PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Willy Bates (ranked 6513 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masahiro Tanaka (ranked 7186 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanaka has chosen Takyon as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bates
vs
Tanaka

166 cm
25
174 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Willy Bates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masahiro Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Topper Green and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bates misses with a low kick.
Bates could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Bates misses with a leg kick.
Bates on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tanaka. Tanaka obviously looking to wear him down.
An inside leg kick from Bates misses.
Bates will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Tanaka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tanaka taking a breather.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head.

Tanaka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tanaka checks the leg kick.

Tanaka moves into range and clinches up with Bates.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bates's face.
Bates fails to pull guard.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tanaka tries to stall but Bates uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Tanaka drags the fight down to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bates trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bates is working hard here to advance position.
Tanaka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tanaka wants to stand up but Bates is controlling him.
Bates engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Tanaka scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka has taken the fight to the clinch.
A knee to the head by Tanaka.
Tanaka scores with a shot to the side of Bates's head.

Tanaka has Bates pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Tanaka pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Bates tumbling to the mat - Tanaka dives into Bates's guard.

Tanaka gets to his feet. Bates looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Bates misses with a low kick.
Tanaka blocks a low kick nicely.

Tanaka moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bates doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tanaka landing knees to the head.
Bates is breathing heavily.

Tanaka jumps guard.
Bates prevents Tanaka from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bates accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tanaka has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bates is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Tanaka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Tanaka scores with a knee to the head.
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head.
Tanaka with a knee to the head.
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!
Bates takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Tanaka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates takes a knee right on the jaw!

Bates's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bates fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tanaka checks it well.

Tanaka moves into the clinch.
Tanaka scores with a knee to the head.
Bates drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bates takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Bates avoiding damage as Tanaka throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masahiro Tanaka dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bates throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Tanaka scores with a four punch combination!
Bates throws a low kick but Tanaka moves out of range easily.
Tanaka lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tanaka checks a leg kick.

Tanaka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bates tries to stall but Tanaka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bates tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tanaka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Knees to the body from Tanaka.
Bates changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tanaka fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Tanaka clinches with his opponent.

Tanaka wants the takedown. Bates is fighting it off but Tanaka persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Bates's guard against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tanaka gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tanaka lands a head kick. Bates smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Masahiro Tanaka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bates tries to keep at a distance but Tanaka has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Tanaka.
Still in the clinch, Tanaka scores with a nice short uppercut.

Bates breaks from the clinch.

Tanaka moves into the clinch.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
Tanaka lands a damaging elbow.
Bates drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tanaka gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Willy Bates. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanaka taking a breather.
Tanaka is trying to maintain a safe position but Bates gets an underhook and turns Tanaka into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Tanaka.
Tanaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bates misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tanaka.
Bates misses with a body punch.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head.
Tanaka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Bates breaks the clinch.
A low kick from Bates is predictable there
and Tanaka counters with a left and a right that stings Bates.
A bone on bone clash there as Tanaka blocks the leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Tanaka blocks the low kick.
Willy Bates is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tanaka drives through with a takedown into Bates's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bates looking to control.

Tanaka gets to his feet. Bates looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Tanaka pushes Bates up against the cage in a clinch.

Tanaka turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Tanaka manages to end up in side control.
Bates throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka stands up and beckons Bates to his feet.

Tanaka has managed to clinch.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Bates's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tanaka moves into the clinch.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bates tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tanaka being controlled against the cage.
Tanaka is trying to maintain a safe position but Bates gets an underhook and turns Tanaka into the cage.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tanaka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bates blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bates manages to break the clinch.
Tanaka scores with a nice strike.
Bates throws a low kick but Tanaka avoids it.

Tanaka clinches with his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bates drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tanaka gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tanaka taking a breather.

Bates pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bates fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tanaka checks it well.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Tanaka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Tanaka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

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

Masahiro Tanaka 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!

Tanaka has managed to clinch.

Bates breaks the clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Masahiro Tanaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Tanaka takes the fight into the clinch.

Bates breaks from the clinch.

Tanaka clinches.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Tanaka is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Bates can't fight it off and eventually Tanaka manages to take the fight to the floor. Bates looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bates is looking to stand up but Tanaka isn't so interested in that idea.
Bates is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Tanaka stands up and waves to Bates to follow him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates throws a front kick aimed at Tanaka's knee but Tanaka avoids it well.

Tanaka looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Tanaka gets to his feet - Bates follows without any prompting.
Bates takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Tanaka scores with a takedown into Bates's guard.

Bates is working an open guard so Tanaka takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A clash of legs there as Tanaka blocks the low kick.

Tanaka clinches up with Bates and pushes him back against the cage.

Bates breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bates throws a front kick aimed at Tanaka's knee but Tanaka avoids it well.
Bates throws a leg kick but Tanaka sees it coming and moves out of range.

Tanaka rushes Bates and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanaka with a knee to the head.
Tanaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bates manages to break the clinch.

Tanaka clinches up with Bates and pushes him back against the cage.
Tanaka landing knees to the head.
Bates is trying to drag Tanaka to the mat but Tanaka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bates tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tanaka taking a breather.
Tanaka lands an elbow inside.
Bates is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Willy Bates. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tanaka tightens his grip and picks Bates up, before dumping him to the ground. Bates manages to land in guard.

Bates kicks Tanaka off and gets to his feet.
Bates shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates throws a low kick, looking for Tanaka's leg but Tanaka calmly moves out of range.
A low kick from Bates misses
and Tanaka counters with a left and a right that stings Bates.

Tanaka darts in and clinches Bates up against the cage.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Tanaka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bates throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tanaka counters with a left and a right that stings Bates.
A head kick misses from Tanaka.

Tanaka moves into range and clinches up with Bates.
Masahiro Tanaka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tanaka landing knees to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tanaka drags the fight down to the ground.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing Bates from controlling successfully.
Bates prevents Tanaka from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.

Tanaka manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Tanaka is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Bates breaks the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Tanaka scores with a four punch combination!
Tanaka blocks a low kick nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka throws a head kick that half lands.

Tanaka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head.
Willy Bates has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Masahiro Tanaka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Knees to the body from Tanaka.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masahiro Tanaka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tanaka 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masahiro Tanaka!
After the fight, Masahiro Tanaka 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.