PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dean Lancaster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and In Jin Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lancaster comes to the cage accompanied by Fort Minor - Remember The Name. The key to victory for Dean Lancaster has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Lancaster
vs
Jin Tanaka

200 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 7 - 0

193 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dean Lancaster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, In Jin Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Tanaka.
Lancaster shoots in for a double leg but Tanaka sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lancaster wants to clinch.

Lancaster decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Tanaka trying to control from the bottom.
Tanaka pushes Lancaster off looking to stand but Lancaster dives back in and keeps control.
Lancaster throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lancaster knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tanaka on the ground.
Lancaster throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lancaster wants to pass the guard but Tanaka is defending well.
Lancaster tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Tanaka wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lancaster lands with an uppercut that bounces Tanaka off the cage and back into rage.

It looks like In Jin Tanaka has been cut.
Lancaster shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tanaka pinned against the cage. Tanaka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Tanaka scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Tanaka decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Tanaka looks gassed!
No joy there for Tanaka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lancaster doesn't manage to clinch there - Tanaka circles away.
Lancaster connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tanaka momentarily.

Lancaster has Tanaka up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tanaka gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lancaster tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.
Lancaster looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lancaster is defending against the submission attempts here by Tanaka.
Lancaster wants to improve his position but Tanaka is controlling well.
Lancaster tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Tanaka moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Lancaster.
Lancaster wants to control but Tanaka postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster tries to bench press Tanaka off him but Tanaka keeps the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lancaster fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lancaster tries for a takedown but Tanaka circles away easily

and Tanaka counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tanaka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Lancaster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lancaster looking to control.
Lancaster looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tanaka is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lancaster is looking for a triangle but Tanaka pushes his legs off easily.
Tanaka stopping the sweep attempt from Lancaster.
Lancaster has control of Tanaka's left arm, preventing Tanaka from doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Lancaster clinches with his opponent.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lancaster.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but In Jin Tanaka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on In Jin Tanaka's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

No luck for Lancaster with that takedown attempt.
Tanaka clinches but Lancaster breaks the clinch

and Lancaster counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Lancaster manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Lancaster has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tanaka avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tanaka tries to break the clinch but Lancaster is controlling the position.
Tanaka misses with a punch to the body.
Lancaster keeps control of Tanaka as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lancaster using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tanaka can't get the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lancaster scores a nice knee to the body.
Lancaster landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lancaster lands a body shot in the clinch.
Tanaka is breathing heavily.
Tanaka gets underhooks to prevent Lancaster's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Lancaster. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lancaster breaks the clinch.
Lancaster shoots in for a takedown but Tanaka shows good takedown defense.
Lancaster changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tanaka tries to avoid it but Lancaster manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tanaka to the ground. Tanaka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lancaster fails with the takedown

and Tanaka counters by moving into the clinch.
Tanaka drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lancaster is stalling here.

Lancaster breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Lancaster breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Lancaster darts in and clinches Tanaka up against the cage.
Lancaster prevents Tanaka from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Lancaster takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Lancaster landing knees to the body.
Lancaster is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A left hand lands to the body for Lancaster.
Tanaka tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lancaster smiles and moves away.
Lancaster wants to clinch up but Tanaka keeps it at a distance.
Tanaka shoots in looking for a takedown. Lancaster tries to sprawl out of it but Tanaka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lancaster manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lancaster closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tanaka circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tanaka circles away.
Lancaster lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Lancaster shoots in but Tanaka avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Lancaster closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

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

Tanaka gets to his feet - Lancaster follows without any prompting.
Lancaster has his takedown stuffed
and Lancaster takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lancaster is looking to clinch.
Lancaster tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lancaster closes the distance and clinches up with Tanaka, looking for a takedown. Lancaster pushes Tanaka against the cage but Tanaka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dean Lancaster is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tanaka with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lancaster is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tanaka swivels and escapes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lancaster looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Tanaka bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lancaster tries to improve position but can't.

Tanaka tries for a kimura but Lancaster is defending well.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lancaster keeps working.
Lancaster tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tanaka wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Lancaster dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on In Jin Tanaka's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lancaster takes the fight into the clinch.
Lancaster scores a nice knee to the body.
Lancaster wants to stall.
Tanaka misses with a punch on the inside.
Lancaster with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lancaster scores a nice knee to the body.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but Lancaster holds him up against the cage and eventually Tanaka drops back down to his feet.
Lancaster unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tanaka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Lancaster breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Lancaster clinches up with Tanaka and pushes him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Lancaster.
Lancaster gets underhooks to prevent Tanaka's takedown attempt.
Tanaka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lancaster works on Tanaka's body with a couple of short punches.
Lancaster has Tanaka pushed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lancaster jumps guard.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Lancaster keeps moving.

Lancaster pushes Tanaka off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Lancaster closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Lancaster jumps guard and drags Tanaka to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tanaka won't allow Lancaster to sweep him here.

Lancaster kicks Tanaka off and gets to his feet.
Lancaster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tanaka counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Lancaster keeps moving.
Lancaster is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Lancaster uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lancaster throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Lancaster wants to clinch up but Tanaka keeps it at a distance.
Lancaster wants to clinch.

Lancaster clinches with his opponent.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lancaster.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tanaka wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lancaster unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tanaka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lancaster stalls.
A left hand lands to the body for Lancaster.

Lancaster jumps into guard, dragging Tanaka to the mat.

Lancaster looking for a guillotine here but Tanaka defends easily.

Lancaster throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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.
Tanaka won't allow Lancaster to sweep him here.
Lancaster pulls Tanaka in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lancaster looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tanaka trying to control but Lancaster is working from the bottom.
Lancaster is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dean Lancaster showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lancaster 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Lancaster!