PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daichi Tanaka (ranked 2199 p4p, 1288 weight class) and Jackson Jones (ranked 202 p4p, 128 weight class). Jackson Jones is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Tanaka
vs
Jones

166 cm
27
145
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
153
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

BANZAI NUTRITION

BANZAI NUTRITION
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daichi Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jackson Jones!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Darius Henderson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka throws a body punch but Jones moves out of range.
A jab from Tanaka does it's job there.
Jones misses with a body shot.
Tanaka tries to counter with a takedown but Jones is quick to defend against it.
Jones scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tanaka in his tracks.

Jones moves into the clinch.
Good body shot from Jones.
Jones lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.
Jones gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tanaka.
Tanaka misses with a punch to the body.
Jones stops a takedown attempt from Tanaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short left from Jones.
Jones misses with a punch on the inside.
Tanaka has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jones avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daichi Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones tries to throw a body punch but Tanaka avoids it by throwing Jones back against the cage.
Jones misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jones to keep the fight standing.

Tanaka jumps into guard, dragging Jones to the mat.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.

Tanaka is looking for a triangle but Jones pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones postures up in Tanaka's guard and throws a big left but Tanaka blocks it.
Jones wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones won't allow Tanaka to sweep him here.
Tanaka might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Jones postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jones throws a big elbow that misses.
Jones controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to free his leg and advance position but Tanaka is retaining full guard.
Jones wants to stand but Tanaka has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Jones controlling from the top position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jones wanted to stand there but Tanaka had control of the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jones getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Jones moves into the clinch.
Tanaka tries to score a body lock takedown but Jones shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jones prevents a body shot from Tanaka.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Tanaka changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Jones looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
Jones manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Jones tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tanaka knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jones trying to advance position but Tanaka counters by regaining guard.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jones loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jones trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jones is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jones slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.
Jones trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.
Tanaka wants to sweep but no luck.
Tanaka is working hard here to advance position.
We've been informed that Jones has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Jones wanted to stand there but Tanaka had control of the position.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Jones dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tanaka takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jones throws the left hand but Tanaka avoids the punch easily.

Jones gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tanaka jumps guard.

Tanaka looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jones throws a strike but Tanaka rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Jones looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Tanaka has picked Jones up and slammed him! Jones can't keep hold of the triangle and Tanaka manages to pass to side control!
Tanaka trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Jones's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Jones is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones can't do much from the bottom here.
Jones trying his best to control but Tanaka has mounted him.
Jones is trying to escape the mount.
Jones wants to control but Tanaka is having none of it.
Daichi Tanaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tanaka tries to control but Jones wriggling away.
Tanaka avoids the attempt from Jones to control.
Jones looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is keeping busy.
Jones wants to escape the position.
Tanaka tries to get the hooks in deep but Jones pushed the leg off.
Jones is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Tanaka working for a choke but Jones is defending well.
Jones tries to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Tanaka is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Jones defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
I really don't envy Jones right now.
Jones trying to control the action but Tanaka just sinks the hooks in.
Tanaka tries to keep control of the position but Jones is staying busy.
Tanaka avoiding Jones 's attempts to control his hands.
Jones tries to escape but Tanaka has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Jones has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Jones is trying to break free.
Jones manages to reverse the position and now he's in Tanaka's guard. Nice work there by Jones.
Jones postures up in Tanaka's guard and throws a big left but Tanaka blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.
Jones controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Daichi Tanaka dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tanaka takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A jab from Tanaka does it's job there.
Jones scores with a hook.

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

Jones working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tanaka has passed into half guard!
Tanaka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jones does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka trying to control the pace.
Jones is trying to stand up here but Tanaka is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is looking for a sweep. Tanaka is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jones is doing well to control the position and prevent Tanaka from advancing to side control.
Tanaka prevents Jones from standing back up.
Tanaka is keen to just control but Jones is a slippery customer.
Jones wants to control but Tanaka is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jackson Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanaka's corner calls for a 1-2. Tanaka obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Jones uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tanaka.
Tanaka has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jones finds it's way round the side to connect with Tanaka's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanaka.
Jones is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Jones has Tanaka up against the cage in a clinch.
Jones cracks Tanaka with a nice body shot.
Jones throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Jones has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Jones misses with a punch on the inside.
Jones lands with a short shot to the head.
Jones lands a right hand.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jones.
Jones working aggressively here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanaka jumps guard but Jones turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jones just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tanaka jumps guard but Jones turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daichi Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jones throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tanakas head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.
Tanaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jones is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A short right from Jones.
Tanaka tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jones working aggressively here.
Jones gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tanaka.
Jones throws a punch but it's blocked by Tanaka.
A short right from Jones on the inside.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tanaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tanaka takes a shot to the head.
Jones throws a head punch that misses.
Jones tries to work over Tanaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tanaka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jones to keep the fight standing.
A hook to the body from Jones.
Tanaka jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jones walks away with a smile on his face. Tanaka gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jones throws a series of strikes that have Tanaka backpedaling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jones's jab looks to have found its range, popping Tanaka under the eye.
Jones has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Jones gets a clinch.
Jones scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tanaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jones lands a hook to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Jones.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
Jones lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.

Tanaka is rocked!
Jones lands a hook to the side of the head.
Oh Tanaka is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jones pushes Tanaka back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jackson Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jones 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jackson Jones!