Tanahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Junichi Sasai!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sasai loads up on a big right hand but Tanahashi slips the punch.
Tanahashi avoids the body shot from Sasai.
Sasai misses with a two punch combination.
Sasai throws a hook to the side of Tanahashi's head but Tanahashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sasai misses with a hook
and Tanahashi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tanahashi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sasai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tanahashi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sasai moves out of range of the strikes.
Junichi Sasai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tanahashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sasai.
Tanahashi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tanahashi lands a really nice looking cross but Sasai seems unphased.
Sasai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sasai misses with the combination.
Sasai throws a shot from downtown. Tanahashi moves away and avoids it.
Tanahashi scores with a jab. Sasai acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Donk. Sasai catches Tanahashi right on the button with a cross.
Sasai lands a slapping body shot.
Sasai misses with a body shot.
Tanahashi jabs at Sasai's body.
Nice defenses there by Tanahashi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasai slips under a jab.
Sasai lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tanahashi at a distance.
Tanahashi misses the jab.
Tanahashi looks to score with a jab to the body but Sasai is just out of range.
Tanahashi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sasai on the side of the head.
Sasai misses with a double jab.
Tanahashi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tanahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sasai moves away.
Sasai takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tanahashi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanahashi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sasai misses with a straight right.
Tanahashi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sasai sizes up Tanahashi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sasai misses the shot to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tanahashi slips a jab from Sasai.
Tanahashi throws a body shot but no joy.
Tanahashi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sasai.
Sasai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tanahashi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sasai swings for the body but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Sasai on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tanahashi misses with an uppercut. Sasai saw that one coming.
Sasai on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sasai blocks a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sasai. Tanahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sasai moves away from the strike by Tanahashi.
Sasai swinging wildly here.
Sasai thuds a left hand into Tanahashi's body.
Sasai stuns Tanahashi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sasai just misses with a punch to the body.
Sasai moves to clinch but Tanahashi breaks away
and Tanahashi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tanahashi is breathing heavily.
Tanahashi digs a good hook to Sasai's body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sasai.
Tanahashi lands a jab.
Sasai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sasai staying out of range there.
Tanahashi lands a slapping body shot.
Sasai throws a body shot but no joy.
Sasai uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tanahashi has time to react.
Sasai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tanahashi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tanahashi is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Sasai throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanahashi.
Sasai tests Tanahashi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sasai throws a looping overhand right but Tanahashi ducks down to avoid it.
Sasai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanahashi moves away.
Sasai shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tanahashi eats them both and turns towards Sasai to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tanahashi misses with a straight right.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sasai darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sasai throws a good cross that connects.
Sasai scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sasai wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sasai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sasai looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanahashi is just out of range.
Sasai slips under a jab from Tanahashi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sasai. Tanahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've been informed that Sasai has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi takes one on the button.
Tanahashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sasai.
Sasai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanahashi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Tanahashi throws a hook to the side of Sasai's head but Sasai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tanahashi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sasai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tanahashi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanahashi throws a hook to the side of Sasai's head but Sasai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sasai tries to clinch but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Sasai just misses with a punch to the body.
A combination from Sasai does no damage.
Sasai throws a body punch but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Sasai throws a right and a left that Tanahashi avoids nicely.
Sasai throws a body punch but Tanahashi moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sasai misses with a wild body shot.
Tanahashi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sasai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice shot lands for Sasai.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Sasai dominated that round.
That's time! Tanahashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sasai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tanahashi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tanahashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Sasai.
Sasai scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sasai looks to land a left hand but Tanahashi moved out of range nicely.
Sasai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Donk. Sasai catches Tanahashi right on the button with a cross.
A jab from Sasai does it's job there.
Sasai misses with an uppercut.
Sasai missing with a left hand there. Tanahashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sasai lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tanahashi at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sasai staying out of range there.
Sasai lands a nice shot to the body.
Sasai lands with a nice body punch.
Sasai ducks under a wild hook from Tanahashi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sasai scores with a jab to the body.
Tanahashi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasai walks into a straight right hand from Tanahashi.
Sasai slips a straight right by Tanahashi.
Sasai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tanahashi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sasai lands a nice looking body shot.
Sasai slips a jab from Tanahashi.
Tanahashi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tanahashi throws a body punch but Sasai moves out of range.
Good exchange - Sasai coming out on top.
Sasai misses with a body shot.
Sasai throws a body punch but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Sasai works Tanahashi's body with a nice hook.
Sasai lands a right hook to the body.
Tanahashi misses with a hook.
A countering left hand to the body from Sasai misses.
Sasai fails to land with a series of punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sasai scores with a jab to the body.
A left lands for Sasai.
Sasai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sasai throws a jab when Tanahashi was well out of range.
Tanahashi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jab from Sasai.
Tanahashi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sasai connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Sasai misses the target.
Tanahashi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Sasai throws out a loose jab but Tanahashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tanahashi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tanahashi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sasai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sasai. Tanahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sasai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanahashi manages to avoid it.
Sasai connects with the punch.
Tanahashi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sasai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanahashi manages to avoid it.
Sasai misses the jab.
Sasai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sasai uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tanahashi has time to react.
No joy there for Sasai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi slips under a jab from Sasai.
Tanahashi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sasai with a jab.
Sasai connects with a body shot that sends Tanahashi's belly button to the back.
Sasai with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Junichi Sasai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sasai throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tanahashi throws a jab when Sasai was well out of range.
Tanahashi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tanahashi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sasai lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tanahashi needs to keep his hands up - Sasai had a free shot at his head there.
Sasai scores with a hook to the body. Tanahashi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sasai throws a right hand that Tanahashi ducks under and follows up with a left that Tanahashi also avoids with ease.
Tanahashi avoids the body shot from Sasai.
Sasai slips a jab from Tanahashi.
Sasai connects with a body shot.
Sasai scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Tanahashi 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Sasai pushes Tanahashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Sasai is trying to pull guard but Tanahashi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Tanahashi tries to stall but Sasai uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sasai is looking to break free of the clinch but Tanahashi has double underhooks.
Sasai tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tanahashi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tanahashi prevents Sasai from breaking the clinch.
Tanahashi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sasai misses with the head strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sasai is looking to break free of the clinch but Tanahashi has double underhooks.
Tanahashi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Sasai jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tanahashi walks away with a smile on his face. Sasai gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Sasai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sasai swings for the body but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Sasai throws a right and a left that Tanahashi avoids nicely.
Sasai is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tanahashi. Sasai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanahashi misses the shot to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sasai, as that shot connected.
Sasai throws a hook but Tanahashi blocks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Tanahashi misses the target.
Tanahashi misses with a double jab.
Sasai throws a body shot but no joy.
Sasai connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tanahashi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sasai missing with a left hand there. Tanahashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big right from Sasai misses.
Sasai scores with a body shot.
Sasai connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tanahashi's hands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sasai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sasai throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasai misses with a body shot
and Tanahashi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sasai staying out of range there.
Tanahashi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sasai.
Tanahashi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tanahashi ducks under a wild hook from Sasai.
Tanahashi moves out of range of the strikes.
Sasai connects with a body shot.
Tanahashi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sasai works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tanahashi staying out of range there.
Tanahashi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sasai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tanahashi. Tanahashi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tanahashi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sasai lands a nice hook to Tanahashi's body. Tanahashi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tanahashi misses the shot to the body.
Sasai lands a nice shot that snaps Tanahashi's head back.
Nice defenses there by Tanahashi.
Sasai avoids the body shot from Tanahashi.
Sasai lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch combination from Sasai misses.
Sasai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanahashi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sasai slips a straight right by Tanahashi.
Sasai throws a shot to the body.
Sasai throws a series of punches but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Sasai misses with a body shot.
Sasai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tanahashi.
Sasai looks to land a left hand but Tanahashi moved out of range nicely.
Sasai swings for the body but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Sasai looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanahashi is just out of range.
Sasai scores with a shot to the body.
Tanahashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sasai.
Tanahashi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sasai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tanahashi.
Sasai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tanahashi ducks right into an uppercut from Sasai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sasai scores with a jab to the body.
Sasai looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanahashi is just out of range.
Sasai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sasai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sasai connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tanahashi's hands.
Sasai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sasai is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanahashi.
Nice uppercut there from Sasai.
Junichi Sasai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sasai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tanahashi.
Sasai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanahashi was well out of range. Poor timing from Sasai.
A punch combination from Sasai misses.
Tanahashi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sasai to score with a decent uppercut.
Tanahashi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sasai.
Sasai stalks Tanahashi and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tanahashi's face. Tanahashi staggers backwards, shaken.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Danga de danga de dang - Sasai scores with a four punch combination!
Sasai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Tanahashi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sasai lands with a shot to the body.
Tanahashi slips a jab from Sasai.
Sasai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tanahashi. Tanahashi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sasai scores with a decent looking hook.
Sasai lands with a shot to the body.
Sasai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanahashi moves away.
Sasai cracks Tanahashi with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tanahashi slips under a jab.
Nice shot by Sasai.
Sasai missing with a left hand there. Tanahashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tanahashi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sasai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Akira Tanahashi 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.
Sasai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tanahashi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sasai jabs at Tanahashi's body.
Sasai lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

And that's the end of the fight!
Junichi Sasai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sasai has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junichi Sasai!
An out of breath Junichi Sasai thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Akira Tanahashi stepped up to the mic, saying '"Dat some bullshit"'.