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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takeru Kubota (ranked 428 p4p, 332 weight class) and Nobunaga Tanaka (ranked 25 p4p, 21 weight class). Kubota comes to the cage accompanied by Devilman No Uta (1972). Takeru Kubota could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nobunaga Tanaka's chin.
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| 170 cm
30
140
23 - 5 - 2 |
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170 cm
33
140
25 - 13 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 23 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeru Kubota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nobunaga Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and James Ackerman.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kubota drops his hands momentarily and Tanaka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kubota throws a shot from downtown. Tanaka moves away and avoids it.
Kubota throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tanaka.
Kubota misses with a low kick as Tanaka jumps back.
Kubota misses with a wild body shot.
Kubota throws a shot from downtown. Tanaka moves away and avoids it.
Kubota tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tanaka throws a body kick that misses
and Kubota connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tanaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Tanaka misses with a hook.
That kick from Kubota tenderised Tanaka's leg. Tanaka is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kubota throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tanaka delivers a nice body kick.
Kubota connects with a single shot there.
Tanaka slips under a jab.
Kubota misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tanaka.
A jab from Kubota misses.
Tanaka tries to clinch but Kubota moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanaka throws a body punch but Kubota moves out of range.
Kubota throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tanaka staying out of range there.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Tanaka has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Tanaka is looking to clinch.
Kubota on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tanaka. Tanaka obviously looking to wear him down.
Tanaka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a low kick, looking for Kubota's leg but Kubota calmly moves out of range.
Kubota misses the shot to the body.
Kubota sets himself, and Tanaka steps forward looking for the clinch! Kubota avoids it this time.
Kubota tries to score with a low kick but Tanaka moves his leg out of the way.
Kubota dodges the punch combination from Tanaka.
Kubota wants to slow Tanaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Kubota misses the shot to the body.
Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kubota is looking to counter punch.
Tanaka works the jab nicely.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Kubota.
A good leg kick by Kubota.
Tanaka takes the fight into the clinch.
Kubota wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kubota.
Kubota tries to circle away but Tanaka has him pinned against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kubota.
Tanaka prevents a body shot from Kubota.
Tanaka blocks an uppercut.
Kubota struggles to land a body shot inside as Tanaka controls his hands.
Kubota breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kubota throws a hook but Tanaka blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kubota throws a leg kick which misses Tanaka's front leg but catches the back leg as Tanaka tries to avoid it.
Tanaka connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kubota momentarily.
Tanaka lands a slapping body shot.
Kubota looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kubota lands with a right hand.
Tanaka throws the kick towards the body but Kubota avoids it.
Tanaka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kubota circles away.
Tanaka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kubota is able to avoid easily.
Kubota throws a hook but Tanaka avoids it easily.
Tanaka scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kubota throws the left hand but Tanaka avoids the punch easily.
Kubota throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kubota with a hook.
A leg kick checked by Kubota.
Kubota stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tanaka.
Kubota throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanaka.
Tanaka looking to score a takedown here. Kubota is defending well but Tanaka drives through and ends up in Kubota's guard.
Kubota pushes Tanaka off and gets back to his feet.
Tanaka looks to throw the jab but Kubota is out of range.
Kubota throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tanaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tanaka moves into the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kubota throws a head punch that misses.
Kubota blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tanaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kubotas head.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kubota just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tanaka tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Takeru Kubota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nobunaga Tanaka.
Kubota scores with a shoulder strike.
Tanaka lands with a left to the head.
Tanaka breaks the clinch.
Tanaka throws a push kick but Kubota slaps the foot to one side.
Kubota works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Tanaka.
Tanaka cracks Kubota with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A telegraphed right hand from Tanaka misses the target.
Tanaka misses the jab.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Tanaka throws an overhand right that lands on Kubota's shoulder, as Kubota tries to avoid the shot.
Kubota thuds a left hand into Tanaka's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanaka shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kubota swings for the body but Tanaka moves out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a quick inside leg kick.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Kubota walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tanaka.
Tanaka wants to land a leg kick but Kubota is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Tanaka.
Kubota is looking to slow Tanaka down with leg kicks.
Kubota misses with a head kick.
Kubota wants to slow Tanaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Kubota connects with a leg kick.
Kubota lands with a straight right. Tanaka didn't see that one coming.
Tanaka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tanaka tried to score with a low kick but Kubota checks it.
Tanaka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kubota moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kubota throws a lazy body kick
and Tanaka counters with a nice body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tanaka takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kubota keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tanaka misses with a low kick.
Tanaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Kubota is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Takeru Kubota will probably get the nod.
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 bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takeru Kubota is winning the standup battle so far.
Tanaka throws an overhand right that lands on Kubota's shoulder, as Kubota tries to avoid the shot.
Kubota attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tanaka slips under a jab from Kubota.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tanaka. Kubota does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kubota moves out of range as Tanaka strikes.
Kubota scores with a body shot.
Tanaka attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
The fighters circling - Tanaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kubota scores with a sloppy right hand. Tanaka should have avoided that one.
Kubota throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tanaka takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kubota connects with a right hand. Tanaka shakes it off.
Tanaka throws a low kick but Kubota avoids it.
Tanaka ducks right into an uppercut from Kubota.
Kubota misses with a body shot.
Tanaka throws out a counter right but Kubota avoids it with no problem.
Kubota tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tanaka is able to avoid easily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kubota takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tanaka throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kubota counters with a leg kick.
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!
Kubota fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tanaka's corner calls for a 1-2. Tanaka obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tanaka thuds a left hand into Kubota's body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka is looking to slow Kubota down with leg kicks.
Tanaka lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kubota at a distance.
Kubota stuns Tanaka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kubota keeps Tanaka at a distance using the push kick.
Tanaka lands with a hook. Kubota tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tanaka misses with an uppercut.
Tanaka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kubota is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kubota slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kubota slips under a jab from Tanaka.
Kubota scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kubota throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kubota connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Good exchange - Kubota coming out on top.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tanaka shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tanaka slips a straight right by Kubota.
Tanaka walks into a jab.
Tanaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kubota fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tanaka checks it well.
Kubota pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Tanaka misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kubota. Tanaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice shot lands for Kubota.
A big right from Kubota misses.
It seemed like Tanaka was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tanaka attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kubota looks for the body kick but Tanaka saw that one coming.
Tanaka swings for the body but Kubota moves out of range.
Kubota avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A big left from Tanaka misses.
Tanaka just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKubota.
Kubota takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kubota avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kubota uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tanaka.
Kubota misses with a hook.
Takeru Kubota is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanaka shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tanaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kubota throws out the jab.
Kubota slips under a jab.
Kubota cracks Tanaka with a right hand to the side of the head.
A big left from Kubota misses.
Kubota misses with a straight left.
Kubota fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Kubota with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a hook to the side of Kubota's head but Kubota sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kubota with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kubota throws a big shot that misses.
Tanaka swings for the body but Kubota moves out of range.
A jab from Kubota misses.
Tanaka flicks out a counter leg kick but Kubota steps away.
Tanaka drives through with a takedown into Kubota's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tanaka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kubota swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kubota wants to stand but Tanaka is controlling the position.
Tanaka works over Kubota with some ground and pound from guard.
Tanaka lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tanaka lands a couple of digs.
Tanaka stops Kubota from standing up.
Kubota pushes Tanaka off and gets back to his feet.
Tanaka connects with a single shot there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kubota misses the shot to the body.
Kubota misses with a looping left.
Tanaka connects with a crisp jab.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tanaka.
Tanaka lands a nice hook to Kubota's body. Kubota takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Kubota.
Tanaka throws out a counter right but Kubota avoids it with no problem.
Kubota steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Tanaka. That one must have hurt.
Tanaka scores with a sloppy right hand. Kubota should have avoided that one.
Tanaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Kubota is just out of range.
Kubota throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kubota has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tanaka.
Kubota scores with a leg kick.
Tanaka misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kubota looks to land a left hand but Tanaka moved out of range nicely.
Tanaka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kubota. Kubota obviously looking to wear him down.
Tanaka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kubota.
Kubota dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kubota catches Tanaka with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kubota moves away from the strike by Tanaka.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Takeru Kubota will probably get the nod.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Kubota throws a leg kick but Tanaka moved away.
Tanaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tanaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Tanaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kubota.
Kubota is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanaka.
Kubota throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Tanaka.
Kubota takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kubota moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tanaka checks a leg kick nicely.
Tanaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kubota manages to avoid it.
Kubota motions for Tanaka to come forward. Kubota throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kubota slips a jab from Tanaka.
Kubota lands with an overhand left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubota throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tanaka tries to counter with a clinch but Kubota shakes him off and moves away.
Tanaka looks to throw the jab but Kubota is out of range.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Kubota ducks under a wild hook from Tanaka.
Tanaka avoids a kick to the body.
Tanaka throws a hook but Kubota blocks it.
Tanaka lands with a hook. Kubota tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Kubota.
Tanaka misses with a hook.
Kubota swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tanaka checks a low kick from Kubota.
Tanaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kubota was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kubota walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kubota jabs Tanaka to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Kubota.
Kubota moves out of range of the strikes.
Tanaka has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kubota misses with a straight right.
Kubota throws a lazy right hand but Tanaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tanaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kubota.
Tanaka swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kubota misses with a straight right.
Tanaka does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A shot to the liver by Kubota. Beautiful body shot.
Kubota takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kubota throws out a loose jab but Tanaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tanaka misses with a leg kick.
Tanaka throws a looping overhand right but Kubota ducks down to avoid it.
Kubota waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tanaka.
Nobunaga Tanaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kubota scores with a leg kick.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kubota.
Tanaka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tanaka scores with a hook to the body. Kubota takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tanaka finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kubota lands a jab to Tanaka's midsection.
Kubota is looking to chop away at Tanaka's legs.
Kubota will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kubota moves out of range of the body kick from Tanaka.
A big right from Tanaka misses.
Kubota lands a head shot.
Kubota misses with a kick to the body
letting Tanaka counter with a right hand.
Kubota throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A swing and a miss from Tanaka.
Jab from Kubota.
Tanaka punishes Kubota's body with a nice straight punch.
Kubota misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tanaka.
Nice body kick there by Tanaka.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kubota misses with a body shot
and Tanaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tanaka clobbers Kubota with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tanaka throws a leg kick but Kubota checks it.
Kubota defending well as Tanaka loads up on a big left hand.
Kubota looks to land a left hand but Tanaka moved out of range nicely.
Kubota throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Tanaka on the side of the head.
Tanaka scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A big right from Kubota misses.
Kubota thumps Tanaka with a low kick.
Decent striking displayed by Kubota there.
Tanaka misses with a straight left.
Tanaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kubota.
Nice straight punches there by Tanaka. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tanaka.
Kubota misses with a straight left.
Tanaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kubota.
Tanaka lands a really nice looking cross but Kubota seems unphased.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Kubota lands a front kick.
Kubota misses with a looping left.
Tanaka takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kubota ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kubota misses the shot to the body.
Tanaka looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kubota ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kubota moves away from the strike by Tanaka.
Kubota tries to score with a low kick but Tanaka moves his leg out of the way.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kubota.
Kubota keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kubota cracks Tanaka with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tanaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kubota.
Tanaka throws a shot to the body.
Tanaka needs to keep his hands up - Kubota had a free shot at his head there.
Tanaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kubota was well out of range. Poor timing from Tanaka.
Kubota fires out a quick counter leg kick but Tanaka just manages to avoid it.
Kubota takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kubota scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tanaka in his tracks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kubota waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tanaka.
Kubota lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kubota lands the left hand.
Kubota lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tanaka throws a push kick but Kubota slaps the foot to one side.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Takeru Kubota.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kubota, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Takeru Kubota!
Takeru Kubota decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
91% |
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