PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hazan Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ichiro Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali comes to the cage accompanied by Can't Hold Us. Takahashi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. 暗殺者 kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Ichiro Takahashi told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ali
vs
Takahashi

183 cm
32
183 lbs
35 - 14 - 0

180 cm
28
174 lbs
14 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hazan Ali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ichiro Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi connects with a right hand. Ali shakes it off.
Ali lands with an uppercut that bounces Takahashi off the cage and back into range.
Ali lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ali throws a head kick that misses.
Ali lands a jab to Takahashi's midsection.
Ali uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takahashi.
Ali wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Takahashi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ali circles away quickly and effectively.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takahashi blocks the body kick.
Takahashi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ali manages to avoid it.
Ali misses with a body shot.
Ali lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Takahashi forces Ali back against the cage and clinches.

Ali pulls guard effortlessly.
Takahashi wants to control from the top but Ali keeps moving.
Takahashi throws a big right hand that misses.
Takahashi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ali looking to hit a scissor sweep but Takahashi is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali working a defensive guard but Takahashi manages to pass into side control anyway.
Takahashi tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ali is looking to reverse the position.
Takahashi trying to control the position but Ali is working away.
Ali is trying to improve his position.
Ali is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi moves nicely into side control.
Takahashi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ali keeps working.
Takahashi laying and praying for a moment but Ali takes advantage and regains half guard.
Takahashi is thwarting Ali's attempts to control the position.
Takahashi trying to control from half guard but Ali is working away.
Ali is looking to control Takahashi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ali avoid being mounted?
Ali wants to get back to full guard.

Ali actively working from the bottom here.
Takahashi moves into full mount! Ali won't be happy about that!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ali can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Takahashi pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Ali is working to get back to half guard.
Takahashi wants to control the pace but Ali is squirming around nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ali is looking to get to half guard.
Ali sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Takahashi is trying to control. Ali wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Takahashi sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Takahashi passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi lands a nice shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takahashi controlling the position easily from mount.
Ali wants to control but Takahashi is having none of it.
Ali is looking to improve his position but Takahashi isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takahashi lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Ali hang on?
Ali tries to hold on but Takahashi postures up.
Takahashi looking to control but Ali is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ichiro Takahashi will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ali takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
An inside leg kick from Takahashi misses.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses.
Ali scores with a punch to the head.
Ali takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Takahashi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ali is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takahashi.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takahashi, right into the meat.
Ali looks to land a right hand but Takahashi moved out of range.
Ali moves out of range as Takahashi throws a body kick.
Ali swings for the body but Takahashi moves out of range.
Takahashi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ali scoring well with a low kick there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ali moves forwards but Takahashi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Takahashi throws a head kick but Ali moves out of range.
Hazan Ali is winning the standup battle so far.
Takahashi swings for the body but Ali moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali throws a right and a left that Takahashi avoids nicely.
Ali lands with a thumping leg kick.
Takahashi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Takahashi has managed to clinch.
Takahashi has a couple of punches blocked by Ali.
Takahashi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Takahashi lands a left hand.
Takahashi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ali manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Ali tries to break free but Takahashi pushes him back against the cage.
Ali swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takahashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Takahashi lands a good knee to the midsection. Ali won't want to take too many of those.
Ali is trying to pull guard but Takahashi has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takahashi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ali backwards.
Takahashi struggles to land a body shot inside as Ali controls his hands.
Ali is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takahashi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takahashi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Takahashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takahashi lands a shot to the body.
Takahashi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ali can't find room to land a body shot as Takahashi controls the action.
The referee calls for Ali to work.
Takahashi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Still in the clinch, Takahashi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ali missing with knees to the body.
Ali tries to circle away but Takahashi has him pinned against the cage.
Ali lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ali fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali blocks a body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ali backwards.
Takahashi pushes Ali back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ali misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ali can't find room to land a body shot as Takahashi controls the action.
Takahashi blocks an uppercut.
Ali managing to block the knees to the body from Takahashi.
Ali wants to break free but Takahashi has control.
Ali misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ali throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ali lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Ali lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Ali is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Takahashi tries a body shot but Ali blocks it.
Takahashi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ichiro Takahashi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ali lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Takahashi can't find room to land a body shot as Ali controls the action.
Takahashi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takahashi throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Takahashi as Ali tries to tie him up.
Takahashi struggles to land a body shot inside as Ali controls his hands.
Takahashi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Ali.
Takahashi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ali lands a left hand.
Takahashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ali.
Takahashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Takahashi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takahashi lands a body shot.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Takahashi.
A shot in the inside from Ali.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ali makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Takahashi tries to work over Ali's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ali lands a body shot in the clinch.
Takahashi lands a nice uppercut.
Takahashi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ichiro Takahashi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Ali throws out a loose jab but Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takahashi throws a nice looking combination but Ali bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Takahashi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ali moves out of range of the body kick.
Takahashi throws a body punch but Ali moves out of range.
Takahashi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ali throws a right and a left that Takahashi avoids nicely.
Takahashi throws a body punch but Ali moves out of range.
Takahashi lands a lovely overhand right.
Ali thuds a left hand into Takahashi's body.
Takahashi misses with a wild body shot.
Ali lets loose with a powerful body kick. Takahashi will feel that in the morning.
Ali scores with a leg kick.
Ali takes a swing at Takahashi's ribcage but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ali falls off balance throwing a combination
and Takahashi counters with a body kick that stops Ali in his tracks momentarily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ali.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ali manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Takahashi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ali's calf.
Takahashi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Takahashi works Ali's body with a nice hook.
Ichiro Takahashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takahashi misses with a few strikes there.
Takahashi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Takahashi misses with a leg kick
and Ali counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ali buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takahashi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ali. That did some damage!
Takahashi scores with a nice strike.
Ali throws a hook but Takahashi blocks it.
Ali on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ali takes a swing at Takahashi's ribcage but misses.
Takahashi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ali misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Takahashi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Takahashi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ali rather than just go for the knockout.
Takahashi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ali dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Takahashi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Takahashi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ali uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Takahashi.
Ali throws a leg kick but Takahashi checks it.
Ali thows a body shot but no joy.
Takahashi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Ali is rocked!
Takahashi motions for Ali to come forward. Takahashi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Oh Ali is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Takahashi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ali connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takahashi scrambles back to his feet.
Ali thumps Takahashi with a low kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ali.
Ali seems to have got his legs back now.
Ali moves out of range as Takahashi throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ali darts in looking for a takedown but Takahashi gets double underhooks and turns Ali into the cage.
Ali throws an elbow but it misses.
Ali lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takahashi misses with a body punch.
Takahashi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Takahashi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ali.
Takahashi keeps control of Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Ali breaks the clinch.
A jab from Ali misses.
Takahashi scores with a jab to the body.
Takahashi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali blocks a low kick nicely.
Hazan Ali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali misses with a hook.
Ali thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Takahashi if he has to take too many more of those.
Ali misses with an attempted mid kick.
Takahashi thuds a left hand into Ali's body.
Ali throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Takahashi.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ali crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Takahashi - the referee stops the clock and Ali gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Takahashi. Ali manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Takahashi thumps Ali with a low kick.
Takahashi connects with a body shot that sends Ali's belly button to the back.
Ali looks to score with a jab to the body but Takahashi is just out of range.
Takahashi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ali moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takahashi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ali misses the jab.
Ali takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Takahashi throws a leg kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ichiro Takahashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Takahashi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ichiro Takahashi!
A relieved looking Ichiro Takahashi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.