PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yoji Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tosh Yamaoka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tosh Yamaoka has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Yoji Tanaka's chin.

Tanaka
vs
Yamaoka

180 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
168 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Yoji Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tosh Yamaoka!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka throws a head kick that Yamaoka semi-blocks.
Tanaka fails with an attempt to clinch.
A good leg kick by Tanaka.
Tanaka moves in looking to clinch but Yamaoka pushes him off.
Tanaka tries to clinch but Yamaoka is having none of it.
Yamaoka wants to counter the offense by Tanaka and move into the clinch position.
Tanaka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yamaoka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tanaka lands with a nice body punch.
Tanaka darts in looking for a takedown but Yamaoka gets double underhooks and turns Tanaka into the cage.
Nice sprawl there from Yamaoka as Tanaka shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoji Tanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but Yamaoka holds him up against the cage and eventually Tanaka drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Yamaoka pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaoka is trying to force a seperation but Tanaka has the dominant position.
Yamaoka lands a knee to the body.

Tanaka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tanaka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yamaoka defends it nicely.
Yamaoka shoots in for a takedown but Tanaka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Yamaoka looks to move away, Tanaka throws a big counter combo bu Yamaoka just gets out of the way.
Yamaoka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tanaka's waist but Tanaka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yamaoka off to one side.
Tanaka closes the distance and clinches up with Yamaoka, looking for a takedown. Tanaka pushes Yamaoka against the cage but Yamaoka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yamaoka tries to counter with a clinch but Tanaka shakes him off and moves away.
Tanaka stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tanaka wants it to stay on the feet.
Yamaoka fails with the takedown.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to control from the bottom.
Tanaka is breathing heavily.
Yamaoka is stalling here. Tanaka is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Yamaoka 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamaoka is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tanaka off and has taken his back!
Tanaka is trying to stand back up.
Tanaka trying to control the position but Yamaoka manages to sink in the hooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka wants to escape the position.
Tanaka just trying to survive but Yamaoka is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Tanaka is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Yamaoka gets his way!
Tanaka manages to reverse the position and now he's in Yamaoka's guard. Nice work there by Tanaka.
Tanaka wants to stand and escape but instead Yamaoka has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yamaoka moves into the clinch.
Tanaka trying to stall but Yamaoka improves his position.
Yamaoka tries to pull guard but Tanaka won't allow it.
Yamaoka tries to pull guard but Tanaka forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Yamaoka is trying to break the clinch but Tanaka has him pressed against the cage.
Tanaka is trying to drag Yamaoka to the mat but Yamaoka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Yamaoka has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tanaka avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Yamaoka stops a takedown attempt from Tanaka.
Yamaoka tries to break free but Tanaka pushes him back against the cage.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Yamaoka avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tosh Yamaoka 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 tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tanaka goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Yamaoka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tanaka but Tanaka pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Tanaka gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A body shot lands from Tanaka.
Tanaka tries to break the clinch but Yamaoka is controlling the position.
Yamaoka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tanaka to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka wants a takedown but no success here.

Tanaka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Yamaoka shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tanaka manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Yamaoka wants to get up but he can't break Tanaka's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka wants to stand up but Yamaoka is controlling him.

Tanaka looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Yamaoka has picked Tanaka up and slammed him! Tanaka can't keep hold of the triangle and Yamaoka manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tanaka is trying to work for a sweep but Yamaoka has mounted him!
Yamaoka looking to control but Tanaka is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Yamaoka is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Yamaoka shoots for a double leg takedown but Tanaka sprawls well. He's pushed Yamaoka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Yoji Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tosh Yamaoka.

Tanaka gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yamaoka lands a takedown into guard.
Yamaoka wants to stand but Tanaka is controlling his posture from full guard.
Yamaoka wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
Tanaka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Yamaoka looking to pass the guard.

Yamaoka stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaoka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tanaka dives in and grabs Yamaoka's left leg, looking for a takedown. Yamaoka pushes down on Tanaka's head and hops out.
Yamaoka tries to counter with a clinch but Tanaka shakes him off and moves away.
Tanaka shoots in for a double leg but Yamaoka sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tanaka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yamaoka is defended easily by Tanaka.

Yamaoka tries to keep at a distance but Tanaka has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaoka tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanaka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yamaoka has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tanaka avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tanaka wants a takedown but no success here.
Tanaka tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yamaoka smiles and moves away.
Yamaoka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tanaka tries to clinch there but Yamaoka circles away.
Tanaka leaves Yamaoka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tanaka tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Yamaoka manages to circle out of the way.

Yamaoka feints and as Tanaka raises his hands in defense, Yamaoka changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tanaka looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tosh Yamaoka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yamaoka looks for a takedown but Tanaka sprawls well.
Tanaka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamaoka swivels and escapes.
Yamaoka tries to close the distance and clinch but Tanaka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Yamaoka.
Tanaka throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka doesn't manage to clinch there - Yamaoka circles away.
Yamaoka tries to counter with a clinch but Tanaka shakes him off and moves away.
Yamaoka fails to land the takedown.
Yoji Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tosh Yamaoka.
Yamaoka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yamaoka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yamaoka closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tanaka's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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 throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tanaka working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Yamaoka has passed into half guard!
Tanaka is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaoka trying to mount his opponent but Tanaka defends it.
Tanaka is staying active underneath Yamaoka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Yamaoka prevents Tanaka from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yamaoka changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tanaka tries to avoid it but Yamaoka manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tanaka to the ground. Tanaka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yamaoka shoots in for a takedown but Tanaka shows good takedown defense.
Yamaoka throws a leg kick but Tanaka sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaoka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tanaka throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yamaoka counters with a one-two to the body.

Tanaka gets caught napping as Yamaoka dives in and scores a takedown. Tanaka manages to retain guard.
Yamaoka trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.
Tanaka trying to control the position here.
Tanaka has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Tosh Yamaoka has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaoka tries to stand but Tanaka is controlling from the bottom.
Yamaoka trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tanaka keeping full guard, as Yamaoka tries to pass.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tosh Yamaoka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yamaoka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tosh Yamaoka!