PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jims Second (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RIP Evan Tanner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanner has chosen Tornado of Souls - Megadeth as his entrance music. RIP Evan Tanner will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Second
vs
Evan Tanner

188 cm
31
202 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

180 cm
28
195 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jims Second!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, RIP Evan Tanner!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanner shoots in for a takedown but Second shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Tanner pushes Second up against the cage in a clinch.

Second is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tanner can't fight it off and eventually Second manages to take the fight to the floor. Tanner looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Second wants to pass the guard but Tanner is keeping the position.
Second throws a big right hand that misses.
Tanner can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Second controls the pace.

Tanner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Second wants to control from the top but Tanner keeps moving.

Tanner looking for a guillotine here but Second defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Second wants to control from the top but Tanner keeps moving.

Tanner looking for a guillotine here but Second defends easily.
Second missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tanner 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Tanner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Second manages to get himself to full guard.
Tanner is looking to work some ground and pound but Second has wrist control.
Tanner throws a strike but Second rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tanner is trying to keep Second in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Second controls from within his opponent's guard.
Second has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Tanner looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Second got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tanner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Second has managed to get both his arms back between Tanner's legs - danger averted.
Second not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Second's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Second trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tanner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Second doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Second manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Second stays in close to Tanner's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Second trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jims Second has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Tanner. Those never looked like landing.
Jab from Tanner.
Tanner misses with a straight right.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanner tries to clinch but Second moves away

and Second decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tanner's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tanner is looking for a triangle but Second pushes his legs off easily.
Second trying to control but Tanner is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but RIP Evan Tanner will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Second misses with a straight left.
Second avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tanner catches Second with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Second throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tanner was covering up waiting for the punch and Second finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Second wants to control from the top but Tanner keeps moving.
Second controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanner wants to sweep here but Second controlling him for the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Tanner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tanner is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Second not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Second trying to control but Tanner is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Second stands up over Tanner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Second accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tanner keeping full guard, as Second tries to pass.
Jims Second overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Tanner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Second doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Second manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Second is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Second wants to control from the top but Tanner keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Second doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Second manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Second wants to control from the top but Tanner keeps moving.

Tanner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tanner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Second defends well.
Second trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanner trying to control the position.
Second wants to control from the top but Tanner keeps moving.
Second in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Second got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tanner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Second has managed to get both his arms back between Tanner's legs - danger averted.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanner manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Poor strikes thrown by Tanner there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jims Second will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Second misses with a body shot.
Tanner drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Second throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tanner throws a jab when Second was well out of range.
Second uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tanner has time to react.
Second avoids the body shot from Tanner.
Tanner lands with a cross.
Second avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanner wants to clinch.
Tanner is looking to clinch but Second is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Second scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd cheers as Tanner lands an impressive looking overhand right. Second doesn't seem phased though.
A big right from Tanner misses.
Second thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tanner tries to clinch up but Second circles away and keeps his distance.
Second throws a big shot that misses.
Tanner looks to clinch
and Second counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Second drives through with a takedown into Tanner's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanner 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.
Second is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Tanner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Second got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tanner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Second has managed to get both his arms back between Tanner's legs - danger averted.
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!
Second is looking to advance position but Tanner has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Second regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Second pushes Tanner off looking to stand but Tanner dives back in and keeps control.
Second keeping control of the position.
Second is trying to stand.

Second makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Tanner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Second.
Tanner scores with a one two! Second had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Second avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Second misses with an uppercut.
RIP Evan Tanner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Second takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Second looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tanner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Second pulls his head out easily.
Tanner has hold of Second's hands but Second slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanner wants to get back to full guard.

Tanner actively working from the bottom here.
Tanner is refusing to be controlled, as Second sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jims Second.
I think Second 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jims Second!
Our winner, Jims Second, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.