PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shiro Tanaka (ranked 3356 p4p, 163 weight class) and Amadou Poussin (ranked 4298 p4p, 201 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tanaka might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The good the bad and the ugly theme song. 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.

Tanaka
vs
Poussin

172 cm
22
149 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

170 cm
23
145 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shiro Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Amadou Poussin!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Poussin pushes Tanaka up against the cage in a clinch.
Tanaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Poussin tries to pull guard but Tanaka forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
Poussin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Poussin avoiding damage as Tanaka throws knees to the body.
Poussin is trying to pull guard but Tanaka has him pressed against the cage.
Poussin scores with a hook to the body.
Tanaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Tanaka can't find room to land a body shot as Poussin controls the action.
A short right from Poussin.
Tanaka's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poussin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tanaka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Shiro Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Amadou Poussin.
Poussin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.
Poussin has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Tanaka seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Poussin can turn it around.
Poussin lands a body shot.
Tanaka lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poussin has Tanaka pressed against the cage, preventing Tanaka from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Poussin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tanaka to keep the fight standing.

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

Tanaka moves into the clinch successfully.
Poussin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.
Tanaka dodges an elbow strike from Poussin.
Poussin tries to circle away but Tanaka has him pinned against the cage.
Poussin can't break the clinch.
Tanaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tanaka tries to land knees in the clinch but Poussin avoids the damage to the body.
Tanaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tanaka creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tanaka pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tanaka trying to stall but Poussin improves his position.

Poussin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Tanaka.
Poussin unleashes a big counter combination but Tanaka bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Poussin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Poussin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tanaka looks like he's trying to stand up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Poussin controlling the pace.
Poussin tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Tanaka.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poussin closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Poussin.
Poussin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tanaka prevents the takedown attempt.
Poussin misses with a knee strike.
Poussin lands with a right to the head.
Tanaka landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Poussin blocks an elbow strike.
Poussin dodges an elbow strike from Tanaka.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Poussin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nice body punch from Poussin - that landed with a thud.
Poussin tries for a takedown but Tanaka manages to get underhooks.
Poussin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tanaka or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poussin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.
Poussin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Tanaka is breathing heavily.
Poussin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Poussin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Poussin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Poussin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Poussin misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tanaka lands with a right to the head.
Tanaka takes a shot to the head.
Tanaka blocks an elbow strike from Poussin.
Poussin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Poussin lands with a light punch inside.
Tanaka prevents the takedown attempt.
Poussin blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amadou Poussin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Poussin clinches up with Tanaka and pushes him back against the cage.
Poussin is trying to pull guard but Tanaka turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Poussin is trying to pull guard but Tanaka has him pressed against the cage.

Poussin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tanaka checks a leg kick nicely.
Tanaka is looking for a counter combo.
Poussin tries to clinch there but Tanaka circles away.
Tanaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Poussin was well out of range. Poor timing from Tanaka.
Jab by Tanaka.
We've been told by Tanaka's head coaches at UnderGround Training Facility that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tanaka swings for the body but Poussin moves out of range.

Poussin tries to keep at a distance but Tanaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poussin scores with a shoulder strike.
Tanaka tries to stall but Poussin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tanaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tanaka lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Poussin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tanaka creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Poussin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Tanaka clinches with his opponent.
Poussin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Poussin lands a left hand.
Poussin fails to pull guard.
Shiro Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Amadou Poussin.
Tanaka lands a right hand.
Poussin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Poussin throws an elbow but misses.

Poussin pulls guard effortlessly.
Tanaka trying to stand up but can't free himself from Poussin's guard.
Tanaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Poussin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Poussin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tanaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Poussin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Poussin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tanaka has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Poussin is proving hard to escape from.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Poussin drives through and clinches with Tanaka against the cage.

Poussin breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poussin closes the distance and clinches.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Poussin avoids it.
Poussin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Poussin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Poussin.
Poussin lands with a left to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Poussin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tanaka avoids a wild elbow strike from Poussin.
Tanaka stalling in the clinch.
Tanaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Poussins head.
Poussin trying to land knees to the body.
Tanaka misses with a punch on the inside.
Poussin is trying to pull guard but Tanaka turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Poussin blocks an uppercut.
Tanaka throws a head punch that misses.
Amadou Poussin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tanaka pushes off an throws an elbow but Poussin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka takes a shot to the head.
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!
Tanaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Poussin.
Poussin throws an elbow but it misses.
Tanaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Poussin jumps guard but Tanaka turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Poussin drags the fight down to the ground.
Tanaka tries to stand but Poussin is controlling from the bottom.
Tanaka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poussin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Poussin is controlling Tanaka's posture.
Tanaka with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Amadou Poussin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Poussin tries to keep at a distance but Tanaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Poussin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tanaka pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Poussin lands a shot to the body.
Poussin lands a hook that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Poussin.

Poussin pulls guard.
Tanaka trying to stand up but can't free himself from Poussin's guard.
Poussin wants to hit a switch here but Tanaka passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Poussin there!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tanaka is standing up, even though he is in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tanaka trying to land knees to the body.
Poussin tries a body shot but Tanaka blocks it.
Poussin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tanaka misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka looking to throw knees to the head but Poussin is blocking nicely.
Tanaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Poussin misses with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Poussin.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Tanaka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Poussin's efforts to push away.
Tanaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka scores with a shot to the side of Poussin's head.

Poussin pulls guard effortlessly.
Tanaka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Poussin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Poussin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tanaka wants to stand but Poussin is controlling his posture from full guard.
Tanaka wants to stand and escape but instead Poussin has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Tanaka is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Poussin off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Shiro Tanaka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Poussin avoids the head kick by Tanaka.

Poussin clinches with his opponent.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Poussin avoids it.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Poussin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tanaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Poussin.
Tanaka dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Poussin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Poussin struggles to land a body shot inside as Tanaka controls his hands.
Tanaka tries to land knees in the clinch but Poussin avoids the damage to the body.
Tanaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Poussin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poussin looking to throw knees to the head but Tanaka is blocking nicely.
Poussin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tanaka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Shiro Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Amadou Poussin.
Tanaka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tanaka utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Poussin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tanaka smiles and moves away.
Poussin throws a sloppy head kick and Tanaka moves out of range easily.

Poussin closes the distance and clinches.
Poussin dodges an elbow strike from Tanaka.
Shiro Tanaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Poussin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tanaka gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short uppercut from Tanaka.
Amadou Poussin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A shot in the inside from Tanaka.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shiro Tanaka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Poussin 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amadou Poussin!
In defeat, Shiro Tanaka stepped up to the mic, saying 'Maybe next time'.