PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shinji Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tanaka might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Yuudachi. John Shepard will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Tanaka
vs
Shepard

160 cm
22
130 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
135 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Shepard!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepard connects with an inside leg kick.
Tanaka walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shepard.
Tanaka gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Shepard.
Shepard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tanaka.
Shepard misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shepard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shepard lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shepard misses with a body shot.

Tanaka instigates a clinch.

Tanaka has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Shepard regains guard immediately.
Tanaka throwing strikes from guard but Shepard blocks nicely.
Tanaka trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shepard is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tanaka is controlling him.
Tanaka trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard wants to sweep but no luck.
Tanaka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tanaka postures up in Shepard's guard and throws a big left but Shepard blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanaka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Shepard keeps moving.
Tanaka is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Tanaka is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka advances position into side control!
Tanaka laying and praying for a moment but Shepard takes advantage and regains half guard.
Shepard is refusing to be controlled, as Tanaka sits in half guard.
Tanaka throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tanaka looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Tanaka stops Shepard from getting back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanaka is looking to advance position but Shepard won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shepard manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shepard is looking to stand up but Tanaka isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tanaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shepard is keeping the position for now.
Tanaka trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard is looking to stand up but Tanaka isn't so interested in that idea.
Tanaka wants to pass the guard but Shepard is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard trying to control the position.
Shepard managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Shepard.
Shepard blocks a head kick by Tanaka.
Shepard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shepard is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepard tries to land a body kick
and Tanaka counters with a two punch combo.
Shepard misses with a straight right.
Tanaka tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Shepard counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shepard throws the kick towards the body but Tanaka avoids it.

Tanaka feints and as Shepard raises his hands in defense, Tanaka changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tanaka trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard wants to stand but Tanaka is controlling the position.
Shepard wants to sweep here but Tanaka controlling him for the moment.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Tanaka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tanaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shepard is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka with a nice head shot there.
Shepard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tanaka.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Shepard manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Tanaka has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tanaka controls Shepard momentarily but Shepard frees himself.
Tanaka might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Tanaka has Shepard pulled in close to control his posture.

Tanaka is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Shepard is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard is trying to break the clinch but Tanaka has him pressed against the cage.
Tanaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shepard prevents it.
Shepard tries to break the clinch but Tanaka is controlling the position.
Shepard has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Shepard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tanaka shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shepard as he jumps to the side.
Shinji Tanaka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tanaka tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tanaka looks to land a combination but Shepard avoids it well.
Tanaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shepard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shepard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Shepard. That one must have hurt.
Tanaka tries to clinch up but Shepard circles away and keeps his distance.
John Shepard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shepard throws a hook to the side of Tanaka's head but Tanaka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A decent looking cross lands there for Shepard.
Shepard has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Shepard scores with a body shot.

Tanaka moves into the clinch.
Shepard wants to break free but Tanaka has control.
Shepard tries to break free but Tanaka pushes him back against the cage.
Tanaka drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shepard pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinji Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shepard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shepard scores with a nice body kick.
Shepard stuffs the takedown attempt from Tanaka. Tanaka gets slowly back to his feet.
Shepard tries to land a front kick but Tanaka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shepard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tanaka fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shepard lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepard tries a head kick but it misses.
John Shepard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shepard throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Shepard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shepard lands with a good body shot.

Tanaka drives through with a takedown into Shepard's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Shepard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shepard controls Tanaka momentarily but Tanaka frees himself.
Tanaka tries to free his leg and advance position but Shepard is retaining full guard.
Tanaka trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

John Shepard has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tanaka takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard works Tanaka's body with a nice hook.
Tanaka tries to clinch up.
Tanaka misses with a straight right.
Tanaka on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shepard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shepard with a hook.
Shepard looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shepard looks to throw a body kick

and Tanaka holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tanaka drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tanaka has Shepard pressed against the cage, preventing Shepard from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepard breaks the clinch.
Tanaka closes the distance but Shepard moves to the side
and Shepard counters with an outside leg kick.
Tanaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shepard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tanaka needs to keep his hands up - Shepard had a free shot at his head there.
Tanaka wants to clinch up but Shepard keeps it at a distance.
Shepard throws a looping overhand right but Tanaka ducks down to avoid it.
Tanaka takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Tanaka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tanaka looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard is looking to break free of the clinch but Tanaka has double underhooks.

Shepard breaks from the clinch.
Shepard finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Tanaka shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tanaka showed some decent athleticism there.
Tanaka throws a strike but Shepard avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Shepard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tanaka trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tanaka!
Tanaka wants to hold on but Shepard pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Shepard is looking to take a break and control but Tanaka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Shepard stands up out of the half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanaka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tanaka tries to clinch but Shepard is having none of it.
Tanaka walks into a left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepard throws a big shot that misses.
Tanaka takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tanaka avoids the head kick by Shepard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but John Shepard just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tanaka has Shepard up against the cage in a clinch.
Tanaka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shepard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tanaka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shepard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tanaka is trying to drag Shepard to the mat but Shepard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinji Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanaka prevents Shepard from breaking the clinch.
Tanaka has Shepard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shepard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shepard looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Tanaka gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Shepard has one foot on Tanaka's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shepard throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shepard scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tanaka doesn't seem bothered though.
Shepard lunges at Tanaka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tanaka's hand.
Shepard misses with the combination.
Shepard scores with a hook.
Shepard lands an overhand right.
Tanaka shoots in and drives through. Shepard sprawls well.
Shepard throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka drops his hands momentarily and Shepard takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shepard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tanaka.
Shepard bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Shepard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Shepard lands a slapping body shot.
Tanaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shepard swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Tanaka clinches.

Shepard manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanaka on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
John Shepard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No luck for Tanaka with that takedown attempt.
Shepard pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shepard plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tanaka on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tanaka blocks a leg kick.
Shepard connects with the punch.
Shepard throws a leg kick which misses Tanaka's front leg but catches the back leg as Tanaka tries to avoid it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shepard.

Tanaka closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Tanaka working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard is looking for a sweep.
Shepard is not content to let Tanaka control the position.

Tanaka is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shepard is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shepard takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka wants to control for a moment but Shepard uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but John Shepard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Tanaka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shepard swivels and escapes.
Tanaka fails in his attempt to clinch.
A head kick from Shepard lands but Tanaka takes it in his stride.
Shepard lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Tanaka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tanaka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shepard's efforts to push away.

Shepard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shepard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tanaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka shoots in looking for a takedown. Shepard tries to sprawl out of it but Tanaka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shepard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shepard just misses with a punch to the body.

Tanaka darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Tanaka is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tanaka working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Shepard's thigh. Shepard counters though and makes it back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepard is looking for a triangle but Tanaka pushes his legs off easily.
Tanaka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shepard controlling the position.
Tanaka throws a big right hand that misses.

Tanaka drops back looking for a leg! Shepard is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shepard manages to kick Tanaka off! Tanaka jumps back into Shepard's guard.
Tanaka tries to free his leg and advance position but Shepard is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Shinji Tanaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tanaka postures up.
Tanaka wants to pass the guard but Shepard is keeping the position.
Tanaka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Shepard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Shepard manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Tanaka has a closed guard, preventing Shepard from standing up.
Shinji Tanaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Shepard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shepard.

Shepard drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tanaka manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Shepard has Tanaka in his guard.
Tanaka wants to pass the guard but Shepard is keeping the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinji Tanaka showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shepard has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 47:48
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 47:48
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... John Shepard!