PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Sandoval (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinji Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanaka has chosen Yuudachi as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sandoval
vs
Tanaka

170 cm
28
135 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

160 cm
27
139 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joseph Sandoval!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sandoval cracks Tanaka with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sandoval takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sandoval tries to close the distance and clinch but Tanaka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Tanaka closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sandoval can't do much from the bottom here.
Tanaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sandoval keeps working.
Tanaka takes a little break here. Sandoval wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tanaka scoring with punches from side control.
Sandoval wants to get back to his feet.
Sandoval has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
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!
Tanaka is looking to take a break and control but Sandoval is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sandoval being controlled for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka trying to control the position but Sandoval is working away.
Sandoval dodges the ground and pound from Tanaka.
Tanaka trying to control the position but Sandoval is working away.
Sandoval is trying to control Tanaka's posture but Tanaka avoids it.
Tanaka tries to move to mount but Sandoval blocks the move with his legs.
Sandoval struggling a bit here.
Tanaka is looking to take a break and control but Sandoval is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval wants to control but Tanaka postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sandoval looks to land a right hand but Tanaka moved out of range.
Sandoval lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sandoval scores with a nice head shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sandoval. Tanaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sandoval avoids the head kick by Tanaka.
Sandoval swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sandoval keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Tanaka gets a double leg takedown into Sandoval's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sandoval keeping full guard, as Tanaka tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval working a defensive guard here.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Sandoval keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tanaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tanaka slips nicely into half guard.
Tanaka is pressing down on Sandoval's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sandoval is holding on for now.
Sandoval pushes Tanaka off looking to stand but Tanaka dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval tries to roll over but Tanaka keeps him under control.
Sandoval wants to get back to his feet.
Tanaka trying to control the action but Sandoval is working from the bottom.
Sandoval is trying is best to control the position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sandoval swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tanaka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sandoval bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tanaka's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sandoval misses with a wild combination.
Sandoval is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tanaka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shinji Tanaka will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sandoval fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sandoval fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tanaka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tanaka has a takedown stuffed.
Sandoval fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sandoval is looking to clinch but Tanaka is avoiding it.
Tanaka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sandoval. Sandoval obviously looking to wear him down.
Sandoval ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Tanaka on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sandoval lands a really nice looking cross but Tanaka seems unphased.
Sandoval fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tanaka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sandoval misses with a hook. Tanaka ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sandoval was well out of range. Poor timing from Tanaka.
Sandoval throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tanaka closes the distance and clinches up with Sandoval, looking for a takedown. Tanaka pushes Sandoval against the cage but Sandoval circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Joseph Sandoval has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinji Tanaka.

Sandoval closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Sandoval.
Tanaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Sandoval lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tanaka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sandoval throws an elbow that misses.
Sandoval using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sandoval landing knees to the body.
Tanaka is breathing heavily.
Sandoval is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sandoval working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sandoval connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tanaka's face.
Tanaka's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tanaka tries to throw a body punch but Sandoval avoids it by throwing Tanaka back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sandoval tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tanaka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sandoval with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Tanaka is rocked!
Tanaka takes an elbow to the temple.
Tanaka is still on wobbly legs! Can Sandoval finish him?
Sandoval lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sandoval misses with a knee strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A short uppercut from Sandoval.
Tanaka takes a knee right on the jaw!
A shot in the inside from Sandoval.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but Tanaka blocks it.
Tanaka has had enough of the clinch but Sandoval keeps him there for the moment.
Tanaka takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sandoval lands an uppercut.
Sandoval missing with knees to the body.
Sandoval lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tanaka backwards.
Tanaka tries to pull guard but Sandoval holds him up against the cage and eventually Tanaka drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but Tanaka blocks it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sandoval.
Tanaka seems to have recovered his senses.
Tanaka stalling in the clinch but Sandoval improves position.
Tanaka seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Tanaka's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tanaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sandoval is working Tanaka over against the cage.
Tanaka wants to get back to striking at distance but Sandoval won't allow it.
Tanaka jumps guard but Sandoval stands there with Tanaka around his waist. Tanaka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sandoval with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sandoval looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sandoval unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Sandoval misses with a knee strike.
Sandoval tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sandoval lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval looking to throw knees to the head but Tanaka is blocking nicely.
Sandoval trying to land knees to the body.

Tanaka jumps guard and drags Sandoval to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanaka bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sandoval's guard.
Tanaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sandoval is keeping the position for now.
Tanaka pushing down on Sandoval's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sandoval knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tanaka on the ground.
Sandoval gets full guard.
Sandoval keeping full guard, as Tanaka tries to pass.
Tanaka wants to control from the top but Sandoval keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sandoval is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sandoval can't keep his opponent in guard - Tanaka advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Sandoval dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Sandoval.
Sandoval swings for the body but Tanaka moves out of range.
Sandoval misses with a looping right.
Sandoval lands with a hook. Tanaka tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tanaka slips a straight right by Sandoval.
Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Sandoval throws a lazy right hand but Tanaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sandoval connects with a leg kick. Tanaka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tanaka walks into a straight right hand from Sandoval.
Tanaka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sandoval's waist but Sandoval gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tanaka off to one side.
Nice defenses there by Sandoval.
A telegraphed right hand from Sandoval misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandoval wants to land a leg kick but Tanaka is out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tanaka checks a leg kick.
Tanaka keeps the fight on the outside.

Tanaka dives in and scores a takedown into Sandoval's guard.
Tanaka trying to control but Sandoval is working from the bottom.
Tanaka throwing strikes but missing.
Tanaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sandoval is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tanaka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shinji Tanaka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sandoval is pulling down on Tanaka's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
Tanaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sandoval is keeping the position for now.
Sandoval not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Joseph Sandoval has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sandoval misses with a hook

and Tanaka counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanaka tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sandoval knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Tanaka is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sandoval tries to kick Tanaka off but Tanaka keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka wants to pass the guard but Sandoval is defending well.
Sandoval wants to control but Tanaka is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tanaka wants to pass to mount but Sandoval is defending the position.
Tanaka keeps trying to improve his position.

Tanaka seems to be looking for submissions.
Tanaka tries to pass to full mount but Sandoval defends it.
Sandoval is looking to escape.

Tanaka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sandoval has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tanaka wants to pass to mount but Sandoval is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Tanaka.
Sandoval tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.
Tanaka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sandoval does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tanaka is pressing down on Sandoval's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sandoval is holding on for now.
Sandoval pushes Tanaka off looking to stand but Tanaka dives back in and keeps control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sandoval is controlling Tanaka's trapped leg to prevent Tanaka from advancing to side control.
Tanaka sitting and controlling from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinji Tanaka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tanaka has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Shinji Tanaka!
Shinji Tanaka tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.