PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aias Evander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shingo Tanaka (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.

Evander
vs
Tanaka

190 cm
27
180 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

181 cm
29
185 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aias Evander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shingo Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evander throws a chopping leg kick but Tanaka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Evander lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Evander wants to slow Tanaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Evander throws a nice looking combination but Tanaka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Evander scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tanaka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tanaka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Evander is out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Evander checks a leg kick.
Tanaka lands a nice looking body shot.
Evander scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Tanaka.
A big left from Evander misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Evander. That's going to slow Tanaka down.
Evander checks a leg kick.
Evander throws a poor cross that misses
and Tanaka counters with a body kick that stops Evander in his tracks momentarily.
Evander avoids a kick to the body.
Evander ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evander on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tanaka. Tanaka obviously looking to wear him down.
Evander takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Tanaka slips a jab from Evander.
Evander throws a lazy right hand but Tanaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Evander throws a poor cross that misses
and Tanaka finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Evander scores with a hook.
Evander on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Evander misses with a body shot
and Tanaka counters with a head kick.
Evander throws out a loose jab but Tanaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tanaka missing with a left hand there. Evander was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Evander lands with a kick to the temple. Tanaka shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Evander checks a low kick from Tanaka.
Tanaka avoids the body shot from Evander.
Tanaka swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tanaka or perhaps it was just good defense by Evander, which made it look bad.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanaka lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Evander at a distance.
Evander looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Aias Evander is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanaka avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tanaka.
Tanaka checks a leg kick nicely.
Tanaka throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tanaka throws a half hearted mid kick.

Tanaka throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Evander tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tanaka is in Evander's guard.
Tanaka throwing strikes but missing.
Evander pulls Tanaka in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evander is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tanaka is controlling him.
Evander utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tanaka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Tanaka stands up and waves to Evander to follow him.
Tanaka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tanaka throws a low kick but it's checked well by Evander.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evander just misses with a punch to the body.
Tanaka throws a leg kick but Evander checks it.
Evander throws the left hand but Tanaka avoids the punch easily.
Evander checks a low kick from Tanaka.
An inside leg kick from Evander misses.
Evander misses with a lunging right hand
and Tanaka makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Evander really felt that one!
Evander lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Evander avoids the body shot from Tanaka.
Tanaka lands a body shot.
Evander throws a leg kick but Tanaka moved away.
Evander connects with a leg kick. Tanaka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka throws a right hand that Evander ducks under and follows up with a left that Evander also avoids with ease.
Evander fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tanaka checks it well.
Evander throws an overhand right that lands on Tanaka's shoulder, as Tanaka tries to avoid the shot.
Evander throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shingo Tanaka will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tanaka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tanaka slips a jab from Evander.
Tanaka lands with a hook. Evander tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tanaka.
Shingo Tanaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tanaka throws an overhand right that lands on Evander's shoulder, as Evander tries to avoid the shot.
Tanaka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Evander, as that shot connected.
A slow jab from Evander misses its intended target.
Evander swings widly with a right hand
and Tanaka counters with a head kick. That will keep Evander thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Tanaka is looking to chop away at Evander's legs.
Evander throws a hook but Tanaka blocks it.
Evander throws a hook but Tanaka blocks it.
Evander looks to land a combination. Tanaka sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Evander lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tanaka, right into the meat.
Tanaka slips a straight right by Evander.
Evander misses with a leg kick
and Tanaka counters with a solid body kick.
Evander takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tanaka throws a body punch but Evander moves out of range.
Tanaka throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Evander makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tanaka throws a head kick but Evander moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Evander.
Tanaka throws a head kick but Evander moves out of range.
Tanaka throws a chopping leg kick but Evander manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
An inside leg kick from Tanaka misses.
Tanaka moves out of range as Evander strikes.
Evander uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evander throws a body shot but no joy.
Tanaka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Evander lunges at Tanaka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tanaka's hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tanaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Evander misses with a hook
and Tanaka counters with a good low kick that Evander was not able to check.
Evander checks a leg kick.
A slow jab from Evander misses its intended target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tanaka. Evander does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tanaka finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Evander throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Evander takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tanaka throws out a leg kick but Evander moves out of range and Tanaka only half commits.
Evander misses with a wild combination.
Evander scores with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka tries to work over Evander's front leg with a kick but Evander checks it.
Evander throws a leg kick that misses.
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.
Evander scores with a jab to the jaw.
Evander jabs Tanaka right on the nose. Tanaka blinks but takes it well.
Evander does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Evander throws a chopping leg kick but Tanaka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A lazy left from Tanaka finds it's target.
Evander throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tanaka slips a jab from Evander.
Evander throws a leg kick that misses.
Tanaka misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tanaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Evander enables Tanaka to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Evander manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tanaka trying to control but Evander is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanaka sitting in guard here, content to control.
Tanaka works over Evander with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shingo Tanaka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Evander swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Evander connects with a leg kick. Tanaka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tanaka shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Evander as he avoids it easily.
Tanaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tanaka misses with a body kick.
Tanaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Evander.
Evander throws a head kick but Tanaka moves out of range.
Evander getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice sprawl there from Evander as Tanaka shoots in.
Tanaka turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Evander throws a hook but Tanaka blocks it.
A jab from Evander finds it's way through Tanaka's defenses.
Tanaka slips under a jab.
Tanaka slips a straight right by Evander.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Evander fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanaka manages to avoid it.
Evander tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Evander.
Evander tests Tanaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Evander just misses with a punch to the body.
Evander throws a looping overhand right but Tanaka ducks down to avoid it.
Evander walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tanaka checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tanaka slips a straight right by Evander.
Tanaka ducks under a wild hook from Evander.
Evander is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanaka.
Tanaka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tanaka takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Evander throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tanaka's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Tanaka.
Evander keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tanaka.
Tanaka tests Evander's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Evander is looking to chop away at Tanaka's legs.
Evander tries to score with a low kick but Tanaka moves his leg out of the way.
Evander throws out a leg kick but Tanaka moves out of range and Evander only half commits.
Tanaka misses with a straight left.
Evander swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tanaka moves out of range of the leg kick from Evander.
Tanaka misses with a low kick as Evander jumps back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanaka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Evander is out of range.
Tanaka shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Evander fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evander lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Evander looks to land a right hand but Tanaka moved out of range.
Evander throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tanaka fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Evander has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tanaka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tanaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Evander throws out the jab.
Tanaka lands with an overhand left.
Evander motions for Tanaka to come forward. Evander throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Evander lets loose with a powerful body kick. Tanaka will feel that in the morning.
A good leg kick by Evander.
Evander keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Evander is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanaka.
Tanaka throws a low kick but it's checked well by Evander.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Evander's head.
Jab, jab by Evander - just one landing.
Tanaka throws a push kick but Evander slaps the foot to one side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tanaka moves away from the strike by Evander.
Evander pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tanaka.
Tanaka dives in for a single leg takedown but Evander sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Shingo Tanaka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
I was talking to Evander's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Aias Evander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shingo Tanaka.
Evander is trying to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka is trying to push Evander away but Evander has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Aias Evander.
Well Tanaka has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shingo Tanaka!
Shingo Tanaka managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Demon Clothing Company and Laundy, into his post fight interview.