PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shinji Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malutin Andrey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanaka's entrance music is Yuudachi. A fine choice. Andrey has chosen Gunther -Ding Dong Song as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Malutin Andrey will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Tanaka
vs
Andrey

160 cm
29
139 lbs
13 - 9 - 1

177 cm
28
146 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Malutin Andrey!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Andrey. Andrey obviously looking to wear him down.
A big right from Andrey misses.
Andrey throws a low kick, looking for Tanaka's leg but Tanaka calmly moves out of range.
Andrey scores with a head kick. Tanaka tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Andrey loads up on a big right hand but Tanaka slips the punch.
Andrey throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tanaka slips a jab and a cross from Andrey.
Andrey takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Andrey lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tanaka takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Tanaka is rocked!
Tanaka tries a head kick but it misses.
Oh Tanaka is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Andrey ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Tanaka seems to have got his legs back now.
Andrey lands a head shot.
Malutin Andrey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Andrey connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tanaka.
Andrey told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Tanaka wants to control but Andrey is keeping him busy.

Tanaka is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Andrey knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Andrey is pushing Tanaka's head away, looking to escape. Tanaka manages to hold on to the position though.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Andrey keeps working.
We've been hearing good reports from Tanaka's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Andrey is pushing Tanaka's head away, looking to escape. Tanaka manages to hold on to the position though.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to control the position but Andrey is working away.
Tanaka takes a little break here. Andrey wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Tanaka prevents Andrey from escaping the position.

Tanaka tries for a kimura but Andrey is defending well.
Tanaka tries to score with some ground and pound. Andrey controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Andrey stops Tanaka from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrey wants to get back to his feet but Tanaka drags him back down.
Tanaka wants to control but Andrey is keeping him busy.
Tanaka tries to advance to mount but Andrey denies him.
Andrey is trying to get back to his feet.
Tanaka passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Andrey!
You get the feeling that Andrey really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanaka with a couple of short strikes.
Tanaka can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Andrey is looking to escape.
Andrey is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Andrey is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Tanaka wants to control the pace but Andrey is squirming around nicely.
Andrey's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Tanaka has hold of Andrey's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Andrey manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Andrey is trying to stand.
Tanaka sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shinji Tanaka will probably get the nod.
That's time! Tanaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tanaka takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Andrey just misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Andrey wants to slow Tanaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Tanaka misses with a low kick.
Tanaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Andrey throws a sloppy head kick and Tanaka moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andrey tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tanaka is able to avoid easily.
Tanaka darts in looking for a takedown but Andrey gets double underhooks and turns Tanaka into the cage.
Tanaka misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but Andrey holds him up against the cage and eventually Tanaka drops back down to his feet.
Andrey lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrey throws a punch but it's blocked by Tanaka.
Andrey working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Andrey working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tanaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Andrey misses with the head strike.
Andrey has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Andrey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Andrey fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Andrey throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.
Tanaka blocks a head kick by Andrey.
Tanaka avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Andrey has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Andrey is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanaka.
Sloppy strikes from Andrey. Those never looked like landing.
Andrey tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka lands a body shot.
Malutin Andrey is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Andrey throws a head kick that misses.
Andrey looks to land a left hand but Tanaka moved out of range nicely.
Tanaka blocks a low kick nicely.
Tanaka blocks a head kick by Andrey.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab by Tanaka.
Tanaka avoids the head kick by Andrey.
Tanaka moves out of range of the strikes.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Andrey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tanaka.
Andrey dips to his left and cracks Tanaka with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka scores with a sloppy right hand. Andrey should have avoided that one.
Andrey lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tanaka at a distance.
Andrey throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tanaka's head.
Tanaka cracks Andrey with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Andrey scores with a head kick.
Andrey slaps away a takedown attempt from Tanaka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinji Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tanaka.
Andrey connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tanaka throws a body punch but Andrey moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andrey keeps Tanaka at a distance using the push kick.
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!
Andrey throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Andrey misses with a two punch combination.
Andrey throws a head kick that misses.
Andrey looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Malutin Andrey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tanaka checks a low kick from Andrey.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tanaka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Andrey pinned against the cage. Andrey gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tanaka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Andrey's waist but Andrey gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tanaka off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malutin Andrey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tanaka throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Andrey tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tanaka is in Andrey's guard.
Tanaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Andrey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andrey is looking to stand up but Tanaka isn't so interested in that idea.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Andrey keeps moving.
Tanaka wants to pass the guard but Andrey is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andrey keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Tanaka is really struggling to control Andrey but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Andrey throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrey misses with a low kick.
Tanaka dodges the punch combination from Andrey.
Andrey scores with a hook to the body. Tanaka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tanaka avoids the head kick by Andrey.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Andrey enables Tanaka to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Andrey manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tanaka won't allow Andrey to get back to his feet.
Andrey keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Tanaka tries to free his leg and advance position but Andrey is retaining full guard.
Tanaka content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andrey keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Andrey is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Andrey keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Tanaka pushing down on Andrey's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tanaka tries to pass to full mount but Andrey defends it.
Tanaka prevents Andrey from standing back up.
Shinji Tanaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tanaka wants to pass to mount but Andrey is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrey wants to get back to his feet.

Tanaka is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Andrey sees it coming and defends easily.
Tanaka stops Andrey from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tanaka looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Andrey wants to stand but Tanaka is controlling the position.
Tanaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Andrey is keeping the position for now.
Andrey is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tanaka is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Andrey is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Tanaka looking to pass the guard.
Tanaka won't allow Andrey to get back to his feet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Tanaka slips nicely into half guard.
Andrey has hold of Tanaka's hands but Tanaka slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tanaka is looking to advance position but Andrey won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tanaka wants to control but Andrey is keeping him busy.
Tanaka is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Andrey is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinji Tanaka showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tanaka 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinji Tanaka!
Shinji Tanaka decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.