PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Soldier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tanaka Masatoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masatoshi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: [No.666]. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Soldier
vs
Masatoshi

180 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
21
172 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Soldier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tanaka Masatoshi!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Soldier rushes Masatoshi and presses him up against the cage.

Soldier has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Masatoshi regains guard immediately.
Soldier tries to free his leg and advance position but Masatoshi is retaining full guard.
Masatoshi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Soldier controls the pace.
Masatoshi is trying to keep Soldier in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masatoshi wants to stand but Soldier is controlling the position.
Masatoshi being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldier wants to pass the guard but Masatoshi is keeping the position.

Soldier stands and steps away. Masatoshi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Masatoshi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Masatoshi throws a series of punches but Soldier moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Soldier shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Masatoshi pinned against the cage. Masatoshi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Soldier closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Masatoshi did well to prevent Soldier getting side control.
Soldier is breathing heavily.
Soldier seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Masatoshi is looking to escape.
Soldier missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Soldier stalling away here and it's allowed Masatoshi to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldier sitting in guard here, content to control.
Masatoshi is looking to stand up but Soldier isn't so interested in that idea.
Soldier slips nicely into half guard.
Soldier wants to take a breather but Masatoshi is having none of it.

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.

Soldier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Masatoshi is refusing to be controlled, as Soldier sits in half guard.
Masatoshi is looking for a sweep. Soldier is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Soldier stops Masatoshi from getting back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masatoshi is not content to let Soldier control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Soldier dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A slapping leg kick lands for Masatoshi.
Masatoshi leaves Soldier with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mike Soldier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Masatoshi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Masatoshi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Masatoshi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Soldier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Masatoshi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Masatoshi misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masatoshi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Soldier circles away quickly and effectively.
Horrible takedown by Soldier or perhaps it was just good defense by Masatoshi which made him look bad.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Soldier is defended easily by Masatoshi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Soldier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soldier takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masatoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Soldier moves out of range easily.
Tanaka Masatoshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masatoshi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Soldier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masatoshi looks to land a combination but Soldier avoids it well.
Masatoshi throws a head kick but Soldier moves out of range.
Soldier wants to clinch.
Masatoshi works over Soldier's head and body with a nice combination.
Masatoshi throws a nice looking combination but Soldier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Soldier blocks a head kick by Masatoshi.
Soldier avoids a punch combination nicely.

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.
Soldier is trying hard to land a takedown here. Masatoshi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Masatoshi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Soldier looks for a takedown but Masatoshi sprawls well.
Masatoshi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Soldier avoids the head kick by Masatoshi.
Soldier takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Masatoshi misses with a two punch combination.
Masatoshi throws a head kick but Soldier moves out of range.
Soldier takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Masatoshi!
Masatoshi scores with a one two! Soldier had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldier misses with a takedown attempt - Masatoshi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Masatoshi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Soldier shoots in for a takedown but Masatoshi shows good takedown defense.
Masatoshi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Soldier shoots in for a double leg but Masatoshi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Soldier slips a jab and a cross from Masatoshi.
Masatoshi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Soldier uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Masatoshi.
Soldier takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Soldier drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Soldier wants to control from the top but Masatoshi keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soldier stands up over Masatoshi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Soldier won't allow Masatoshi to get back to his feet.
Soldier wants to control from the top but Masatoshi keeps moving.
Soldier pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Masatoshi is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Soldier trying to control the position from guard on top but Masatoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tanaka Masatoshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab from Masatoshi does it's job there.
Soldier avoids a kick to the body.
Masatoshi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Masatoshi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Soldier is defended easily by Masatoshi.
Soldier dives in and grabs Masatoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Masatoshi pushes down on Soldier's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masatoshi misses with a head kick.
Soldier tries to score a power double leg takedown but Masatoshi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Soldier somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Soldier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Masatoshi misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masatoshi misses with a few strikes there.
Soldier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Masatoshi misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Masatoshi misses.
Masatoshi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Soldier. That did some damage!
Masatoshi looks to land a combination. Soldier sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Soldier closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Masatoshi did well to prevent Soldier getting side control.

Masatoshi manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Masatoshi fails to land with a series of punches.

Soldier is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Masatoshi's half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soldier not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Soldier wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masatoshi keeps working.
Soldier performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Soldier is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldier takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Masatoshi makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Masatoshi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Soldier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Masatoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Soldier throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Masatoshi's waist but Masatoshi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Soldier off to one side.
Nice sprawl there from Masatoshi as Soldier shoots in.

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.
Soldier tries to clinch up but Masatoshi circles away and keeps his distance.
Masatoshi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Masatoshi connects with a solid leg kick.

Soldier closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Masatoshi takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Soldier throws a strike aimed at the side of Masatoshi's head but Masatoshi avoids it well.
Soldier prevents Masatoshi from escaping the position.
Soldier trying to control the position but Masatoshi is working away.
Soldier moves into full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Soldier showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Soldier has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Soldier!