PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rich Jasper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshihiro Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Jasper
vs
Tanaka

188 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rich Jasper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Jasper with that takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Tanaka as Jasper shoots in.
Tanaka tries to clinch but Jasper moves out of range.

Tanaka takes the fight into the clinch.
Jasper tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tanaka smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rich Jasper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jasper shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tanaka as he jumps to the side.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tanaka lands a knee to the body.
Tanaka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Jasper lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tanaka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jasper blocks it with crossed arms.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jasper lands a nice knee to the body.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Rich Jasper has been cut.
Jasper is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanaka connects with a knee to the head.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jasper jumps guard but Tanaka stands there with Jasper around his waist. Jasper gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jasper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tanaka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Jasper lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jasper's face.
Tanaka tries a knee to the head but Jasper blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jasper's face.
Tanaka scores with a knee to the head.
Jasper dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Jasper looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tanaka crunches a lovely knee into Jasper's ribcage.
Jasper throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jasper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jasper is working for takedown but Tanaka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tanaka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tanaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jasper's face.
Tanaka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Jasper lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tanaka landing knees to the body.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jasper's face.
Tanaka landing knees to the head.
Jasper tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanaka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tanaka lands a nice knee to the body.
Tanaka misses with a knee to the head.
Jasper missing with knees to the body.
Tanaka blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jasper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jasper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tanaka misses with a knee strike.
Tanaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Jasper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jasper creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jasper has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tanaka is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tanaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jasper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tanaka scores with a knee to the head.
Tanaka tries a knee to the head but Jasper blocks it.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jasper tries to land a knee to the head but Tanaka blocks with his arms.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jasper's face.
Jasper using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Jasper can't get the takedown.
Jasper misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tanaka.
Tanaka landing knees to the head.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jasper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jasper wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jasper has Tanaka pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tanaka manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka with a knee to the head.
Jasper misses with an elbow strike.
Jasper goes for a takedown attempt but Tanaka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jasper shoots for a takedown but Tanaka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jasper circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jasper looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tanaka is fending him off so far but Jasper persists. Nope, Tanaka circles away and we're back to standing.
Jasper swats away the attempt to clinch by Tanaka.

Tanaka has closed the distance and engaged Jasper in a clinch.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jasper throws an elbow but it misses.

Jasper gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Jasper seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Tanaka looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tanaka tries to kick Jasper off in order to stand up. Jasper Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jasper decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tanaka to his feet.
Tanaka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tanaka moves in looking to clinch but Jasper pushes him off.
Jasper changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tanaka tries to avoid it but Jasper manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tanaka to the ground. Tanaka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tanaka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jasper has a takedown stuffed.
Tanaka tries to clinch up.
Tanaka is looking to clinch.

Jasper gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jasper wants to control but Tanaka is keeping him busy.
Tanaka wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Tanaka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rich Jasper's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jasper fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jasper swats away the attempt to clinch by Tanaka.
Tanaka is looking to clinch but Jasper is avoiding it.
Tanaka tries to clinch up but Jasper circles away and keeps his distance.

Jasper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tanaka, pushing him back against the cage.
Tanaka lands a knee to the body.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jasper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tanaka misses with a knee to the head.

Jasper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jasper.
Yoshihiro Tanaka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jasper shoots in looking for a takedown. Tanaka tries to sprawl out of it but Jasper keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tanaka manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rich Jasper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jasper circles away from the clinch attempt
and Jasper counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tanaka tries to clinch up but Jasper circles away and keeps his distance.
Jasper will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tanaka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jasper closes the distance and clinches up with Tanaka, looking for a takedown. Jasper pushes Tanaka against the cage but Tanaka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Tanaka pushes Jasper up against the cage in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Jasper.
Tanaka scores with a knee to the head.
Tanaka tries a knee to the head but Jasper blocks it.
Tanaka with a knee to the head.
Tanaka misses with a knee to the head.
Tanaka landing knees to the head.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jasper looking to throw knees to the head but Tanaka is blocking nicely.
Tanaka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jasper is working for takedown but Tanaka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tanaka looking to throw knees to the head but Jasper is blocking nicely.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka scores with a knee to the head.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jasper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tanaka scores with a knee to the head.
Jasper is looking to control Tanaka's arms but Tanaka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Jasper has his back to the cage.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but Jasper blocks with his arms.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jasper's face.
Tanaka lands a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jasper tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tanaka misses with a knee to the head.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but Jasper blocks with his arms.
Jasper throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tanaka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jasper blocks it with crossed arms.
Tanaka is pressed up against the cage. Jasper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tanaka down to the mat. Tanaka avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
No luck for Jasper with that takedown attempt.
Tanaka wants to clinch.
No luck for Jasper with that takedown attempt.
Tanaka fails in his attempt to clinch.

Jasper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tanaka, pushing him back against the cage.
Tanaka looking to throw knees to the head but Jasper is blocking nicely.
Jasper unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tanaka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka gets underhooks to prevent Jasper's takedown attempt.
Jasper wants to break free but Tanaka has control.
Tanaka gets underhooks to prevent Jasper's takedown attempt.
Tanaka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jasper blocks it with crossed arms.
Tanaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tanaka misses with a knee to the head.
Tanaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jasper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jasper is trying to break free.
Tanaka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tanaka with a knee to the head.
Tanaka looking to throw knees to the head but Jasper is blocking nicely.
Jasper tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanaka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jasper goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tanaka prevents it.
Jasper creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jasper looking for a takedown.
Jasper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jasper throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Jasper with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jasper trying to land knees to the body.

Jasper breaks the clinch.
Tanaka tries to clinch

and Jasper counters with a single leg into guard. Tanaka didn't expect that.
Jasper throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka is looking to stand up but Jasper isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jasper trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.
Tanaka is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Jasper is controlling him.
Jasper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tanaka swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Jasper stands up and waves to Tanaka to follow him.
Jasper wants to clinch

and Tanaka counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tanaka.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jasper's face.

Jasper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jasper.
Tanaka tries to clinch but Jasper moves out of range.
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 Rich Jasper will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rich Jasper's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jasper has his takedown stuffed

and Tanaka holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tanaka landing knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tanaka.
Jasper tries for a takedown. No joy.
Knees to the body from Tanaka.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but Jasper blocks with his arms.
Tanaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Yoshihiro Tanaka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but Jasper blocks with his arms.
Jasper managing to block the knees to the body from Tanaka.
Tanaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jasper fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rich Jasper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanaka prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jasper misses with a knee strike.
Jasper misses with an elbow strike.
Tanaka misses with a knee strike.
Jasper wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tanaka has him pressed against the cage.
Jasper jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tanaka walks away with a smile on his face. Jasper gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tanaka closes the distance looking to clinch

and Jasper decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tanaka's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jasper lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jasper thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing Jasper from controlling successfully.
Jasper won't allow Tanaka to get back to his feet.
Jasper passes Tanaka's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tanaka tries to kick Jasper off but Jasper keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jasper throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tanaka's waist but Tanaka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jasper off to one side.
Jasper misses with a takedown attempt

and Tanaka counters by clinching up.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Jasper tries for a takedown but Tanaka manages to get underhooks.
Tanaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tanaka prevents a takedown attempt there.
A knee to the head by Tanaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka misses with a knee to the head.

Jasper breaks the clinch.
Tanaka darts in trying to clinch

and Jasper counters with a shoot takedown. Tanaka fights it but they end up in guard.
Tanaka can't keep his opponent in guard - Jasper advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tanaka is looking to escape.
Jasper wants to control but Tanaka is keeping him busy.
Jasper slows the pace down in half guard.
Jasper is keen to just control but Tanaka is a slippery customer.
Tanaka wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jasper is controlling the pace.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tanaka can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jasper is keen to just control but Tanaka is a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tanaka wants to clinch
letting Jasper counter with a right hand.
Tanaka tries to clinch up but Jasper circles away and keeps his distance.
Jasper doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tanaka counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tanaka.
Jasper jumps guard but Tanaka stands there with Jasper around his waist. Jasper gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tanaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Jasper is trying to drag Tanaka to the mat but Tanaka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Knees to the body from Tanaka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jasper tries to land a knee to the head but Tanaka blocks with his arms.
Tanaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jasper is working for takedown but Tanaka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tanaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tanaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A knee to the head by Tanaka.
Tanaka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Jasper lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Jasper has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tanaka clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Tanaka wants to get back to his feet.
Tanaka looking very determined here, making life difficult for Jasper.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanaka controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Jasper is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Tanaka won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Jasper off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rich Jasper!