PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franjy Izgrate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenata Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Izgrate comes to the cage accompanied by Sail. The crowd seem to be enjoying Takahashi's choice of entrance music: Come to Daddy - Aphex Twin. 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.

Izgrate
vs
Takahashi

190 cm
23
216 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

186 cm
23
212 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Franjy Izgrate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenata Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Izgrate misses with a hook.
Izgrate shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Takahashi as he avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Izgrate.
Izgrate lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Izgrate avoids the head kick by Takahashi.

Izgrate clinches up against the cage.
Izgrate blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Takahashi.

Izgrate manages to break the clinch.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut.
Takahashi tries for a takedown but Izgrate sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Takahashi misses with a head kick.
Izgrate changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Takahashi tries to avoid it but Izgrate manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Takahashi to the ground. Takahashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franjy Izgrate. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Takahashi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

It looks like Franjy Izgrate has been cut.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses.
Takahashi throws a sloppy head kick and Izgrate moves out of range easily.

Izgrate scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Takahashi pushes Izgrate away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Izgrate gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Takahashi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Izgrate.
Takahashi keeping his opponent close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi can't do much from the bottom here.
Takahashi manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Takahashi wants to pass to mount but Izgrate is defending the position.
Izgrate regains full guard. Nicely done.
Izgrate thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Izgrate is working an open guard so Takahashi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Izgrate fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Takahashi tries to bum rush Izgrate with a series of wild strikes but Izgrate uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Izgrate blocks the body kick.
Takahashi looks to land a body kick but Izgrate moved away.
Kenata Takahashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takahashi misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi throws a sloppy head kick and Izgrate moves out of range easily.
Takahashi dodges the punch combination from Izgrate.
Izgrate takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Takahashi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Izgrate manages to avoid it.
Takahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Izgrate moves away.

Takahashi tries to keep at a distance but Izgrate has taken the fight into the clinch.
Izgrate prevents a takedown attempt there.
Takahashi looks gassed!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Takahashi.
Izgrate tries for a takedown but Takahashi manages to get underhooks.
Izgrate is trying to break the clinch but Takahashi has him pressed against the cage.
Izgrate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Takahashi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Takahashi misses with some punches.

Izgrate manages to break the clinch.
Takahashi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Izgrate on the side of the head.
Takahashi throws a hook but Izgrate blocks it.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Takahashi throws a jab but it's blocked by Izgrate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izgrate blocks the body kick.
Takahashi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Izgrate counters with a shoot takedown. Takahashi fights it but they end up in guard.
Takahashi can't keep his opponent in guard - Izgrate advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Izgrate is trying to work for a kimura but Takahashi is defending well.
Izgrate wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takahashi keeps working.
Izgrate throwing shots but Takahashi is blocking nicely.
Izgrate is looking to take a break and control but Takahashi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Izgrate prevents Takahashi from standing back up.
Takahashi is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izgrate is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Izgrate unloading with bombs!
Takahashi in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Izgrate with the ground and pound from mount.
Takahashi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Takahashi tries to lock up and control but Izgrate gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Izgrate with the ground and pound from mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Izgrate wants to control the pace but Takahashi is squirming around nicely.
Takahashi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Izgrate wants to finish this one by submission but Takahashi is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Izgrate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franjy Izgrate dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Franjy Izgrate's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Izgrate with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Takahashi to score with a decent uppercut.
A head kick by Takahashi misses
and Izgrate cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A head kick misses from Takahashi.
Izgrate scores with a body shot.
Takahashi misses with the body kick

and Izgrate counters with a single leg into guard. Takahashi didn't expect that.
Izgrate postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Izgrate stops Takahashi from standing up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Izgrate's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Izgrate working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Takahashi's head.
Izgrate won't allow Takahashi to get back to his feet.
Izgrate trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Izgrate is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Izgrate working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Takahashi's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Izgrate decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Takahashi, up you get!
Izgrate avoids the head kick by Takahashi.
Takahashi takes a swing at Izgrate's ribcage but misses.
Takahashi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Takahashi misses with a kick to the body.
Izgrate blocks a head kick by Takahashi.

Izgrate has managed to clinch.
Izgrate can't break the clinch.
Takahashi misses with a short punch on the inside.

Izgrate manages to break the clinch.
Takahashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A nice combination there by Izgrate.
Izgrate lands a head shot.
Izgrate with a hook.

Takahashi is rocked!
Izgrate tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Izgrate misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi takes a swing at Izgrate's ribcage but misses.
A combination from Takahashi does no damage.
Izgrate throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Takahashi's waist but Takahashi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Izgrate off to one side.
Takahashi throws a sloppy head kick and Izgrate moves out of range easily.
Izgrate misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Izgrate takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Takahashi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Izgrate scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Takahashi thows a body shot but no joy.
A head kick misses from Takahashi.

Izgrate closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Takahashi to the mat! Takahashi manages to get full guard.
Takahashi is looking to stand up but Izgrate isn't so interested in that idea.
Izgrate trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi wants to stand up but Izgrate is controlling him.

Takahashi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Izgrate tries for a takedown but Takahashi manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franjy Izgrate. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi controlling the action here for a moment.
Takahashi tries for a takedown. No joy.
A right hook to the body lands for Izgrate.
Izgrate prevents a body shot from Takahashi.
Izgrate lands a right hand.
Takahashi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Izgrate gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Izgrate drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Takahashi is leaning against Izgrate and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takahashi misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Izgrate.
Izgrate wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Takahashi swings wildly with an uppercut but Izgrate uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takahashi lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Izgrate lands a takedown into guard.

Takahashi working for a triangle but Izgrate defends it easily.
Takahashi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Izgrate is controlling him.
Izgrate trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Izgrate throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takahashi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Izgrate manages to get himself to full guard.
Takahashi advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franjy Izgrate dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Franjy Izgrate's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Izgrate is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Izgrate will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Takahashi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Izgrate makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses.
Izgrate keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Izgrate shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Takahashi but Takahashi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Takahashi misses with a series of wild punches.
Takahashi misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takahashi throws a right hand that Izgrate ducks under and follows up with a left that Izgrate also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Izgrate.
Takahashi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Izgrate on the side of the head.
Takahashi lands a lovely overhand right.
Izgrate avoids the head kick by Takahashi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut. Izgrate saw that one coming.
Izgrate looks to land a combination but Takahashi avoids it well.
Takahashi throws a combination that misses
and Izgrate counters with a one-two to the body.
Izgrate blocks a head kick by Takahashi.
Izgrate lands with a nice combination. Takahashi backs away looking to recover.
Takahashi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Donk. Takahashi catches Izgrate right on the button with a cross.

Izgrate drives through and clinches with Takahashi against the cage.

Izgrate ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Izgrate no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Izgrate is working an open guard so Takahashi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Takahashi stuffs the takedown attempt from Izgrate. Izgrate gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franjy Izgrate. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Izgrate takes a kick to the side of the head.
Takahashi throws a lazy right hand but Izgrate sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takahashi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Franjy Izgrate is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Izgrate.
Izgrate fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Takahashi tries to land a body kick
and Izgrate counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Takahashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takahashi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Izgrate closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Takahashi to the mat! Takahashi manages to get full guard.
Takahashi wants to stand but Izgrate is controlling the position.
Takahashi seems keen to control Izgrate's posture.
Takahashi is trying to keep Izgrate in close.
Takahashi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Izgrate is controlling him.
Izgrate distracts Takahashi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izgrate looking to pass the guard.
Izgrate 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.
Takahashi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Izgrate decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Takahashi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Takahashi throws a shot from downtown. Izgrate moves away and avoids it.
Izgrate misses with a two punch combination.
Izgrate staying out of range there.
Takahashi misses with a double jab
and Izgrate counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Izgrate blocks a head kick by Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Some wild striking there from Izgrate.
Takahashi digs a good body shot into Izgrate's ribs.
Takahashi thows a body shot but no joy.
Takahashi throws a good cross that connects.
Izgrate closes the distance and clinches up with Takahashi, looking for a takedown. Izgrate pushes Takahashi against the cage but Takahashi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Takahashi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takahashi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Takahashi takes a swing at Izgrate's ribcage but misses.
Izgrate tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Takahashi swivels and escapes.
Izgrate avoids the head kick by Takahashi.
Izgrate moves out of range of the strikes.

Izgrate gets the takedown into side control.
Kenata Takahashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Izgrate is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Takahashi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franjy Izgrate showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Izgrate, 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 George Francis scores the fight for Franjy Izgrate!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Franjy Izgrate!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Franjy Izgrate!

Franjy Izgrate wins by unanimous decision!