PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Takeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anatoli Todorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Takeda
vs
Todorov

182 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
22
210 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroshi Takeda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anatoli Todorov!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takeda drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Todorov has an active guard here but Takeda has managed to pass into half guard.
It looks like Takeda is going to stand back up.
Todorov is looking to improve his position.
Todorov is not content to let Takeda control the position.
Todorov is pressing down on Takeda's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takeda wants to control from the top but Todorov keeps moving.

Todorov had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Takeda is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Todorov Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Takeda's back instead.
Takeda is really stuck here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Todorov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Todorov is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Takeda up.
Todorov struggling to land strikes to the head as Takeda covers up.
Takeda trying to control the hands but Todorov breaks the grip.
Takeda tries to escape the position.
Takeda finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.

Todorov has control of Takeda's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Takeda regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Todorov looking for a guillotine from mount but Takeda is having none of it.
Todorov looks gassed!
Todorov takes Takeda's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Takeda is in trouble.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takeda prevents Todorov from getting a body triangle.

Todorov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takeda fending off the submission attempt from Todorov.

Takeda manages to stand up with Todorov still on his back. Eventually Todorov drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Takeda.

Takeda stands up and beckons Todorov to his feet.

Takeda clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeda is working for takedown but Todorov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Todorov tries for a takedown but Takeda manages to get underhooks.

Takeda lands a takedown into guard.
Takeda trying to control but Todorov is working from the bottom.

Takeda stands up from Todorov's guard - Takeda perhaps looking for a knockout.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Takeda dominated that round.
That's time! Takeda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takeda decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Todorov is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Takeda pulls his head out easily.
Hiroshi Takeda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Todorov tries to kick Takeda off but Takeda keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Todorov looking for subs from the bottom but Takeda mounts him!

Takeda looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Takeda trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Todorov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda controlling the pace for now.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Hiroshi Takeda just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Takeda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takeda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Takeda has closed the distance and engaged Todorov in a clinch.
Todorov fails to pull guard.
Todorov prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Todorov managing to block the knees to the body from Takeda.
Takeda stalls.
Todorov tries for a takedown but Takeda manages to get underhooks.
Takeda is trying to break the clinch but Todorov has him pressed against the cage.
A short right from Todorov.
Todorov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Takeda avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hiroshi Takeda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anatoli Todorov.
Todorov gets underhooks to prevent Takeda's takedown attempt.
Todorov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Takeda smiles and moves away.

Takeda closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Takeda lands in his opponent's guard.
Takeda stays in close to Todorov's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeda pushing down on Todorov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Takeda is thwarting Todorov's attempts to control the position.
Todorov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Takeda performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Takeda wants to take a breather but Todorov is having none of it.

Takeda stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Todorov to get to his feet.

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

Takeda drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Takeda advances nicely into full mount.
Todorov is looking to get to half guard.
Takeda working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Todorov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Takeda trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Todorov gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Takeda dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Takeda gets the takedown into side control.
Todorov sneaks back into half guard.
Todorov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Takeda is working away from the top position though.
Takeda seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Todorov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Takeda tries to pass the half guard into mount. Todorov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Takeda is looking to take a break and control but Todorov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Todorov is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Takeda pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Todorov trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Todorov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Takeda closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Todorov gets back to half guard.
Todorov trying to hold on to Takeda's head to control him but Takeda postures up.
Todorov is trying to get back to full guard.
Todorov is looking to control Takeda's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Todorov avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Todorov is not content to let Takeda control the position.
Todorov is looking for a sweep. Takeda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Takeda controlling the action here.
Todorov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Takeda trying to control the position from guard on top but Todorov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takeda has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Todorov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Takeda!
Anatoli Todorov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeda wants to hold on but Todorov pushes him away.

Todorov stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Takeda is looking to clinch but Todorov is avoiding it.
Takeda fails with the takedown.
Todorov throws a series of punches but Takeda moves out of range.
Todorov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Todorov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Todorov misses with a takedown attempt

and Takeda counters with a takedown into side control.
Takeda wants to control but Todorov is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Todorov is trying to improve his position.
Todorov sneaks back into half guard.
Takeda prevents Todorov from improving his position.
Takeda is looking to take a break and control but Todorov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Todorov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshi Takeda showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Takeda, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroshi Takeda!