PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yushinori Tanagawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Stevenson
vs
Tanagawa

186 cm
23
215 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

188 cm
19
215 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Blake Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Yushinori Tanagawa!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanagawa misses with a wild combination.

Tanagawa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stevenson's half guard.
Tanagawa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stevenson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Tanagawa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Tanagawa is working for a kimura but Stevenson is defending it quite comfortably.
Stevenson regains full guard. Nicely done.

Tanagawa drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stevenson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tanagawa has Stevenson in his guard.
Tanagawa wants to stand but Stevenson is controlling the position.

Stevenson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stevenson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tanagawa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanagawa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tanagawa lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stevenson!
Tanagawa lands a heavy elbow.
Stevenson is looking to improve his position but Tanagawa isn't that keen on the idea.

Tanagawa jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Stevenson manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Stevenson is not content to let Tanagawa control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanagawa is trying to get an arm triangle but Stevenson is defending well.
Tanagawa working the ground and pound.
Stevenson tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Tanagawa easily slips into full mount!
Stevenson tries to hold on but Tanagawa postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevenson is trying to escape the mount.
Stevenson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Tanagawa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Stevenson to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Stevenson shrugs it off.
Stevenson working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanagawa looking to control but Stevenson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.
A nice elbow there by Tanagawa.

It looks like Blake Stevenson has been cut.

Tanagawa looking for a guillotine from mount but Stevenson is having none of it.

Tanagawa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Stevenson has worked his arm free - good work by Stevenson!
Tanagawa working the head with strikes.
Stevenson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Tanagawa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tanagawa decides to stand back up. Tanagawa steps back and let's Stevenson get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tanagawa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Tanagawa stands up from half guard.

Tanagawa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stevenson did well to prevent Tanagawa getting side control.
Well, if Tanagawa is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tanagawa lands a nice short elbow.

Tanagawa seems to be working for a kimura but Stevenson defends the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tanagawa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stevenson has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yushinori Tanagawa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blake Stevenson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tanagawa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Stevenson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Tanagawa working the head and body with strikes.
Stevenson is not content to let Tanagawa control the position.

Tanagawa tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Tanagawa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Stevenson is looking to regain half guard here but Tanagawa keeps moving and retains side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanagawa has hold of Stevenson's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Stevenson seems comfortable defending it but Tanagawa has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Stevenson is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Stevenson is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Tanagawa couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Yushinori Tanagawa!