PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Satoshi Tanahashi (ranked 1076 p4p, 163 weight class) and Levan Revazshvili (ranked 1121 p4p, 169 weight class). Tanahashi comes to the cage accompanied by Blood Stain Child - Stargazer. Revazshvili has chosen Georgia National Anthem as his entrance music. 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.

Tanahashi
vs
Revazshvili

186 cm
36
218 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

193 cm
32
212 lbs
19 - 13 - 3

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Satoshi Tanahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 3, fighting out of New York, Levan Revazshvili!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanahashi delivers a nice body kick.
Tanahashi connects with a single shot there.
Revazshvili scores with a jab. Tanahashi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Revazshvili checks a low kick from Tanahashi.
Some wild striking there from Revazshvili.
Revazshvili takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tanahashi scores with a kick to the midsection.

Tanahashi knocks Revazshvili to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

It looks like Levan Revazshvili has been cut.
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!
Tanahashi trying to control the action but Revazshvili is working from the bottom.
Tanahashi is chipping away with strikes.

Revazshvili is rocked!
Tanahashi throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Revazshvili defending against the ground and pound.
Revazshvili struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Revazshvili is trying to buck Tanahashi off.
Tanahashi scoring with punches and elbows.
Tanahashi working the head and body with strikes.
Tanahashi tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Tanahashi landing strikes.
Tanahashi is putting a hurting on Revazshvili here, landing some big shots from side control.
Tanahashi throws a strike aimed at the side of Revazshvili's head but Revazshvili avoids it well.
Tanahashi scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Revazshvili to see if he's OK.
Revazshvili is still in real trouble! Can Tanahashi finish him?
Revazshvili tries to improve position but can't.
Revazshvili seems to have recovered his senses.
Tanahashi working the head with strikes.

Tanahashi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Revazshvili, who protects the arm well.
Revazshvili takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
We've been hearing that Tanahashi has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi tries to move to mount but Revazshvili blocks the move with his legs.
Tanahashi lands a few punches from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Revazshvili is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Revazshvili's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tanahashi prevents Revazshvili from escaping the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Revazshvili tries to bench press Tanahashi off him but Tanahashi keeps the position.
You can see the frustration on Revazshvili's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tanahashi cracks Revazshvili with a big right hand but Revazshvili just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi working away.
Revazshvili manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tanahashi's best efforts.
Tanahashi thows a huge punch but Revazshvili dodges it nicely.

Tanahashi is working for a kimura but Revazshvili is defending it quite comfortably.
Tanahashi scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Tanahashi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Revazshvili has managed to free his arm - good work.
Revazshvili regains full guard. Nicely done.
Revazshvili controlling the position.
Revazshvili utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tanahashi throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanahashi throws a big elbow that misses.
Tanahashi throws an elbow that misses. Revazshvili uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tanahashi's guard. Nice move by Revazshvili!

Tanahashi has an active guard here but Revazshvili has managed to pass into half guard.
Revazshvili trying to control from half guard but Tanahashi is working away.
Revazshvili working Tanahashi over with strikes.
Tanahashi is trying to maintain the position but Revazshvili is very close to passing his half guard.
Tanahashi tries to roll over but Revazshvili keeps him under control.
Tanahashi taking some punishment here, with Revazshvili in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Satoshi Tanahashi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Levan Revazshvili's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tanahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Revazshvili moves away.
And Revazshvili tries to counter it with a takedown but Tanahashi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Some bone on bone action there as Revazshvili checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Revazshvili tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanahashi was well out of range. Poor timing from Revazshvili.
Tanahashi tries to land a front kick but Revazshvili steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Revazshvili misses with a jab to the body
and Tanahashi counters with a straight right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Tanahashi misses the target.
Tanahashi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Revazshvili changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Revazshvili looks to score with a jab to the body but Tanahashi is just out of range.
Revazshvili chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tanahashi can pounce on him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Revazshvili. Tanahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanahashi ducks right into an uppercut from Revazshvili.
Tanahashi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanahashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Satoshi Tanahashi is winning the standup battle so far.
Revazshvili gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice cross by Revazshvili.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Revazshvili drives through with a takedown into Tanahashi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tanahashi has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Revazshvili trying to control but Tanahashi is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanahashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Tanahashi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Revazshvili gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Tanahashi working for a triangle but Revazshvili defends it easily.

Tanahashi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Revazshvili defends it easily.
Tanahashi is trying to keep Revazshvili in close.
Revazshvili tries to free his leg and advance position but Tanahashi is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Revazshvili chips away with some ground and pound.

Tanahashi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Revazshvili defends well.
Revazshvili wants to pass the guard but Tanahashi is keeping the position.

Revazshvili can't keep his opponent in guard - Tanahashi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tanahashi working Revazshvili over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Revazshvili manages to get to full guard.
Revazshvili seems keen to control Tanahashi's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Revazshvili working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tanahashi.
Revazshvili is trying to keep Tanahashi in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tanahashi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Satoshi Tanahashi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Revazshvili wants to stand and escape but Tanahashi is having none of it.
Revazshvili is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tanahashi won't allow Revazshvili to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Revazshvili working a defensive guard here.
Tanahashi won't allow Revazshvili to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Revazshvili utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tanahashi advances to half guard.
Tanahashi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Tanahashi working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tanahashi uses his free foot to push down on Revazshvili's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Revazshvili.
Revazshvili really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Satoshi Tanahashi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Levan Revazshvili'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. This is the final round!

Tanahashi looking to score a takedown here. Revazshvili is defending well but Tanahashi drives through and ends up in Revazshvili's guard.
Tanahashi works over Revazshvili with some ground and pound from guard.
Tanahashi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Revazshvili is looking to regain half guard here but Tanahashi keeps moving and retains side control.
Tanahashi landing a few strikes.
Tanahashi misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Tanahashi working the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanahashi lands an elbow.
Revazshvili manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanahashi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tanahashi.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Revazshvili's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Revazshvili trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Revazshvili content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Tanahashi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Revazshvili defends it easily.
Revazshvili content to stall in guard here.

Tanahashi looking for a guillotine here but Revazshvili defends easily.

Tanahashi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Levan Revazshvili has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tanahashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Tanahashi, not yet.
Revazshvili trying to control but Tanahashi is working from the bottom.

Revazshvili got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tanahashi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Revazshvili has managed to get both his arms back between Tanahashi's legs - danger averted.
Tanahashi working a defensive guard here.
Tanahashi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tanahashi trying to control the position.
Revazshvili is fighting to break Tanahashi's control of his arms but Tanahashi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Revazshvili postures up.
Revazshvili works over Tanahashi with some ground and pound from guard.
Revazshvili postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tanahashi keeping moving, preventing Revazshvili from controlling successfully.
Tanahashi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Tanahashi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Revazshvili is aware though and is defending well.
Tanahashi 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.

Revazshvili avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Revazshvili trying to control but Tanahashi is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Revazshvili lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tanahashi keeping moving, preventing Revazshvili from controlling successfully.

Tanahashi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Revazshvili defends well.

Tanahashi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Revazshvili gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tanahashi controls Revazshvili momentarily but Revazshvili frees himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Satoshi Tanahashi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tanahashi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Satoshi Tanahashi!
A very excited looking Satoshi Tanahashi 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.