PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Royal Tenenbaum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Rakusaba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakusaba has chosen David Bowie - Suffragette City as his entrance music. On his way into the ring it seems that Royal Tenenbaum has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Royal Tenenbaum seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Tenenbaum
vs
Rakusaba

176 cm
28
183 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

183 cm
28
181 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Royal Tenenbaum!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Rakusaba!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tenenbaum wants to land a leg kick but Rakusaba is out of range.
Rakusaba shoots and misses
and Tenenbaum cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rakusaba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tenenbaum counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Kazushi Rakusaba has been cut.
Rakusaba takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tenenbaum lands an overhand right.
A bone on bone clash there as Rakusaba blocks the leg kick.
Rakusaba shoots and misses
and Tenenbaum counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Royal Tenenbaum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Rakusaba.

Rakusaba gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rakusaba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tenenbaum fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Rakusaba tries to keep at a distance but Tenenbaum has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenenbaum stalling against the ropes.
Rakusaba tries to score a body lock takedown but Tenenbaum shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tenenbaum is working Rakusaba over against the ropes.
Tenenbaum stalls.
A short body shot lands from Tenenbaum as the two fighters clinch.
Rakusaba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tenenbaum fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tenenbaum looks to land a combination but Rakusaba avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rakusaba scores with a takedown into Tenenbaum's guard.
Tenenbaum wants to stand and escape but Rakusaba is having none of it.
Tenenbaum 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.
Rakusaba is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rakusaba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rakusaba defending well as Tenenbaum loads up on a big left hand.
Royal Tenenbaum is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rakusaba ducks under a wild hook from Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum looks to land a left hand but Rakusaba moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Tenenbaum does it's job there.
Rakusaba gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tenenbaum counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakusaba tries for a takedown but Tenenbaum circles away easily
letting Tenenbaum counter with a right hand.

Tenenbaum drives through and clinches with Rakusaba against the ropes.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tenenbaum obliges.
Rakusaba looks gassed!
Tenenbaum dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Tenenbaum is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rakusaba is defending well for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A left hand lands to the body for Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum works on Rakusaba's body with a couple of short punches.
Tenenbaum is struggling to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royal Tenenbaum dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Rakusaba's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rakusaba slips a jab from Tenenbaum.

Tenenbaum has closed the distance and engaged Rakusaba in a clinch.
Tenenbaum digs a right hand underneath Rakusaba's ribcage. Rakusaba let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tenenbaum prevents the takedown attempt.
Rakusaba is working for takedown but Tenenbaum is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tenenbaum gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rakusaba.
Royal Tenenbaum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Rakusaba.
Tenenbaum stalling in the clinch.
Tenenbaum is leaning against Rakusaba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tenenbaum scores with a shoulder strike.
Good body shot from Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum controlling the action here for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenenbaum digs a right hand underneath Rakusaba's ribcage. Rakusaba let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rakusaba is breathing heavily.
Stalling in the clinch from Tenenbaum.
A left hand lands to the body for Tenenbaum.
Stalling in the clinch from Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum lands a body shot in the clinch.
Tenenbaum lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rakusaba backwards.
Rakusaba goes for a takedown attempt but Tenenbaum pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rakusaba walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakusaba walks into a straight right hand from Tenenbaum.
Rakusaba with a poor takedown

and Tenenbaum counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tenenbaum pushes Rakusaba back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tenenbaum's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A short body shot lands from Tenenbaum as the two fighters clinch.
Royal Tenenbaum has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tenenbaum scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A left hand lands to the body for Tenenbaum.
Rakusaba drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tenenbaum gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tenenbaum scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tenenbaum stops a takedown attempt from Rakusaba.
Tenenbaum is leaning against Rakusaba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tenenbaum takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rakusaba is working for takedown but Tenenbaum is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tenenbaum scores with a hook to the body.
Rakusaba takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tenenbaum cracks Rakusaba with a nice body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Tenenbaum.
A shot in the inside from Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum is leaning against Rakusaba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tenenbaum taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum digs a right hand into Rakusaba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rakusaba's gas tank.
Tenenbaum presses Rakusaba against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tenenbaum presses Rakusaba against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Tenenbaum breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tenenbaum's corner calls for a 1-2. Tenenbaum obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tenenbaum scores with a jab to the head.
Tenenbaum misses with a jab, cross combination.

Tenenbaum moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royal Tenenbaum dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Rakusaba's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tenenbaum has Rakusaba up against the ropes in a clinch.

Rakusaba turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rakusaba manages to end up in side control.
Tenenbaum is looking to regain half guard here but Rakusaba keeps moving and retains side control.
Tenenbaum defending against the ground and pound.
Rakusaba tries to move to mount but Tenenbaum blocks the move with his legs.
Rakusaba taking a breather here.
Rakusaba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenenbaum can't do much from the bottom here.
Tenenbaum is trying to work for a sweep but Rakusaba has mounted him!

That's two 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.
Tenenbaum is desperately trying to improve his position but Rakusaba has a good base and remains in mount.
You get the feeling that Tenenbaum really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Tenenbaum is in all sorts of trouble here.
Tenenbaum wants to use the ropes to get back to his feet here.
Rakusaba trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tenenbaum is in a horrible position here. Rakusaba smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Rakusaba controlling from mount.
Tenenbaum is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rakusaba trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Rakusaba really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Rakusaba's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rakusaba doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tenenbaum counters with a nice uppercut.
Rakusaba doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tenenbaum counters with a good low kick that Rakusaba was not able to check.
Rakusaba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rakusaba has his takedown stuffed

and Tenenbaum counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tenenbaum.
Royal Tenenbaum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Rakusaba.
Rakusaba is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rakusaba takes a shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Tenenbaum.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenenbaum stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Tenenbaum landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A short right from Tenenbaum on the inside.
Tenenbaum effectively controlling the action here.
Tenenbaum unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Tenenbaum lands with a left to the head.
Rakusaba takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tenenbaum effectively controlling the action here.
Tenenbaum lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rakusaba drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tenenbaum pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rakusaba takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tenenbaum uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kazushi Rakusaba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Tenenbaum darts in and clinches Rakusaba up against the ropes.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tenenbaum obliges.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tenenbaum breaks the clinch.
Tenenbaum lands a jab.
Tenenbaum connects with a single shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Tenenbaum.

Rakusaba moves into the clinch successfully.
A short uppercut from Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rakusaba tries to score a body lock takedown but Tenenbaum shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tenenbaum slowing the pace effectively.
Tenenbaum is leaning against Rakusaba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A body shot lands from Tenenbaum.
Rakusaba is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Tenenbaum gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tenenbaum scores with a hook to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Tenenbaum.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tenenbaum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tenenbaum jabs Rakusaba to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Tenenbaum clinches up with Rakusaba and pushes him back against the ropes.
Tenenbaum missing with knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Tenenbaum.
A short body shot lands from Tenenbaum as the two fighters clinch.
Tenenbaum taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Tenenbaum - that landed with a thud.
A body shot lands from Tenenbaum.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tenenbaum pushes Rakusaba back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Rakusaba letting Tenenbaum take a breather here.
Tenenbaum lands a body shot in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royal Tenenbaum had his way with Kazushi Rakusaba in that round.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Rakusaba's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tenenbaum connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rakusaba momentarily.
Rakusaba with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tenenbaum connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tenenbaum misses with a body punch

and Rakusaba counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tenenbaum!
Rakusaba looking to control but Tenenbaum is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rakusaba is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Tenenbaum is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenenbaum is trying desperately to improve position.
Rakusaba controlling from the full mount.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Tenenbaum is trying to escape the mount.

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.
Rakusaba trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakusaba looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rakusaba looking to control but Tenenbaum is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Royal Tenenbaum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kazushi Rakusaba hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rakusaba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Tenenbaum counter with a right hand.
Rakusaba misses with a takedown attempt
and Tenenbaum counters with a right hand to the body.
Royal Tenenbaum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Rakusaba.
Tenenbaum just misses with a punch to the body.
Rakusaba has his takedown stuffed
and Tenenbaum counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kazushi Rakusaba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tenenbaum lands a right hook to the body.

Tenenbaum has taken the fight to the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Rakusaba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tenenbaum has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 48:45
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 48:45
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 48:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Royal Tenenbaum!
Royal Tenenbaum is the new welterweight champion!