PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sho Kasugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenshin Takeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kasugi
vs
Takeda

172 cm
20
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sho Kasugi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenshin Takeda!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takeda shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kasugi as he jumps to the side.

Takeda closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kasugi is trying to get back to full guard.
Kasugi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Takeda wants to pass the guard but Kasugi is defending well.
Kasugi trying to control from the bottom.
Kasugi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kasugi manages to get to full guard.

Kasugi working for a triangle but Takeda defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda wants to control from the top but Kasugi keeps moving.
Takeda postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Takeda is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kasugi is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kasugi has escaped and now he's on top!
Kasugi trying to control but Takeda is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Kasugi forces his way into half guard.

Takeda actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice strikes from Kasugi there.
Takeda is trying to control but can't.
Takeda looks gassed!
Kasugi has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
A nice elbow there by Kasugi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasugi is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Takeda can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Takeda defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kasugi.

Kasugi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Takeda can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Takeda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kasugi cracks Takeda with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kasugi goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Takeda turns into him and now he's in Kasugi's guard.
Kasugi wants to sweep but no luck.

Kasugi has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Takeda should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Kasugi has tightened it up now! Takeda should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Sho Kasugi!