PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Takumi Mayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Paulson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mayama
vs
Paulson

176 cm
25
165 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
162 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takumi Mayama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Paul Paulson!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yuuki Gou and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mayama staying out of range there.
Paulson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mayama.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mayama lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paulson circles away quickly and effectively.
Paulson is looking to clinch.
Mayama works Paulson's body with a nice hook.
Mayama displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Paul Paulson has been cut.
Mayama throws a right and a left that Paulson avoids nicely.
Paulson throws a head kick that misses.
Paulson lands a head kick. Mayama smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Takumi Mayama has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paulson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paulson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mayama scores with a hook.
Paulson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mayama swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Paulson wants to clinch up but Mayama keeps it at a distance.
Paulson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mayama.

Mayama tries to keep at a distance but Paulson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mayama avoids the elbow strike from Paulson, against the cage.
Paulson scores with a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Paulson.
Mayama fails to pull guard.

Mayama manages to pull guard.
Mayama keeping moving, preventing Paulson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paulson wants to pass the guard but Mayama is keeping the position.
Mayama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Paulson.
Paulson won't allow Mayama to sweep him here.

Mayama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Paulson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Paulson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mayama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mayama working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Paulson has passed into half guard!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mayama is not content to let Paulson control the position.

Paulson is trying to work for a kimura but Mayama is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mayama is refusing to be controlled, as Paulson sits in half guard.

Mayama actively working from the bottom here.
Paulson tries to pass to full mount but Mayama defends it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mayama pushes Paulson off looking to stand but Paulson dives back in and keeps control.
Mayama tries to roll over but Paulson keeps him under control.
Paulson drops an elbow to the side of Mayama's head.
Mayama has hold of Paulson's hands but Paulson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mayama is trying to maintain the position but Paulson is very close to passing his half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mayama changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulson tries a head kick but it misses.
Paulson wants to clinch up but Mayama keeps it at a distance.
Paulson throws a push kick but Mayama slaps the foot to one side.
Paulson moves in looking to clinch but Mayama pushes him off.
Mayama takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Mayama tries to keep at a distance but Paulson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Paulson is trying to stall.
Paulson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mayama fails to pull guard.
Paulson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mayama's defenses.
Paulson lands a nice elbow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Mayama's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Paulson tries to land knees in the clinch but Mayama avoids the damage to the body.
Mayama tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Paulson just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takumi Mayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mayama tries to pull guard but Paulson holds him up against the cage and eventually Mayama drops back down to his feet.
Paulson looking to slow down the pace here.
Paulson looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mayama takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mayama takes an elbow to the forehead.
Paulson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mayama lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mayama tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nice elbow from Paulson.
Paulson lands a nice elbow.

Mayama jumps guard and drags Paulson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Paulson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mayama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Paulson has managed to get both his arms back between Mayama's legs - danger averted.
Mayama is breathing heavily.

Mayama isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Paulson stacks Mayama on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Paulson!
Paulson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Mayama some visible discomfort.
Mayama manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paulson is trying to control. Mayama wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mayama wants to control but Paulson passes into side.
Mayama takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takumi Mayama dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Paulson throws a head kick that Mayama semi-blocks.
Paulson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mayama keeps the fight on the outside.
Paulson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mayama swinging wildly here.

Paulson closes the distance and clinches.
Mayama tries to pull guard but Paulson holds him up against the cage and eventually Mayama drops back down to his feet.
Paulson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paulson lands a damaging elbow.
Mayama tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Paulson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Paulson throws an elbow that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Paulson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Mayama jumps into guard, dragging Paulson to the mat.
Paulson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mayama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Paulson wants to control from the top but Mayama keeps moving.
Paulson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mayama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Paulson defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Paulson throwing strikes but missing.
Paulson thows a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Paulson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Mayama had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Paulson defends it easily.
Mayama keeping moving, preventing Paulson from controlling successfully.
Paulson with a flurry of punches that miss.

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.
Mayama striking off his back but it's not causing Paulson any problems.
Mayama utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Paulson dodges the punch combination from Mayama.
Paulson throws a sloppy head kick and Mayama moves out of range easily.
Paulson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mayama lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mayama.
Mayama goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Paulson rushes Mayama and presses him up against the cage.
Mayama is looking to break free of the clinch but Paulson has double underhooks.
Mayama jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Paulson walks away with a smile on his face. Mayama gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takumi Mayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice cross by Paulson.
Paulson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Paulson - that will leave a mark!
Mayama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paulson manages to avoid it.
Mayama looks to score with a jab to the body but Paulson is just out of range.
Paulson misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulson misses with a head kick.
Paul Paulson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paulson tries to clinch but Mayama moves out of range.
Mayama scores with a body shot.

Paulson rushes Mayama and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Paulson lands an elbow just above Mayama 's eye.
Paulson lands an elbow inside that Mayama shrugs off.
Mayama tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Paulson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mayama avoids a wild elbow strike from Paulson.
Mayama tries to pull guard but Paulson won't allow it.
Paulson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Paulson connects with a knee to the head.
Paulson lands an elbow inside.
Paulson lands an elbow inside that Mayama shrugs off.
Mayama wants to get back to striking at distance but Paulson won't allow it.
Paulson lands a knee to the head.
Paulson prevents Mayama from breaking the clinch.
Mayama wants to break the clinch but can't.
Paulson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Mayama is trying to break the clinch but Paulson is controlling him.
Paulson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Paulson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mayama's efforts to push away.
Paulson lands an elbow just above Mayama 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paulson lands a damaging elbow.
Paulson lands a nice knee to the body.
Paulson tries to land a knee to the head but Mayama blocks with his arms.
Mayama managing to block the knees to the body from Paulson.
Mayama can't break the clinch.
Paulson lands an elbow inside that Mayama shrugs off.
Mayama tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Paulson smiles and moves away.
Takumi Mayama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mayama looks to land a combination but Paulson avoids it well.
Paulson tries to clinch up.
Paulson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mayama throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paulson's waist but Paulson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mayama off to one side.
Paulson is looking to clinch but Mayama is avoiding it.
Paulson just misses with a punch to the body.
Mayama throws a nice looking combination but Paulson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mayama lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paulson circles away quickly and effectively.
Paulson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mayama backs up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paulson tries to clinch there but Mayama circles away.
Paulson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mayama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Paulson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mayama's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Mayama duly obliges.

Paulson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Paulson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mayama fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Paulson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Paulson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Mayama in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Mayama avoids a wild elbow strike from Paulson.
Paulson scores with a knee to the head.
Paulson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mayama's defenses.
Mayama takes a knee right on the jaw!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Mayama drags the fight down to the ground.
Mayama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Mayama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paulson is aware though and is defending well.
Paulson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mayama preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Paulson scoring with some ground and pound.

Paulson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Paulson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mayama wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mayama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paulson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Paulson landing some decent shots from guard.
Mayama working a defensive guard here.
Paulson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Mayama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Paulson passes into half guard.
Paulson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Mayama looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Paulson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mayama is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Paulson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mayama on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Paulson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paulson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Mayama looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Paulson there.
Paulson prevents Mayama from improving his position.
Paulson working Mayama over with strikes.
Paulson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulson lands with a punch from half guard.
Mayama is trying to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Paulson.
Paulson lands with a punch from half guard.
Paulson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mayama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Paulson.

Mayama looking for submissions off his back.
Mayama wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Paulson lands with a punch from half guard.
Paulson drops an elbow to the side of Mayama's head.
Paulson working the head and body with strikes.
Paulson prevents Mayama from improving his position.
Paulson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mayama keeps working.
Ground and pound from Paulson.
Paulson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Paulson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mayama knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mayama is looking to improve his position.
Mayama gets full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Paulson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Paulson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 as a draw!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Paul Paulson!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Paul Paulson!

Paul Paulson wins by majority decision!