PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nobunaga Tanaka (ranked 184 p4p, 12 weight class) and Takashi Yoshida (ranked 56 p4p, 4 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Takashi Yoshida was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Tanaka
vs
Yoshida

170 cm
29
140 lbs
19 - 7 - 0

165 cm
27
135 lbs
22 - 5 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

UnderGround Supplements

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 19 - 7 - 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 22 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Takashi Yoshida!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circle momentarily. Yoshida darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tanaka connects with a jab.
Yoshida connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Yoshida.
Tanaka staying out of range there.
Yoshida tries to land a leg kick but Tanaka saw it coming and moves away.
Yoshida scoring well with a low kick there.
Yoshida missing with a left hand there. Tanaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yoshida has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Tanaka misses with a lunging right hand
letting Yoshida counter with a right hand.
We've been hearing reports that Tanaka has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Yoshida takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tanaka uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Yoshida loads up on a big right hand but Tanaka slips the punch.
Yoshida chopping away at his opponent's legs.
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!
Tanaka throws a jab but it's blocked by Yoshida.
Tanaka throws a low kick but Yoshida moves out of range easily.
Yoshida throws out a loose jab but Tanaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tanaka feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Yoshida moves out of range as Tanaka throws a body kick.
Tanaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tanaka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice cross by Tanaka.
Yoshida lands a nice hook to Tanaka's body. Tanaka takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Yoshida on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tanaka lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Yoshida has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Yoshida and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yoshida looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Tanaka.
Tanaka misses with a low kick as Yoshida jumps back.
Yoshida pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yoshida scores with the left hand. Tanaka knows he should have avoided that one.
Tanaka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tanaka thuds his right hand into Yoshida's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tanaka tests Yoshida's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tanaka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tanaka looks to land a left hand but Yoshida moved out of range nicely.
Tanaka avoids the head kick by Yoshida.
Tanaka takes a swing at Yoshida's ribcage but misses.
Tanaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Tanaka checks a leg kick nicely.
It looked like Tanaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yoshida connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yoshida checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Tanaka takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
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!
A head kick misses from Tanaka.
Yoshida scores with a jab. Tanaka acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Tanaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yoshida.
A counter left hand to the body from Tanaka misses its target.
Tanaka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Yoshida is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Yoshida scores with a jab.

Tanaka moves into range and clinches up with Yoshida.
Yoshida scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yoshida gets through Tanaka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tanaka lands with a light punch inside.
Yoshida tries a body shot but Tanaka blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Tanaka blocking some punches.
Yoshida lands a left hand.
Tanaka blocks an uppercut.
Tanaka is trying to maintain a safe position but Yoshida gets an underhook and turns Tanaka into the cage.
Yoshida fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tanaka works on Yoshida's body with a couple of short punches.
Yoshida misses with a punch on the inside.
Tanaka has Yoshida pressed against the cage, preventing Yoshida from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tanaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yoshida throws a punch but it's blocked by Tanaka.
Tanaka misses with some punches.
Yoshida fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka lands with a light punch inside.

Yoshida manages to break the clinch.
Tanaka throws a body punch but Yoshida moves out of range.
Yoshida uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tanaka.
Tanaka throws a looping overhand right but Yoshida ducks down to avoid it.
Tanaka scores with a shot to the body.
Yoshida checks the leg kick nicely there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tanaka.
Yoshida moves out of range of the body kick from Tanaka.
Yoshida throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tanaka counters with a nice uppercut.
Tanaka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Yoshida uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tanaka.
Yoshida tries a quick counter leg kick but Tanaka is wise to it.
Tanaka plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tanaka misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Yoshida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tanaka fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Yoshida checks it well.
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tanaka misses with an uppercut. Yoshida saw that one coming.
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!
Tanaka throws a body punch but Yoshida moves out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Yoshida.
Tanaka finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yoshida doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tanaka looks for the body kick but Yoshida saw that one coming.
Tanaka is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Yoshida throws a chopping leg kick but Tanaka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Good work by Tanaka as he checks the leg kick.
Yoshida swings for the body but Tanaka moves out of range.
Yoshida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Tanaka misses the shot to the body.
Yoshida looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Yoshida scores with the left hand. Tanaka knows he should have avoided that one.
Yoshida steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Tanaka. That one must have hurt.
Yoshida missing with a left hand there. Tanaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tanaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tanaka throws a chopping leg kick but Yoshida manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nice cross by Yoshida.
Yoshida throws a leg kick but Tanaka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yoshida scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka connects with a high kick.
Yoshida misses with a hook.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Yoshida!
Yoshida lands with an uppercut that bounces Tanaka off the cage and back into range.
Tanaka tries to move into range but Yoshida moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Takashi Yoshida will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Yoshida blocks a leg kick.
Yoshida misses with a straight right.
Tanaka motions for Yoshida to come forward. Tanaka throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tanaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yoshida.
Yoshida misses with a two punch combination.
Yoshida takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tanaka looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Yoshida looks to throw the jab but Tanaka is out of range.
Tanaka takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tanaka throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tanaka throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tanaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tanaka looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tanaka throws a leg kick
and Yoshida counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tanaka.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yoshida fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tanaka on the side of the head.
Yoshida misses with a head kick.
Yoshida fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Tanaka is out of range.
A slow jab from Tanaka misses its intended target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Yoshida! But no joy.
Tanaka lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tanaka looks for the body kick but Yoshida saw that one coming.
Some bone on bone action there as Yoshida checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tanaka throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Good leg kick by Tanaka there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yoshida digs a good body shot into Tanaka's ribs.
A telegraphed right hand from Tanaka misses the target.
Tanaka misses with a leg kick.
Tanaka scores with a nice body kick.
Nobunaga Tanaka is winning the standup battle so far.
Yoshida misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tanaka.
Tanaka takes one on the button.
Yoshida fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Yoshida avoids the body shot from Tanaka.
Yoshida walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Yoshida lands a slapping body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yoshida moves away from the strike by Tanaka.
Tanaka throws out a powerful jab.
Yoshida throws a nice looking combination but Tanaka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tanaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yoshida.
Yoshida looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yoshida throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tanaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tanaka feints and then cracks Yoshida's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yoshida down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Yoshida misses the target.
Tanaka moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tanaka scores with a decent looking hook.
Yoshida looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Tanaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Yoshida moves out of range of the body kick from Tanaka.
Tanaka misses with a hook. Yoshida ducked under it nicely.
Tanaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An inside leg kick lands from Yoshida.
Yoshida on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Yoshida lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tanaka at a distance.
Yoshida pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yoshida throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yoshida misses the jab.
Yoshida throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tanaka counters with a good low kick that Yoshida was not able to check.
Tanaka lands a glancing blow to the side of Yoshida's head.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yoshida.
Good exchange - Yoshida coming out on top.
Yoshida loads up on a big right hand but Tanaka slips the punch.
Yoshida moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida moves away from the strike by Tanaka.
Tanaka throws a body punch but Yoshida moves out of range.
Yoshida misses with a hook. Tanaka ducked under it nicely.
Tanaka slips a jab from Yoshida.
Yoshida missing with a left hand there. Tanaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tanaka slips under a jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tanaka is looking to land body kicks.
Tanaka misses the shot to the body.
Yoshida tried to score with a low kick but Tanaka checks it.
Tanaka feints and then cracks Yoshida's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yoshida down.
The fighters circling - Yoshida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yoshida slips a jab from Tanaka.
Tanaka throws a leg kick but Yoshida sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tanaka connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tanaka misses with an uppercut
enabling Yoshida to counter with a crisp jab.
Tanaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Yoshida takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tanaka looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tanaka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yoshida darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Yoshida throws a right hand that misses
and Yoshida takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Some bone on bone action there as Tanaka checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And Tanaka counters with a quick kick to the body but Yoshida blocks it.
Tanaka throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Yoshida with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Yoshida avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tanaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yoshida.
Yoshida missing with a left hand there. Tanaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tanaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Yoshida is just out of range.
Tanaka throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tanaka swings for the body but Yoshida moves out of range.
Tanaka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yoshida moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanaka throws a jab when Yoshida was well out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yoshida.
Yoshida avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yoshida scores with a punch to the head.
Tanaka looks to land a left hand but Yoshida moved out of range nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yoshida misses the jab.
Yoshida is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A cross from Yoshida lands.
Yoshida lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tanaka tries to land a leg kick but Yoshida saw it coming and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takashi Yoshida will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Yoshida.
Tanaka checks a low kick from Yoshida.
Tanaka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tanaka takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Yoshida will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yoshida avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tanaka takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yoshida fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tanaka is looking to land body kicks.
Yoshida connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tanaka. Tanaka circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tanaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
A big left from Tanaka misses.
Tanaka throws a lazy uppercut
and Yoshida counters with a thumping low kick.
Yoshida lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yoshida throws a leg kick but Tanaka moved away.
Tanaka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Yoshida is able to avoid easily.
A jab from Yoshida misses.
Tanaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yoshida works Tanaka's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida moves away from the strike by Tanaka.
Yoshida throws a good cross that connects.
A left lands for Yoshida.
Yoshida scores with a jab to the head.
Yoshida looks to throw the jab but Tanaka is out of range.
Tanaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tanaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tanaka lands a leg kick that knocks Yoshida off balance momentarily.
Tanaka scores with a decent looking hook.
Yoshida catches Tanaka with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tanaka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Yoshida is able to avoid easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yoshida darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A punch lands to the side of Tanaka 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Yoshida lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donk. Yoshida catches Tanaka right on the button with a cross.
Tanaka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A big left from Tanaka misses.
Yoshida ducks under a wild hook from Tanaka.
Tanaka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yoshida scores with a jab to the jaw.
Yoshida misses with a hook to the body
and Tanaka counters with a right hand to the body.
Nobunaga Tanaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a shot from downtown. Yoshida moves away and avoids it.
Yoshida connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A slow jab from Yoshida misses its intended target.
Tanaka seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tanaka throws a big shot that misses.
Yoshida moves away from the strike by Tanaka.
A slow jab from Yoshida misses its intended target.
Yoshida just misses with a punch to the body.
Yoshida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yoshida scores with a jab to the body.
An inside leg kick from Yoshida misses.
Yoshida moves out of range of the strikes.
Yoshida looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yoshida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yoshida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yoshida throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanaka.
Tanaka fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Yoshida checks it well.
Tanaka takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A slow jab from Tanaka misses its intended target.
Good work by Yoshida as he checks the leg kick.
Tanaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yoshida.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Yoshida throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nice defenses there by Yoshida.
Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Tanaka swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Yoshida counters with a straight right hand.
Tanaka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nice defenses there by Yoshida.
A big left from Yoshida misses.
Yoshida staying out of range there.
Yoshida takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yoshida. Tanaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanaka slips under a jab from Yoshida.
Tanaka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yoshida.
A swing and a miss from Yoshida.
Yoshida feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tanaka's calf.
Danga de danga de dang - Tanaka scores with a four punch combination!
Yoshida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yoshida thuds his right hand into Tanaka's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yoshida tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Yoshida.
Yoshida jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka misses with a hook. Yoshida ducked under it nicely.
It seemed like Yoshida was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tanaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tanaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yoshida.
Tanaka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yoshida steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tanaka.
Yoshida slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The fighters circling - Tanaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tanaka throws out a powerful jab.
Tanaka throws a lazy right hand but Yoshida sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tanaka.
Yoshida defending well as Tanaka loads up on a big left hand.
Yoshida wants to land a leg kick but Tanaka is out of range.
Tanaka misses with a hook. Yoshida ducked under it nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yoshida scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tanaka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Yoshida checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Good standup being displayed there by Yoshida as he connects with a hook.
Tanaka swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Yoshida connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takashi Yoshida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yoshida 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takashi Yoshida!