PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jack Bauer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Meguru Takayanagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bauer comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bauer
vs
Takayanagi

169 cm
24
144 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
20
142 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Bauer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Meguru Takayanagi!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bauer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bauer motions for Takayanagi to come forward. Bauer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice straight punches there by Takayanagi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Takayanagi.

Bauer drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Bauer wants to control from the top but Takayanagi keeps moving.
Bauer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Takayanagi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bauer throws an elbow that misses. Takayanagi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bauer's guard. Nice move by Takayanagi!
Bauer wants to sweep but no luck.
Takayanagi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Takayanagi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bauer's guard.
Takayanagi throws an elbow that misses. Bauer uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Takayanagi's guard. Nice move by Bauer!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayanagi keeping full guard, as Bauer tries to pass.

Bauer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bauer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bauer wants to control from the top but Takayanagi keeps moving.

Bauer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Takayanagi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bauer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Takayanagi keeping full guard, as Bauer tries to pass.
Bauer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bauer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takayanagi is keeping the position for now.
Takayanagi looking to control.

Bauer is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Takayanagi is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Takayanagi has escaped and now he's on top!
Bauer pulls Takayanagi in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bauer is proving hard to escape from.

Bauer looking for a guillotine here but Takayanagi defends easily.
Bauer keeping moving, preventing Takayanagi from controlling successfully.
Bauer 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.
Takayanagi won't allow Bauer to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bauer keeping moving, preventing Takayanagi from controlling successfully.
Takayanagi is looking to stand up but Bauer won't let him.
Bauer lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Takayanagi!
Bauer trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bauer seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Takayanagi is holding on tight.
Bauer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Takayanagi is looking to escape.
Takayanagi is looking to get to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takayanagi tries to lock up and control but Bauer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Bauer dominated 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.

Takayanagi doesn't manage to clinch there - Bauer circles away.
Jack Bauer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bauer shoots and misses
and Takayanagi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bauer ducks right into an uppercut from Takayanagi.
Bauer throws a right and a left that Takayanagi avoids nicely.
A nice combination there by Takayanagi.
Takayanagi scores with the left hand. Bauer knows he should have avoided that one.
Bauer tries for a takedown but Takayanagi circles away easily
and Takayanagi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Takayanagi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bauer.
Takayanagi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bauer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bauer fails with the takedown

and Takayanagi counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Bauer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bauer is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Takayanagi is defending well.

Takayanagi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayanagi scores with a hook to the body. Bauer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bauer looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bauer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Takayanagi scores with a jab to the body.
Takayanagi 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.
Takayanagi pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Bauer back to the cage. Takayanagi follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bauer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Takayanagi counters by clinching up.
Takayanagi has Bauer pressed against the cage, preventing Bauer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Takayanagi manages to break the clinch.
Bauer drops his hands momentarily and Takayanagi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jack Bauer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bauer fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bauer shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Bauer with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takayanagi thuds his right hand into Bauer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Takayanagi closes the distance and clinches.

Takayanagi manages to break the clinch.
Bauer fails with a takedown attempt.
Bauer shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Takayanagi sprawls well. Takayanagi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bauer gets slowly back to his feet.
Takayanagi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bauer's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi cracks Bauer with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bauer doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Takayanagi to counter with a crisp jab.
Meguru Takayanagi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Takayanagi clinches up against the cage.
Takayanagi gets through Bauer's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Takayanagi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bauer backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bauer creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Takayanagi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bauers head.
Takayanagi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Takayanagi cracks Bauer with a nice body shot.
Takayanagi lands a nice shot to the body.

Takayanagi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bauer fails with the takedown

and Takayanagi counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takayanagi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Takayanagi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takayanagi punishes Bauer's body with a nice straight punch.
Takayanagi tests Bauer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bauer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Takayanagi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bauer's hands.

Takayanagi clinches with his opponent.
Takayanagi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bauer can't get the takedown.
Takayanagi works on Bauer's body with a couple of short punches.

Takayanagi breaks from the clinch.
Bauer finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Meguru Takayanagi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bauer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Takayanagi counter with a right hand.
Bauer fails with a takedown attempt.
Bauer walks into a stiff left hand from Takayanagi.
Bauer takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Takayanagi cracks a nice hook into Bauer's ribs.
A combination from Bauer does no damage.
Takayanagi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Takayanagi forces Bauer back against the cage and clinches.
Takayanagi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Takayanagi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bauer walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bauer shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Bauer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bauer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takayanagi.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takayanagi, as that shot connected.
Takayanagi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bauer looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice body punch from Takayanagi.
Takayanagi scores with a hook.
Bauer throws a lazy right hand but Takayanagi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bauer misses with a body kick.
Bauer walks into a jab.
Takayanagi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bauer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Takayanagi scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bauer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takayanagi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauer has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bauer there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bauer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Takayanagi lands a glancing blow to the side of Bauer's head.
Takayanagi might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Good standup being displayed there by Takayanagi as he connects with a hook.
Takayanagi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Bauer is rocked!
Takayanagi lands a nice shot that snaps Bauer's head back.
Oh Bauer is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bauer tries to clinch but Takayanagi moves out of range.

Takayanagi clinches up against the cage.
Bauer seems to have got his legs back now.
Bauer is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Takayanagi is defending well.
Bauer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Takayanagi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Takayanagi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bauer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Takayanagi breaks from the clinch.
Takayanagi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bauer looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bauer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Takayanagi moves into range and clinches up with Bauer.
Takayanagi lands with a light punch inside.

Takayanagi breaks from the clinch.
Bauer moves forwards but Takayanagi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takayanagi, as that shot connected.
Takayanagi scores with a punch to the head.
Takayanagi scores with a sloppy right hand. Bauer should have avoided that one.
Bauer moves to clinch but Takayanagi breaks away

and Takayanagi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Takayanagi lands with a light punch inside.

Takayanagi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Takayanagi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi connects with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bauer takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bauer throws the kick towards the body but Takayanagi avoids it.
Takayanagi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bauer.
Takayanagi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bauer shoots in and drives through. Takayanagi sprawls well.
Bauer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takayanagi.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Bauer closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Takayanagi tries to get to full guard but Bauer has control of the leg.
Bauer is looking to advance position but Takayanagi won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Meguru Takayanagi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takayanagi 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Meguru Takayanagi!
During a confident post fight interview, Meguru Takayanagi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.