PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dick Tanner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renzo Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Tanner
vs
Alves

189 cm
43
154 lbs
34 - 15 - 0

174 cm
36
156 lbs
33 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

My$tic Clothing ~ (`10%Laundry`)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dick Tanner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Renzo Alves !
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shirou Masuda and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alves throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tanner's waist but Tanner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alves off to one side.
Alves misses with a straight left.
Tanner throws a hook but Alves avoids it easily.
Alves is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tanner scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Alves has taken the fight to the clinch.
Alves can't get the takedown.
Tanner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Renzo Alves has been cut.

Alves breaks from the clinch.
Tanner throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alves on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tanner throws a body shot but no joy.
Alves smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Alves tries to keep at a distance but Tanner has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tanner misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanner tries to land a knee to the head but Alves blocks with his arms.
Alves can't get the takedown.
Dick Tanner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renzo Alves .
Tanner is pressed up against the cage. Alves has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tanner down to the mat. Tanner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanner takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tanner with a nice cross.
Alves misses with a hook.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Alves as Tanner tries to tie him up.
Tanner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Alves 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alves throws a hook but Tanner avoids it easily.
Dick Tanner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alves paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alves swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alves lands a lovely overhand right.

Tanner gets a clinch.
Alves has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Tanner seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Alves can turn it around.
Alves digs a right hand underneath Tanner's ribcage. Tanner let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Alves works on Tanner's body with a couple of short punches.
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!
Alves makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves is looking for a takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Alves .
A shot in the inside from Alves .
Alves prevents Tanner from breaking the clinch.
Tanner blocks an uppercut.
Alves drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tanner's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Alves lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Alves lands with a left to the head.
Tanner trying to control the position but instead, Alves has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tanner into the cage.
Alves looking to throw knees to the head but Tanner is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alves 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alves looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanner is just out of range.
Tanner avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Alves misses with a hook.
Alves throws a nice looking combination but Tanner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tanner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alves swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tanner misses with a wild body shot.
Tanner tries to clinch but Alves is having none of it.
Tanner dodges the punch combination from Alves .

Tanner instigates a clinch.

Alves manages to break the clinch.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch but Alves swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Alves gets the takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanner tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves working the ground and pound from side control.
Alves throws a strike aimed at the side of Tanner's head but Tanner avoids it well.
Tanner tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Alves is looking to take a break and control but Tanner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
What's Tanner going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Alves in side control, throwing shots but Tanner defends.
Alves has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tanner takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Tanner tries to bench press Alves off him but Alves keeps the position.
Alves working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renzo Alves dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Renzo Alves 's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Good exchange - Alves coming out on top.
Alves misses with a series of wild punches.
Alves fails in his attempt to clinch.

Tanner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Alves can't get the takedown.
Alves wants a takedown but no success here.
Alves tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Dick Tanner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renzo Alves .
Tanner tries to land knees in the clinch but Alves avoids the damage to the body.
Alves has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alves lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Alves manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tanner makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Alves jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tanner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Renzo Alves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alves paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanner closes the distance and clinches.
Alves throws a punch but it's blocked by Tanner.

Alves escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Alves closes the distance and pushes Tanner back into the cage.
Tanner throws an elbow that misses.
Alves throws a head punch that misses.
Tanner's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Tanner gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Alves .
Tanner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Alves breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tanner finds it's way round the side to connect with Alves 's head.
Alves lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tanner tries to clinch up but Alves circles away and keeps his distance.
Alves will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alves might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch but Alves swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alves throws a sloppy head kick

and Tanner counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Alves goes for a takedown attempt but Tanner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tanner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Tanner darts in and clinches Alves up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Tanner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alves misses the jab.
Alves tries to clinch but Tanner moves out of range.
Alves has his takedown stuffed
and Tanner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Alves swings widly with a right hand
letting Tanner counter with a right hand.
Renzo Alves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tanner rushes Alves and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Alves drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves tries to break free but Tanner pushes him back against the cage.
Tanner slowing the pace effectively.
Alves being controlled against the cage.

Alves 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck for Alves with that takedown attempt.
Tanner blocks a jab.
Alves fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch but Alves swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alves circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tanner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alves swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanner tries to clinch up.
Tanner wants to clinch up but Alves keeps it at a distance.
Alves throws a right hand that misses
and Tanner counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Alves tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Tanner counters with a slapping leg kick.
Tanner wants to clinch up but Alves keeps it at a distance.
Tanner is looking to clinch but Alves is avoiding it.
Alves misses with a double jab.
Alves misses with a lunging right hand
and Tanner counters with a nice uppercut.
Tanner swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Alves .
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tanner darts in and clinches Alves up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tanner.
Alves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alves drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tanner pulls his leg out and moves away.

Tanner moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Tanner dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Renzo Alves 's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice shot by Tanner.
Alves misses with an uppercut.
Tanner is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Alves .
Nice shot lands for Alves .
Some wild striking there from Tanner.
Alves keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice shot by Tanner.
Tanner is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alves paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alves lands a lovely overhand right.
Alves tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tanner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alves avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanner is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Alves misses with an uppercut
and Tanner counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tanner tries to clinch but Alves moves out of range.
Alves goes for a double leg but Tanner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tanner continues to drive forward.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanner tries to clinch there but Alves circles away.
Tanner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alves moves away.
Alves misses with an uppercut. Tanner saw that one coming.
Tanner bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Alves 's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanner is looking to clinch but Alves is avoiding it.
Alves misses with a hook.
Tanner wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Tanner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Tanner moves into the clinch.

Tanner manages to break the clinch.
Alves thuds his right hand into Tanner's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Alves misses with a combination

and Tanner counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tanner.
Alves working hard to break the clinch.
Alves blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tanner blocking some punches.

Alves breaks from the clinch.
Tanner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tanner bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alves gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alves has Tanner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tanner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Alves has hold of one of Tanner's legs. Tanner is fighting the takedown attempt but Alves gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alves trying to control but Tanner is working from the bottom.
Alves loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tanner will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Alves in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alves throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tanner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanner controls Alves momentarily but Alves frees himself.
Tanner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alves is looking to work some ground and pound but Tanner has wrist control.
Tanner has control of Alves 's left arm, preventing Alves from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Alves landing some decent shots from guard.
Alves wants to control from the top but Tanner keeps moving.
Alves postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tanner pulls Alves in close to his closed guard and prevents Alves from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Alves lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Alves tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tanner defends well and Alves ends up having to push Tanner into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Dick Tanner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renzo Alves .
Alves pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tanner connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Alves momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanner is looking to clinch.

Tanner closes the distance and pushes Alves back into the cage.

Alves breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanner manages to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Tanner. No joy for Alves on that attempt.
It looked like Tanner was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Alves .
Alves takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tanner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tanner ducks under a wild hook from Alves .
The fight stays on the outside here - Tanner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tanner misses with the combination.
Nice takedown defense from Tanner. No joy for Alves on that attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Alves gets tackled into the cage by Tanner. Tanner maintains the clinch.
Tanner keeps control of Alves as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Tanner breaks from the clinch.

Alves gets tackled into the cage by Tanner. Tanner maintains the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Dick Tanner did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Renzo Alves 's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Alves .
Alves misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tanner tries to clinch up but Alves circles away and keeps his distance.
Renzo Alves is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alves will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tanner moves in looking to clinch but Alves pushes him off.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Tanner is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Alves .
Tanner scores with a jab to the head.
Alves throws a head kick that misses.
Tanner throws a right hand that Alves ducks under and follows up with a left that Alves also avoids with ease.
Nice cross by Tanner.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tanner.

Alves gets tackled into the cage by Tanner. Tanner maintains the clinch.
Alves takes an elbow to the temple.
Tanner pushes off an throws an elbow but Alves leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Alves wants to get back to striking at distance but Tanner won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanner is pressed up against the cage. Alves has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tanner down to the mat. Tanner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tanner tries to clinch up but Alves circles away and keeps his distance.
Tanner is looking to clinch.
Alves takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tanner is looking to clinch but Alves is avoiding it.

Alves moves into the clinch successfully.
Alves looking for a takedown.
Dick Tanner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renzo Alves .
Tanner lands an elbow inside that Alves shrugs off.
Alves pressing his opponent against the cage.
Alves throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tanner blocks a body shot from Alves .
Alves has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tanner is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanner manages to break the clinch.
Alves throws a series of punches but Tanner avoids them all with ease.
Alves is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Tanner ducks under a wild hook from Alves .
Alves takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Alves bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanner managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Alves .
Tanner is trying to control Alves 's posture but Alves avoids it.
Alves throwing strikes but Tanner manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Alves is looking for a sweep.

Tanner stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Tanner throws out a powerful jab.
Alves throws a hook to the side of Tanner's head but Tanner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tanner is looking to slow Alves down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanner misses with a double jab.
Tanner misses with a body shot.
Tanner tries to clinch but Alves is having none of it.

Alves closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tanner to the mat! Tanner manages to get full guard.
Alves throws a big elbow that misses.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alves is looking to pass into half guard but Tanner pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tanner is in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Alves working for submissions but it's allowed Tanner to get to half guard.
Alves is trying to maintain the position but Tanner is very close to passing his half guard.
Tanner controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves is trying to maintain the position but Tanner is very close to passing his half guard.
Alves is trying to get back to full guard.
Alves wants to control but Tanner passes into side.
Alves wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Alves misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Tanner gets to mount! Alves was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Alves wants to control but Tanner is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Tanner had his way with Renzo Alves in that round.
The cut man is working on Renzo Alves 's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Alves keeps the fight on the outside.
Alves throws a hook to the side of Tanner's head but Tanner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tanner listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tanner is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Alves throws the left hand but Tanner avoids the punch easily.
Alves takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Alves throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tanner staying out of range there.
Alves looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanner is just out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Tanner misses its target.
Alves scores with a jab to the head.
Tanner throws a nice looking combination but Alves bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves misses with an uppercut.
Alves bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Alves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tanner wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tanner is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves tries to break the clinch but Tanner is controlling the position.
Tanner controlling the action here for a moment.
Alves tries to break the clinch but Tanner is controlling the position.
Tanner is looking to control Alves 's arms but Alves gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tanner has his back to the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tanner throws an elbow but misses.

Alves is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tanner can't fight it off and eventually Alves manages to take the fight to the floor. Tanner looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Alves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tanner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tanner is pulling down on Alves 's head. It's preventing any offense from Alves , at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanner'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.
Tanner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tanner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alves accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tanner keeping moving, preventing Alves from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tanner lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Alves decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Tanner wants to get back to full guard.
Alves not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tanner is looking to improve his position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Alves thows a huge punch but Tanner dodges it nicely.
Alves throwing shots but Tanner is blocking nicely.
Alves missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Alves is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves winds up and cracks Tanner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Alves lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tanner looks like he's trying to stand up.
Renzo Alves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alves misses with a head shot. Tanner uses the momentum to regain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tanner wants to stand but Alves is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Renzo Alves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tanner 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dick Tanner!
Dick Tanner is the new featherweight champion!
Dick Tanner spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.