PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mabishiro Sakamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Taktarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakamoto has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Oleg Taktarov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mabishiro Sakamoto's chin.

Sakamoto
vs
Taktarov

175 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 11 - 0

180 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mabishiro Sakamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oleg Taktarov!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taktarov misses with an uppercut. Sakamoto saw that one coming.
Sakamoto looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
The fight stays on the outside here - Taktarov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sakamoto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Taktarov pinned against the cage. Taktarov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Taktarov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Taktarov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Taktarov wants it to stay on the feet.

Taktarov shoots in and bounces Sakamoto off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Taktarov controlling from the top position.

Taktarov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sakamoto, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taktarov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sakamoto is trying to defend but Taktarov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Taktarov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sakamoto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taktarov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sakamoto is looking for a sweep. Taktarov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taktarov is looking to advance position but Sakamoto won't allow it.
Taktarov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sakamoto with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Taktarov working Sakamoto over with strikes.
Taktarov wants to free his trapped foot but Sakamoto is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sakamoto tries to get to full guard but Taktarov has control of the leg.
Still in half guard, Taktarov seems content to control.
Taktarov trying to pass the guard but Sakamoto defending well.
Taktarov controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taktarov seems to be working for a kimura but Sakamoto defends the submission attempt.
Taktarov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taktarov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sakamoto doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Taktarov.
Taktarov drops an elbow to the side of Sakamoto's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sakamoto wants to improve his position but Taktarov is controlling well.
Taktarov stalling.
Taktarov wants to free his trapped foot but Sakamoto is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Taktarov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Taktarov gets the takedown into side control.
Taktarov lands some shots froms side control.
Taktarov working the ground and pound.
Sakamoto is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Taktarov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Taktarov moves in looking to clinch but Sakamoto pushes him off.
Taktarov throws out a leg kick but Sakamoto moves out of range and Taktarov only half commits.

Taktarov 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taktarov stopping the sweep attempt from Sakamoto.
Taktarov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Taktarov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taktarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Taktarov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Taktarov looking to pass the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Taktarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

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.

Taktarov gets to his feet. Sakamoto looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Taktarov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakamoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Taktarov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sakamoto is trying to maintain the position but Taktarov is very close to passing his half guard.
Sakamoto tries to roll over but Taktarov keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov wants to pass the guard but Sakamoto is defending well.
Taktarov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sakamoto.
Taktarov is nestled in close to Sakamoto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Taktarov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Taktarov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sakamoto sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sakamoto with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Taktarov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Taktarov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Taktarov stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Taktarov tries to clinch but Sakamoto is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Taktarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sakamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Taktarov closes the distance and pushes Sakamoto back into the cage.
Sakamoto tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Taktarov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sakamoto jumps guard but Taktarov stands there with Sakamoto around his waist. Sakamoto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Taktarov is trying to maintain a safe position but Sakamoto gets an underhook and turns Taktarov into the cage.
Taktarov wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakamoto won't allow it.
Taktarov tries to pull guard but Sakamoto won't allow it.
Taktarov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Taktarov tries to break free but Sakamoto pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taktarov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Taktarov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sakamoto fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taktarov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto looks to land a body kick but Taktarov moved away.
Taktarov throws a head kick but Sakamoto moves out of range.
Taktarov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakamoto swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Taktarov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Taktarov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Taktarov lands a big shot there that rocks Sakamoto but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Taktarov with a couple of short strikes.
Sakamoto is in all sorts of trouble here.
Taktarov controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taktarov is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Taktarov throws a half hearted mid kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Taktarov.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sakamoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Taktarov slows the pace down in half guard.
Sakamoto is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Taktarov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sakamoto.
Taktarov trying to mount his opponent but Sakamoto defends it.

Taktarov is looking for a kimura but Sakamoto is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Taktarov to get the leverage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakamoto is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Taktarov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Taktarov's back!
Taktarov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Mabishiro Sakamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oleg Taktarov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Sakamoto is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Taktarov is defending well though. Sakamoto let's go of the attempt for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oleg Taktarov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taktarov 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oleg Taktarov!