PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryosuke Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenjiro Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanaka has chosen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7awMJwjhc4c&feature=related as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Kenjiro Tanaka enters the cage!

Takahashi
vs
Tanaka

180 cm
25
185 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

185 cm
20
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryosuke Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenjiro Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka misses the jab.
Tanaka lands with an overhand left.

It looks like Ryosuke Takahashi has been cut.
Takahashi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Takahashi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Takahashi content to stall in guard here.
Takahashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takahashi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Takahashi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Takahashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Takahashi 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.

Takahashi 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.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Takahashi slips under a jab from Tanaka.

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.
Takahashi shoots in but Tanaka avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Takahashi feints and as Tanaka raises his hands in defense, Takahashi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Takahashi wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
Tanaka wants to stand and escape but Takahashi is having none of it.
Takahashi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tanaka is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka is looking to stand up but Takahashi isn't so interested in that idea.

Takahashi has gone for a leg lock! Tanaka slips out almost immediately though and dives into Takahashi's guard.
Tanaka would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four 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.
Tanaka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tanaka tries to stand but Takahashi is controlling from the bottom.

Takahashi is working an open guard so Tanaka takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Takahashi slips a straight right by Tanaka.
Takahashi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tanaka connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Takahashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tanaka avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryosuke Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi shoots for a takedown but Tanaka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenjiro Tanaka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryosuke Takahashi's cut.
That's time! Takahashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takahashi defending well as Tanaka loads up on a big left hand.
Tanaka thows a left - swing and a miss!

Takahashi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tanaka manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Takahashi tries to free his leg and advance position but Tanaka is retaining full guard.

Takahashi postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tanaka is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Takahashi, into his guard.
Tanaka wants to get up but he can't break Takahashi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Takahashi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tanaka defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Takahashi working for a triangle but Tanaka defends it easily.
Tanaka tries to stand but Takahashi is controlling from the bottom.
Tanaka must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Takahashi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ryosuke Takahashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Takahashi with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A slow jab from Tanaka misses its intended target.
Tanaka throws a big shot that misses.
Tanaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takahashi ducks under a wild hook from Tanaka.
Takahashi fails with a takedown attempt.
Tanaka loads up on a big right hand but Takahashi slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Tanaka finds it's target.
Tanaka throws a lazy right hand but Takahashi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tanaka throws a jab when Takahashi was well out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Takahashi is defended easily by Tanaka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryosuke Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanaka throws the left hand but Takahashi avoids the punch easily.
Tanaka throws a hook to the side of Takahashi's head but Takahashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka misses the jab.
Tanaka misses with an uppercut. Takahashi saw that one coming.
Kenjiro Tanaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takahashi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tanaka is fending him off so far but Takahashi persists. Nope, Tanaka circles away and we're back to standing.
Tanaka misses the jab.

Tanaka gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tanaka wants to stand and escape but Takahashi is having none of it.

Takahashi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Takahashi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tanaka is looking to stand up but Takahashi isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kenjiro Tanaka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ryosuke Takahashi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tanaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Takahashi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Takahashi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Takahashi is rocked!
Tanaka fakes the leg kick and throws a superman punch. It's knocked Takahashi out cold! Brutal finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Superman Punch). Kenjiro Tanaka!