PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Dawkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ethelbart Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dawkins kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind. 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.

Dawkins
vs
Takahashi

186 cm
23
194 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

190 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

RMC - Rio Mma Clothing
1337 ANZAC

1337 ANZAC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Jack Dawkins!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ethelbart Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dawkins fails with a takedown attempt.
Takahashi throws a sloppy head kick and Dawkins moves out of range easily.
Dawkins shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Takahashi as he avoids it easily.
Takahashi scores with the left hand. Dawkins knows he should have avoided that one.
Takahashi throws a low kick but Dawkins moves out of range easily.
Takahashi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Takahashi misses with a body kick.
Dawkins shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Dawkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dawkins takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Takahashi throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawkins scores with a three punch combo!
Takahashi misses with a hook. Dawkins ducked under it nicely.
An inside leg kick from Takahashi misses.
Dawkins chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takahashi can pounce on him.
Takahashi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Takahashi wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - Takahashi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takahashi throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Dawkins to counter with a crisp jab.
Dawkins shoots and misses
and Takahashi counters with an outside leg kick.
Dawkins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dawkins misses with a takedown
and Takahashi counters with a nice kick to the body.
Dawkins is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dawkins misses with an uppercut.
Takahashi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dawkins has his takedown stuffed
and Takahashi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A combination from Takahashi does no damage.
Dawkins misses with a takedown
and Takahashi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Good shot there by Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with a leg kick.
Takahashi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Dawkins takes a step back to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi ducks right into an uppercut from Dawkins.
Ethelbart Takahashi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takahashi, right into the meat.
Dawkins takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Takahashi tries to bum rush Dawkins with a series of wild strikes but Dawkins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dawkins on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Takahashi connects with a jab.
Dawkins tries for a takedown but Takahashi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dawkins shoots for a double leg takedown but Takahashi sprawls well. He's pushed Dawkins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dawkins misses with an uppercut
and Takahashi counters with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Takahashi.
Dawkins with a lazy takedown attempt
and Takahashi counters with a leg kick.
Takahashi throws a hook to the side of Dawkins's head but Dawkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Takahashi cracks the inside of Dawkins's front leg.
Dawkins moves out of range of the body kick.
Dawkins has his takedown stuffed
and Takahashi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Dawkins walks into a straight right hand from Takahashi.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takahashi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Takahashi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethelbart Takahashi 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.

Takahashi lands a head kick!
Dawkins checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Dawkins moves out of range of the strikes.
Takahashi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takahashi lands a nice looking body kick.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Dawkins might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Dawkins with a poor takedown
and Takahashi counters with a left and a right that stings Dawkins.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takahashi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Takahashi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takahashi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Dawkins if he has to take too many more of those.
Takahashi scores with a head kick.
Dawkins chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takahashi can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi's corner calls for a 1-2. Takahashi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Takahashi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Takahashi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dawkins's sensitive parts.
Ethelbart Takahashi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dawkins takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dawkins's jab looks to have found its range, popping Takahashi under the eye.
Takahashi jabs Dawkins right on the nose. Dawkins blinks but takes it well.
Dawkins is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Takahashi lands a big head kick that sends Dawkins tumbling to the mat! Takahashi takes a step backwards and waves Dawkins back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Dawkins is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takahashi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Dawkins shoots in for a takedown but Takahashi shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Dawkins misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Dawkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dawkins shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Dawkins was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Takahashi working to try and regain half guard.
Dawkins thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takahashi wants to control but Dawkins is having none of it.
Takahashi is trying desperately to improve position.
Dawkins has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Dawkins misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Takahashi is wriggling around trying to escape.
Dawkins controlling from mount.
Dawkins sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Takahashi is looking to escape.
Takahashi is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takahashi tries to hold on but Dawkins postures up.
Dawkins misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dawkins raining down hammerfists from mount.
Takahashi holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Dawkins tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethelbart Takahashi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dawkins cracks a nice hook into Takahashi's ribs.
Takahashi scores with a spinning back kick!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dawkins.
Dawkins fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takahashi, right into the meat.
Takahashi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dawkins's sensitive parts.
Takahashi misses with a hook

so Dawkins counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to control the position here.
Dawkins throwing strikes but missing.
Dawkins trying to control but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Dawkins throwing strikes from guard but Takahashi blocks nicely.
Dawkins looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Jack Dawkins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dawkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takahashi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dawkins looking to sit in guard and control but Takahashi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dawkins has his foot on Takahashi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Takahashi works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins is trying to hold Takahashi in close to prevent damage but Takahashi has managed to pass into half guard.
Dawkins tries to roll over but Takahashi keeps him under control.

Dawkins looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dawkins won't allow Takahashi to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi is trying to control. Dawkins wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dawkins is trying to control but Takahashi passes into side control!
Takahashi trying to control the action but Dawkins is working from the bottom.
Dawkins gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Dawkins actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Dawkins clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Takahashi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Dawkins shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dawkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Takahashi looks to score with a jab to the body but Dawkins is just out of range.
Dawkins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Takahashi sprawls well. Takahashi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dawkins gets slowly back to his feet.
Takahashi lunges at Dawkins with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Dawkins's hand.
Takahashi throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawkins fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Dawkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dawkins shoots in and gets a takedown into Takahashi's guard.
Dawkins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dawkins with a nice head shot there.
Takahashi is pulling down on Dawkins's head to control his posture.
Dawkins is looking to work some ground and pound but Takahashi has wrist control.
Dawkins wants to control from the top but Takahashi keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dawkins.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Dawkins from controlling successfully.
Dawkins throwing strikes but missing.
Takahashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dawkins.
Takahashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dawkins won't allow Takahashi to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins with a flurry of punches that miss.
Takahashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Takahashi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Dawkins working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Takahashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dawkins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dawkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takahashi wants to sweep here but Dawkins controlling him for the moment.
Dawkins throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins trying to control but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Dawkins throwing strikes but missing.
Dawkins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dawkins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Takahashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dawkins.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dawkins postures up in Takahashi's guard and throws a big left but Takahashi blocks it.
Dawkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dawkins trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Dawkins had his way with Ethelbart Takahashi in 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. This is the final round!

Dawkins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takahashi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Takahashi wants it to stay on the feet.
Takahashi throws a hook but Dawkins blocks it.
Takahashi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Takahashi blocks a jab.
Dawkins swinging wildly here.
Dawkins takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Takahashi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dawkins.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Dawkins checks a leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dawkins is defended easily by Takahashi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Dawkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Dawkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takahashi.
Dawkins takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nice takedown defense from Takahashi. No joy for Dawkins on that attempt.
Nice uppercut there from Takahashi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Jab from Takahashi.
Takahashi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Takahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dawkins moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Takahashi. No joy for Dawkins on that attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Takahashi.
Takahashi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dawkins will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Takahashi moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins misses with a hook
and Takahashi counters with a one-two to the body.
Dawkins has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Takahashi.
Takahashi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Takahashi.
Dawkins fails to land the takedown.
Some bone on bone action there as Dawkins checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Dawkins blocks the body kick.
Takahashi swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Dawkins is able to avoid easily.
Takahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dawkins moves away.
Dawkins fails with the takedown
and Takahashi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dawkins is lucky that one didn't land flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dawkins staying out of range there.
Dawkins fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dawkins on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ethelbart Takahashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takahashi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ethelbart Takahashi!
Ethelbart Takahashi is the new middleweight champion!
Ethelbart Takahashi thanked the fans post fight for their support.