PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryosuke Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gustavo Andrade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryosuke Takahashi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Takahashi
vs
Andrade

180 cm
22
185 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

190 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryosuke Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gustavo Andrade!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Sosuke Kotani and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andrade connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Some bone on bone action there as Takahashi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Andrade throws a leg kick but Takahashi checks it.
Andrade misses with a series of wild punches.
Andrade misses with an attempted mid kick.
Takahashi closes the distance and clinches up with Andrade, looking for a takedown. Takahashi pushes Andrade against the cage but Andrade circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Andrade ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takahashi moves away.
Takahashi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Takahashi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Andrade's guard.

Andrade is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Andrade has his foot on Takahashi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Takahashi works his way back into a safe position though.

Takahashi drops back looking for a leg! Andrade is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Andrade manages to kick Takahashi off! Takahashi jumps back into Andrade's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi passes into half guard.
Andrade is looking for a sweep. Takahashi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Andrade moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Andrade looking to hit a scissor sweep but Takahashi is one step ahead there.

Andrade escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Takahashi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Takahashi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Takahashi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Andrade is looking to stand up but Takahashi isn't so interested in that idea.
Andrade looking to hit a scissor sweep but Takahashi is one step ahead there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Takahashi wants to control from the top but Andrade keeps moving.
Andrade keeping full guard, as Takahashi tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Takahashi checks a leg kick nicely.
Andrade misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Andrade tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takahashi was well out of range. Poor timing from Andrade.
Gustavo Andrade is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Andrade throws a body kick that misses.
Andrade attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Andrade throws a nice outside leg kick.
Good leg kick by Andrade there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Takahashi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Andrade did well to prevent Takahashi getting side control.
Takahashi wants to pass to mount but Andrade is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Andrade actively working from the bottom here.
Andrade regains full guard. Nicely done.
Andrade controls Takahashi momentarily but Takahashi frees himself.

Takahashi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Andrade manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Takahashi has Andrade in his guard.
Andrade sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Andrade dominated that round.
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.

Andrade misses with a kick to the body.
Andrade changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Takahashi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Andrade tries to bum rush Takahashi with a series of wild strikes but Takahashi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Andrade throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Ryosuke Takahashi has been cut.
Andrade throws a front kick aimed at Takahashi's knee but Takahashi avoids it well.
Andrade misses with a kick to the body.
Takahashi fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
An inside leg kick lands from Andrade.
Gustavo Andrade is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrade misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Takahashi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Andrade.
Andrade throws a nice looking combination but Takahashi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters circling a little - Andrade finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Andrade looks to land a combination but Takahashi avoids it well.
Takahashi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Andrade misses with a few strikes there.
Andrade fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
Takahashi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Takahashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Andrade avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Andrade sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Takahashi somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryosuke Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Andrade throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takahashi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Andrade tries to avoid it but Takahashi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Andrade to the ground. Andrade escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Takahashi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Andrade looks to land a body kick but Takahashi moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrade throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Takahashi.
Takahashi shoots for a takedown but Andrade saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Andrade throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Andrade throws out a leg kick but Takahashi moves out of range and Andrade only half commits.
Andrade throws a sloppy head kick and Takahashi moves out of range easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Takahashi.

Takahashi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Takahashi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andrade manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Andrade looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Takahashi passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Andrade!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Takahashi swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Andrade is now in Takahashi's guard. A big mistake from Takahashi there, giving up the dominant position!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Andrade showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ryosuke Takahashi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Andrade scores with a spinning back kick!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Takahashi checks a leg kick.
Andrade throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Andrade finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Andrade feints and then cracks Takahashi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Takahashi down.
Takahashi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Andrade can pounce on him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Takahashi avoids the head kick by Andrade.
Andrade scores with a spinning back kick!
Andrade tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Andrade.
Andrade thows a body kick. Takahashi tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Andrade thumps Takahashi with a low kick.
Andrade throws a series of punches but Takahashi moves out of range.
Andrade tries a head kick but it misses.
Gustavo Andrade seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Andrade pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takahashi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Andrade as he jumps to the side.
Andrade pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Andrade throws a series of punches but Takahashi avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Takahashi checks a leg kick.

Takahashi feints and as Andrade raises his hands in defense, Takahashi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Takahashi has gone for a leg lock! Andrade slips out almost immediately though and dives into Takahashi's guard.
Andrade trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Takahashi has his foot on Andrade's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Andrade works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Andrade's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Takahashi had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Andrade is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Takahashi Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Andrade's back instead.
Andrade rolls, trying to escape but Takahashi keeps control of the position.

Andrade is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Takahashi doesn't have the hooks in and Andrade manages to turn into his guard.

That's four 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.
Andrade trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andrade controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Andrade wants to pass the guard but Takahashi is keeping the position.
Ryosuke Takahashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gustavo Andrade is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Andrade avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Takahashi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Andrade passes into side control.
Takahashi can't do much from the bottom here.
Takahashi is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gustavo Andrade comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Andrade 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustavo Andrade!