PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Colton Northwood (ranked 4562 p4p, 442 weight class) and Takeshi Takamura (ranked 4304 p4p, 424 weight class). Takamura has chosen Bleach03 - The Head That Controls Both Right And Left Sides Eats Meats And as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Takeshi Takamura was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Northwood
vs
Takamura

168 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Colton Northwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeshi Takamura!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Northwood on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Northwood avoids the head kick by Takamura.
Takamura ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Northwood moves away.
Takamura catches Northwood with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Takamura scores with a decent looking hook.
Northwood misses the shot to the body.
It seemed like Takamura was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Takamura throws a leg kick that is checked

so Northwood counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Northwood stopping the sweep attempt from Takamura.
Takamura is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Northwood accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Takamura told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Northwood's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Takamura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Northwood sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Takamura's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Northwood is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Takamura defends it well.
Northwood lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Northwood is looking for a kimura but Takamura is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Northwood to get the leverage.
Northwood not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Northwood perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Northwood prevents Takamura from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Takamura is doing well to control the position and prevent Northwood from advancing to side control.
Northwood throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Northwood wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takamura keeps working.

Northwood is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Takamura doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Northwood.
Northwood 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.
Northwood seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takamura is looking for a sweep. Northwood is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Northwood is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Northwood not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Takamura is not content to let Northwood control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Takamura connects with the punch.
Northwood is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Northwood misses with a few strikes there.
Takamura scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Northwood swings away with a body shot that misses
and Takamura counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takamura misses with an uppercut.
Northwood misses with a body shot
enabling Takamura to counter with a crisp jab.
Takamura lands a leg kick that knocks Northwood off balance momentarily.
Northwood takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Northwood shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Northwood showed some decent athleticism there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takamura won't allow Northwood to pass to mount.
Takamura is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Northwood scores with a couple of nice shots.

Northwood is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Takamura is just riding it out for now. Northwood eventually gives up the hold.
Takamura tries to roll over but Northwood keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Takeshi Takamura will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Takamura cracks Northwood with a good jab.
Northwood keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Northwood uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takamura.
Takamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Northwood looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Northwood seems to be looking for submissions.

Northwood is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takamura is refusing to be controlled, as Northwood sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Northwood is looking for a kimura here.
Takamura trying to control from the bottom.

Northwood is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Takamura trying to control here.

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.

Northwood seems to be working for a kimura but Takamura defends the submission attempt.
Northwood is looking to take a break and control but Takamura is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Northwood wants to free his trapped foot but Takamura is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Northwood is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Takamura throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takamura bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Northwood's head backwards.
A shot to the liver by Takamura. Beautiful body shot.
Northwood walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Northwood ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takamura moves away.
A shot to the liver by Takamura. Beautiful body shot.
Takamura fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Takamura with a nice calf kick.
Northwood just misses with a punch to the body.
Takamura defending well as Northwood loads up on a big left hand.
Takamura connects with an inside leg kick.
Northwood uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takamura.
A punch lands to the side of Northwood 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Takamura connects with a right hand. Northwood shakes it off.

Northwood manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Takamura on his heels. He'll look to pass Takamura's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Northwood advances position into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Northwood tries for a kimura but Takamura is defending well.
Takamura is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Northwood controlling the position.
Northwood trying to control the action but Takamura is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takeshi Takamura will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Northwood misses with a body shot.
Northwood lands a nice looking body shot.
Takamura misses with a hook

and Northwood counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Takamura!

Takamura throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Northwood uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takamura.
Northwood drops down looking for a counter takedown but Takamura sprawls and moves away.
Takamura throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takeshi Takamura seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takamura stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Takamura wants it to stay on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takamura on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Northwood throws a jab when Takamura was well out of range.
Northwood lands with an uppercut that bounces Takamura off the cage and back into range.
Takamura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Takamura scores with a sloppy right hand. Northwood should have avoided that one.
Takamura throws an overhand right that lands on Northwood's shoulder, as Northwood tries to avoid the shot.
Takeshi Takamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takamura just misses with a punch to the body.
Northwood drops down looking for a counter takedown but Takamura sprawls and moves away.
Takamura fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Takamura avoids the body shot from Northwood.
Takamura dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Northwood. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takamura scores with a jab.
Takamura tries a head kick but it misses.
Northwood lands with a right hand.
Takamura stuffs the takedown attempt from Northwood. Northwood gets slowly back to his feet.
Northwood looks to score with a jab to the body but Takamura is just out of range.
Takeshi Takamura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Northwood throws a leg kick but Takamura sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Northwood takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Northwood bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takamura connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Takamura cracks Northwood with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Northwood looks to score with a jab to the body but Takamura is just out of range.
A nice side step and Takamura releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Takamura connects with a good right hand that stumbles Northwood. Northwood circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Takamura lands a nice shot that snaps Northwood's head back.
Takamura misses with a wild body shot.
Takamura throws out a loose jab but Northwood uses good head movement to avoid it.
Northwood changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takamura missing with a left hand there. Northwood was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Northwood throws a body shot but no joy.
Takamura uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Northwood.
Takamura moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Takamura cracks Northwood with a right hand to the side of the head.
Takamura connects with a good right hand that stumbles Northwood. Northwood circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Takamura scores with a jab to the head.
Northwood slips a jab from Takamura.
Northwood swings away with a body shot that misses
and Takamura counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takamura has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takamura scores with a punch to the head.
Takamura throws out a loose jab but Northwood uses good head movement to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Northwood misses the target.
Northwood backing away here, and Takamura unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Northwood looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Takamura throws a leg kick that is checked

and Northwood decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Takamura's guard.

Takamura kicks Northwood off and gets to his feet.
Takamura avoids the body shot from Northwood.
Northwood takes a swing at Takamura's ribcage but misses.
Takamura lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Northwood at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takamura tries to sprawl but Northwood drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Takamura has his hands clasped together around Northwood's back. He's all about the action.
Northwood with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Northwood seems to be working for a kimura but Takamura defends the submission attempt.
Northwood with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takamura is trying to stand.

Northwood looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Northwood is trying to work for a kimura but Takamura is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takeshi Takamura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Takamura winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takeshi Takamura!