PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Koji Tanahasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Tagochu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryu Tagochu has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Tanahasi
vs
Tagochu

167 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Koji Tanahasi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryu Tagochu!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tagochu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tanahasi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tanahasi lands a nice shot to the body.
Tanahasi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tanahasi scores with a nice right hand.
Tanahasi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tagochu moves in looking to clinch but Tanahasi pushes him off.
Tanahasi goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tanahasi misses with a double jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Tanahasi!
Tagochu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tagochu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tagochu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tanahasi tries to avoid it but Tagochu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tanahasi to the ground. Tanahasi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Tanahasi drives through and clinches with Tagochu against the cage.
Tanahasi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tagochu.
Tanahasi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tagochu misses with a knee to the head.
Tagochu takes a shot to the head.
Tagochu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tanahasi blocks it with crossed arms.
Tanahasi lands a nice shot to the body.
Tanahasi lands a left hand.
Tagochu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tanahasi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tagochu or not.
Tagochu looks gassed!
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!
Tagochu letting Tanahasi take a breather here.
Tagochu looking to throw knees to the head but Tanahasi is blocking nicely.
Tanahasi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tagochu.

Tanahasi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tagochu has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanahasi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Tanahasi darts in and clinches Tagochu up against the cage.
Tanahasi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tagochu up against the cage.
Tanahasi presses Tagochu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tanahasi lands a nice shot to the body.
Tanahasi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tanahasi lands a nice shot to the body.

Tanahasi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Tanahasi clinches up against the cage.
Tagochu tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tanahasi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right from Tanahasi on the inside.

Tanahasi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tanahasi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tanahasi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tagochu has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tanahasi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tagochu backs up against the cage.
Tanahasi throws a one two combo.
Tanahasi stalks Tagochu and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tagochu's face. Tagochu staggers backwards, shaken.
Tanahasi is working the combinations to good effect here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanahasi lands a right hook to the body.
Tagochu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tanahasi can pounce on him.
Tagochu takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Tanahasi!
Left hook, right uppercut from Tanahasi.
Tagochu has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tanahasi lands a two punch combo.
Tanahasi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tanahasi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tagochu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tanahasi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tagochu backs up against the cage.
Tanahasi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tanahasi closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nice cross by Tanahasi.

Tanahasi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tanahasi.
A short body shot lands from Tanahasi as the two fighters clinch.
Tanahasi presses Tagochu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Tanahasi.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tanahasi.
A left hand lands to the body for Tanahasi.
Tanahasi lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Tanahasi.

Tanahasi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tanahasi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tanahasi lands a two punch combo.
Tanahasi avoids the head kick by Tagochu.
Tanahasi scores with a hook.

Tanahasi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tagochu did well to prevent Tanahasi getting side control.
Tagochu is looking for a sweep. Tanahasi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tanahasi trying to control from Tagochu's half guard. Tagochu has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Tagochu trying to keep a closed guard but Tanahasi is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tagochu wants to control the position but Tanahasi says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Tanahasi winds up and cracks Tagochu with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tagochu tries to get to full guard but Tanahasi has control of the leg.
Tagochu pushes Tanahasi off looking to stand but Tanahasi dives back in and keeps control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanahasi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tagochu looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tagochu shoots in for a double leg but Tanahasi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koji Tanahasi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tanahasi works Tagochu's body with a nice hook.
Tagochu walks into a stiff left hand from Tanahasi.
A nice combination there by Tanahasi.
Tagochu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Koji Tanahasi is winning the standup battle so far.
Tagochu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Tanahasi has Tagochu up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Tanahasi.

Tanahasi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tanahasi digs a good hook to Tagochu's body.
Tagochu shoots and misses
and Tanahasi counters with a straight right hand.

Tanahasi has closed the distance and engaged Tagochu in a clinch.
Tanahasi has Tagochu pressed against the cage, preventing Tagochu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tagochu is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tanahasi is keeping busy.
Tagochu has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tagochu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tanahasi blocks it with crossed arms.
Tanahasi lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Tanahasi.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tanahasi is leaning against Tagochu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Tanahasi breaks the clinch.
Tanahasi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Tanahasi stalks Tagochu and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tagochu's face. Tagochu staggers backwards, shaken.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanahasi lands with an uppercut that bounces Tagochu off the cage and back into rage.
Tagochu wants to clinch but Tanahasi slips to the side
and Tanahasi counters with a one-two to the body.
Tanahasi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tanahasi displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A shot to de liver by Tanahasi. Beautiful body shot.

Tanahasi moves into range and clinches up with Tagochu.
Tagochu swings wildly with an uppercut but Tanahasi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tanahasi keeps control of Tagochu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tanahasi stalling the fight.

Tanahasi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tagochu is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Tanahasi.
Tanahasi cracks a nice hook into Tagochu's ribs.
Tagochu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tanahasi closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tanahasi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tagochu can do to turn this around?
Nice uppercut there from Tanahasi.

Tagochu feints and as Tanahasi raises his hands in defense, Tagochu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanahasi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tagochu manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tagochu wriggles free and stands up.

Tanahasi has managed to clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tagochu throws a punch but it's blocked by Tanahasi.
Tagochu throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A right handed body shot lands from Tanahasi.
Tanahasi pushes Tagochu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tanahasi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tagochu backwards.
Nice body punch from Tanahasi - that landed with a thud.
Tagochu scores with a knee to the head.
Good body shot from Tanahasi.
Tagochu is trying to break the clinch but Tanahasi has him pressed against the cage.
Tagochu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tagochu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tagochu tries to break the clinch but Tanahasi is controlling the position.
Tagochu tries to land a knee to the head but Tanahasi blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tagochu jumps guard but Tanahasi stands there with Tagochu around his waist. Tagochu gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tanahasi pushes Tagochu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Tanahasi.
Tagochu tries to pull guard but Tanahasi holds him up against the cage and eventually Tagochu drops back down to his feet.
Koji Tanahasi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryu Tagochu.
Tanahasi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tagochu or not.
Tagochu throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tanahasi works on Tagochu's body with a couple of short punches.
Still in the clinch, Tanahasi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tagochu landing knees to the head.
Tanahasi looking to slow down the pace here.
Tanahasi is trying to break the clinch but Tagochu has him pressed against the cage.

Tanahasi breaks the clinch.
Tanahasi takes a kick to the side of the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tanahasi. That's going to slow Tagochu down.
No joy there for Tanahasi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tagochu tries to clinch up
and Tanahasi counters with a left and a right that stings Tagochu.
Tanahasi misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A combination from Tanahasi does no damage.
Koji Tanahasi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tagochu moves in looking to clinch but Tanahasi pushes him off.
Tagochu darts in trying to clinch
and Tanahasi counters with a straight right hand.

Tagochu moves into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Tanahasi.

Tagochu has clasped his hands together around Tanahasi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Tagochu throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Tagochu working away.
Tagochu trying to control the action but Tanahasi is working from the bottom.
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 Koji Tanahasi will probably get the nod.
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!

Tanahasi swats away the attempt to clinch by Tagochu.
Tanahasi moves out of range as Tagochu throws a body kick.
Tagochu tries a head kick but it misses.
Tagochu tries to clinch up.
A good leg kick by Tanahasi.
Tanahasi sizes up Tagochu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tagochu throws a leg kick
and Tanahasi counters with a series of strikes. Tagochu will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tanahasi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tagochu tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Tanahasi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanahasi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tanahasi works the jab nicely.
Tagochu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tanahasi.
Tanahasi works over Tagochu's head and body with a nice combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanahasi lands a jab-cross combination.

Tagochu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tanahasi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tagochu backwards.
Tanahasi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tagochu gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Tagochu lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Tagochu is keen to just control but Tanahasi is a slippery customer.
Tanahasi trying to hold on to Tagochu's head to control him but Tagochu postures up.
Tanahasi is positioning himself well to prevent Tagochu advancing to mount.
Tanahasi gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanahasi manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Tagochu cracks the inside of Tanahasi's front leg.
Tanahasi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Tagochu darts in and clinches Tanahasi up against the cage.
Tagochu wants a takedown.
Tanahasi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tanahasi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tagochus head.
A left hand lands to the body for Tanahasi.
Tagochu throws an elbow that misses.
Come on Tanahasi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Tanahasi wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanahasi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tagochu backwards.
Tagochu is trying to drag Tanahasi to the mat but Tanahasi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Tanahasi manages to break the clinch.
Tagochu misses with a head kick.
Tanahasi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tagochu darts in trying to clinch

and Tanahasi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Tanahasi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tanahasi wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tagochu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tagochu looks to clinch
and Tanahasi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Tagochu clinches up against the cage.
Tagochu is looking to control Tanahasi's arms but Tanahasi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tagochu has his back to the cage.
Tagochu tries to pull guard but Tanahasi holds him up against the cage and eventually Tagochu drops back down to his feet.
Koji Tanahasi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryu Tagochu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tagochu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tanahasi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tagochu slips a jab and a cross from Tanahasi.
Tanahasi throws a nice looking combination but Tagochu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tagochu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tanahasi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tagochu is looking to clinch.
Tagochu tries to clinch up.
Tagochu closes the distance but Tanahasi moves to the side

and Tanahasi counters by moving into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Tanahasi.

Tanahasi breaks from the clinch.
Koji Tanahasi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tagochu misses with a takedown attempt - Tanahasi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tanahasi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ryu Tagochu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Koji Tanahasi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Some wild striking there from Tanahasi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Koji Tanahasi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tanahasi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:26
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Koji Tanahasi!