PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nobunaga Tanaka (ranked 1226 p4p, 60 weight class) and Plu To Pi Fian (ranked 2887 p4p, 143 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Tanaka
vs
To Pi Fian

170 cm
22
140 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

165 cm
22
132 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nobunaga Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Plu To Pi Fian!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka slips a straight right by Pi Fian.
Pi Fian takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Tanaka dodges the punch combination from Pi Fian.
Pi Fian has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Tanaka is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Pi Fian throws a left and a right that both miss

and Tanaka counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pi Fian won't be happy with that.
Pi Fian is pushing Tanaka's head away, looking to escape. Tanaka manages to hold on to the position though.
Tanaka scoring with punches and elbows.

Tanaka goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Pi Fian has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tanaka but great work by Pi Fian.
Tanaka is looking for a sweep.

Pi Fian is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tanaka is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanaka is not content to let Pi Fian control the position.
Tanaka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanaka regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka is looking to improve his position.
Pi Fian wants to take a breather but Tanaka is having none of it.
Pi Fian trying to pass the guard but Tanaka defending well.
Pi Fian wants to control but Tanaka is keeping him busy.

Tanaka looking for submissions off his back.
Pi Fian wants to control but Tanaka is keeping him busy.
Tanaka is looking for a sweep. Pi Fian is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pi Fian is keen to just control but Tanaka is a slippery customer.
Pi Fian throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pi Fian trying to control from half guard but Tanaka is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tanaka avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pi Fian.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Pi Fian is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tanaka doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Pi Fian.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tanaka is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pi Fian pulls his head out easily.
Tanaka is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Pi Fian is trying to work for a kimura but Tanaka is defending well.
Pi Fian drops an elbow to the side of Tanaka's head.
Tanaka is trying to get back to full guard.
Tanaka is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pi Fian scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka is looking to improve his position.
Tanaka is looking to control Pi Fian's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tanaka avoid being mounted?

Pi Fian seems to be working for a kimura but Tanaka defends the submission attempt.
Tanaka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tanaka.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing Pi Fian from controlling successfully.

Tanaka has his foot on Pi Fian's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pi Fian works his way back into a safe position though.

Pi Fian is sitting in close to Tanaka's body. Tanaka has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Pi Fian is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Pi Fian is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Tanaka.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Nobunaga Tanaka!
Our winner, Nobunaga Tanaka, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.