PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kazuhiko Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Gillespie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gillespie has chosen Knock U Out as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tanaka
vs
Gillespie

172 cm
21
142 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

164 cm
25
133 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kazuhiko Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shane Gillespie!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Tanaka with that takedown attempt.
Tanaka closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tanaka with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gillespie counters by moving into the clinch.
Tanaka tries to throw a body punch but Gillespie avoids it by throwing Tanaka back against the cage.
Tanaka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gillespie to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuhiko Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gillespie wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gillespie just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gillespie has Tanaka pressed against the cage.

Tanaka is fighting off a takedown attempt but Gillespie is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Tanaka to the mat. Tanaka regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Tanaka wants to stand up but Gillespie is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gillespie gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tanaka jabs Gillespie to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Gillespie throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tanaka was covering up waiting for the punch and Gillespie finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Gillespie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gillespie wants to stand but Tanaka has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gillespie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gillespie trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.
Gillespie landing with the ground and pound.
Tanaka controls Gillespie momentarily but Gillespie frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka wants to stand and escape but Gillespie is having none of it.
Tanaka being controlled here, momentarily.
Tanaka is trying to keep Gillespie in close.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Gillespie closes the distance and pushes Tanaka back into the cage.

Tanaka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Gillespie misses.
Gillespie connects with a looping right hand.
No joy there for Tanaka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tanaka misses with a takedown attempt
and Gillespie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tanaka is breathing heavily.
Gillespie wants to slow Tanaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Gillespie punishes Tanaka's body with a nice straight punch.
Gillespie lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tanaka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tanaka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gillespie's waist but Gillespie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tanaka off to one side.

Gillespie drives through and clinches with Tanaka against the cage.

Gillespie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Some wild striking there from Gillespie.

Gillespie throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tanaka tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gillespie is in Tanaka's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Gillespie gets to his feet - Tanaka follows without any prompting.
Gillespie throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gillespie can pounce on him.
Gillespie throws a leg kick but Tanaka sees it coming and moves out of range.

Gillespie bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Tanaka wants to control but Gillespie postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gillespie stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Tanaka has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gillespie finds it's way round the side to connect with Tanaka's head.
Gillespie moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tanaka swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gillespie counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Gillespie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tanaka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tanaka wants to stand but Gillespie is controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gillespie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Gillespie dominated that round.
That's time! Tanaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tanaka throws a right and a left that Gillespie avoids nicely.
Left hook, right uppercut from Gillespie.

It looks like Kazuhiko Tanaka has been cut.

Gillespie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tanaka's guard.
Gillespie is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Shane Gillespie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tanaka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tanaka lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gillespie!
Tanaka can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gillespie is looking to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillespie slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gillespie wants to control but Tanaka is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tanaka stalling away here and it's allowed Gillespie to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Tanaka wants to pass the guard but Gillespie is keeping the position.

Gillespie is working an open guard so Tanaka takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gillespie slips a jab and a cross from Tanaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka dodges the punch combination from Gillespie.
Gillespie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tanaka.
A combination from Gillespie does no damage.

Gillespie drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gillespie decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tanaka, up you get!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gillespie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tanaka sprawls well. Tanaka wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gillespie gets slowly back to his feet.
Tanaka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kazuhiko Tanaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tanaka tries a low kick but Gillespie avoids it.
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.

Gillespie drives through and clinches with Tanaka against the cage.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gillespie just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie is trying to break free.
Tanaka wants a takedown but no success here.
Gillespie can't get the takedown.

Gillespie has hold of one of Tanaka's legs. Tanaka is fighting the takedown attempt but Gillespie gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Tanaka wants to stand up but Gillespie is controlling him.

Gillespie drops back looking for a leg! Tanaka is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tanaka manages to kick Gillespie off! Gillespie jumps back into Tanaka's guard.

Gillespie gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka shoots in but Gillespie avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuhiko Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Tanaka misses.
Gillespie throws a series of strikes that have Tanaka backpedaling.
Gillespie digs a good hook to Tanaka's body.
Kazuhiko Tanaka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gillespie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gillespie moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gillespie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A clash of legs there as Gillespie blocks the low kick.
Tanaka throws a head kick but Gillespie moves out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Gillespie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Gillespie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kazuhiko Tanaka's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tanaka feints a jab promting Gillespie to slip. Tanaka then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gillespie slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Tanaka dodges the punch combination from Gillespie.
Gillespie looks to land a combination but Tanaka avoids it well.
Tanaka misses with a body kick.

Gillespie closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Gillespie stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Tanaka to get to his feet.

Tanaka closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gillespie did well to prevent Tanaka getting side control.
Tanaka is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Gillespie keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Gillespie regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Gillespie manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Gillespie is looking to work some ground and pound but Tanaka has wrist control.
Tanaka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gillespie is one step ahead there.

Gillespie stands and steps away. Tanaka gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Gillespie shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanaka is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gillespie scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka is trying to stand.

Gillespie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tanaka is just riding it out for now. Gillespie eventually gives up the hold.
Gillespie is thwarting Tanaka's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Gillespie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tanaka is just riding it out for now. Gillespie eventually gives up the hold.
Tanaka is trying to control but can't.

Gillespie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tanaka defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to control from the bottom.

Gillespie stands up and beckons Tanaka to join him on the feet.
Tanaka fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gillespie has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Some bone on bone action there as Gillespie checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
No joy there for Gillespie, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gillespie doesn't manage to clinch there - Tanaka circles away.
Tanaka shoots in for a double leg but Gillespie sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shane Gillespie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A punch combination from Gillespie misses.
Gillespie scores with a sloppy right hand. Tanaka should have avoided that one.
Gillespie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kazuhiko Tanaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gillespie avoids a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Gillespie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gillespie has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Gillespie!
A very excited looking Shane Gillespie 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.