PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tupac Shaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serj Tankian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Serj Tankian has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Tupac Shaker's chin.

Shaker
vs
Tankian

170 cm
20
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tupac Shaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Serj Tankian!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shaker leaves Tankian with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tankian tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shaker swivels and escapes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tankian.
Tupac Shaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serj Tankian.
Shaker misses with a two punch combination.

Shaker takes the fight into the clinch.
Shaker lands a knee to the body.

Tankian jumps guard and drags Shaker to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tankian wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Shaker looking to pass the guard.
Tankian is trying to control the position but Shaker postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaker wants to stand but Tankian has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tankian wants to stand and escape but Shaker is having none of it.

Shaker stands up from Tankian's guard - Shaker perhaps looking for a knockout.
Tankian swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shaker is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Shaker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Tankian closes the distance and clinches.
Tankian tries to pull guard but Shaker holds him up against the cage and eventually Tankian drops back down to his feet.
Shaker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tankian.
Tankian looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shaker crunches a lovely knee into Tankian's ribcage.
Shaker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tankian.
Tankian on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tankian wants to break free but Shaker has control.
Shaker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tankian avoids it.
Tankian managing to block the knees to the body from Shaker.
Shaker being controlled against the cage.
Tankian managing to block the knees to the body from Shaker.
Shaker is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tankian is defending well for now.
Tankian is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Shaker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tankian.
Tankian is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shaker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tankian avoids it.
Shaker is breathing heavily.
Shaker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tankian is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Shaker.
Tankian blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shaker trying to land knees to the body.

Tankian decides to pull guard.
Tankian is pulling down on Shaker's head. It's preventing any offense from Shaker, at least for the moment.
Tankian has a closed guard, preventing Shaker from standing up.

That's four 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.
Tankian trying to keep a closed guard but Shaker is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tankian looking for a guillotine here but Shaker defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tupac Shaker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tankian closes the distance and clinches up with Shaker, looking for a takedown. Tankian pushes Shaker against the cage but Shaker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shaker goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tankian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shaker throws a series of punches but Tankian avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaker stuffs the takedown attempt from Tankian. Tankian gets slowly back to his feet.
Shaker wants to clinch but Tankian slips to the side
and Tankian counters with a big head kick but Shaker shrugs it off.
A head kick by Shaker misses

and Tankian holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tankian managing to block the knees to the body from Shaker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaker tries to land knees in the clinch but Tankian avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tankian is trying to break free.
Tankian tries for a takedown but Shaker manages to get underhooks.
Tupac Shaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serj Tankian.
Tankian wants to get back to striking at distance but Shaker won't allow it.
Tankian wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shaker missing with knees to the body.
Shaker tries to land knees in the clinch but Tankian avoids the damage to the body.
Tankian manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Shaker landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tankian blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shaker trying to land knees to the body.
Tankian jumps guard but Shaker stands there with Tankian around his waist. Tankian gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tankian on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Shaker tries to land knees in the clinch but Tankian avoids the damage to the body.
Shaker prevents the takedown attempt.
Shaker unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Shaker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tankian.
Shaker letting Tankian take a breather here.
Tankian wants to stall.

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.
Shaker is pressed up against the cage. Tankian has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shaker down to the mat. Shaker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shaker tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Tankian counter with a right hand.
A head kick by Tankian misses
and Shaker counters with a series of strikes. Tankian will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tankian delivers a nice body kick.
Serj Tankian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tankian.
Shaker throws a head kick that misses
and Tankian counters with a left to the body.
Tankian throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Shaker.

Shaker clinches up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Tankian's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tankian is looking to control Shaker's arms but Shaker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tankian has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaker landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Tankian pulls guard effortlessly.
Shaker wants to control from the top but Tankian keeps moving.
Tankian seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Shaker is looking to stand up but Tankian won't let him.

Tankian had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shaker defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tankian is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shaker is controlling him.
Shaker preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shaker is fighting to break Tankian's control of his arms but Tankian is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Shaker is looking to advance position but Tankian has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Serj Tankian will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A left and a right from Tankian both land. Nice combination.
Tankian plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tankian wants to clinch
and Shaker counters with a left and a right that stings Tankian.
Shaker turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tankian throws a leg kick
and Shaker counters with a left and a right that stings Tankian.
Shaker wants to clinch up but Tankian keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shaker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tankian shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shaker as he avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankian shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shaker sprawls well. Shaker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tankian gets slowly back to his feet.
Shaker takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tankian looks to clinch

and Shaker counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shaker prevents the takedown attempt.
Tupac Shaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serj Tankian.
Tankian lands a knee to the head.
Shaker unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tankian lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tankian fails to pull guard.

Shaker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Shaker has closed the distance and engaged Tankian in a clinch.
Tankian drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shaker pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tankian swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tankian tries to clinch

and Shaker counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shaker.
Shaker tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shaker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tankian tries to break free but Shaker pushes him back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shaker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tankian's brow.
Shaker using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Tankian pulls guard successfully.
Tankian wants to sweep but no luck.

Tankian pushes Shaker off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Tankian as Shaker shoots in.
Tankian gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Shaker moves into the clinch.
Tankian managing to block the knees to the body from Shaker.
Tankian drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shaker misses with an elbow over the top.
Shaker is pressed up against the cage. Tankian has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shaker down to the mat. Shaker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Shaker moves into the clinch successfully.
Tankian tries to pull guard but Shaker won't allow it.
Shaker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tankian avoids it.
Shaker missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tankian is trying to maintain a safe position but Shaker gets an underhook and turns Tankian into the cage.
Tankian is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shaker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tankian looking to slow down the pace here.
Shaker trying to land knees to the body.
Tankian trying to stall but Shaker improves his position.
Tankian blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shaker trying to land knees to the body.
Shaker tries to land knees in the clinch but Tankian avoids the damage to the body.
Tankian managing to block the knees to the body from Shaker.
Shaker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tankian avoids it.
Tankian tries to pull guard but Shaker won't allow it.
Tankian tries to pull guard but Shaker holds him up against the cage and eventually Tankian drops back down to his feet.
Shaker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tankian.
Tankian blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shaker trying to land knees to the body.

Tankian ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tankian no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tupac Shaker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shaker has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tupac Shaker!