PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yutaka Takashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benson Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henderson has chosen Til I Collapse as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Takashi
vs
Henderson

163 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Hellbent, Inc.™
Charlie Wang's Nutrition and Laundry

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yutaka Takashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benson Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Yutaka Takashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Henderson.
Danga de danga de dang - Henderson scores with a four punch combination!

Takashi dives in and scores a takedown into Henderson's guard.
Henderson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takashi pushing down on Henderson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Henderson is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are battling for position here. Henderson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Takashi 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson keeping full guard, as Takashi tries to pass.

Henderson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Takashi defends it easily.
Henderson trying to keep a closed guard but Takashi is proving a slippery customer.
Takashi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Takashi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Henderson's guard.
Takashi is trying to control the action in half guard but Henderson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Takashi wants to advance to full mount but Henderson doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Takashi stopping the sweep attempt from Henderson.
Takashi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Takashi is controlling him.
Henderson trying to control the position.

Henderson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Takashi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Takashi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to control the position but Takashi postures up.
Henderson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Takashi looking to pass the guard.

Takashi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Henderson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Takashi has Henderson in his guard.
Takashi 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.
Takashi could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

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.
Henderson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Takashi working for a triangle but Henderson defends it easily.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Takashi keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Henderson stopping the sweep attempt from Takashi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yutaka Takashi will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Henderson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Takashi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Henderson.

Takashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Henderson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Henderson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Takashi is wriggling around trying to escape.

Henderson looking for a guillotine from mount but Takashi is having none of it.
Takashi holds on for dear life.
Takashi is trying to escape the mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Takashi?
Takashi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Henderson is looking to stand but Henderson has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Takashi is in all sorts of trouble here.
Takashi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Takashi working to try and regain half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takashi tries to hold on but Henderson postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takashi avoids a series of strikes thrown by Henderson.
Takashi is desperately trying to improve his position but Henderson has a good base and remains in mount.
Takashi is working hard here to advance position.
Takashi has given up his back here.
Henderson throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Henderson throwing sloppy strikes.
Henderson wants to control but Takashi is keeping busy.
Takashi tries to escape the position.
Henderson doesn't have the hooks in and Takashi manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to keep Takashi in close.
Henderson wants to stand and escape but Takashi is having none of it.
Takashi stopping the sweep attempt from Henderson.
Henderson looking to control.

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.
Takashi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Takashi tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Takashi has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Henderson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Takashi's best efforts.

Henderson makes his way to full guard, as Takashi worked for a kimura.
Henderson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Henderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Henderson throws an overhand right that lands on Takashi's shoulder, as Takashi tries to avoid the shot.
Takashi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Henderson.

Takashi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Henderson sneaks back into half guard.
Henderson is trying to stand.
Takashi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Takashi wants to work for an arm triangle but Henderson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
Henderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Henderson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Henderson pushes Takashi off looking to stand but Takashi dives back in and keeps control.
Henderson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Takashi is working for a kimura but Henderson is defending it quite comfortably.
Henderson trying to control from the bottom.
Henderson is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Takashi is staying active.
Takashi moves into full mount! Henderson won't be happy about that!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Takashi goes for an armbar but Henderson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Henderson.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Takashi is on top in guard.
Takashi looking to pass the guard.
Henderson wants to sweep but no luck.
Takashi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Henderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson working a defensive guard here.

Takashi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Henderson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Takashi has Henderson in his guard.
Henderson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Takashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

Takashi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Henderson defends it easily.
Takashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Takashi, not yet.

Henderson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Takashi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Henderson on his heels. He'll look to pass Henderson's guard now, I'm sure.
Takashi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Takashi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Henderson looking for subs off his back but Takashi has passed one foot through into half guard.
Takashi passes the guard and advances to mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Yutaka Takashi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Takashi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Yutaka Takashi!