PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joao Araujo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masahiro Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Araujo
vs
Tanaka

225 cm
22
300 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

218 cm
22
275 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joao Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masahiro Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Araujo but Araujo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tanaka throws a low kick but it's checked well by Araujo.
Joao Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tanaka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Araujo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanaka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Araujo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Araujo gets the takedown into side control.
Araujo in side control, throwing shots but Tanaka defends.
Tanaka struggling a bit here.
Tanaka is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Araujo off and has taken his back!
Tanaka trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Tanaka looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Araujo rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Tanaka scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Araujo is trying to get back to full guard.
Tanaka is tying to control. Araujo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tanaka seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Araujo is trying to escape back to his feet but Tanaka uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanaka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tanaka trying to control the action but Araujo is working from the bottom.
Araujo is looking to get back to his feet here but Tanaka is keeping cool and he's managed to take Araujo's back.
Araujo wants to control his opponent's hands but Tanaka gets his hands free.
The referee is taking a good look at Araujo as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Tanaka!
Araujo is trying to get back to his feet but Tanaka has full control of the position and if anything, Araujo has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Tanaka loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Araujo hold on?
A lull in the action here.
Araujo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tanaka on the ground.
Araujo trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Araujo won't enjoy being in this position. Tanaka looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Araujo is tapping - it's over boys! Tanaka picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Masahiro Tanaka!