PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tomohiko Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasara Hai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tomohiko Tanaka has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Tanaka
vs
Hai

190 cm
19
168 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

181 cm
25
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tomohiko Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vasara Hai!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka thuds a left hand into Hai's body.
Tanaka lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hai's sensitive parts.

Hai changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tanaka looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Tanaka struggling a bit here.
Tanaka manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hai is trying to stand.
Tanaka is looking to advance position but Hai won't allow it.
Hai trying to control here.
Hai is trying to get back to full guard.

Tanaka is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hai!
Tanaka thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tanaka throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hai because Tanaka loaded up on that one.
Tanaka fails to take his opponent's back.
Hai is squirming around, avoiding Tanaka's attempts to control the action.

Tanaka goes for an armbar but Hai turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Hai.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hai is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hai is working Tanaka over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tanaka wants to control but Hai passes easily into half guard.
Hai is stalling here. Tanaka is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hai seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Tanaka has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Tanaka.

Tanaka tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hai tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tanaka tries to advance position but instead Hai slips a leg back in to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hai manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tanaka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Hai keeps moving.
Tanaka advances position into side control!
Hai struggling a bit here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hai manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomohiko Tanaka 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.

Tanaka dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hai. That did some damage!

Tanaka gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hai to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tanaka looking to control.
Hai pushes down on Tanaka's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hai is looking to stall here but Tanaka recovers full guard.
Hai with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hai wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
Hai throws a big elbow that misses.
Hai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hai is looking to advance position but Tanaka has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Hai holds on for dear life, controlling Tanaka's posture momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka throwing strikes here but Hai is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Tanaka trying to control but Hai is having none of it.
Hai is desperately trying to improve his position but Tanaka has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to control but Hai is having none of it.

Tanaka working for a submission but Hai is keeping him at bay.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tanaka goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Hai turns into him and now he's in Tanaka's guard.

Tanaka had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hai defends it easily.
Tanaka working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hai trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.
Tomohiko Tanaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hai wanted to stand there but Tanaka had control of the position.
Hai advances to half guard.

Tanaka is defending against the submission attempts here by Hai.
Tanaka taking some punishment here, with Hai in his half guard.
Hai is looking to advance position but Tanaka won't allow it.
Tanaka is pressing down on Hai's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing Hai from controlling successfully.
Hai wants to pass the guard but Tanaka is keeping the position.
Tanaka manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Tanaka goes for an armbar but Hai turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Hai.
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!
Hai stopping the sweep attempt from Tanaka.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasara Hai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Tanaka pushes Hai up against the cage in a clinch.

Hai gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Tanaka regains guard.
Hai trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hai tries to free his leg and advance position but Tanaka is retaining full guard.
Hai lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hai with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hai controlling from the top position.

Tanaka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hai sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tanaka's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hai throwing shots but Tanaka is blocking nicely.
Hai lands strikes from half guard.
Tanaka gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka has momentary wrist control but Hai slips an elbow through the middle.
Hai wants to pass the guard but Tanaka is keeping the position.
Tanaka really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Hai stands up and waves to Tanaka to follow him.
Tanaka scores with a jab to the body.
Tanaka misses with a takedown attempt - Hai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Hai tries to keep at a distance but Tanaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tanaka is trying to pull guard but Hai turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Hai turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Tanaka can't do much from the bottom here.
Tanaka takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hai trying to control the position but Tanaka is working away.
Tanaka sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hai takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hai working Tanaka over with strikes.
Tanaka manages to get to full guard.
Tanaka trying to control the position.
Hai keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tanaka's head.
Hai lands a couple of digs.
Tanaka trying to keep a closed guard but Hai is proving a slippery customer.
Hai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
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.
Hai works over Tanaka with some ground and pound from guard.

Hai decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Tanaka connects with a leg kick. Hai looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vasara Hai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tanaka, as that shot connected.
Tanaka is looking to slow Hai down with leg kicks.

Hai forces Tanaka back against the cage and clinches.

Tanaka ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tanaka no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Tanaka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hai is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hai pushes down on Tanaka's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanaka manages to get to full guard.
Hai must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hai is pushing down on Tanaka's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tanaka is fighting to maintain full guard but Hai has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hai sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tanaka defending well though.
Hai thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Still in half guard, Hai seems content to control.
Tanaka is refusing to be controlled, as Hai sits in half guard.

Hai is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tanaka sees it coming and defends easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tanaka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tanaka.
Tanaka controls Hai momentarily but Hai frees himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasara Hai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hai 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasara Hai!
Vasara Hai spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.