PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taka Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spike Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tanaka might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Muse - Citizen Erased. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Tanaka
vs
Silva

196 cm
20
205 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

187 cm
25
215 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taka Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Spike Silva!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tanaka circles away.
Spike Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva shoots in but no luck this time.
Tanaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Silva.
Tanaka leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Taka Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spike Silva.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Silva shoots for a takedown but Tanaka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Silva tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tanaka swivels and escapes.
Silva shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Silva looks gassed!
Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tanaka but Tanaka pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tanaka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tanaka counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Tanaka gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tanaka wants a takedown.
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
Silva takes an elbow to the forehead.

Silva jumps guard and drags Tanaka to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.
Tanaka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Silva on the ground.

Silva throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Tanaka escapes and throws Silva's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Silva is trying to improve his position.
Silva manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.

Silva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Silva tries to roll over but Tanaka keeps him under control.
Silva wants to get back to full guard but Tanaka has passed into side control.
Silva is working to get back to half guard.

That's four 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.
Silva regains half guard.

Silva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Silva looking for subs from the bottom but Tanaka mounts him!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tanaka counters with a one-two to the body.
Silva shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Tanaka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Silva tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tanaka smiles and moves away.
Taka Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spike Silva.
Tanaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Silva swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt
and Tanaka counters with a nice body kick.

Tanaka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Silva, pushing him back against the cage.
Silva tries to pull guard but Tanaka holds him up against the cage and eventually Silva drops back down to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
Tanaka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tanaka leaning against his opponent.
Tanaka looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Silva pulls Tanaka into guard.

Silva is looking for a triangle here but Tanaka uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Silva manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tanaka's best efforts.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Silva is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tanaka's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tanaka's back!
Tanaka is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Silva.
Silva is breathing heavily.

Silva looking for the choke from the back.

Tanaka defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Silva's arms.

Tanaka preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Silva.

That's four 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 preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Silva.

Tanaka defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Silva's arms.
Tanaka is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Silva working for a choke but Tanaka reverses nicely into Silva 's guard.

Silva working for a triangle but Tanaka defends it easily.
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 Taka Tanaka will probably get the nod.
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!

Tanaka drives through and clinches with Silva against the cage.
Silva fails to pull guard.
Silva drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tanaka pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva with a poor takedown

and Tanaka counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Taka Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spike Silva.
Tanaka effectively controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva fails to pull guard.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tanaka gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Silva ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Silva no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Silva is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Silva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Tanaka avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Silva is looking for a triangle but Tanaka pushes his legs off easily.

Tanaka stands up from Silva's guard - Tanaka perhaps looking for a knockout.
Taka Tanaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva misses with a takedown

and Tanaka counters by clinching up.
Tanaka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Spike Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tanaka avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silva goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tanaka prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Silva is fighting off a takedown attempt but Tanaka is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Silva to the mat. Silva regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Silva looking for a sweep. Not yet Silva, not yet.

Silva has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tanaka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Tanaka stands up and waves to Silva to follow him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taka Tanaka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tanaka, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taka Tanaka!