PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Teshima Shigochiyo (ranked 793 p4p, 1317 weight class) and Balink Tarlah (ranked 98 p4p, 151 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shigochiyo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Yoshida Brothers - Rising. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Shigochiyo
vs
Tarlah

175 cm
28
148
7 - 2 - 0

179 cm
27
159
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Core Combat

Hardcore Nutrition 160Q $100 w/ Proof

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Teshima Shigochiyo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Balink Tarlah!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarlah throws an overhand right that lands on Shigochiyo's shoulder, as Shigochiyo tries to avoid the shot.
Shigochiyo tries to counter with a takedown but Tarlah is quick to defend against it.
Tarlah wants to clinch but Shigochiyo slips to the side

and Shigochiyo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Shigochiyo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Tarlah really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shigochiyo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tarlah tries to roll over but Shigochiyo keeps him under control.

Shigochiyo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tarlah doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shigochiyo.

Shigochiyo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarlah trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarlah might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Shigochiyo haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Tarlah works his way to full guard. Good work.
Shigochiyo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Shigochiyo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Shigochiyo looking to sit in guard and control but Tarlah gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tarlah looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tarlah trying to control but Shigochiyo is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Shigochiyo looking for a guillotine here but Tarlah defends easily.
Tarlah passes Shigochiyo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nice strikes from Tarlah there.

Shigochiyo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tarlah pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tarlah looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Shigochiyo won't allow Tarlah to pass to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shigochiyo has hold of Tarlah's hands but Tarlah slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shigochiyo wants to sweep but Tarlah has passed to side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Balink Tarlah will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Shigochiyo circles away from the clinch attempt

and Shigochiyo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tarlah's guard.
Shigochiyo wants to control from the top but Tarlah keeps moving.

Shigochiyo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tarlah looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tarlah looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tarlah!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shigochiyo gets back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shigochiyo looking for subs from the bottom but Tarlah mounts him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarlah controlling the pace for now.
Shigochiyo is squirming around, avoiding Tarlah's attempts to control the action.
Balink Tarlah has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tarlah tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Tarlah has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shigochiyo is in all sorts of trouble here.
Shigochiyo is working hard here to advance position.
Tarlah trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tarlah takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Shigochiyo is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shigochiyo tries to hold on but Tarlah pushes him away.
Tarlah trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shigochiyo wants to hold on but Tarlah pushes him away.
Tarlah sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shigochiyo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shigochiyo manages to regain half guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balink Tarlah 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!

Tarlah lands a lovely overhand right.
Tarlah throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shigochiyo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tarlah lands with an uppercut that bounces Shigochiyo off the cage and back into range.
Tarlah tries to close the distance and clinch but Shigochiyo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shigochiyo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Balink Tarlah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tarlah stuffs the takedown attempt from Shigochiyo. Shigochiyo gets slowly back to his feet.
Shigochiyo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tarlah throws out the jab.

Tarlah has closed the distance and engaged Shigochiyo in a clinch.
Shigochiyo has been working on his balance at MMA Dojo (Top Gym in Tokyo*) , so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Tarlah.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarlah lands a nice elbow.
Tarlah will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Shigochiyo up against the cage.

Tarlah is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shigochiyo is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Tarlah to the mat. Tarlah regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Tarlah has his feet on Shigochiyo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Balink Tarlah is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarlah is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shigochiyo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Shigochiyo shoots in for a takedown but Tarlah shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tarlah tries to clinch up but Shigochiyo circles away and keeps his distance.

Shigochiyo tries to keep at a distance but Tarlah has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tarlah is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tarlah has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Shigochiyo seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Tarlah can turn it around.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teshima Shigochiyo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shigochiyo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tarlah content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Shigochiyo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shigochiyo taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tarlah displaying some good clinch control by pressing Shigochiyo up against the cage.
Tarlah throws a punch but it's blocked by Shigochiyo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah is pressed up against the cage. Shigochiyo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tarlah down to the mat. Tarlah avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shigochiyo looks to land a right hand but Tarlah moved out of range.
Shigochiyo staying out of range there.
Shigochiyo staying out of range there.
Nice defenses there by Shigochiyo.
Shigochiyo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Shigochiyo dives in for a single leg takedown but Tarlah sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tarlah appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Shigochiyo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Tarlah misses the target.
Horrible takedown attempt by Shigochiyo or perhaps it was just good defense by Tarlah, which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shigochiyo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tarlah is looking to clinch but Shigochiyo is avoiding it.
Tarlah throws a looping overhand right but Shigochiyo ducks down to avoid it.
Tarlah scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tarlah tries to clinch up but Shigochiyo circles away and keeps his distance.
Shigochiyo goes for a double leg but Tarlah avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tarlah continues to drive forward.
Shigochiyo throws a lazy right hand but Tarlah sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shigochiyo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shigochiyo lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Tarlah tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shigochiyo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tarlah fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shigochiyo, pushing him back against the cage.
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!
Tarlah is trying to break the clinch but Shigochiyo is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balink Tarlah really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shigochiyo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tarlah fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shigochiyo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tarlah moves in looking to clinch but Shigochiyo pushes him off.
Shigochiyo tries to counter with a takedown but Tarlah is quick to defend against it.
Tarlah swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tarlah misses with a right hand

and Shigochiyo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Tarlah pushes Shigochiyo off and gets back to his feet.
Tarlah misses with a right hand

and Shigochiyo counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Tarlah!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tarlah manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Shigochiyo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tarlah keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shigochiyo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Shigochiyo controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Shigochiyo is trying to work for a kimura but Tarlah is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tarlah is looking to control Shigochiyo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tarlah avoid being mounted?
Tarlah is controlling Shigochiyo's trapped leg to prevent Shigochiyo from advancing to side control.

Shigochiyo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Tarlah is staying active underneath Shigochiyo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah gets back to full guard.
Shigochiyo passes Tarlah's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tarlah tries to roll over but Shigochiyo keeps him under control.

Shigochiyo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tarlah doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shigochiyo.

Shigochiyo is looking for a kimura here.

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.

Shigochiyo is working for a kimura but Tarlah is defending it quite comfortably.

Shigochiyo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tarlah defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tarlah trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teshima Shigochiyo had his way with Balink Tarlah in that round.
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. This is the final round!

Tarlah swings for the body but Shigochiyo moves out of range.
Tarlah wants to clinch up but Shigochiyo keeps it at a distance.
Tarlah throws a right and a left that Shigochiyo avoids nicely.
Tarlah wants to clinch up but Shigochiyo keeps it at a distance.
Shigochiyo tries to counter with a takedown but Tarlah is quick to defend against it.
Tarlah wants to clinch.

Tarlah closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tarlah breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tarlah looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shigochiyo is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarlah tries to clinch up.
Shigochiyo feinted with a counter takedown.

Tarlah moves into the clinch successfully.
Tarlah is trying to force a seperation but Shigochiyo has the dominant position.
Shigochiyo is trying to drag Tarlah to the mat but Tarlah just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tarlah is trying to push Shigochiyo away but Shigochiyo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tarlah is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two 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.

Tarlah's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tarlah throws a shot from downtown. Shigochiyo moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Tarlah misses.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tarlah enables Shigochiyo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tarlah manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tarlah wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Shigochiyo manages to pass to side control.

Tarlah is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shigochiyo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Tarlah is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah trying to control from the bottom.

Shigochiyo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tarlah is staying active underneath Shigochiyo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tarlah wants to get back to full guard but Shigochiyo has passed into side control.

Shigochiyo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Tarlah has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Shigochiyo but great work by Tarlah.
A lull in the action here as Tarlah stalls from top position.

Tarlah decides to stand up, so the ref orders Shigochiyo to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tarlah gets a clinch.

Tarlah breaks from the clinch.
Tarlah is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shigochiyo feinted with a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tarlah tries to clinch

and Shigochiyo counters with a shoot takedown. Tarlah fights it but they end up in guard.
Tarlah wants to sweep but no luck.
Teshima Shigochiyo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tarlah can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tarlah pulls Shigochiyo in to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balink Tarlah comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tarlah 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 46:49
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 46:49
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balink Tarlah!
Balink Tarlah is the new featherweight champion!
A very excited looking Balink Tarlah made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.