PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taka Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Rotoras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Rotoras's choice of entrance music: Remember the Name!. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tanaka
vs
Rotoras

178 cm
24
156 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

172 cm
24
155 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Fightworld Formula

Exotic Animal Supplements
[CBK] Smashwear Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Taka Tanaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricardo Rotoras!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rotoras pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Rotoras scores a takedown into full mount!
Tanaka wants to control but Rotoras is having none of it.
Rotoras can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tanaka is looking to escape.
Tanaka is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rotoras throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

Rotoras with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Tanaka is desperately trying to improve his position but Rotoras has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotoras working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Tanaka slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Rotoras looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rotoras working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tanaka is looking for a sweep. Rotoras is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rotoras thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tanaka's head.
Rotoras seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Tanaka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tanaka.
Rotoras with a nice head shot there.
Rotoras works over Tanaka with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Rotoras puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Tanaka is pressing down on Rotoras's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rotoras won't allow Tanaka to sweep him here.
Rotoras stands and throws Tanaka's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tanaka is not content to let Rotoras control the position.
Rotoras fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Tanaka defending against the ground and pound.
Rotoras scoring with punches and elbows.
Rotoras in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Tanaka tries to bench press Rotoras off him but Rotoras keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka struggling a bit here.
Tanaka is looking to regain half guard here but Rotoras keeps moving and retains side control.

Rotoras is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tanaka has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rotoras in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Rotoras lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rotoras scoring with punches and elbows.
Rotoras grinds an elbow into Tanaka's temple.
Tanaka is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Rotoras wants to take a breather but Tanaka is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rotoras stalling away here and it's allowed Tanaka to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Tanaka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing Rotoras from controlling successfully.
Tanaka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tanaka working a defensive guard here.
Rotoras looking to pass the guard.
Rotoras looking to sit in guard and control but Tanaka gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Rotoras dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rotoras connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tanaka lands a right hook to the body.
Tanaka misses with a jab to the body

and Rotoras counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Tanaka's guard now.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing Rotoras from controlling successfully.
Rotoras thows a big elbow that misses.
Rotoras with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rotoras missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rotoras in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rotoras won't allow Tanaka to sweep him here.
Rotoras trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotoras stopping the sweep attempt from Tanaka.
Rotoras wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ricardo Rotoras was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Rotoras looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Tanaka is trying to get back to full guard.
Tanaka avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rotoras.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Rotoras there.
Rotoras thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Tanaka to regain full guard.
Rotoras throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tanaka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tanaka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rotoras can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rotoras is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rotoras is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tanaka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tanaka is on top in guard.

Rotoras throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rotoras bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tanaka's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rotoras accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tanaka looking to control.
Rotoras with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rotoras passes Tanaka's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rotoras prevents Tanaka from improving his position.
Rotoras wants to advance to full mount but Tanaka doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Rotoras loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rotoras postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rotoras tries to free his leg and advance position but Tanaka is retaining full guard.
Rotoras must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tanaka wants to sweep here but Rotoras controlling him for the moment.
Rotoras pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tanaka is keeping the position for now.
Tanaka wants to sweep here but Rotoras controlling him for the moment.
Rotoras trying to control but Tanaka is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Rotoras showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Tanaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

An inside leg kick lands from Rotoras.
Rotoras shoots in looking for a takedown but Tanaka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rotoras's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jab from Rotoras.
Ricardo Rotoras is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tanaka scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tanaka misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Rotoras counters with a three punch combo that has Tanaka backing up. Tanaka nods at Rotoras to acknowledge the strikes.
Tanaka connects with a crisp jab.
Tanaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Rotoras gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tanaka to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rotoras not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rotoras tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Rotoras looking for a guillotine here but Tanaka defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tanaka is pushing down on Rotoras's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rotoras is fighting to maintain full guard but Tanaka has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rotoras keeps working.
Tanaka trying to control the pace.
Tanaka prevents Rotoras from improving his position.
Rotoras is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tanaka scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ricardo Rotoras has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rotoras tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.
Rotoras is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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.
Rotoras is staying active underneath Tanaka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rotoras wants to improve his position but Tanaka is controlling well.
Tanaka is looking to take a break and control but Rotoras is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tanaka moves nicely into side control.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rotoras keeps working.
Rotoras tries to bench press Tanaka off him but Tanaka keeps the position.
Rotoras is not content to let Tanaka control the position.
Tanaka working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rotoras is trying to get back to half guard.
Tanaka wants to control but Rotoras is keeping him busy.
Rotoras prevents Tanaka from moving into mount.
Tanaka landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Rotoras looks to move to half guard but instead Tanaka has passed into mount! Damn!
Rotoras tries to reverse the position but Tanaka maintains control.
Tanaka looking to control but Rotoras is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Tanaka is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rotoras has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Tanaka can't control as he wanted to and Rotoras manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rotoras works his way to full guard. Good work.

Rotoras looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Tanaka has picked Rotoras up and slammed him! Rotoras can't keep hold of the triangle and Tanaka manages to pass to side control!
Rotoras is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tanaka off and has taken his back!

Rotoras looking to break Tanaka's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Tanaka remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rotoras will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Tanaka trying to control the hands but Rotoras won't let him.
Rotoras throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Tanaka is in bad spot here.
Tanaka breaks Rotoras's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ricardo Rotoras just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Tanaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rotoras, right into the meat.
Rotoras avoids the body shot from Tanaka.
A shot to the body from Tanaka misses
letting Rotoras counter with a right hand.
Rotoras has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Tanaka. No joy for Rotoras on that attempt.
Tanaka connects with the punch.
Rotoras misses with a hook
and Tanaka counters with a straight right hand.
Tanaka connects with a body shot.
Tanaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rotoras manages to avoid it.
Rotoras shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tanaka defends it nicely.
Taka Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Rotoras.

Tanaka shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rotoras's guard.
Tanaka postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tanaka cracks Rotoras with a big elbow.
Tanaka landing strikes.
Rotoras is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Tanaka's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rotoras tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tanaka working the ground and pound from side control.
Rotoras is trying to improve his position.
Rotoras is not content to let Tanaka control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka controls the position from side control.
Tanaka lands a decent elbow from side control.

Tanaka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rotoras gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rotoras manages to get to full guard.
Rotoras is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Rotoras keeps moving.

Rotoras is looking for a triangle but Tanaka pushes his legs off easily.

Rotoras working for a triangle but Tanaka defends it easily.
Tanaka trying to control but Rotoras is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Tanaka tries to free his leg and advance position but Rotoras is retaining full guard.

Rotoras working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tanaka doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tanaka manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Tanaka drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tanaka jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Tanaka thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rotoras bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tanaka's guard.
Rotoras postures up and lands a big shot to Tanaka's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Tanaka had his way with Ricardo Rotoras in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Rotoras fails with a takedown attempt.
Rotoras throws a poor cross that misses
and Tanaka counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rotoras getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rotoras scores with a jab to the head.
Tanaka throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rotoras counters with a nice leg kick.
Tanaka scores with a jab to the body.
Tanaka just misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tanaka misses with a hook.
Tanaka misses the shot to the body.
Rotoras lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tanaka circles away quickly and effectively.
Rotoras looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rotoras loads up on a big right hand but Tanaka slips the punch.
Tanaka misses with a hook to the body

and Rotoras counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rotoras trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Tanaka manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotoras manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tanaka manages to get himself to full guard.

Tanaka is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Rotoras frees his head nicely. Oh but Tanaka has switched to an armbar! Rotoras is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Taka Tanaka!
Taka Tanaka is the new featherweight champion!