PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Quincy Kirk (ranked 7080 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noboru Tanaka (ranked 5579 p4p, 0 weight class). Noboru Tanaka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kirk
vs
Tanaka

207 cm
19
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Quincy Kirk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Noboru Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shirou Masuda and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tanaka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kirk's efforts to push away.

Tanaka successfully pulls guard.

Kirk drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tanaka manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kirk has Tanaka in his guard.

Kirk looking for a guillotine here but Tanaka defends easily.

Kirk looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Tanaka passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirk wants to get back to full guard but Tanaka has mounted him!
Kirk is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirk working to try and regain half guard.
Kirk is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Tanaka wants to control the pace but Kirk is squirming around nicely.
You get the feeling that Kirk really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tanaka stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Kirk doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tanaka holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kirk's face.

It looks like Quincy Kirk has been cut.
Tanaka's coach down at Lock and Roll Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Tanaka's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirk looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Tanaka gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Kirk actively working from the bottom here.

Tanaka gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Kirk has managed to clinch.

Kirk manages to break the clinch.

Kirk closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Tanaka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka leaning his opponent against the cage.

Tanaka lands a takedown into guard.

Kirk throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Tanaka escapes and throws Kirk's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Tanaka takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Kirk to pass into mount.
Kirk is working to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tanaka looking to control but Kirk is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kirk tries to buck Tanaka off but he can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka looking to control but Kirk is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kirk is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kirk is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Kirk really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Kirk bucks Tanaka off and manages to get back to his feet!

Tanaka has closed the distance and engaged Kirk in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees to the body from Tanaka.
Kirk is breathing heavily.
A knee to the head by Tanaka.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head.

Kirk is rocked!
Tanaka crunches a lovely knee into Kirk's ribcage.

Tanaka pulls guard effortlessly.

Tanaka kicks Kirk off and gets to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tanaka gets tackled into the cage by Kirk. Kirk maintains the clinch.
Kirk tries to land a knee to the head but Tanaka blocks with his arms.
Kirk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tanaka misses with a knee strike.
Tanaka with a knee to the head.
Oh Kirk is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Noboru Tanaka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kirk throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tanaka lands a knee to the body.
A short right from Tanaka on the inside.
Tanaka throws a big uppercut that drops Kirk! More strikes from Tanaka and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Kirk lies dazed against the cage as Tanaka celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Noboru Tanaka!