PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Armen Tanzarian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Watooshi Takasaszi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tanzarian comes to the cage accompanied by Steve Winwood - Higher Love. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tanzarian
vs
Takasaszi

190 cm
23
214 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Armen Tanzarian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Watooshi Takasaszi!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Edson Gomes and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takasaszi tries to clinch up but Tanzarian circles away and keeps his distance.
Takasaszi misses with a straight right.
Takasaszi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Takasaszi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tanzarian keeps the fight on the outside.
Takasaszi tries to clinch there but Tanzarian circles away.
Takasaszi loads up on a big right hand but Tanzarian slips the punch.
Takasaszi lands with an uppercut that bounces Tanzarian off the cage and back into rage.
Takasaszi wants to clinch up but Tanzarian keeps it at a distance.
Takasaszi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tanzarian sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Takasaszi loads up on a big right hand but Tanzarian slips the punch.
Takasaszi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tanzarian's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takasaszi tries to clinch up.
Takasaszi is looking to clinch but Tanzarian is avoiding it.
Takasaszi throws a right and a left that Tanzarian avoids nicely.
Takasaszi throws a body punch but Tanzarian moves out of range.
Takasaszi misses the jab.
Takasaszi throws a lazy right hand but Tanzarian sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takasaszi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takasaszi lands the left hand.
Takasaszi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tanzarian looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Takasaszi misses with the combination.
Takasaszi looks gassed!
Takasaszi throws a jab when Tanzarian was well out of range.
Watooshi Takasaszi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Tanzarian with that takedown attempt.
Takasaszi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tanzarian paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tanzarian ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takasaszi misses the jab.
Watooshi Takasaszi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Takasaszi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tanzarian ducks right into an uppercut from Takasaszi.

Tanzarian drives through with a takedown into guard.
Takasaszi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tanzarian lands a couple of elbows.
Takasaszi wants to stand up but Tanzarian is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takasaszi is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Tanzarian is working Takasaszi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tanzarian landing with the ground and pound.
Takasaszi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tanzarian. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tanzarian lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tanzarian works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Takasaszi is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Tanzarian.
Tanzarian prevents Takasaszi from standing back up.
Tanzarian winds up and cracks Takasaszi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tanzarian uses his free foot to push down on Takasaszi's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Takasaszi.
Takasaszi wants to get back to his feet.
Takasaszi is bucking up trying to escape but Tanzarian cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Takasaszi's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Tanzarian with shots to the head and body - Takasaszi looks very uncomfortable down there.
Tanzarian lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Takasaszi is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A nice elbow there by Tanzarian.
Takasaszi is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Tanzarian unloading with bombs!
Takasaszi is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Tanzarian lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Takasaszi trying desperately to get to his feet.
Tanzarian with good strikes from the mount here!
Tanzarian lands a big elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takasaszi avoids a series of strikes thrown by Tanzarian.
Tanzarian 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.
Takasaszi wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armen Tanzarian dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Watooshi Takasaszi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tanzarian moves out of range as Takasaszi strikes.

Tanzarian closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Takasaszi to the mat! Takasaszi manages to get full guard.
Tanzarian landing some decent shots from guard.
Takasaszi wants to get back to his feet but Tanzarian is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tanzarian is looking to work some ground and pound but Takasaszi has wrist control.
Takasaszi wants to stand but Tanzarian is controlling the position.
Takasaszi can't keep his opponent in guard - Tanzarian advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tanzarian slips a nice elbow through Takasaszi's hands, connecting with Takasaszi's forehead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takasaszi won't allow Tanzarian to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tanzarian showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Takasaszi.
Tanzarian keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Takasaszi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tanzarian uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takasaszi.
Takasaszi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tanzarian ducks under a wild hook from Takasaszi.

Tanzarian drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tanzarian in side control lands a decent elbow.
Takasaszi tries to escape but Tanzarian is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Takasaszi can do anything to dispel that myth.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Takasaszi tries to clinch up.
Takasaszi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tanzarian keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Takasaszi.
Takasaszi is looking to clinch but Tanzarian is avoiding it.
Takasaszi misses with a two punch combination.
Armen Tanzarian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takasaszi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanzarian manages to avoid it.
Tanzarian has a takedown stuffed.
Takasaszi looks to throw the jab but Tanzarian is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takasaszi throws the left hand but Tanzarian avoids the punch easily.
Takasaszi misses with a straight left.
Takasaszi throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanzarian.
Takasaszi wants to clinch.
Takasaszi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Takasaszi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tanzarian moves away.
Takasaszi misses with a hook. Tanzarian ducked under it nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Takasaszi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Takasaszi throws a jab but it's blocked by Tanzarian.

That's four 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.
Takasaszi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takasaszi should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
A big right from Takasaszi misses.
Takasaszi throws a looping overhand right but Tanzarian ducks down to avoid it.

Tanzarian darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Takasaszi looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tanzarian looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Takasaszi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Takasaszi looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takasaszi has hold of Tanzarian's hands but Tanzarian slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Takasaszi looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armen Tanzarian dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Watooshi Takasaszi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Takasaszi throws a combination. Tanzarian tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Takasaszi throws a hook but Tanzarian blocks it.
Tanzarian moves out of range as Takasaszi strikes.
Takasaszi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tanzarian moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanzarian looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Tanzarian looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Takasaszi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tanzarian is controlling him.
Takasaszi has momentary wrist control but Tanzarian slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takasaszi wants to stand up but Tanzarian is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tanzarian lands a couple of elbows.
Takasaszi wants to stand and escape but Tanzarian is having none of it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tanzarian will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Takasaszi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Takasaszi throws a body punch but Tanzarian moves out of range.
Takasaszi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Takasaszi misses with a wild combination.
Takasaszi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Takasaszi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tanzarian swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Takasaszi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takasaszi tries to clinch there but Tanzarian circles away.
Takasaszi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tanzarian manages to avoid it.

Tanzarian shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Takasaszi's guard.
Tanzarian stops Takasaszi from standing up.
Tanzarian advances position into side control!
Tanzarian landing strikes.
Takasaszi is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Tanzarian working the ground and pound from side control.
Takasaszi is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tanzarian avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takasaszi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanzarian.
Takasaszi throws a right and a left that Tanzarian avoids nicely.
Takasaszi looks to land a right hand but Tanzarian moved out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tanzarian.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armen Tanzarian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tanzarian.
Takasaszi is trying to buck Tanzarian off.
Tanzarian lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Takasaszi is trying to get back to his feet.
Tanzarian working the ground and pound from side control.
Takasaszi is trying to buck Tanzarian off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanzarian looks up at the clock and then as Takasaszi takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Tanzarian smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Tanzarian scoring with punches and elbows.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tanzarian ducks under a wild hook from Takasaszi.
Takasaszi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tanzarian shoots in but Takasaszi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Takasaszi tries to close the distance and clinch but Tanzarian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takasaszi misses with a hook. Tanzarian ducked under it nicely.
Tanzarian takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takasaszi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takasaszi wants to clinch.
Watooshi Takasaszi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Armen Tanzarian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Takasaszi waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Tanzarian.

And that's the end of the fight!
Armen Tanzarian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tanzarian, 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armen Tanzarian!