PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takeru Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marat Tandelov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kobayashi
vs
Tandelov

173 cm
21
146 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

160 cm
21
138 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

GREEN!160

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeru Kobayashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marat Tandelov!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Radbod Blank and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tandelov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tandelov throws a shot from downtown. Kobayashi moves away and avoids it.
Kobayashi half committed to a counter leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Kobayashi misses.
Tandelov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Tandelov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kobayashi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kobayashi delivers a nice body kick.
Nice jab there from Tandelov.
Tandelov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kobayashi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tandelov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kobayashi was well out of range. Poor timing from Tandelov.
Tandelov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tandelov throws a looping overhand right but Kobayashi ducks down to avoid it.
Takeru Kobayashi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kobayashi.
Kobayashi throws the kick towards the body but Tandelov avoids it.
Kobayashi misses with a head kick.
It seemed like Tandelov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tandelov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tandelov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kobayashi is fending him off so far but Tandelov persists. Nope, Kobayashi circles away and we're back to standing.
Kobayashi tried to counter with a leg kick but Tandelov avoided it.
No luck for Tandelov with that takedown attempt.
Takeru Kobayashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marat Tandelov.
Kobayashi slips under a jab.
Kobayashi thuds his shin into the meat of Tandelov's side.
Tandelov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kobayashi. Kobayashi obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tandelov misses with a straight right.
Kobayashi avoids the body shot from Tandelov.
Kobayashi feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kobayashi throws a solid leg kick but Tandelov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kobayashi.
Kobayashi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tandelov if he has to take too many more of those.
A swing and a miss from Tandelov.
Kobayashi throws a low kick, looking for Tandelov's leg but Tandelov calmly moves out of range.
Kobayashi misses with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kobayashi staying out of range there.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick which misses Tandelov's front leg but catches the back leg as Tandelov tries to avoid it.
Tandelov fails to land the takedown.
Some bone on bone action there as Tandelov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kobayashi avoids the body shot from Tandelov.
Tandelov blocks a leg kick.
Tandelov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kobayashi walks into a straight right hand from Tandelov.
A telegraphed right hand from Tandelov misses the target.
Tandelov dips to his left and cracks Kobayashi with an uppercut!
Kobayashi throws a leg kick which misses Tandelov's front leg but catches the back leg as Tandelov tries to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tandelov.
Tandelov fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tandelov misses the jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kobayashi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tandelov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tandelov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kobayashi scores with a head kick. Tandelov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kobayashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tandelov.
Tandelov throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tandelov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kobayashi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kobayashi lands with a slapping head kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kobayashi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tandelov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tandelov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tandelov with a poor takedown
and Kobayashi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeru Kobayashi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kobayashi lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Marat Tandelov has been cut.
Kobayashi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kobayashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kobayashi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kobayashi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kobayashi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tandelov.
Tandelov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Takeru Kobayashi is winning the standup battle so far.
Tandelov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kobayashi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Kobayashi is predictable there

and Tandelov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tandelov is looking to pass into half guard but Kobayashi pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kobayashi is in guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tandelov has Kobayashi pulled in close to control his posture.
Kobayashi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tandelov can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi controlling from the top position.
Tandelov pulls Kobayashi in close to prevent any damage.
Tandelov 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.
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.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tandelov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kobayashi controls the pace.
Kobayashi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tandelov looking for a sweep. Not yet Tandelov, not yet.
Tandelov controlling the position.
Kobayashi stopping the sweep attempt from Tandelov.
Kobayashi forces his way into half guard.
Tandelov won't allow Kobayashi to pass to mount.
Kobayashi prevents Tandelov from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi trying to mount his opponent but Tandelov defends it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tandelov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kobayashi defends it nicely.
Kobayashi defending well as Tandelov loads up on a big left hand.
Kobayashi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Good work by Tandelov as he checks the leg kick.
Tandelov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kobayashi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tandelov checks a leg kick.
Tandelov lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tandelov blocks a low kick nicely.
We've been told by Kobayashi's head coaches at TC's House Of Pain *LOP* that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tandelov scores with a jab. Kobayashi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Tandelov misses.
Tandelov misses the jab.
Kobayashi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tandelov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tandelov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kobayashi throws a low kick, looking for Tandelov's leg but Tandelov calmly moves out of range.
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!
Kobayashi throws a low kick but Tandelov moves out of range easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Tandelov misses.
A good leg kick by Kobayashi.
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 Takeru Kobayashi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marat Tandelov'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. This is the final round!

Tandelov misses with a looping right.
Kobayashi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tandelov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kobayashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little jabbing left from Tandelov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kobayashi slips under a jab from Tandelov.
Kobayashi misses with a low kick.
Kobayashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tandelov.
It appears Kobayashi was looking to counter with a kick there.
Kobayashi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tandelov thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kobayashi misses with a leg kick
letting Tandelov counter with a right hand.
A swing and a miss from Tandelov.
Kobayashi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tandelov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tandelov misses with a body shot.
Kobayashi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tandelov throws a good cross that connects.
Tandelov misses the jab.
Kobayashi throws a front kick aimed at Tandelov's knee but Tandelov avoids it well.
Tandelov throws a body punch but Kobayashi moves out of range.
Kobayashi throws a counter high kick but Tandelov was just alert enough to avoid it.
Kobayashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Tandelov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tandelov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kobayashi as he avoids it easily.
Kobayashi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A low kick from Kobayashi is predictable there

and Tandelov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kobayashi won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Tandelov.
Tandelov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kobayashi is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Tandelov in side control, throwing shots but Kobayashi defends.
Tandelov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kobayashi is trying to improve his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tandelov is looking to take a break and control but Kobayashi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Marat Tandelov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tandelov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kobayashi is avoiding damage well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Marat Tandelov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takeru Kobayashi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tandelov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kobayashi as he jumps to the side.
Takeru Kobayashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marat Tandelov.
Kobayashi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tandelov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kobayashi can pounce on him.
Tandelov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tandelov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Tandelov drives through with a takedown into Kobayashi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tandelov scoring with some ground and pound.
Tandelov scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tandelov postures up.
Tandelov passes into half guard.
Tandelov throwing shots but Kobayashi is blocking nicely.
Tandelov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kobayashi wants to control but Tandelov is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tandelov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kobayashi defending well though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marat Tandelov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kobayashi 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Takeru Kobayashi!