PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tomohiro Tanahashi (ranked 1595 p4p, 951 weight class) and Manco Capac (ranked 224 p4p, 140 weight class). Tanahashi's entrance music is Love & Energy. A fine choice. Capac comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Iggy Pop - The Passenger kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Manco Capac has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Tomohiro Tanahashi's chin.

Tanahashi
vs
Capac

194 cm
36
185
10 - 5 - 0

180 cm
27
170
14 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

HELLBENT
Brooklyn Threads

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tomohiro Tanahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Manco Capac!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanahashi misses the shot to the body.
Capac ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanahashi moves away.
Capac takes one to the chin there.
Tanahashi misses with an uppercut.
Tanahashi throws a head kick that Capac semi-blocks.

It looks like Manco Capac has been cut.
Tanahashi scores with the left hand. Capac knows he should have avoided that one.
The fighters circling - Tanahashi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Capac drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tanahashi defends it well.
Tanahashi defending well as Capac loads up on a big left hand.
Tanahashi misses the jab.
Capac throws a body punch but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Capac lands a nice hook to Tanahashi's body. Tanahashi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tanahashi has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Area 51 MMA in the buildup to the fight.
Tanahashi throws a lazy head kick
and Capac counters with a straight right hand.
Capac swings for the body but Tanahashi moves out of range.
Tanahashi is looking to counter punch.
Capac scores with a nice right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Capac keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanahashi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Capac scores with a body shot.
Tanahashi throws a sloppy head kick

and Capac counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tanahashi keeping full guard, as Capac tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanahashi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Capac looking to pass the guard.
Capac works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Capac is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tanahashi defends it well.
Capac works his foot free and advances to mount.
Capac tries to control but Tanahashi wriggling away.
Tanahashi is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capac trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Capac has hold of Tanahashi's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Tanahashi manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Capac can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tanahashi is looking to escape.

Capac jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tanahashi is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tanahashi and Capac has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Capac is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tanahashi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tanahashi wants to get back to his feet but Capac drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Capac tries for a kimura but Tanahashi is defending well.

Capac looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Tanahashi is not content to let Capac control the position.
Tanahashi is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Capac tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Capac has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tanahashi prevents Capac from improving position.
Tanahashi is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi is not content to let Capac control the position.
Tanahashi prevents Capac from improving position.
Capac trying to control the action but Tanahashi is working from the bottom.
Tanahashi is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Capac has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Capac thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tanahashi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Capac jabs Tanahashi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tanahashi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Capac digs a good body shot into Tanahashi's ribs.
Tanahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Capac moves away.
Capac throws out a counter right but Tanahashi avoids it with no problem.
Capac has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Capac shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tanahashi's guard.
Capac seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tanahashi keeping moving, preventing Capac from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Capac wants to pass the guard but Tanahashi is keeping the position.
Tanahashi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Capac prevents Tanahashi from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanahashi has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Capac off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Capac shoots in but Tanahashi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Capac throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanahashi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tanahashi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tanahashi throws out a loose jab but Capac uses good head movement to avoid it.
Capac swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Capac lands a really nice looking cross but Tanahashi seems unphased.
Tanahashi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Capac displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A combination from Tanahashi does no damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Capac shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nice defenses there by Capac.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Capac looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Capac slips under a jab.
Capac takes a swing at Tanahashi's ribcage but misses.
Tanahashi misses with a head kick.
Capac uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tanahashi.
Capac throws out a counter right but Tanahashi avoids it with no problem.
Capac is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tanahashi rather than just go for the knockout.
Capac ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Capac lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tanahashi lands a nice shot that snaps Capac's head back.
Tanahashi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Capac avoids the body shot from Tanahashi.
Capac throws a series of strikes that have Tanahashi backpedaling.
Tanahashi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Capac finds it's way round the side to connect with Tanahashi's head.
Decent striking displayed by Tanahashi there.
Capac with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi swings for the body but Capac moves out of range.
Tanahashi lands a high kick!
Tanahashi throws out a loose jab but Capac uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Capac on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tomohiro Tanahashi is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Capac. Tanahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanahashi throws a head kick that misses.
Tanahashi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tanahashi avoids the body shot from Capac.

Capac darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Capac looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Tanahashi wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Capac is working for a submission of some sort.
Tanahashi is trying to stand back up but Capac is controlling him
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Capac seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Capac is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Manco Capac will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Manco Capac's cut.
That's time! Tanahashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tanahashi misses with a left hand
and Capac counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Capac throws a body shot but no joy.
Tanahashi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Capac manages to avoid it.
Capac looks for a takedown but Tanahashi sprawls well.
Tanahashi throwing a counter right hand but Capac manages to avoid it.
A big left from Capac misses.
Tanahashi swings widly with a right hand
and Capac counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Capac throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tanahashi ducks under a wild hook from Capac.
Tanahashi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanahashi throws a jab when Capac was well out of range.
Capac shoots for a double leg takedown but Tanahashi sprawls well. He's pushed Capac's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tanahashi lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Tanahashi misses with a body shot.
A little jabbing left from Capac on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Capac avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Capac fails with the takedown.
Tomohiro Tanahashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manco Capac.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Tanahashi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tanahashi.
Capac blocks a head kick by Tanahashi.
A cross from Capac lands.
Tanahashi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Capac.
Tanahashi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
It seemed like Capac was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tanahashi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tanahashi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Capac avoids the head kick by Tanahashi.
Capac let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Capac keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tanahashi.
Tanahashi misses with a body shot.
Capac doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tomohiro Tanahashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capac staying out of range there.
Capac closes the distance and clinches up with Tanahashi, looking for a takedown. Capac pushes Tanahashi against the cage but Tanahashi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tanahashi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tanahashi misses with a wild body shot.
Capac avoids the head kick by Tanahashi.
Capac comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tanahashi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
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!
Tanahashi looks to land a right hand but Capac moved out of range.
Capac looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Capac misses with a body shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tanahashi enables Capac to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tanahashi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Tanahashi pushes Capac off and scrambles back to his feet.
Tanahashi misses with a body shot.
Tanahashi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Capac lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tanahashi at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi throws a body punch but Capac moves out of range.
Capac lands a jab to Tanahashi's midsection.
Tanahashi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Capac counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Capac fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tanahashi avoids it really well and circles away.
Capac fails with the takedown.
Tanahashi throws a nice head kick!
Tanahashi wants to clinch
and Capac counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tomohiro Tanahashi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi throws a hook to the side of Capac's head but Capac sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tanahashi connects with a high kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Capac.
Capac scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A head kick by Tanahashi misses
and Capac counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tanahashi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Capac to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Capac advances position into side control!

Capac working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Capac tries to advance to mount but can't.
Manco Capac is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Capac is looking to take a break and control but Tanahashi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Manco Capac.
I've got Capac 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manco Capac!
A very excited looking Manco Capac 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.