PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Masters Max (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shenji Tanikai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Max kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Cypress Hill - Insane In The Membrane. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Max
vs
Tanikai

195 cm
20
225 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

185 cm
22
275 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masters Max!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shenji Tanikai!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Leandro Rodrigues and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanikai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Max.
Max slips a jab and a cross from Tanikai.
Tanikai is looking to clinch but Max is avoiding it.
Tanikai misses with a looping left.
A big left from Tanikai misses.
Max shoots for a double leg takedown but Tanikai sprawls well. He's pushed Max's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tanikai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Max.
Tanikai wants to clinch up but Max keeps it at a distance.
Tanikai moves in looking to clinch but Max pushes him off.
Tanikai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tanikai scores with a hook.
Max connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tanikai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Max throws a shot to the body.
Tanikai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Max misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tanikai drops Max with a right and a left! Tanikai comes rushing in but Max regains his composure and manages to keep Tanikai in guard.

It looks like Masters Max has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Max wants to stand but Tanikai is controlling the position.
Tanikai working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Max can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tanikai controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanikai missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tanikai throws a big right hand that misses.
Tanikai is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Max looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Max is breathing heavily.
Tanikai is working Max over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Tanikai stands and steps away. Max gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Max throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Shenji Tanikai has been cut.
Max lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Max.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai wants to clinch up but Max keeps it at a distance.
Max misses with a head kick.
Tanikai is looking to clinch but Max is avoiding it.
Tanikai swings away with a body shot that misses
and Max counters with a big head kick but Tanikai shrugs it off.
Tanikai misses with a two punch combination.
Tanikai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tanikai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tanikai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Max looks for a takedown but Tanikai sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masters Max. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanikai moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tanikai wants to clinch.
Tanikai pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Max throws a head kick that half lands.
Max keeps the fight on the outside.
Tanikai clinches but Max breaks the clinch
and Max makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Max avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanikai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tanikai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Max swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tanikai misses with a double jab
and Max counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Max stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tanikai looks to land a left hand but Max moved out of range nicely.
Tanikai is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

Max fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tanikai, pushing him back against the cage.
Max has Tanikai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tanikai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tanikai wants to get back to striking at distance but Max won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Max jumps guard but Tanikai stands there with Max around his waist. Max gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Max is trying to drag Tanikai to the mat but Tanikai just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Max is controlling the position.
Max wants to break free but Tanikai has control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Max is controlling the position.
Tanikai wants to break free but Max has control.
Tanikai can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shenji Tanikai will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tanikai cracks Max with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Tanikai.
Tanikai tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Max counters with a nice kick to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Tanikai as Max shoots in.
Tanikai moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tanikai misses with a jab, cross combination.

Tanikai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Max drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tanikai pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tanikai throws a nice looking combination but Max bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tanikai throws a nice looking combination but Max bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tanikai misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Max tries to clinch there but Tanikai circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanikai tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Max counters with a three punch combo that has Tanikai backing up. Tanikai nods at Max to acknowledge the strikes.
No luck for Max with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masters Max. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanikai with a nice cross.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tanikai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A head kick from Max lands but Tanikai takes it in his stride.
Tanikai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Max fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tanikai lands with a straight right. Max didn't see that one coming.
Tanikai throws a series of punches but Max moves out of range.
Max fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tanikai throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Max, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tanikai clinches but Max breaks the clinch
and Max counters with a head kick. That will keep Tanikai thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Some wild striking there from Tanikai.
Shenji Tanikai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Max.
Tanikai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tanikai throws a combination that misses
and Max counters with a big head kick but Tanikai shrugs it off.
Max walks into a stiff left hand from Tanikai.
Tanikai throws a jab but it's blocked by Max.
Max connects with a high kick.
Tanikai misses with a two punch combination.
Tanikai is looking to clinch but Max is avoiding it.
Max slips a jab and a cross from Tanikai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Max closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tanikai circles away.
Tanikai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Max tries to clinch but Tanikai is having none of it.
Tanikai swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Max.
Tanikai throws a series of punches but Max moves out of range.
Max avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Max throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tanikai's head.
Max moves out of range as Tanikai strikes.
Max will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Max clinches up with Tanikai and pushes him back against the cage.
Max jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tanikai walks away with a smile on his face. Max gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tanikai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Max manages to avoid it.
Max fails with a takedown attempt.
Donk. Tanikai catches Max right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai misses with the combination.
Tanikai wants to clinch up but Max keeps it at a distance.
Max fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A combination from Tanikai does no damage.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Max.
Tanikai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tanikai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Max rushes Tanikai and presses him up against the cage.
Max changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tanikai fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tanikai has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Tanikai looks to clinch
and Max counters with a big head kick but Tanikai shrugs it off.
Tanikai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shenji Tanikai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

No joy there for Tanikai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Max sizes up Tanikai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Max lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tanikai circles away quickly and effectively.
Max fails in his attempt to clinch.
Max tries to clinch but Tanikai is having none of it.
Tanikai misses with a double jab.
Max wants to clinch up but Tanikai keeps it at a distance.
Tanikai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Max finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Max looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Max doesn't manage to clinch there - Tanikai circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanikai tries to clinch up.
Tanikai clinches but Max breaks the clinch
and Max counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Tanikai wants to clinch but Max slips to the side
and Max connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Max shoots in for a takedown but Tanikai shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Max fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tanikai throws a series of punches but Max moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Tanikai. No joy for Max on that attempt.
Tanikai cracks Max with a right hand to the side of the head.
Max fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masters Max. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanikai tries to clinch there but Max circles away.
Max throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tanikai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tanikai lands with a hook. Max tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Max circles away from the clinch attempt.
No luck for Max with that takedown attempt.

Tanikai moves into the clinch successfully.
Max wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Max is trying to drag Tanikai to the mat but Tanikai just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Max keeps control of Tanikai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Max breaks from the clinch.
Max throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanikai.
Tanikai lands a glancing blow to the side of Max's head.
Tanikai scores with a sloppy right hand. Max should have avoided that one.
Max looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tanikai is fending him off so far but Max persists. Nope, Tanikai circles away and we're back to standing.
Max looks for a takedown but Tanikai sprawls well.
Tanikai lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Max gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tanikai.
Max throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tanikai's waist but Tanikai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Max off to one side.
Max shoots for a takedown but Tanikai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Horrible takedown by Max or perhaps it was just good defense by Tanikai which made him look bad.
Max doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Max tries to clinch but Tanikai moves out of range.
Tanikai throws a shot to the body.
Max shoots in and drives through. Tanikai sprawls well.
No joy there for Tanikai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick misses from Max.

Tanikai tries to keep at a distance but Max has taken the fight into the clinch.
Max prevents Tanikai from breaking the clinch.
Masters Max has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai stops a takedown attempt from Max.
Max wants a takedown but no success here.
Max keeps control of Tanikai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tanikai is trying to break free.
Max drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tanikai pulls his leg out and moves away.
Max drops his hands momentarily and Tanikai takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tanikai lands with an uppercut that bounces Max off the cage and back into rage.
Tanikai tries to clinch but Max is having none of it.
Tanikai misses with a hook.
Tanikai tries to clinch but Max is having none of it.
Shenji Tanikai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Max tries to clinch there but Tanikai circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shenji Tanikai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tanikai 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shenji Tanikai!