PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tristan Bottrell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yujiro Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yujiro Takahashi has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Bottrell
vs
Takahashi

175 cm
19
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
185 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tristan Bottrell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yujiro Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bottrell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bottrell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Takahashi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bottrell throws a jab but it's blocked by Takahashi.
A combination from Takahashi does no damage.
Takahashi dodges the punch combination from Bottrell.
Bottrell falls off balance throwing a combination

and Takahashi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Takahashi.
Bottrell is looking to break free of the clinch but Takahashi has double underhooks.
Bottrell can't break the clinch.
Nice elbow from Takahashi.
Bottrell is trying to break the clinch but Takahashi is controlling him.
Takahashi putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bottrell in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Takahashi wants the takedown. Bottrell is fighting it off but Takahashi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Bottrell's guard against the cage.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Takahashi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bottrell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takahashi.
Takahashi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takahashi lands an elbow.
Takahashi working the ground and pound but Bottrell is defending the strikes.
Takahashi working the ground and pound but Bottrell is defending the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Takahashi misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Takahashi tries to score with some ground and pound. Bottrell controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Takahashi is working Bottrell over with some ground and pound from side control.
The ground and pound from Takahashi seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Bottrell tries to escape but Takahashi is in control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Takahashi moves into the clinch successfully.
Takahashi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Takahashi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Takahashi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Bottrell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Takahashi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Takahashi lands in his opponent's guard.
Takahashi prevents Bottrell from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bottrell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takahashi.
Takahashi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bottrell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takahashi.
Takahashi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Takahashi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Takahashiis looking to pass into half guard but Bottrell pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Bottrell is in guard.
Takahashi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Takahashi looks gassed!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bottrell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Takahashi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Takahashi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Takahashi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bottrell's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bottrell looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bottrell looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bottrell!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bottrell stands up and beckons Takahashi to his feet.
Bottrell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bottrell lands with an overhand left.
Bottrell tries a head kick but it misses.
Bottrell throws a sloppy head kick and Takahashi moves out of range easily.
Bottrell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Takahashi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bottrell wants to stand and escape but Takahashi is having none of it.
Bottrell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bottrell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bottrell is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Takahashi tries to free his leg and advance position but Bottrell is retaining full guard.
Takahashi throwing strikes from guard but Bottrell blocks nicely.
Takahashi throws and elbow that misses. Bottrell uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Takahashi's guard. Nice move by Bottrell!
Bottrell wants to get up but he can't break Takahashi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bottrell throws a combination that misses
and Takahashi counters with a head kick. That will keep Bottrell thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bottrell misses with a double jab
and Takahashi counters with a three punch combo that has Bottrell backing up. Bottrell nods at Takahashi to acknowledge the strikes.
Bottrell misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yujiro Takahashi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bottrell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Takahashi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bottrell is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Bottrell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bottrell misses with a combination
and Takahashi counters with a big head kick but Bottrell shrugs it off.
Bottrell misses with a combination
and Takahashi counters with a two punch combo.
Bottrell pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Takahashi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bottrell sprawls well initially but Takahashi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Takahashi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Takahashi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bottrell is trying to stand back up but Takahashi is controlling him
Takahashi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bottrell's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Takahashi is working for a kimura but Bottrell is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bottrell's head.
Nice strikes from Takahashi there.
Takahashi stops Bottrell from getting back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bottrell throws a left and a right that both miss
and Takahashi counters with a series of strikes. Bottrell will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bottrell misses with a double jab

and Takahashi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bottrell!
Yujiro Takahashi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Takahashi scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Bottrell?
Bottrell holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Takahashi tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
You get the feeling that Bottrell really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi punching from mount but Bottrell doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Bottrell is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Bottrell trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Takahashi is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Bottrell is surviving well by controlling Takahashi's body position as best he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Takahashi looking to secure an arm triangle but Bottrell defends it well.
Takahashi throws some wild stikes that Bottrell manages to avoid easily.
Bottrell is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Takahashi thowing shots but they're missing.
You get the feeling that Bottrell really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Bottrell wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Takahashi.

Takahashi working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Bottrell is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Takahashi misses with some ground and pound and Bottrell recovers position to half guard.
Takahashi thows a huge punch but Bottrell dodges it nicely.

Bottrell kicks Takahashi off and gets back to his feet.
Takahashi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bottrell's head backwards.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bottrell misses with a combination

and Takahashi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bottrell won't be happy with that.
Bottrell wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yujiro Takahashi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A nice combination there by Bottrell.
Bottrell misses with a straight right.
Bottrell displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bottrell misses with the combination.
Bottrell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Takahashi counters with a shoot takedown. Bottrell fights it but they end up in guard.
Takahashi throwing strikes from guard but Bottrell blocks nicely.
Bottrell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Takahashi is controlling him.
Takahashi postures up and lands a big shot to Bottrell's brow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bottrell keeping moving, preventing Takahashi from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi connects with a couple of short punches.
Takahashi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Takahashi throwing strikes but missing.
Takahashi is in close to Bottrell's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Takahashi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Takahashi is looking to work some ground and pound but Bottrell has wrist control.
Bottrell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Takahashi is controlling him.
Takahashi throws a strike but Bottrell rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bottrell trying to stand up but can't free himself from Takahashi's guard.
Takahashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Takahashi is keen to just control but Bottrell is a slippery customer.
Takahashi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Takahashi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bottrell has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bottrell is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Takahashi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Takahashi prevents Bottrell from standing back up.
Takahashi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Takahashi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Takahashi working over Bottrell with some ground and pound. Bottrell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Takahashi trying to control from half guard but Bottrell is working away.
Takahashi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tristan Bottrell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Takahashi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bottrell throws a head kick that misses
enabling Takahashi to counter with a crisp jab.
Takahashi takes a kick to the side of the head.
Bottrell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tristan Bottrell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takahashi blocks a head kick by Bottrell.
Bottrell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bottrell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takahashi.
Bottrell misses with a double jab.
Takahashi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bottrell throws out a loose jab but Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bottrell misses with a two punch combination.
Yujiro Takahashi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Takahashi lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Takahashi!

And that's the end of the fight!
Yujiro Takahashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Takahashi 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yujiro Takahashi!