PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Will DeFrank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiromitsu Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiromitsu Tanaka has the eye of the tiger tonight.

DeFrank
vs
Tanaka

180 cm
24
185 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

185 cm
28
175 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Will DeFrank!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiromitsu Tanaka!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Tanaka both land. Nice combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from DeFrank.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tanaka is defended easily by DeFrank.
DeFrank throws a sloppy body shot
and Tanaka counters with a low kick, right behind DeFrank 's knee.

Tanaka moves into range and clinches up with DeFrank.
Tanaka utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
DeFrank wants to get back to striking at distance but Tanaka won't allow it.
DeFrank wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tanaka has him pressed against the cage.
DeFrank is looking to control Tanaka's arms but Tanaka gets an underhook and turns him. Now DeFrank has his back to the cage.
DeFrank looking for a takedown.
DeFrank goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tanaka prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will DeFrank. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DeFrank is trying to stall.
DeFrank tries to circle away but Tanaka has him pinned against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tanaka breaks from the clinch.
DeFrank tries to clinch up but Tanaka circles away and keeps his distance.

DeFrank tries to keep at a distance but Tanaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tanaka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from DeFrank.
Tanaka stalls.

Tanaka is trying to trip DeFrank. He has hold of a leg but DeFrank is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tanaka persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Tanaka won't allow DeFrank to sweep him here.
Tanaka is looking to work some ground and pound but DeFrank has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tanaka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
DeFrank has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tanaka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tanaka postures up.
DeFrank throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
DeFrank has a closed guard, preventing Tanaka from standing up.
DeFrank wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka working some strikes from top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tanaka passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tanaka misses with the ground and pound.
Tanaka misses with the ground and pound.
DeFrank managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Tanaka.
DeFrank is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
DeFrank has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tanaka is working away from the top position though.
DeFrank slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Tanaka postures up.
Tanaka preventing the sweep.
Tanaka throws a big right hand that misses.
DeFrank is trying to keep Tanaka in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeFrank pulls Tanaka in close to prevent any damage.

We're going to have a standup here because Will DeFrank wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
DeFrank misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Tanaka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
DeFrank trying to control the position but instead, Tanaka has worked for underhooks and has pushed DeFrank into the cage.
Maybe DeFrank would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
DeFrank is looking for a takedown.

Tanaka breaks the clinch.
DeFrank tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tanaka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Will DeFrank seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeFrank throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Tanaka drives through and clinches with DeFrank against the cage.

Tanaka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Tanaka has taken the fight to the clinch.

Tanaka tightens his grip and picks DeFrank up, before dumping him to the ground. DeFrank manages to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DeFrank not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tanaka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of DeFrank's head.
DeFrank is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
DeFrank avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
DeFrank controlling the position.
Tanaka postures up and lands a big shot to DeFrank's brow.

DeFrank is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tanaka connects with a couple of short punches.
Tanaka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tanaka with a nice head shot there.
DeFrank is trying to control the position but Tanaka postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

DeFrank is looking to clinch.
DeFrank moves in looking to clinch but Tanaka pushes him off.
DeFrank ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanaka moves away.
Tanaka lands a head kick. DeFrank smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
DeFrank swats away the attempt to clinch by Tanaka.

Tanaka darts in and clinches DeFrank up against the cage.
Tanaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to DeFrank's face.
DeFrank changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tanaka fights it off and pushes away nicely.
DeFrank keeps the fight on the outside.
Tanaka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from DeFrank misses its intended target.
Tanaka throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Tanaka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tanaka shoots in but DeFrank avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from DeFrank misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from DeFrank lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tanaka has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tanaka and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
DeFrank throws out a loose jab but Tanaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tanaka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

DeFrank shoots in and gets a takedown into Tanaka's guard.
DeFrank missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tanaka wants to stand but DeFrank is controlling the position.
DeFrank pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tanaka is keeping the position for now.
Hiromitsu Tanaka has got the better of the ground game so far.
DeFrank passes Tanaka's left leg - he's now in half guard.
DeFrank thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeFrank not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tanaka has hold of DeFrank's hands but DeFrank slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tanaka avoiding damage under a succession of punches from DeFrank.
DeFrank thows a huge punch but Tanaka dodges it nicely.
Tanaka wants to control but DeFrank is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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!
DeFrank wants to control but Tanaka is keeping him busy.
Tanaka is trying to control but can't.
DeFrank lands strikes from half guard.
DeFrank working the head and body with strikes.
Tanaka keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tanaka is looking for a sweep. DeFrank is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
DeFrank tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
DeFrank sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tanaka defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeFrank sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tanaka defending well though.
Tanaka is trying to stand back up but DeFrank is controlling him
DeFrank throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
DeFrank throwing shots but Tanaka is blocking nicely.
DeFrank has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
DeFrank lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
DeFrank throws a strike but Tanaka avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
DeFrank postures up in Tanaka's guard and throws a big left but Tanaka blocks it.
DeFrank wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
Tanaka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from DeFrank.
DeFrank stands up over Tanaka, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tanaka keeping moving, preventing DeFrank from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeFrank throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tanaka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tanaka is pulling down on DeFrank's head. It's preventing any offense from DeFrank, at least for the moment.
DeFrank wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
Tanaka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from DeFrank.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as DeFrank accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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!
DeFrank wants to control from the top but Tanaka keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
DeFrank postures up in Tanaka's guard and throws a big left but Tanaka blocks it.
DeFrank trying to control the position from guard on top but Tanaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will DeFrank dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

DeFrank tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tanaka fails with an attempt to clinch.
DeFrank is looking to clinch but Tanaka is avoiding it.
Nice defenses there by Tanaka.
DeFrank tries to clinch but Tanaka moves out of range.
DeFrank is looking to clinch but Tanaka is avoiding it.
DeFrank tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tanaka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
DeFrank shoots in but Tanaka avoids the takedown attempt easily.
DeFrank tries for a takedown but Tanaka circles away easily
and Tanaka counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hiromitsu Tanaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tanaka connects with a single shot there.
DeFrank takes a swing at Tanaka's ribcage but misses.
Tanaka pushes DeFrank away with a front kick.
DeFrank stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

DeFrank gets tackled into the cage by Tanaka. Tanaka maintains the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
DeFrank is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
DeFrank wants to break the clinch but can't.

Tanaka manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeFrank throws a body punch but Tanaka moves out of range.
DeFrank 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 moves into range and clinches up with DeFrank.

Tanaka has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but DeFrank regains guard immediately.
Tanaka preventing the sweep.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tanaka tries to stand but DeFrank is controlling from the bottom.
Tanaka landing some decent shots from guard.
DeFrank wants to improve his position but instead Tanaka has moved into half guard.
Tanaka trying to control from half guard but DeFrank is working away.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tanaka connects with a nice short shot to DeFrank's temple.
Tanaka slips a nice elbow through DeFrank's hands, connecting with DeFrank's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DeFrank wants to control but Tanaka is keeping busy and won't allow it.
DeFrank is doing well to control the position and prevent Tanaka from advancing to side control.
DeFrank trying to control here.
Tanaka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but DeFrank does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
DeFrank is trying to maintain the position but Tanaka is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Tanaka is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
DeFrank is trying to control but can't.
Tanaka sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. DeFrank defending well though.
DeFrank on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tanaka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, DeFrank has managed to free his arm - good work.
DeFrank is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DeFrank gets full guard.
DeFrank pulls Tanaka in close to prevent any damage.
Tanaka working some strikes from top position.
DeFrank pulls Tanaka in close to his closed guard and prevents Tanaka from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tanaka stopping the sweep attempt from DeFrank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanaka postures up.
Tanaka working some strikes from top position.
Tanaka postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
DeFrank keeping moving, preventing Tanaka from controlling successfully.
DeFrank not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tanaka working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
DeFrank throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

DeFrank looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tanaka scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
DeFrank working a defensive guard here.
Tanaka is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiromitsu 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiromitsu Tanaka!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Hiromitsu Tanaka made sure he mentioned Global Empire MMA Gear, along with how happy he was to win his fight.