Michinori Tanaka
Drops decision to Ricardo Ramos Saturday
Tanaka lost to Ricardo Ramos via unanimous decision (28-29, 27-30, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Houston.
ANALYSIS
By the time Tanaka picked up the pace in Round 3, his fate was already sealed. It took Tanaka well over ten minutes before he finally figured out how to close the distance against the bigger Ramos. With Tanaka repeatedly pressing forward, Ramos would just flick out jabs that succeeded in keeping his opponent away from him. Tanaka was credited with just two takedowns on eight attempts. He has now lost back-to-back fights and falls to 2-3 during his time in the UFC.
By the time Tanaka picked up the pace in Round 3, his fate was already sealed. It took Tanaka well over ten minutes before he finally figured out how to close the distance against the bigger Ramos. With Tanaka repeatedly pressing forward, Ramos would just flick out jabs that succeeded in keeping his opponent away from him. Tanaka was credited with just two takedowns on eight attempts. He has now lost back-to-back fights and falls to 2-3 during his time in the UFC.
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Booked against Ricardo Ramos
Tanaka will face UFC newcomer Ricardo Ramos in a bantamweight matchup at a UFC Fight Night event Feb. 4 in Houston.
ANALYSIS
Tanaka is 2-2 in four UFC bouts, and 11-2 in his professional career. Though the 26-year-old has shown he can rack up strikes in a fight, he may be a risky fantasy play, as all four of his UFC fights have ended in a decision, and he hasn't knocked out anyone in his career. It's tough to predict how he'll match up against the 21-year-old Ramos, who is the latest prospect to emerge from Dana White's "Lookin' for a Fight" TV show. Ramos will hold a height advantage, but the experience edge lies in the corner of Tanaka.
Tanaka is 2-2 in four UFC bouts, and 11-2 in his professional career. Though the 26-year-old has shown he can rack up strikes in a fight, he may be a risky fantasy play, as all four of his UFC fights have ended in a decision, and he hasn't knocked out anyone in his career. It's tough to predict how he'll match up against the 21-year-old Ramos, who is the latest prospect to emerge from Dana White's "Lookin' for a Fight" TV show. Ramos will hold a height advantage, but the experience edge lies in the corner of Tanaka.
Betrayed by takedown defense in loss to Rani Yahya
Tanaka lost to Rani Yahya via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Brasilia, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
Tanaka's complete inability to defend the takedown cost him this fight. He was the far more effective striker of the two men, out striking Yahya by an insane count of 121-19. On the other hand, he allowed the Brazilian to connect on 7/11 takedown attempts which ultimately spelled his doom. Tanaka's aggressive style typically leaves him off balance, but allowing seven takedowns in any fight is an unacceptable number. Tanaka has now rotated wins and losses over his first four UFC bouts.
Tanaka's complete inability to defend the takedown cost him this fight. He was the far more effective striker of the two men, out striking Yahya by an insane count of 121-19. On the other hand, he allowed the Brazilian to connect on 7/11 takedown attempts which ultimately spelled his doom. Tanaka's aggressive style typically leaves him off balance, but allowing seven takedowns in any fight is an unacceptable number. Tanaka has now rotated wins and losses over his first four UFC bouts.
Tanaka defeated Joe Soto via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 195 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Tanaka clearly faded as the fight progressed, but two of the three judges thought he did enough early on to earn the split decision. Tanaka appeared to be the quicker of the two fighters on the feet, but he struggled as he tired. Tanaka was also able to score a few takedowns, although he immediately had to fight off submission attempts from Soto each time he ended up on top. Tanaka is just 25-years old. Saturday was his first fight in the United States.
Tanaka clearly faded as the fight progressed, but two of the three judges thought he did enough early on to earn the split decision. Tanaka appeared to be the quicker of the two fighters on the feet, but he struggled as he tired. Tanaka was also able to score a few takedowns, although he immediately had to fight off submission attempts from Soto each time he ended up on top. Tanaka is just 25-years old. Saturday was his first fight in the United States.