PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nobunaga Tanaka (ranked 647 p4p, 1150 weight class) and Paul Murhaa (ranked 40 p4p, 59 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tanaka
vs
Murhaa

170 cm
34
140
25 - 14 - 0

169 cm
33
144
25 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

KAISER
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nobunaga Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 2, fighting out of New York, Paul Murhaa!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murhaa thuds a left hand into Tanaka's body.
Murhaa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tanaka moves out of range of the body kick from Murhaa.
Tanaka changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Tanaka gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tanaka gets control of Murhaa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tanaka will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Murhaa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Tanaka looking for a sweep. Not yet Tanaka, not yet.
Murhaa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tanaka is working hard here to advance position.
Tanaka has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tanaka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tanaka is on top in guard.

Tanaka stands up from Murhaa's guard - Tanaka perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murhaa connects with a leg kick.

Murhaa gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tanaka to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Murhaa has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Tanaka is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Tanaka breaks from the clinch.

Tanaka looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Murhaa pulls Tanaka in close to his closed guard and prevents Tanaka from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Murhaa gets to his feet - Tanaka follows without any prompting.
Murhaa throws a jab when Tanaka was well out of range.
Tanaka avoids a kick to the body.
Tanaka misses with the combination.
Tanaka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murhaa.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Murhaa's coach down at GachiClub was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Murhaa's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Tanaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murhaa misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murhaa.
Murhaa tries to work over Tanaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tanaka blocks an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Murhaa scores with a nice short uppercut.
Murhaa misses with a hook to the ribs.

Tanaka pulls guard.
Tanaka is trying to keep Murhaa in close.
Murhaa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tanaka's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murhaa is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Murhaa gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa lands a nice looking body shot.
Tanaka takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Murhaa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Tanaka darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tanaka is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanaka looks to land a strike but Murhaa avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Murhaa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Murhaa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tanaka.
Murhaa connects with a body shot that sends Tanaka's belly button to the back.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.
Murhaa misses with a wild body shot.
Tanaka shoots in and drives through. Murhaa sprawls well.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Murhaa enables Tanaka to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Murhaa manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Murhaa looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Tanaka puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Murhaa is trying to maintain the position but Tanaka is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Murhaa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murhaa keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Murhaa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tanaka tries to free his leg and advance position but Murhaa is retaining full guard.
Murhaa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tanaka preventing the sweep.
Tanaka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Murhaa's head.
Tanaka stays in close to Murhaa's body and controls the position.
Murhaa looking for a sweep. Not yet Murhaa, not yet.

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.
Tanaka is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tanaka throws a right and a left that both miss.
Murhaa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Murhaa wants it to stay on the feet.
A lazy body kick from Murhaa

and Tanaka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tanaka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Tanaka is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Murhaa can't fight it off and eventually Tanaka manages to take the fight to the floor. Murhaa looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Murhaa wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Tanaka manages to pass to side control.

Murhaa tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Murhaa to stand up.
Tanaka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Murhaa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.
Murhaa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tanaka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nobunaga Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crunch! Murhaa slams his shin into Tanaka's torso.
Tanaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murhaa.
Tanaka shoots in for a takedown but Murhaa shows good takedown defense.
Murhaa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Tanaka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Murhaa.
Murhaa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Tanaka looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Murhaa!
Nobunaga Tanaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murhaa is trying to work for a sweep but Tanaka has mounted him!
Tanaka content just to control the position here.
Murhaa is squirming around, avoiding Tanaka's attempts to control the action.
Murhaa is working to get back to half guard.
Murhaa wants to control but Tanaka is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nobunaga Tanaka will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Murhaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Murhaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Tanaka is looking to clinch but Murhaa is avoiding it.
Murhaa throws out a counter right but Tanaka avoids it with no problem.
Tanaka goes for a double leg but Murhaa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Murhaa continues to drive forward.
Murhaa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Murhaa throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
Murhaa throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
Murhaa throws a looping overhand right but Tanaka ducks down to avoid it.
Murhaa jabs Tanaka to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Murhaa throws a hook but Tanaka avoids it easily.
Tanaka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka has his takedown stuffed
and Murhaa counters with a solid body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nobunaga Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murhaa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tanaka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murhaa's waist but Murhaa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tanaka off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crunch! Murhaa slams his shin into Tanaka's torso.
Murhaa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Tanaka closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Murhaa quickly recovers to half guard.

Murhaa manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Murhaa scores with a jab to the head.
Tanaka is looking to land body kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murhaa takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Tanaka walks forward, straight into a front kick from Murhaa.
Murhaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Tanaka.
Paul Murhaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murhaa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Murhaa flicks out a counter leg kick but Tanaka steps away.
Tanaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murhaa.
Murhaa misses with a leg kick
and Tanaka counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Murhaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Tanaka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Murhaa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Tanaka is looking to clinch but Murhaa is avoiding it.
Murhaa uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tanaka staying out of range there.
Murhaa jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Paul Murhaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

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

Tanaka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tanaka misses with a two punch combination.
Murhaa throws out a counter right but Tanaka avoids it with no problem.
Tanaka tries to clinch but Murhaa moves out of range.
Murhaa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tanaka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa scores with a leg kick.
Tanaka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murhaa avoids it really well and circles away.
Tanaka fails to land the takedown.
Murhaa flicks out a counter leg kick but Tanaka steps away.
Murhaa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Paul Murhaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Murhaa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tanaka with a poor takedown
and Murhaa counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tanaka walks into a left hand.
Murhaa is looking to land body kicks.
Murhaa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Murhaa lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Murhaa.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murhaa. Tanaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Murhaa feints and then cracks Tanaka's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tanaka down.
Murhaa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
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!
Murhaa throws a sloppy head kick and Tanaka moves out of range easily.
Murhaa just misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Murhaa defends well and Tanaka ends up having to push Murhaa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Murhaa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tanaka's head backwards.
A good leg kick by Murhaa.
Tanaka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murhaa pinned against the cage. Murhaa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
It seemed like Murhaa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tanaka doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Murhaa counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Murhaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Murhaa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Murhaa!
Paul Murhaa decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.