PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 513 p4p, 487 weight class) and Nobunaga Tanaka (ranked 31 p4p, 27 weight class). Desmond Fairbanks could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nobunaga Tanaka's chin.

Fairbanks
vs
Tanaka

173 cm
34
142
29 - 22 - 0

170 cm
33
140
24 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Core Combat

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013
HELLS BALLS RECOVERY

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 29 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Desmond Fairbanks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nobunaga Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Tanaka catches Fairbanks right on the button with a cross.
Fairbanks bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tanaka's head backwards.
Tanaka connects with a body shot.
Nice body kick from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tanaka.
Fairbanks swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tanaka counters with an inside leg kick.
Tanaka scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tanaka clobbers Fairbanks with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A big right from Fairbanks misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fairbanks looks to land a body kick but Tanaka moved away.
A jab from Fairbanks misses.
Tanaka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fairbanks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanaka throws a low kick but Fairbanks avoids it.
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 nice leg kick from Tanaka, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tanaka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tanaka missing with a left hand there. Fairbanks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fairbanks missing with a left hand there. Tanaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fairbanks stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've been told by Fairbanks's head coaches at Tōshi that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tanaka looks to land a body kick but Fairbanks moved away.
Fairbanks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tanaka. That did some damage!

Tanaka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fairbanks struggles to land a body shot inside as Tanaka controls his hands.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Fairbanks is pushing Tanaka up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka works on Fairbanks's body with a couple of short punches.
Fairbanks digs a right hand into Tanaka's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tanaka's gas tank.
Fairbanks tries to throw a body punch but Tanaka avoids it by throwing Fairbanks back against the cage.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Tanaka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fairbanks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tanaka blocks a low kick nicely.
Fairbanks explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Tanaka blocks a head kick by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fairbanks wants to slow Tanaka down by chopping away at his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Tanaka.
Fairbanks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tanaka keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tanaka changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Desmond Fairbanks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanaka fails with the takedown.
Fairbanks is looking to chop away at Tanaka's legs.
Tanaka throws a big shot that misses.
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 tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fairbanks was well out of range. Poor timing from Tanaka.
Tanaka scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tanaka lands with an uppercut that bounces Fairbanks off the cage and back into range.
Fairbanks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tanaka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice defenses there by Fairbanks.
Tanaka throws a looping overhand right but Fairbanks ducks down to avoid it.
Tanaka slips a straight right by Fairbanks.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Fairbanks appears to be looking for a big counter.
Fairbanks slips a jab from Tanaka.
Tanaka throws a big shot that misses.
A combination from Fairbanks does no damage.
Tanaka slips under a jab.
Tanaka misses with a wild body shot.
Fairbanks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tanaka scores with the left hand. Fairbanks knows he should have avoided that one.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tanaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jab from Fairbanks.
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fairbanks takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Fairbanks misses with a kick to the body.
Fairbanks tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tanaka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice defenses there by Fairbanks.
Tanaka takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tanaka throws a hook to the side of Fairbanks's head but Fairbanks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fairbanks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fairbanks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Fairbanks throws a leg kick but Tanaka checks it.
Tanaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks throws a hook but Tanaka avoids it easily.
Fairbanks throws the kick towards the body but Tanaka avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Fairbanks misses the target.
Tanaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fairbanks.
Tanaka lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fairbanks connects with a leg kick.
Fairbanks getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fairbanks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fairbanks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tanaka.
A clash of legs there as Tanaka blocks the low kick.
Tanaka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tanaka throws the kick towards the body but Fairbanks avoids it.
Fairbanks looks to land a combination but Tanaka avoids it well.
Tanaka throws a shot from downtown. Fairbanks moves away and avoids it.
Tanaka throws out a loose jab but Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fairbanks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tanaka throws a wild body kick that Fairbanks sees coming a mile off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairbanks takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fairbanks throws a shot from downtown. Tanaka moves away and avoids it.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fairbanks just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice defenses there by Fairbanks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nobunaga Tanaka will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fairbanks throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tanaka.
Fairbanks takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fairbanks fires out a quick counter leg kick but Tanaka just manages to avoid it.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Fairbanks.
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tanaka throws out a loose jab but Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fairbanks tries to counter by clinching up but Tanaka breaks away and moves out of range.
Tanaka lands with a hook. Fairbanks tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fairbanks. Tanaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanaka flicks out a counter leg kick but Fairbanks steps away.
Fairbanks lands with a right hand.
Fairbanks throws a series of punches but Tanaka moves out of range.
Fairbanks works Tanaka's body with a nice hook.
The crowd cheers as Fairbanks lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tanaka doesn't seem phased though.
Tanaka misses with an uppercut.
Fairbanks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fairbanks throws a head kick that misses.
Tanaka feints and then cracks Fairbanks's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fairbanks down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fairbanks misses with a few strikes there.
Fairbanks misses with a low kick.
Fairbanks tries to land a body kick
and Tanaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tanaka with the inside leg kick.
Nobunaga Tanaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tanaka throws out a loose jab but Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fairbanks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tanaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka lands a jab to the nose.
Fairbanks slips under a jab.
Fairbanks feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Tanaka takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fairbanks stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tanaka.
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tanaka dodges the punch combination from Fairbanks.
Tanaka throws a shot from downtown. Fairbanks moves away and avoids it.
Tanaka cracks Fairbanks with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fairbanks moves out of range as Tanaka strikes.
Fairbanks checks a leg kick.
Fairbanks throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fairbanks throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
Tanaka scores with a one two! Fairbanks had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Fairbanks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fairbanks misses the shot to the body.
Fairbanks's jab looks to have found its range, popping Tanaka under the eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka scores with a jab to the head.
Tanaka tried to score with a low kick but Fairbanks checks it.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fighters circling - Fairbanks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tanaka looks to land a left hand but Fairbanks moved out of range nicely.
Tanaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tanaka throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A jab from Tanaka finds it's way through Fairbanks's defenses.
A slow jab from Tanaka misses its intended target.
Fairbanks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tanaka.
Tanaka lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tanaka takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Fairbanks lunges at Tanaka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tanaka's hand.
Tanaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fairbanks.

Tanaka scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Tanaka tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Fairbanks wants to get back to his feet but Tanaka drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka is putting a hurting on Fairbanks here, landing some big shots from side control.
Fairbanks is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tanaka has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fairbanks is trying to get back to half guard.

Fairbanks throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
A swing and a miss from Tanaka.
Tanaka is looking to score with low kicks.
Tanaka lands the left hand.
Tanaka throws a leg kick but Fairbanks checks it.
Fairbanks throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tanaka lands a right hook to the body.

Tanaka closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tanaka lands in his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fairbanks keeping full guard, as Tanaka tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka slips nicely into half guard.
Fairbanks tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.
Tanaka seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fairbanks is trying to maintain the position but Tanaka is very close to passing his half guard.
Fairbanks wants to get back to his feet.
Tanaka drops an elbow to the side of Fairbanks's head.

Tanaka is looking for a kimura but Fairbanks is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tanaka to get the leverage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tanaka connects with a nice short shot to Fairbanks's temple.
Fairbanks is looking to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tanaka lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nobunaga Tanaka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tanaka comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tanaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fairbanks was well out of range. Poor timing from Tanaka.
Fairbanks takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Tanaka is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tanaka misses with a hook.
Tanaka swings for the body but Fairbanks moves out of range.
Fairbanks misses with a straight right.
Fairbanks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tanaka.
Tanaka misses with a low kick.
Tanaka lands a body shot.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Tanaka tries to land a front kick but Fairbanks steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tanaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A head kick misses from Fairbanks.
A little jabbing left from Tanaka on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks slips a jab from Tanaka.
Tanaka blocks a leg kick.
Fairbanks throws a solid leg kick but Tanaka takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fairbanks.
Fairbanks is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tanaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fairbanks.
It seemed like Tanaka was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Tanaka shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fairbanks napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fairbanks is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks is pushing Tanaka's head away, looking to escape. Tanaka manages to hold on to the position though.

Tanaka tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tanaka has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tanaka scores with a couple of short elbows.
Fairbanks sneaks back into half guard.
Tanaka uses his free foot to push down on Fairbanks's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Fairbanks.
Fairbanks in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
You get the feeling that Fairbanks really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Tanaka looking to control but Fairbanks is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Fairbanks is looking to get to half guard.
Desmond Fairbanks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka won't let Fairbanks get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Tanaka looking to control but Fairbanks is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tanaka prevents Fairbanks from getting the reversal.
Fairbanks wants to get back to his feet.
Tanaka postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Fairbanks looks a forlorn figure.

Fairbanks bucks Tanaka off and manages to get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Tanaka fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tanaka throws a low kick, looking for Fairbanks's leg but Fairbanks calmly moves out of range.
Tanaka fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fairbanks checks it well.
Tanaka fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fairbanks.
Fairbanks looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks slips under a jab.
And Fairbanks counters with a quick kick to the body but Tanaka blocks it.
Tanaka pushes Fairbanks away with a front kick.
Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tanaka catches Fairbanks with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tanaka connects with the punch.
Tanaka avoids the body shot from Fairbanks.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Tanaka. Those never looked like landing.
Fairbanks throws out a powerful jab.
Tanaka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tanaka blocks a jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fairbanks, as that shot connected.
Tanaka thuds a left hand into Fairbanks's body.
Tanaka throws an overhand right that lands on Fairbanks's shoulder, as Fairbanks tries to avoid the shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body punch from Tanaka.
A telegraphed right hand from Tanaka misses the target.
Tanaka throws a jab when Fairbanks was well out of range.
Fairbanks swings for the body but Tanaka moves out of range.
Fairbanks tries to move into range but Tanaka moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fairbanks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tanaka paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka defending well as Fairbanks loads up on a big left hand.
Tanaka throws a combination. Fairbanks tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tanaka throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fairbanks slips a jab from Tanaka.
Fairbanks throws a leg kick but Tanaka moved away.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.

Tanaka closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Fairbanks quickly recovers to half guard.
Fairbanks is trying to stand.
Fairbanks is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tanaka scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tanaka looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fairbanks flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Tanaka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tanaka tries to pass the half guard into mount. Fairbanks knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Fairbanks on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nobunaga Tanaka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tanaka wants to control but Fairbanks is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nobunaga Tanaka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tanaka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nobunaga Tanaka!
A very excited looking Nobunaga Tanaka made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.