PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mohammed Ruslanov (ranked 3951 p4p, 3765 weight class) and Ken Tanaka (ranked 396 p4p, 376 weight class). Tanaka is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Sucker for Pain. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ruslanov
vs
Tanaka

188 cm
30
235
7 - 4 - 0

200 cm
38
234
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mohammed Ruslanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka scores with a nice head shot.

It looks like Mohammed Ruslanov has been cut.
Tanaka throws a jab when Ruslanov was well out of range.
Ruslanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Ruslanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tanaka.
Tanaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ruslanov throws out the jab.
It seemed like Tanaka was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tanaka has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ruslanov cracks Tanaka with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ruslanov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tanaka misses with a shot to the body
and Ruslanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ruslanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tanaka misses with a series of wild punches.
Ruslanov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tanaka misses with an uppercut. Ruslanov saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a hook but Ruslanov blocks it.
Sloppy strikes from Ruslanov. Those never looked like landing.
Ken Tanaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruslanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tanaka.
Tanaka loads up on a big right hand but Ruslanov slips the punch.
Tanaka lands a nice looking body shot.
Tanaka throws a right hand that misses
letting Ruslanov counter with a right hand.
Ruslanov blocks a jab.
Tanaka ducks right into an uppercut from Ruslanov.
Tanaka throws a body punch but Ruslanov moves out of range.
Tanaka cracks a nice hook into Ruslanov's ribs.
Ruslanov misses with an uppercut
and Tanaka counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka gets caught napping as Ruslanov dives in and scores a takedown. Tanaka manages to retain guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanaka pulls Ruslanov in close to prevent any damage.
Tanaka keeping full guard, as Ruslanov tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslanov being controlled here momentarily.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tanaka with a hook.
Tanaka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ruslanov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ken Tanaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tanaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tanaka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Ruslanov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tanaka has his hands on Ruslanov's head, controlling the position.
Ruslanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ken Tanaka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mohammed Ruslanov'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.

Tanaka misses with a shot to the body
and Ruslanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ruslanov lands with a right hand.
Tanaka throws a lazy right hand but Ruslanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ruslanov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tanaka swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Ruslanov to counter with a crisp jab.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Tanaka in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Tanaka misses with a jab to the body
and Ruslanov counters with a nice uppercut.
Tanaka throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tanaka avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruslanov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ruslanov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tanaka throws a right hand that misses
and Ruslanov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a hook but Ruslanov blocks it.
Ruslanov lands a jab to the nose.
Tanaka looks to clinch
and Tanaka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tanaka. Ruslanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanaka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ruslanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice defenses there by Tanaka.
Tanaka dips to his left and cracks Ruslanov with an uppercut!
Ruslanov misses with a right hand
letting Tanaka counter with a right hand.
Tanaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruslanov.
Nice defenses there by Tanaka.
Tanaka throws out a counter right but Ruslanov avoids it with no problem.
Nice defenses there by Ruslanov.
Ruslanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruslanov shoots for a double leg takedown but Tanaka sprawls well. He's pushed Ruslanov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ruslanov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruslanov ducks under a wild hook from Tanaka.
A counter left hand to the body from Ruslanov misses its target.
Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanaka moves out of range as Ruslanov strikes.
Tanaka connects with a body shot.
Tanaka throws a poor cross that misses
and Ruslanov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ruslanov swings widly with a right hand
and Tanaka counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tanaka connects with a body shot that sends Ruslanov's belly button to the back.
Ruslanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruslanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ruslanov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tanaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tanaka takes a swing at Ruslanov's ribcage but misses.
Ruslanov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Tanaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruslanov is just out of range.
Ruslanov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ruslanov.
Tanaka takes one to the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Ruslanov. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka misses with a combination
and Ruslanov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tanaka throws a body punch but Ruslanov moves out of range.
Ruslanov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tanaka misses with a wild body shot.
Tanaka misses with a hook.
Ruslanov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tanaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Tanaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruslanov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ruslanov misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ken Tanaka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mohammed Ruslanov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Tanaka misses with a body shot.
Ruslanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tanaka.
It looked like Ruslanov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tanaka misses with a shot to the body
and Tanaka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ruslanov looks to land a combination. Tanaka sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Tanaka swings for the body but Ruslanov moves out of range.
Tanaka swings widly with a right hand
and Ruslanov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A jab from Ruslanov does it's job there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka misses with a looping right.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ruslanov!
Ruslanov ducks under a wild hook from Tanaka.
Tanaka lands with a hook. Ruslanov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tanaka throws a body punch but Ruslanov moves out of range.
Tanaka misses with a jab to the body
and Ruslanov counters with a nice body shot.
Tanaka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ruslanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tanaka misses with a body punch
and Ruslanov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab lands there for Ruslanov.
Ruslanov missing with a left hand there. Tanaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tanaka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ruslanov.
Tanaka throws out a counter right but Ruslanov avoids it with no problem.
Tanaka scores with a nice head shot.
Ruslanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tanaka.
Ruslanov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka scores with a nice head shot.
A big right from Tanaka misses.
Tanaka takes a swing at Ruslanov's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Ruslanov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tanaka misses with a lunging right hand
and Ruslanov counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Ruslanov as he connects with a hook.
Ruslanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tanaka.
Ruslanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Ruslanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Ruslanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tanaka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tanaka moves out of range as Ruslanov strikes.
Tanaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ruslanov.
Ruslanov scores with a jab to the head.
A jab from Tanaka misses.
Ruslanov walks into a jab.
Ruslanov misses with a straight left.
Ruslanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tanaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ruslanov.
Tanaka moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanaka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nice uppercut there from Ruslanov.
Ken Tanaka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tanaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruslanov moves away.
Ruslanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mohammed Ruslanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ruslanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tanaka counters with a straight right hand.
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!
Ruslanov throws a right hand that misses
and Tanaka counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ruslanov thinking.
Tanaka has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tanaka there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ruslanov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tanaka on the side of the head.
Ruslanov moves out of range of the strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Ruslanov misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohammed Ruslanov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tanaka has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ken Tanaka!
Ken Tanaka decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.