PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Genma Saotome (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Altropos Takota (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Saotome
vs
Takota

195 cm
20
175 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

MadDogs

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Genma Saotome!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Altropos Takota!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takota pushes Saotome up against the cage in a clinch.
Takota wants to get back to striking at distance but Saotome won't allow it.
Saotome jumps guard but Takota stands there with Saotome around his waist. Saotome gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Saotome tries to pull guard but Takota holds him up against the cage and eventually Saotome drops back down to his feet.
Takota is trying to break free.
Takota looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Saotome decides to pull guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Takota stopping the sweep attempt from Saotome.
Saotome is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
It looks like Saotome is going to stand back up.
Takota preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Takota pushes Saotome off and gets back to his feet.

Takota gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Takota dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Takota breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takota closes the distance and pushes Saotome back into the cage.
Takota looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Saotome tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Genma Saotome. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takota prevents Saotome from breaking the clinch.
Saotome swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Takota has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Saotome uses from the top position.
Takota wants to sweep here but Saotome controlling him for the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Takota can do anything to dispel that myth.

Saotome stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Saotome shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takota defends it nicely.
Saotome gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takota.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saotome.

Takota clinches up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A frustrated look appears on Saotome's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Takota looking to throw knees to the head but Saotome is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saotome tries to pull guard but Takota holds him up against the cage and eventually Saotome drops back down to his feet.
Saotome gets underhooks to prevent Takota's takedown attempt.
Saotome tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Takota smiles and moves away.

Saotome gets tackled into the cage by Takota. Takota maintains the clinch.
Takota is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Saotome working hard to break the clinch.
Takota prevents Saotome from breaking the clinch.

Saotome jumps into guard, dragging Takota to the mat.
Takota throwing strikes from guard but Saotome blocks nicely.
Takota throws a big right hand that misses.
Takota distracts Saotome with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Saotome wants to sweep but no luck.
Takota tries to free his leg and advance position but Saotome is retaining full guard.
Takota postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Takota stopping the sweep attempt from Saotome.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saotome wants to stand and escape but Takota is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Saotome is breathing heavily.
Takota throwing strikes from guard but Saotome blocks nicely.
Saotome working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takota.

Saotome is working an open guard so Takota takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Saotome closes this distance looking for a takedown but Takota circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saotome.

Takota moves into the clinch.
Takota is trying to break free.
Takota works on Saotome's body with a couple of short punches.

Takota manages to break the clinch.

Takota moves into the clinch successfully.
Saotome wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right from Takota.
Saotome tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saotome tries to pull guard but Takota won't allow it.
Saotome tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saotome fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Takota manages to break the clinch.

Takota moves into the clinch.
Takota gets through Saotome's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saotome jumps guard but Takota stands there with Saotome around his waist. Saotome gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Takota manages to break the clinch.

Takota waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Saotome. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Saotome to the canvas! Can he finish him!?

Saotome is rocked!
Saotome throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Oh Saotome is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Takota postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Takota postures up in Saotome's guard and throws a big left but Saotome blocks it.
Takota throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takota thows a big elbow that misses.
Takota wants to control from the top but Saotome keeps moving.
Saotome 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.
Saotome seems to have got his legs back now.
Takota throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saotome works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altropos Takota dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Takota lunges at Saotome with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Saotome's hand.
Saotome fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takota avoids it really well and circles away.

Takota closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Takota pressing his opponent against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Saotome avoiding damage as Takota throws knees to the body.
Saotome tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A bit of stalling here from Takota.

Takota's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saotome will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Genma Saotome. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saotome shoots in but Takota avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Takota clinches up with Saotome and pushes him back against the cage.

Takota breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takota tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saotome swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Takota moves in looking to clinch but Saotome pushes him off.
Genma Saotome is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saotome misses with a takedown attempt - Takota sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takota with a nice cross.
Takota is looking to clinch but Saotome is avoiding it.
Some wild striking there from Takota.
Saotome dodges the punch combination from Takota.
Altropos Takota seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takota scores with a jab. Saotome acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Saotome fails with a takedown attempt.
Saotome shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Takota but Takota pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Takota lands a glancing blow to the side of Saotome's head.
Saotome fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Saotome swats away the attempt to clinch by Takota.
Takota tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saotome really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saotome avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takota moves in looking to clinch but Saotome pushes him off.

Takota fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Saotome, pushing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takota has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Altropos Takota seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Takota breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takota misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Takota is looking to clinch.
Saotome shoots in but Takota avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Takota lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Saotome fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Takota is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Takota forces Saotome back against the cage and clinches.
Takota lands on the inside with an uppercut.

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

Takota instigates a clinch.
Takota will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Saotome up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takota looking for a takedown.
Saotome is looking to break free of the clinch but Takota has double underhooks.

Saotome gets control of Takota's arms and successfully pulls guard. Saotome will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Saotome preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Saotome is looking to stand up but Takota isn't so interested in that idea.

Saotome is working an open guard so Takota takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Takota rushes Saotome and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Takota with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Takota working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nice body punch from Takota - that landed with a thud.
Saotome tries to pull guard but Takota holds him up against the cage and eventually Saotome drops back down to his feet.
Takota has had enough of the clinch but Saotome keeps him there for the moment.
Takota has Saotome pressed against the cage.
Takota tries a knee to the head but Saotome blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takota tries a knee to the head but Saotome blocks it.
Saotome managing to block the knees to the body from Takota.
Saotome fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takota missing with knees to the body.
Takota has Saotome pushed against the cage.

Takota's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saotome will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Takota moves into range and clinches up with Saotome.

Takota breaks the clinch.
Saotome shoots in looking for a takedown but Takota manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saotome's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Takota has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Takota moves into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takota.
A short uppercut from Takota.
Takota wants to get back to striking at distance but Saotome won't allow it.
Saotome tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Takota smiles and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altropos Takota showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Saotome slaps away a takedown attempt from Takota, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Takota defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saotome.

Oooh a lovely combination from Takota sends Saotome down but not out. Takota dives into side control looking to finish.
Saotome manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Takota is looking for a sweep. Saotome is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saotome tries to stand but can't do so whilst Takota controls his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takota has his hands clasped together around Saotome's back. He's all about the action.
Takota gets full guard.
Takota is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takota wants to stand and escape but Saotome is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takota is working an open guard so Saotome takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Takota rushes Saotome and presses him up against the cage.

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

Takota closes the distance and clinches.
Takota works on Saotome's body with a couple of short punches.

Saotome breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Takota drives through and clinches with Saotome against the cage.
Takota scores with a shot to the side of Saotome's head.
Saotome tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Takota is trying to force a seperation but Saotome has the dominant position.
A short left from Takota.
Takota with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Saotome successfully pulls guard.
Takota throwing strikes from guard but Saotome blocks nicely.
Altropos Takota has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saotome lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Takota!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saotome won't let Takota get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saotome lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Saotome throws some wild stikes that Takota manages to avoid easily.
Takota is trying to escape the mount.
Saotome with shots to the head and body - Takota looks very uncomfortable down there.
Saotome thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Saotome is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Takota has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Takota is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takota can't escape the position.
Takota tries to lock up and control but Saotome gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Takota is in all sorts of trouble here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saotome lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Saotome looking to control but Takota is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Saotome is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Takota is surviving well by controlling Saotome's body position as best he can.
Takota keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Takota wants to control but Saotome is having none of it.
Takota is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Saotome can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Takota is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saotome looking to ground and pound but Takota is blocking nicely.
Saotome in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Takota is trying desperately to improve position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saotome trying to control but Takota is having none of it.
Takota really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saotome. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Saotome looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Saotome working for a submission but Takota is keeping him at bay.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saotome punching from mount but Takota doing a good job of avoiding damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Genma Saotome.
I think Takota 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Altropos Takota!