PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shinji Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cory Deegan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tanaka might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Yuudachi. Deegan has chosen Land of Confusion as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Tanaka
vs
Deegan

160 cm
31
139 lbs
16 - 14 - 1

177 cm
29
167 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cory Deegan!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Ren Mimura and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deegan leaves Tanaka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Deegan scores with a jab to the head.
Deegan looks to land a body kick but Tanaka moved away.
Tanaka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Deegan fails with a takedown attempt.
Tanaka tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Deegan manages to circle out of the way.
Deegan fakes the leg kick and cracks Tanaka in the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deegan wants to clinch but Tanaka slips to the side

and Tanaka counters with a shoot takedown. Deegan fights it but they end up in guard.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Deegan keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Tanaka controlling from the top position.
Tanaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Deegan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka pushing down on Deegan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Deegan wants to control but Tanaka is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Deegan looks like he's trying to stand up.

Deegan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Deegan is looking to improve his position.
Tanaka is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Deegan!
Tanaka looking to control but Deegan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tanaka lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Deegan hang on?
Tanaka looking to control but Deegan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Deegan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Deegan really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tanaka with a couple of short strikes.
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 moves to back control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Will Tanaka go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Deegan trying to get back to his feet but Tanaka is in full control for now.
Tanaka is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Deegan is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Deegan is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Tanaka off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Deegan tries to roll but Tanaka sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deegan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Deegan manages to escape to his feet.
Deegan slaps away a takedown attempt from Tanaka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tanaka walks into a stiff left hand from Deegan.
Deegan tries to close the distance and clinch but Tanaka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Deegan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tanaka on his heels. He'll look to pass Tanaka's guard now, I'm sure.
Tanaka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tanaka working a defensive guard here.

Tanaka has his foot on Deegan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Deegan works his way back into a safe position though.
Deegan postures up and lands a big shot to Tanaka's brow.
Tanaka has momentary wrist control but Deegan slips an elbow through the middle.
Tanaka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Tanaka is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanaka passes to side control.
Deegan is not content to let Tanaka control the position.
Tanaka cracks Deegan with a big right hand but Deegan just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Deegan wants to get back to his feet but Tanaka drags him back down.
Deegan stops Tanaka from passing to mount.
Deegan tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tanaka wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Deegan is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tanaka asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We've been informed that Deegan has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Tanaka tries to move to mount but Deegan blocks the move with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinji Tanaka dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Deegan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Tanaka manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Deegan on his heels. He'll look to pass Deegan's guard now, I'm sure.
Tanaka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Deegan can do to turn this around?
Deegan is trying to control the position but Tanaka postures up.
Deegan keeping full guard, as Tanaka tries to pass.
Tanaka is working Deegan over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Deegan keeps moving.
Deegan wants to stand up but Tanaka is controlling him.
Tanaka postures up in Deegan's guard and throws a big left but Deegan blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Deegan looking for a guillotine here but Tanaka defends easily.
Tanaka slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanaka is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Deegan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Deegan is trying to get back to his feet.
Deegan is looking to reverse the position.
Tanaka tries to move to mount but Deegan blocks the move with his legs.
Deegan can't do much from the bottom here.
Tanaka lands a nice forearm strike.
Tanaka trying to control the position but Deegan is working away.
Tanaka working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka is trying to get an arm triangle but Deegan is defending well.
Deegan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Deegan is pushing Tanaka's head away, looking to escape. Tanaka manages to hold on to the position though.
Tanaka works to advance to full mount. Deegan defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Tanaka wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Deegan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Deegan tries to hold on but Tanaka pushes him away.

Tanaka is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Deegan can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Deegan tries to hold on but Tanaka pushes him away.
Tanaka trying to control but Deegan is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Deegan has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Deegan!
Tanaka trying to keep a closed guard but Deegan is proving a slippery customer.
Deegan trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Deegan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Deegan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tanaka working a defensive guard here.
Deegan passes Tanaka's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka moves into full guard.
Tanaka trying to keep a closed guard but Deegan is proving a slippery customer.
Deegan won't allow Tanaka to sweep him here.
Tanaka working a defensive guard here.
Tanaka wants to improve his position but instead Deegan has moved into half guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Tanaka here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Deegan is thwarting Tanaka's attempts to control the position.
Tanaka is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Deegan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Deegan is trying to control. Tanaka wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinji Tanaka dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Deegan looks to land a right hand but Tanaka moved out of range.
Deegan misses with a leg kick
and Tanaka counters with a nice body kick.
Deegan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Deegan tries to clinch up but Tanaka circles away and keeps his distance.
Tanaka swats away the attempt to clinch by Deegan.
Deegan tries to clinch there but Tanaka circles away.
Tanaka lands a jab to Deegan's midsection.
Tanaka misses with a body shot.

Tanaka looking to score a takedown here. Deegan is defending well but Tanaka drives through and ends up in Deegan's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deegan trying to keep a closed guard but Tanaka is proving a slippery customer.
Tanaka looking to pass the guard.
Tanaka advances to half guard.
Deegan moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Deegan uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Deegan throws a sloppy head kick

and Tanaka counters with a single leg into guard. Deegan didn't expect that.
Tanaka slips nicely into half guard.
Tanaka takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tanaka wants to take a breather but Deegan is having none of it.
Tanaka perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Tanaka is thwarting Deegan's attempts to control the position.
Deegan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Tanaka looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tanaka with a nice head shot there.
Cory Deegan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deegan is trying to keep Tanaka in close.
Deegan wants to stand and escape but Tanaka is having none of it.
Tanaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Deegan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Deegan is looking to stand up but Tanaka isn't so interested in that idea.

Tanaka avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Deegan is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Tanaka presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tanaka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tanaka shoots for a takedown but Deegan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Deegan closes the distance and pushes Tanaka back into the cage.
Deegan stalling in the clinch but Tanaka improves position.

Deegan breaks from the clinch.
Tanaka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanaka is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Tanaka fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Deegan sprawls well initially but Tanaka persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tanaka is looking to advance position but Deegan won't allow it.
Tanaka wants to take a breather but Deegan is having none of it.
Deegan is trying to stand up here but Tanaka is controlling him well.
Tanaka tries to pass the half guard into mount. Deegan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tanaka prevents Deegan from improving his position.
Tanaka is looking to advance position but Deegan won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deegan wants to get back to his feet.
Tanaka looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tanaka wants to control but Deegan is keeping him busy.
Shinji Tanaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Deegan is trying to stand up here but Tanaka is controlling him well.
Shinji Tanaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Deegan shoots in for a takedown but Tanaka shows good takedown defense.
Tanaka drops down looking for a counter takedown but Deegan sprawls and moves away.
Deegan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Tanaka was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Deegan.
Deegan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Deegan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tanaka is looking to counter the offense by Deegan and move into the clinch.
Tanaka throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Deegan moves into the clinch successfully.
Deegan throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tanaka blocks it with crossed arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinji Tanaka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tanaka, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

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.
The defeated Cory Deegan had this to say: 'My Heart...My Heartttt! Someone get me an ambulance. '.