PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mack Gerhardt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takuma Tachibana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gerhardt comes to the cage accompanied by Gangstagrass - Long Hard Times to Come. Mack Gerhardt has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gerhardt
vs
Tachibana

182 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
26
184 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mack Gerhardt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takuma Tachibana!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Dean Styles and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gerhardt is looking to clinch but Tachibana is avoiding it.

Tachibana looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tachibana's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tachibana sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gerhardt tries to strike from the bottom.
Gerhardt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tachibana looking to sit in guard and control but Gerhardt gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gerhardt preventing the sweep.
Tachibana has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Gerhardt postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tachibana is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gerhardt, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gerhardt working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tachibana doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tachibana manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tachibana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tachibana accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tachibana is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tachibana scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tachibana really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gerhardt. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tachibana postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tachibana lands a couple of digs.
Tachibana controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tachibana distracts Gerhardt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tachibana is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tachibana landing with the ground and pound.
Tachibana in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tachibana wants to control from the top but Gerhardt keeps moving.
Tachibana scoring with some ground and pound.
Tachibana stands up over Gerhardt, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tachibana throws a big elbow that misses.
Tachibana with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Tachibana got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gerhardt has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tachibana has managed to get both his arms back between Gerhardt's legs - danger averted.
Tachibana cracks Gerhardt with a solid left hand.
Tachibana seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tachibana is working Gerhardt over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tachibana looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tachibana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tachibana trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gerhardt striking off his back but it's not causing Tachibana any problems.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tachibana's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tachibana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tachibana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gerhardt is breathing heavily.

Gerhardt looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tachibana works over Gerhardt with some ground and pound from guard.
Tachibana stands up over Gerhardt, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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!
Tachibana not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tachibana stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gerhardt swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tachibana with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tachibana controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tachibana with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tachibana's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tachibana must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tachibana trying to control the position from guard on top but Gerhardt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gerhardt keeping full guard, as Tachibana tries to pass.
Tachibana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tachibana scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tachibana works over Gerhardt with some ground and pound from guard.
Tachibana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tachibana's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tachibana stands up over Gerhardt, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Gerhardt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tachibana defends well.
Tachibana is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tachibana fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gerhardt to the ground. Tachibana is now in Gerhardt's guard.
Gerhardt keeping moving, preventing Tachibana from controlling successfully.
Tachibana is stalling in the full guard.
Tachibana trying to control the position from guard on top but Gerhardt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gerhardt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tachibana defends well.
Tachibana lands a couple of elbows.
Tachibana is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tachibana trying to control the position from guard on top but Gerhardt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tachibana postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gerhardt had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tachibana defends it easily.
Gerhardt has momentary wrist control but Tachibana slips an elbow through the middle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tachibana is working Gerhardt over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tachibana lands a couple of elbows.
Tachibana not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gerhardt wants to stand but Tachibana is controlling the position.

Tachibana avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tachibana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tachibana lands a couple of digs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tachibana cracks Gerhardt with a solid left hand.
Takuma Tachibana has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tachibana engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Tachibana is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gerhardt can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tachibana controls the pace.
Tachibana lands a couple of digs.
Tachibana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tachibana distracts Gerhardt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tachibana seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tachibana with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tachibana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tachibana is stalling in the full guard.
Tachibana chips away with some ground and pound.
Tachibana controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Takuma Tachibana wasn't active enough on the ground.

Tachibana looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Gerhardt has hold of Tachibana's hands but Tachibana slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tachibana working over Gerhardt with some ground and pound. Gerhardt looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Tachibana drops an elbow to the side of Gerhardt's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tachibana is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ground and pound from Tachibana.
Tachibana lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tachibana is nestled in close to Gerhardt, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gerhardt is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tachibana scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tachibana is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tachibana not doing much here.
Gerhardt tries to kick Tachibana off but Tachibana keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tachibana is nestled in close to Gerhardt, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tachibana trying to mount his opponent but Gerhardt defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takuma Tachibana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tachibana throws a wild body kick that Gerhardt sees coming a mile off.

Tachibana shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tachibana showed some decent athleticism there.
Tachibana takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tachibana takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tachibana controlling the action here.
Tachibana looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tachibana with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Tachibana lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gerhardt is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tachibana pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tachibana working Gerhardt over with strikes.
Tachibana content to control rather than advance.
Gerhardt taking some punishment here, with Tachibana in his half guard.
Tachibana looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Gerhardt punching from the bottom.
Tachibana working Gerhardt over with strikes.
Tachibana winds up and cracks Gerhardt with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tachibana content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Gerhardt won't allow Tachibana to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tachibana is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
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!
Tachibana working the head and body with strikes.
Tachibana lands with a punch from half guard.

Gerhardt is rocked!
Nice strikes from Tachibana there.
Oh Gerhardt is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tachibana lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tachibana content to control rather than advance.
Tachibana scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gerhardt on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tachibana lands a big elbow - Gerhardt is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Tachibana!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Takuma Tachibana!