PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kiyoshi Tanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Rikishi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rikishi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Kill all american Scum kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Hiro Rikishi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tanabe
vs
Rikishi

169 cm
26
135 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

166 cm
26
140 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Terror-Trition: Video Proven 155Q for $49 [†CoE†]
Terror-Trition: Video Proven 155Q for $49 [†CoE†]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Kiyoshi Tanabe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hiro Rikishi!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rikishi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tanabe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rikishi is looking to clinch but Tanabe is avoiding it.
Rikishi tries to clinch but Tanabe is having none of it.
Tanabe blocks the body kick.
Rikishi is looking to slow Tanabe down with leg kicks.
Rikishi moves in looking to clinch but Tanabe pushes him off.
Rikishi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rikishi lands a nice looking body kick.
Rikishi moves in looking to clinch but Tanabe pushes him off.
Nice sprawl there from Tanabe as Rikishi shoots in.
Tanabe throws a body punch but Rikishi moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rikishi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rikishi misses with a straight left.

Rikishi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tanabe trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rikishi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Rikishi seems to be looking for submissions.
Tanabe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rikishi.
Rikishi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tanabe defending well though.
Tanabe on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tanabe tries to get out of the position.
Rikishi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rikishi wants to control but Tanabe is keeping him busy.
Rikishi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rikishi throws a right hand that Tanabe ducks under and follows up with a left that Tanabe also avoids with ease.
Tanabe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rikishi.

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.
Rikishi scores with a jab to the head.
Rikishi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rikishi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rikishi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rikishi tries to clinch there but Tanabe circles away.
Tanabe avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rikishi misses with an uppercut. Tanabe saw that one coming.
Rikishi tries to close the distance and clinch but Tanabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rikishi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tanabe counters with a leg kick.
Rikishi tries to clinch but Tanabe is having none of it.
Tanabe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rikishi darts in trying to clinch
and Tanabe counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanabe walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rikishi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A big right from Rikishi misses.
Hiro Rikishi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rikishi moves in looking to clinch but Tanabe pushes him off.
Rikishi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tanabe sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tanabe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rikishi closes the distance but Tanabe moves to the side
and Tanabe counters with an outside leg kick.
Kiyoshi Tanabe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rikishi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tanabe counters with a nice body shot.
Rikishi misses with a double jab
and Tanabe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rikishi avoids the body shot from Tanabe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanabe on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tanabe throws a series of punches but Rikishi moves out of range.
Rikishi shoots in but Tanabe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kiyoshi Tanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Rikishi.
Rikishi closes the distance but Tanabe moves to the side
and Tanabe counters with a good low kick that Rikishi was not able to check.
Rikishi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tanabe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rikishi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rikishi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tanabe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rikishi somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rikishi.
Rikishi fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiyoshi Tanabe dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rikishi wants to clinch but Tanabe slips to the side
and Tanabe counters with a series of strikes. Rikishi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rikishi falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Tanabe to counter with a crisp jab.
Rikishi thows a leg kick but Tanabe checks it
and Tanabe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rikishi clinches but Tanabe breaks the clinch
and Tanabe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rikishi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tanabe counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tanabe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanabe moves away from the strike by Rikishi.
Rikishi looks to land a right hand but Tanabe moved out of range.
Rikishi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tanabe counters with an outside leg kick.
Rikishi tries to clinch but Tanabe moves away
and Tanabe counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanabe is looking to slow Rikishi down with leg kicks.
Rikishi looks to land a right hand but Tanabe moved out of range.
Tanabe misses with a hook.
Rikishi moves in looking to clinch but Tanabe pushes him off.

Rikishi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tanabe is trying to defend but Rikishi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rikishi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tanabe keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rikishi is trying to control. Tanabe wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rikishi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tanabe defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rikishi throwing shots but Tanabe is blocking nicely.
Tanabe trying to control but Rikishi postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rikishi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tanabe does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rikishi stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rikishi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tanabe makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tanabe throws a shot to the body.
Tanabe takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tanabe misses with a wild combination.
Rikishi loads up on a big right hand but Tanabe slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Rikishi does it's job there.
Rikishi tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Tanabe counters with a thumping low kick.
Rikishi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rikishi wants to clinch
and Tanabe counters with a series of strikes. Rikishi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rikishi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tanabe counters with a nice leg kick.
Rikishi tries to clinch but Tanabe moves away
and Tanabe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice body kick from Rikishi.
Tanabe misses with a few strikes there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tanabe checks a leg kick.
Rikishi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rikishi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rikishi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Tanabe to counter with a crisp jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tanabe checks a leg kick.
Rikishi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rikishi is looking to slow Tanabe down with leg kicks.
Rikishi misses the jab.
Rikishi wants to clinch.
Rikishi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiyoshi Tanabe dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A lazy left from Rikishi finds it's target.
Rikishi closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tanabe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rikishi doesn't manage to clinch there - Tanabe circles away.
Rikishi tries to clinch
and Tanabe counters with an outside leg kick.
Rikishi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kiyoshi Tanabe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rikishi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tanabe checks it well.
Tanabe showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rikishi.
Tanabe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tanabe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rikishi misses with a double jab
and Tanabe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rikishi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rikishi throws a combination that misses
letting Tanabe counter with a right hand.
Rikishi wants to clinch
and Tanabe counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rikishi's knee momentarily.
Tanabe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rikishi throws out the jab.
Rikishi looks to land a combination but Tanabe avoids it well.
Tanabe takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rikishi tries for a takedown but Tanabe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tanabe checks a leg kick nicely.
Rikishi wants to clinch but Tanabe slips to the side
and Tanabe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rikishi throws a body kick the misses
and Tanabe counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rikishi misses with a two punch combination.
Rikishi clinches but Tanabe breaks the clinch
and Tanabe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rikishi thinking.
Rikishi wants to clinch up but Tanabe keeps it at a distance.
Tanabe digs a good hook to Rikishi's body.
Rikishi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tanabe throws a body punch but Rikishi moves out of range.
Kiyoshi Tanabe is winning the standup battle so far.
Rikishi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tanabe checks it well.
Rikishi throws a combination that misses
and Tanabe counters with a straight right hand.
Rikishi looks to land a right hand but Tanabe moved out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rikishi checks a leg kick.
Rikishi lands a head kick!
Rikishi tries to close the distance and clinch but Tanabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rikishi tries to clinch but Tanabe is having none of it.
Rikishi throws a nice looking combination but Tanabe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rikishi closes the distance but Tanabe moves to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A low kick from Rikishi is predictable there
and Tanabe counters with a one-two to the body.
Rikishi tries to clinch up
and Tanabe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rikishi thinking.
Rikishi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tanabe avoids it really well and circles away.
Rikishi darts in trying to clinch
enabling Tanabe to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rikishi throws a leg kick
and Tanabe counters with a low kick, right behind Rikishi 's knee.
Rikishi is looking to slow Tanabe down with leg kicks.
Rikishi moves out of range of the leg kick from Tanabe.
Rikishi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Tanabe counters with a series of strikes. Rikishi will be more careful next time no doubt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tanabe.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanabe staying out of range there.
Rikishi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tanabe counters with a low kick, right behind Rikishi 's knee.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rikishi circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiyoshi Tanabe clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rikishi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tanabe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rikishi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tanabe counters with a two punch combo.
Rikishi tries to clinch but Tanabe is having none of it.
Rikishi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rikishi tries to clinch up but Tanabe circles away and keeps his distance.
Rikishi throws and low kick but Tanabe moves out of range easily.
Rikishi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tanabe counters with a good low kick that Rikishi was not able to check.
Tanabe is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rikishi misses with a double jab
and Tanabe counters with a three punch combo that has Rikishi backing up. Rikishi nods at Tanabe to acknowledge the strikes.
Tanabe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rikishi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Rikishi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rikishi misses with a takedown attempt - Tanabe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rikishi looks to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rikishi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rikishi moves out of range of the leg kick from Tanabe.
Rikishi swinging wildly here.
Rikishi closes the distance but Tanabe moves to the side
and Tanabe counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rikishi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tanabe counters with a series of strikes. Rikishi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rikishi wants to clinch but Tanabe slips to the side
and Tanabe counters with a one-two to the body.
Rikishi throws a combination that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rikishi closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tanabe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rikishi thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Rikishi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rikishi shoots in for a takedown but Tanabe shows good takedown defense.
Rikishi closes the distance but Tanabe moves to the side
and Tanabe counters with an inside leg kick.
Rikishi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tanabe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tanabe misses with a low kick as Rikishi jumps back.
Rikishi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tanabe attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rikishi misses with a takedown attempt - Tanabe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kiyoshi Tanabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Rikishi.
Tanabe misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rikishi misses with a combination
and Tanabe counters with a low kick, right behind Rikishi 's knee.
Rikishi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Some bone on bone action there as Rikishi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rikishi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tanabe makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tanabe throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rikishi misses with a combination
and Tanabe counters with an inside leg kick.
Tanabe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rikishi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rikishi tries to clinch up.
A big left from Rikishi misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tanabe scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A swing and a miss from Rikishi.
Rikishi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rikishi tries to clinch up but Tanabe circles away and keeps his distance.
The fighters circling - Rikishi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rikishi throws the left hand but Tanabe avoids the punch easily.
Tanabe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rikishi can do to turn this around?
Rikishi scores with a decent looking hook.
Tanabe on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rikishi. Rikishi obviously looking to wear him down.
Rikishi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rikishi tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiyoshi Tanabe had his way with Hiro Rikishi in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rikishi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tanabe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rikishi tries to clinch up but Tanabe circles away and keeps his distance.
Rikishi misses with a combination
and Tanabe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rikishi tries to clinch up
and Tanabe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tanabe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rikishi.
Rikishi misses with a kick to the body
and Rikishi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rikishi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tanabe gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rikishi.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rikishi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanabe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rikishi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rikishi darts in trying to clinch
and Tanabe makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rikishi misses with a combination
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rikishi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rikishi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rikishi tries to clinch but Tanabe is having none of it.
Kiyoshi Tanabe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rikishi tries to close the distance and clinch but Tanabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tanabe swats away the attempt to clinch by Rikishi.
Rikishi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tanabe counters with a three punch combo that has Rikishi backing up. Rikishi nods at Tanabe to acknowledge the strikes.
Rikishi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tanabe counters with an outside leg kick.
Rikishi throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rikishi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tanabe. Tanabe obviously looking to wear him down.
Rikishi is looking to clinch but Tanabe is avoiding it.
Rikishi misses with a leg kick
and Tanabe counters with a series of strikes. Rikishi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rikishi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tanabe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rikishi thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rikishi wants to clinch but Tanabe slips to the side
and Tanabe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rikishi clinches but Tanabe breaks the clinch
and Tanabe counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rikishi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tanabe makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tanabe moves out of range of the strikes.
Tanabe circles away from the clinch attempt
and Tanabe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rikishi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tanabe sprawls well. Tanabe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rikishi gets slowly back to his feet.
Rikishi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Rikishi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tanabe's waist but Tanabe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rikishi off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rikishi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tanabe counters with a right hand to the body.
Rikishi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rikishi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rikishi misses with a low kick.
Hiro Rikishi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rikishi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tanabe counters with a left to the body.
Rikishi wants to clinch but Tanabe slips to the side
and Tanabe counters with a good low kick that Rikishi was not able to check.
A low kick from Rikishi is predictable there
and Tanabe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rikishi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tanabe counters with a one-two to the body.
Rikishi throws a head kick that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rikishi, right into the meat.
Rikishi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rikishi misses with a combination
and Tanabe counters with a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kiyoshi Tanabe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tanabe, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kiyoshi Tanabe!
Kiyoshi Tanabe retains his bantamweight title!