PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shoma Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yavor Stanchev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stanchev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: BT feat The Roots - Tao Of The Machine. On his way into the cage it seems that Shoma Tanaka has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Shoma Tanaka seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Tanaka
vs
Stanchev

186 cm
25
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
202 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

KAISER

Urban Fighter
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shoma Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yavor Stanchev!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Tanaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stanchev misses with a shot to the body
enabling Tanaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Tanaka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tanaka moves out of range as Stanchev strikes.
Tanaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tanaka lands a lovely overhand right.
Tanaka misses with a hook.
Stanchev swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tanaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stanchev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Stanchev throws a big shot that misses.
Stanchev throws a sloppy body shot
and Tanaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Stanchev misses with a body punch
and Tanaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stanchev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanaka misses with a looping right.
Tanaka uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stanchev has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanchev lands a nice shot to the body.
Stanchev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stanchev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Stanchev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stanchev moves forwards but Tanaka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tanaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stanchev scores with a jab.
Stanchev throws a poor cross that misses
and Tanaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stanchev misses with a hook to the body
and Tanaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stanchev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tanaka is looking to counter punch.
Stanchev misses with a body shot
enabling Tanaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Tanaka is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Stanchev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stanchev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stanchev swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Tanaka counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanchev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tanakas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stanchev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Stanchev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tanaka circles away quickly and effectively.
Tanaka appears to be looking for a big counter.
Yavor Stanchev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stanchev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Stanchev looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanaka is just out of range.
Stanchev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Stanchev is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tanaka rather than just go for the knockout.
Stanchev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tanaka counters with a series of strikes. Stanchev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Stanchev misses with a body shot.
Tanaka throws a looping overhand right but Stanchev ducks down to avoid it.
Tanaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tanaka is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Stanchev throws a sloppy body shot
and Tanaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tanaka throws an overhand right that lands on Stanchev's shoulder, as Stanchev tries to avoid the shot.
Stanchev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Tanaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Stanchev misses with an uppercut
and Tanaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tanaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stanchev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stanchev lands with a shot to the body.
Stanchev lands with an uppercut that bounces Tanaka off the cage and back into range.
Stanchev throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
Stanchev misses with a body punch
and Tanaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stanchev thuds a left hand into Tanaka's body.
Stanchev misses the body punch
and Tanaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Tanaka misses with a wild combination.
Stanchev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stanchev lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stanchev throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
Tanaka needs to keep his hands up - Stanchev had a free shot at his head there.
Stanchev throws a shot to the body.
Stanchev stuns Tanaka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stanchev throws a hook to the side of Tanaka's head but Tanaka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stanchev throws an overhand right that lands on Tanaka's shoulder, as Tanaka tries to avoid the shot.
Tanaka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stanchev looks to land a right hand but Tanaka moved out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Tanaka misses its target.
Stanchev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Stanchev.
Stanchev with a nice cross.
Tanaka gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stanchev misses with a wild body shot.
A shot to the body from Stanchev misses
and Tanaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tanaka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
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 Shoma Tanaka will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Stanchev swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tanaka counters with a two punch combo.
Stanchev throws a body shot but no joy.
Stanchev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Stanchev throws a sloppy body shot
and Tanaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Stanchev moves out of range as Tanaka strikes.
Stanchev pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tanaka back to the cage. Stanchev follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Tanaka throws a hook to the side of Stanchev's head but Stanchev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stanchev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanaka swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Stanchev misses with a shot to the body
and Tanaka counters with a straight right hand.
Stanchev throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tanaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Tanaka.
Stanchev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stanchev looks to land a combination but Tanaka avoids it well.
Stanchev punishes Tanaka's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanchev misses with a body shot.
It looked like Tanaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Stanchev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stanchev throws a big shot that misses.
Tanaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stanchev lands with a good body shot.
Stanchev throws a body shot but no joy.
Stanchev just misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka throws a lazy right hand but Stanchev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tanaka avoids the body shot from Stanchev.
Tanaka loads up on a big right hand but Stanchev slips the punch.
Stanchev throws a shot to the body.
Stanchev scores with a hook to the body. Tanaka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tanaka takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanchev looks to land a combination but Tanaka avoids it well.
Stanchev throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
Stanchev misses with a body shot.
Stanchev slips a straight right by Tanaka.
Tanaka throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stanchev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stanchev scores with a jab.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Stanchev swings for the body but Tanaka moves out of range.
Stanchev connects with the punch.
Stanchev defending well as Tanaka loads up on a big left hand.
Stanchev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yavor Stanchev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stanchev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Tanaka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tanaka closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanchev lands with a right hand.
Stanchev lands with a good body shot.
Stanchev has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Stanchev lands a jab to Tanaka's midsection.
Stanchev catches Tanaka with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Stanchev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tanaka.
A shot to the liver by Stanchev. Beautiful body shot.
Stanchev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stanchev misses with a double jab
and Tanaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A slow jab from Stanchev misses its intended target.
Stanchev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tanaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tanaka takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stanchev stuns Tanaka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stanchev punishes Tanaka's body with a nice straight punch.
Tanaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stanchev.
Tanaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stanchev.
Stanchev throws a body shot but no joy.
Tanaka throws a big counter combination but Stanchev scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Tanaka takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stanchev takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Stanchev connects with a body shot that sends Tanaka's belly button to the back.
Stanchev cracks Tanaka with an open hand slap.
Stanchev thuds a left hand into Tanaka's body.
Tanaka misses the body punch
and Stanchev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stanchev lands a jab to Tanaka's midsection.
Tanaka defending well as Stanchev loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yavor Stanchev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Stanchev lands with a hook. Tanaka tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tanaka's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stanchev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tanaka scrambles back to his feet.
Stanchev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stanchev misses with a wild body shot.
Stanchev throws a body shot but no joy.
Stanchev lands with a shot to the body.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Stanchev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stanchev looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanaka is just out of range.
Tanaka misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka looks to throw the jab but Stanchev is out of range.
Tanaka slips a jab from Stanchev.
Stanchev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tanaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tanaka slips under a jab from Stanchev.
Tanaka is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanchev looks to throw the jab but Tanaka is out of range.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Stanchev.
Tanaka scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tanaka avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stanchev moves forwards but Tanaka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tanaka misses with a left hand
enabling Stanchev to counter with a crisp jab.
Tanaka slips a straight right by Stanchev.
Stanchev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stanchev digs a good hook to Tanaka's body.
Stanchev scores with a jab.
Stanchev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Tanaka misses with a two punch combination.
Tanaka misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanchev throws a big shot that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Tanaka on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tanaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stanchev manages to avoid it.
A countering left hand to the body from Stanchev misses.
Stanchev scores with a body shot.
Tanaka walks into a left hand.
Stanchev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tanaka scores with a jab. Stanchev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stanchev throws a shot to the body.
Stanchev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Stanchev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tanaka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanchev works the jab nicely.
Tanaka clobbers Stanchev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Stanchev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Stanchev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stanchev fails to land with a series of punches.
Tanaka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Stanchev throws a series of punches but Tanaka moves out of range.
Stanchev misses with an uppercut. Tanaka saw that one coming.
An attempted straight right counter from Tanaka misses the target.
Tanaka bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stanchev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanaka misses with a double jab
and Stanchev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tanaka swings for the body but Stanchev moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanchev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stanchev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice cross by Stanchev.
Stanchev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Tanaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Tanaka throws a right hand that misses
and Stanchev counters with a nice uppercut.
Stanchev lands a two punch combo.
Stanchev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stanchev scores with a jab to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Stanchev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stanchev.
Tanaka misses the shot to the body.
Tanaka throws a hook to the side of Stanchev's head but Stanchev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tanaka slips a jab from Stanchev.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yavor Stanchev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stanchev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yavor Stanchev!
After the fight, Yavor Stanchev was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.