PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ona Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Orsam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ona Tanaka has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Tanaka
vs
Orsam

225 cm
18
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
280 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ona Tanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Orsam!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka misses with a few strikes there.
Orsam with a nice cross.
Tanaka really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Tanaka feints and as Orsam raises his hands in defense, Tanaka changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Orsam is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tanaka passes Orsam's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Tanaka seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Orsam tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.
Orsam is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tanaka keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Orsam is trying to stand back up but Tanaka is controlling him
Orsam is looking to get back to full guard here but Tanaka has managed to pass to side control instead.
BOOM! Tanaka connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Orsam tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tanaka controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orsam working to try and regain half guard.
Tanaka trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Orsam working to try and regain half guard.
Tanaka controlling the pace for now.
Tanaka's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Tanaka working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Orsam is trying to reverse the position but instead Tanaka has taken his back - oops!
Orsam rolls, trying to escape but Tanaka keeps control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanaka is looking to control Orsam but Orsam is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Tanaka will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Orsam is trying to get back to his feet but Tanaka has full control of the position and if anything, Orsam has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Orsam tries to break free.
Tanaka is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Orsam up.
Orsam is trying to break free.
Tanaka is riding his opponent, not letting Orsam buck him off.
Orsam is trapped and Tanaka is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Tanaka controlling the position well here. Orsam rolled but Tanaka kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

Tanaka is looking for the choke from the back position but Orsam is controlling his hands well.
Tanaka is breathing heavily.
Orsam is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Orsam turns into Tanaka and is now in his guard.
Orsam advances to half guard.

Orsam looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Tanaka manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orsam stalks Tanaka and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tanaka's face. Tanaka staggers backwards, shaken.
Tanaka walks into a jab.
Orsam bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tanaka's head.
Horrible takedown by Tanaka or perhaps it was just good defense by Orsam which made him look bad.
A left lands for Orsam.
Tanaka thows a body kick. Orsam tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Tanaka scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Orsam wants to improve his position but Tanaka is controlling well.
Tanaka not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Orsam is in trouble now - Tanaka has advanced to mount!
Orsam looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Tanaka has the hooks in. Orsam is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Tanaka trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Orsam doesn't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orsam is trying to break free.

Tanaka looking for the choke from the back.
Tanaka doesn't have the hooks in and Orsam manages to turn into his guard.
Tanaka tries to strike from the bottom.
Tanaka has a closed guard, preventing Orsam from standing up.
Tanaka controlling the position.
Tanaka 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.
Orsam trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Tanaka fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Orsam sprawls well initially but Tanaka persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Orsam tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Tanaka has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

Tanaka is working for a guillotine from mount but Orsam frees his head quite easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Orsam really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ona Tanaka dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Orsam cracks Tanaka with a good jab.
Orsam throws a combination. Tanaka tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Orsam lunges at Tanaka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tanaka's hand.

Tanaka is rocked!
Orsam tries for a takedown but Tanaka circles away easily

and Tanaka counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Oh Tanaka is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Tanaka here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tanaka prevents Orsam from improving his position.
Tanaka seems to have got his legs back now.
Tanaka trying to control from half guard but Orsam is working away.
Tanaka not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tanaka performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tanaka wants to stand but Orsam has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Orsam manages to get to full guard.
Orsam tries to strike from the bottom.
Orsam is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Tanaka stands and steps away. Orsam gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Tanaka gets the takedown into side control.
Orsam is not content to let Tanaka control the position.
Orsam looking for a sweep but Tanaka has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Tanaka controlling the position easily from mount.
Orsam manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Still in half guard, Tanaka seems content to control.

Tanaka is looking for a kimura but Orsam is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tanaka to get the leverage.
Orsam tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.

Orsam is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Tanaka pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka passes to side control.

Tanaka looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Orsam tries to buck Tanaka off but Tanaka is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Orsam manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Orsam looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Orsam is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tanaka is just riding it out for now. Orsam eventually gives up the hold.
Tanaka is looking to control Orsam's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tanaka avoid being mounted?
Orsam passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orsam seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Tanaka is holding on tight.
Tanaka tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Orsam jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tanaka is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tanaka and Orsam has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Tanaka is trying to control Orsam's posture but Orsam avoids it.
Tanaka sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ona Tanaka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tanaka is doing well to control the position and prevent Orsam from advancing to side control.
Tanaka is looking for a sweep. Orsam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tanaka throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Orsam is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tanaka defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tanaka is trying to stand back up but Orsam is controlling him
Tanaka is trying to get back to full guard.
Orsam looks to land a strike but Tanaka avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Orsam has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tanaka is proving hard to escape from.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Orsam just misses with a punch to the body.

Tanaka has closed the distance and engaged Orsam in a clinch.
Orsam doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Tanaka is trying to trip Orsam. He has hold of a leg but Orsam is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tanaka persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Orsam 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.
Tanaka has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Orsam is working an open guard so Tanaka takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Orsam goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tanaka throws a head kick but Orsam moves out of range.
Orsam takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Tanaka changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Orsam looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ona Tanaka dominated that second round.
That's time! Tanaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Orsam is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanaka.
Tanaka moves out of range as Orsam strikes.
A big left from Orsam misses.

Tanaka shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tanaka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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 showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Tanaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Orsam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tanaka decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Orsam, up you get!
Tanaka tries to move into range but Orsam moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tanaka.
Orsam is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tanaka's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Tanaka takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Tanaka decides to stand up.
Orsam takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanaka rushes Orsam and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Tanaka decides to pull guard.
Tanaka managing to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tanaka is on top in guard.
Tanaka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tanaka passes Orsam's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Tanaka moves nicely into side control.
Orsam is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Orsam seems a little lost for a moment, as Tanaka dominates the positioning.
Orsam is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Orsam is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orsam is looking for a sweep.

Tanaka tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tanaka has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Orsam manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tanaka's best efforts.
Tanaka lands with a punch from half guard.
Tanaka stalling.
Tanaka not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Tanaka stands up out of the half guard.
Orsam missing with a left hand there. Tanaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Orsam throws a shot from downtown. Tanaka moves away and avoids it.

Tanaka decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Tanaka is looking for a kimura but Orsam is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tanaka to get the leverage.
Tanaka is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orsam really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tanaka with good strikes from the mount here!
Orsam is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Orsam throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Orsam is trying desperately to improve position.
Orsam is squirming around, avoiding Tanaka's attempts to control the action.
Orsam gets back to half guard.
Orsam regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tanaka controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tanaka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tanaka stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Orsam tries for a takedown but Tanaka circles away easily

and Tanaka counters with a single leg into guard. Orsam didn't expect that.
Orsam lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tanaka!
Tanaka is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Orsam takes Tanaka's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Tanaka is in trouble.
Tanaka is trying to stand back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Orsam keeps control of the position as Tanaka tries to break free.
Mark Orsam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Orsam misses with punches from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ona Tanaka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tanaka, 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ona Tanaka!