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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takumi Sagaki (ranked 1736 p4p, 2117 weight class) and Mordechai Kowalczyk (ranked 102 p4p, 125 weight class). Sagaki comes to the cage accompanied by One Piece - AMV - We Are! (Full Song). Kowalczyk has chosen Nocturne op. 9 no.2- Frederic Chopin as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.
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| 172 cm
36
147
25 - 11 - 0 |
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175 cm
31
145
14 - 5 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Takumi Sagaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mordechai Kowalczyk!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sagaki.
Kowalczyk connects with a jab.
Kowalczyk connects with a crisp jab.
Kowalczyk misses with a wild body shot.
Kowalczyk rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sagaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kowalczyk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sagaki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk defends it nicely.
Sagaki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kowalczyk is fending him off so far but Sagaki persists. Nope, Kowalczyk circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takumi Sagaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sagaki slips a jab and a cross from Kowalczyk.
Sagaki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kowalczyk swivels and escapes.
A little jabbing left from Kowalczyk on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sagaki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kowalczyk circles away.
Kowalczyk swings for the body but Sagaki moves out of range.
Kowalczyk paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sagaki moves out of range as Kowalczyk strikes.
Kowalczyk lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Kowalczyk. That snapped Sagaki's head back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sagaki on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kowalczyk throws a low kick, looking for Sagaki's leg but Sagaki calmly moves out of range.
Sagaki shoots for a takedown but Kowalczyk saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sagaki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kowalczyk avoids it really well and circles away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mordechai Kowalczyk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kowalczyk lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Kowalczyk. No joy for Sagaki on that attempt.
Kowalczyk throws out a counter right but Sagaki avoids it with no problem.
Nice sprawl there from Kowalczyk as Sagaki shoots in.
Kowalczyk cracks Sagaki with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sagaki walks into a stiff left hand from Kowalczyk.
Sagaki ducks under a wild hook from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kowalczyk lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kowalczyk slaps away a takedown attempt from Sagaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kowalczyk! But no joy.
Sagaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Kowalczyk sprawls well. He's pushed Sagaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sagaki shoots in looking for a takedown. Kowalczyk tries to sprawl out of it but Sagaki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kowalczyk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kowalczyk just misses with a punch to the body.
Kowalczyk throws a body shot but no joy.
Kowalczyk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sagaki throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kowalczyk was covering up waiting for the punch and Sagaki finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kowalczyk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sagaki is controlling him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sagaki passes Kowalczyk's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kowalczyk looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kowalczyk is defending against the submission attempts here by Sagaki.
Sagaki is working for a kimura but Kowalczyk is defending it quite comfortably.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sagaki stops Kowalczyk from getting back to his feet.
We've been informed that Kowalczyk has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kowalczyk manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Sagaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kowalczyk turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sagaki shoots for a takedown but Kowalczyk saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sagaki fails with the takedown.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sagaki.
Sagaki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kowalczyk swivels and escapes.
Sagaki 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.
Kowalczyk with a hook.
Sagaki fails to land the takedown.
Sagaki shoots in for a takedown but Kowalczyk shows good takedown defense.
Sagaki is breathing heavily.
A cross from Kowalczyk lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sagaki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kowalczyk sprawls well. Kowalczyk wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sagaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Kowalczyk connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sagaki takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sagaki shoots in looking for a takedown. Kowalczyk tries to sprawl out of it but Sagaki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kowalczyk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice defenses there by Sagaki.
Sagaki has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sagaki there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sagaki avoids the body shot from Kowalczyk.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mordechai Kowalczyk dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Sagaki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kowalczyk defends well and Sagaki ends up having to push Kowalczyk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kowalczyk misses with the head strike.
Kowalczyk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kowalczyk has Sagaki pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sagaki.
Sagaki stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kowalczyk throws a punch but it's blocked by Sagaki.
Sagaki is trying to break the clinch but Kowalczyk is controlling him.
Kowalczyk tries to stall but Sagaki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sagaki tries a body shot but Kowalczyk blocks it.
Kowalczyk looking to stall.
Sagaki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalczyk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kowalczyk as Sagaki tries to tie him up.
Sagaki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sagaki shoots in for a double leg but Kowalczyk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Kowalczyk misses.
Kowalczyk lands a really nice looking cross but Sagaki seems unphased.
Sagaki moves out of range as Kowalczyk strikes.
A cross from Kowalczyk lands.
Sagaki drops his hands momentarily and Kowalczyk takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sagaki misses with a takedown attempt - Kowalczyk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takumi Sagaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sagaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk tries to avoid it but Sagaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kowalczyk to the ground. Kowalczyk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sagaki misses with a takedown attempt - Kowalczyk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kowalczyk looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mordechai Kowalczyk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kowalczyk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sagaki misses with a takedown attempt - Kowalczyk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kowalczyk cracks Sagaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sagaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk tries to avoid it but Sagaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kowalczyk to the ground. Kowalczyk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Takumi Sagaki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut.
Kowalczyk connects with the punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sagaki shoots in looking for a takedown but Kowalczyk manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sagaki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kowalczyk looks to land a combination but Sagaki avoids it well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kowalczyk scores with a nice strike.
Sagaki staying out of range there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sagaki.
Sagaki moves away from the strike by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sagaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Kowalczyk, which made it look bad.
As Sagaki backs off Kowalczyk throws a huge counter combo but Sagaki manages to avoid it all.
Kowalczyk connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
An inside leg kick lands from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk cracks Sagaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kowalczyk throws a hook but Sagaki avoids it easily.
Sagaki slips under a jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kowalczyk, as that shot connected.
Sagaki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kowalczyk connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sagaki scrambles back to his feet.
Sagaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Kowalczyk looks to throw the jab but Sagaki is out of range.
Sagaki looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sagaki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sagaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sagaki closes the distance and clinches up with Kowalczyk, looking for a takedown. Sagaki pushes Kowalczyk against the cage but Kowalczyk circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A big left from Kowalczyk misses.
Sagaki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kowalczyk is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Jab from Kowalczyk.
Sagaki on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kowalczyk.
The crowd cheers as Kowalczyk lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sagaki doesn't seem phased though.
Sagaki blocks a jab.
Sagaki shoots for a takedown but Kowalczyk saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kowalczyk throws out a counter right but Sagaki avoids it with no problem.
Kowalczyk changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kowalczyk.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kowalczyk waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sagaki.
Kowalczyk jabs Sagaki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sagaki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sagaki lands in his opponent's guard.
Kowalczyk has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sagaki off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk lands a glancing blow to the side of Sagaki's head.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook.
Sagaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Sagaki looks for a takedown but Kowalczyk sprawls well.
Kowalczyk throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kowalczyk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A swing and a miss from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sagaki has time to react.
Sagaki takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick but Sagaki sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kowalczyk keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sagaki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kowalczyk pinned against the cage. Kowalczyk gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sagaki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mordechai Kowalczyk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sagaki is defended easily by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sagaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk tries to avoid it but Sagaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kowalczyk to the ground. Kowalczyk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sagaki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kowalczyk buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sagaki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kowalczyk defends well and Sagaki ends up having to push Kowalczyk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takumi Sagaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kowalczyk misses with a punch on the inside.
Kowalczyk looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kowalczyk lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kowalczyk taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalczyk breaks from the clinch.
Kowalczyk throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kowalczyk works Sagaki's body with a nice hook.
Sagaki shoots in looking for a takedown. Kowalczyk tries to sprawl out of it but Sagaki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kowalczyk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagaki dives in for a single leg takedown but Kowalczyk sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kowalczyk's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kowalczyk lands a nice shot that snaps Sagaki's head back.
Kowalczyk leaves Sagaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kowalczyk! But no joy.
Sagaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kowalczyk sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sagaki somewhat.
Kowalczyk connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sagaki. Sagaki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kowalczyk fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sagaki on the side of the head.
Kowalczyk connects with a nice looking jab.
Sagaki has a takedown stuffed.
Sagaki shoots in for a double leg but Kowalczyk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sagaki tries for a takedown but Kowalczyk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Kowalczyk. That snapped Sagaki's head back.
Kowalczyk lands a right hook to the body.
Kowalczyk connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sagaki. Sagaki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kowalczyk throws a looping overhand right but Sagaki ducks down to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sagaki slips under a jab.
Sagaki has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kowalczyk.
Sagaki takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kowalczyk fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sagaki closes the distance and clinches up with Kowalczyk, looking for a takedown. Sagaki pushes Kowalczyk against the cage but Kowalczyk circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
As Sagaki backs off Kowalczyk throws a huge counter combo but Sagaki manages to avoid it all.
Kowalczyk connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sagaki's hands.
Kowalczyk buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kowalczyk throws a head kick that misses.
Sagaki ducks under a wild hook from Kowalczyk.
Nice shot by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk throws a big shot that misses.
Sagaki tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kowalczyk manages to circle out of the way.
Sagaki misses with a takedown attempt - Kowalczyk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sagaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kowalczyk.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sagaki is defended easily by Kowalczyk.
Sagaki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kowalczyk defends well and Sagaki ends up having to push Kowalczyk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kowalczyk lands a body shot.
Kowalczyk lands with a short shot to the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kowalczyk throws a head punch that misses.
Sagaki is trying to break the clinch but Kowalczyk has him pressed against the cage.
Kowalczyk effectively controlling the action here.
Kowalczyk manages to break the clinch.
Sagaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kowalczyk sizes up Sagaki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kowalczyk scores with a jab to the body.
Sagaki scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kowalczyk throws Sagaki to one side and escapes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sagaki walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kowalczyk misses with a straight left.
Kowalczyk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sagaki.
Sagaki stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kowalczyk.
Sagaki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kowalczyk finds it's way round the side to connect with Sagaki's head.
Kowalczyk throws a right and a left that Sagaki avoids nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk with a jab.
Kowalczyk tests Sagaki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kowalczyk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sagaki shoots in for a takedown but Kowalczyk shows good takedown defense.
Kowalczyk swings for the body but Sagaki moves out of range.
Nice cross by Kowalczyk.
Sagaki blocks a jab.
Kowalczyk keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kowalczyk throws a lazy right hand but Sagaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sagaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sagaki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kowalczyk defends well and Sagaki ends up having to push Kowalczyk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kowalczyk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice uppercut lands for Kowalczyk. That snapped Sagaki's head back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalczyk feints and then cracks Sagaki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sagaki down.
Sagaki gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kowalczyk lands with a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Takumi Sagaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mordechai Kowalczyk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sagaki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
And that's the end of the fight!
Mordechai Kowalczyk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kowalczyk 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 25:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mordechai Kowalczyk!
Mordechai Kowalczyk seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
77% |
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