PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Tajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Gonzales (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.

Tajiri
vs
Gonzales

175 cm
23
153 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yoshi Tajiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jose Gonzales !
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Bruno Lombardi and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gonzales closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tajiri circles away.
Gonzales shoots for a double leg takedown but Tajiri sprawls well. He's pushed Gonzales 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gonzales fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Yoshi Tajiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Gonzales .
Gonzales is looking to clinch.
Tajiri checks a leg kick.

Tajiri throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gonzales was covering up waiting for the punch and Tajiri finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tajiri is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tajiri seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gonzales for as long as he can get away with.
Tajiri has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gonzales is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzales controlling the position.
Tajiri trying to control but Gonzales is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yoshi Tajiri.
Tajiri shoots in but no luck this time.
Tajiri slaps away a takedown attempt from Gonzales , before circling back to the center of the mat.

Tajiri drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Gonzales working for a triangle but Tajiri defends it easily.

Gonzales working for submissions but it's allowed Tajiri to get to half guard.
Gonzales looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tajiri.
Tajiri keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Tajiri is pressing down on Gonzales 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gonzales is holding on for now.
Tajiri takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tajiri seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales is looking to improve his position.

Tajiri is looking for a kimura but Gonzales is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tajiri to get the leverage.
Gonzales trying to hold on to Tajiri's head to control him but Tajiri postures up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tajiri slows the pace down in half guard.
Tajiri is thwarting Gonzales 's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales taking some punishment here, with Tajiri in his half guard.

Gonzales looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tajiri is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gonzales sees it coming and defends easily.
Gonzales looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tajiri stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshi Tajiri dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Gonzales .

Tajiri fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gonzales , pushing him back against the cage.
Gonzales misses with a body punch.

Tajiri jumps into guard, dragging Gonzales to the mat.
Gonzales trying to control but Tajiri is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Gonzales sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jose Gonzales has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tajiri fails to land with a series of punches.
Gonzales slaps away a takedown attempt from Tajiri, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Tajiri throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gonzales tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tajiri is in Gonzales 's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tajiri slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Gonzales .

Gonzales makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gonzales .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tajiri as he jumps to the side.
Yoshi Tajiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Gonzales .

Tajiri clinches up against the cage.

Tajiri escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gonzales moves in looking to clinch but Tajiri pushes him off.
Sloppy strikes from Tajiri. Those never looked like landing.

Gonzales closes the distance and clinches.
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!
Gonzales fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gonzales jumps guard but Tajiri turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gonzales is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales prevents the takedown attempt.
Tajiri tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tajiri drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Tajiri breaks from the clinch.

Tajiri closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Tajiri content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Gonzales actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tajiri winds up and cracks Gonzales with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tajiri wants to get back to his feet.
Gonzales keeping hold of Tajiri's head, controlling as best he can.
Gonzales wants to improve his position but Tajiri is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshi Tajiri dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tajiri.

Gonzales shoots in and gets a takedown into Tajiri's guard.
Gonzales stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tajiri swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gonzales postures up in Tajiri's guard and throws a big left but Tajiri blocks it.
Gonzales pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tajiri is keeping the position for now.
Tajiri not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tajiri is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gonzales is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tajiri bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gonzales 's guard.
Gonzales is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Gonzales has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tajiri can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gonzales keeping moving, preventing Tajiri from controlling successfully.

Gonzales looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yoshi Tajiri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales wants to get back to his feet but Tajiri is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tajiri passes Gonzales 's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Tajiri stands up from half guard.

Tajiri forces Gonzales back against the cage and clinches.
Tajiri lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gonzales tries for a takedown but Tajiri manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzales is looking to take this one to the mat.

Tajiri breaks from the clinch.

Tajiri manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gonzales on his heels. He'll look to pass Gonzales 's guard now, I'm sure.
Tajiri stays in close to Gonzales 's body and controls the position.
Tajiri has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yoshi Tajiri.
Tajiri shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gonzales eats them both and turns towards Tajiri to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tajiri shoots for a double leg takedown but Gonzales sprawls well. He's pushed Tajiri's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gonzales throws a body punch but Tajiri moves out of range.
Tajiri misses with the combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gonzales is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jose Gonzales has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yoshi Tajiri is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gonzales throws a series of punches but Tajiri avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshi Tajiri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tajiri has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshi Tajiri!