PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce McBrain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takahashi kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is 暗殺者. 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.

Takahashi
vs
McBrain

180 cm
28
174 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

175 cm
30
184 lbs
33 - 18 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Conviction

CEC Nutrition Q160
Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ichiro Takahashi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bruce McBrain!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi throws a half hearted mid kick.
McBrain looks to land a left hand but Takahashi moved out of range nicely.
Takahashi has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Convicted Fight Club in the buildup to the fight.
Takahashi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McBrain lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McBrain throws a nice outside leg kick.
McBrain lands a high kick!
Takahashi fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McBrain digs a good hook to Takahashi's body.
Takahashi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Takahashi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McBrain throws a low kick but Takahashi moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi checks a leg kick nicely.
Takahashi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Bruce McBrain has been cut.
Bruce McBrain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takahashi.
McBrain throws a leg kick that is checked
and Takahashi makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. McBrain really felt that one!
Good leg kick by McBrain there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Takahashi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and McBrain connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takahashi scrambles back to his feet.
McBrain lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takahashi misses the shot to the body.
Takahashi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Takahashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Takahashi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Takahashi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Takahashi jabs McBrain to the body, keeping him at a distance.

McBrain clinches.
Takahashi has McBrain pressed against the cage.
McBrain looking to slow down the pace here.
McBrain avoiding damage.
McBrain lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takahashi misses with a short punch on the inside.
McBrain throws a punch but it's blocked by Takahashi.
A short right from Takahashi.
McBrain blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Takahashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McBrain.
Donk. Takahashi catches McBrain right on the button with a cross.
McBrain finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McBrain throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bruce McBrain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McBrain is looking to land body kicks.
McBrain moves away from the strike by Takahashi.
Takahashi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Takahashi connects with a body shot that sends McBrain's belly button to the back.
Takahashi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McBrain moves out of range as Takahashi throws a body kick.
McBrain connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McBrain has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Takahashi finds it's way round the side to connect with McBrain's head.
McBrain misses with a low kick.
McBrain throws a nice inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by McBrain. That's going to slow Takahashi down.
McBrain takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
McBrain lands a nice looking body kick.
Takahashi walks into a left hand.

Takahashi tries to keep at a distance but McBrain has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takahashi misses with a knee strike.
Takahashi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McBrain's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce McBrain dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bruce McBrain's cut.
That's time! Takahashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A nice combination there by McBrain.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut. McBrain saw that one coming.
Crunch! Takahashi slams his shin into McBrain's torso.
Takahashi walks into a stiff left hand from McBrain.
McBrain tried to score with a low kick but Takahashi checks it.
McBrain connects with a leg kick. Takahashi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
McBrain throws a leg kick which misses Takahashi's front leg but catches the back leg as Takahashi tries to avoid it.
McBrain tests Takahashi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from McBrain. Takahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
McBrain lets loose with a powerful body kick. Takahashi will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McBrain tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takahashi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Takahashi works the jab nicely.
McBrain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good work by Takahashi as he checks the leg kick.
McBrain misses the shot to the body.
McBrain tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Takahashi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McBrain misses with a straight left.
McBrain tries a low kick but Takahashi avoids it.
Nice body punch from Takahashi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McBrain.
McBrain finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McBrain is looking to slow Takahashi down with leg kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McBrain swings widly with a right hand
and Takahashi counters with a two punch combo.
Takahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McBrain moves away.
Takahashi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Takahashi misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from McBrain. Takahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice straight punches there by Takahashi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Takahashi.
Takahashi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McBrain works over Takahashi's head and body with a nice combination.
McBrain takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Takahashi throws a sloppy head kick and McBrain moves out of range easily.
Bruce McBrain seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A good leg kick by Takahashi.
Takahashi tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McBrain scores with a leg kick.
McBrain avoids the body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McBrain's calf.
Takahashi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McBrain swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McBrain lands a really nice looking cross but Takahashi seems unphased.
Takahashi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McBrain throws a lazy right hand but Takahashi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McBrain tries a head kick but it misses.
McBrain is looking to score with low kicks.
McBrain misses with a head kick.
Takahashi misses with a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A slapping leg kick lands for Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with an attempted mid kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce McBrain showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bruce McBrain's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McBrain throws out a powerful jab.
McBrain ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McBrain lands with a cross.
McBrain blocks a jab.
Takahashi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Takahashi throws a leg kick
and McBrain cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takahashi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McBrain misses with a straight right.
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 changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice shot lands for Takahashi.
Takahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi avoids the head kick by McBrain.
A punch combination from McBrain misses.
Takahashi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Takahashi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
McBrain throws the kick towards the body but Takahashi avoids it.
Takahashi misses with a low kick.
A low kick from McBrain misses

and Takahashi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
McBrain is pulling down on Takahashi's head to control his posture.
Takahashi throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Takahashi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McBrain swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McBrain working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McBrain pulls Takahashi in close to his closed guard and prevents Takahashi from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bruce McBrain was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Takahashi misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McBrain misses with a straight right.
Takahashi throws a body punch but McBrain moves out of range.
McBrain plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Takahashi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McBrain checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Takahashi thows a body shot but no joy.
Takahashi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McBrain.
Takahashi tries to score a power double leg takedown but McBrain sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Takahashi somewhat.
Takahashi throws a leg kick but McBrain checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McBrain tries to land a leg kick but Takahashi saw it coming and moves away.
McBrain clobbers Takahashi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
McBrain throws a quick inside leg kick.
McBrain showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Takahashi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McBrain throws a head kick that misses.
McBrain stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McBrain wants it to stay on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A telegraphed right hand from McBrain misses the target.
McBrain scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Bruce McBrain just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Bruce McBrain's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Takahashi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A slapping leg kick lands for McBrain.
McBrain thumps Takahashi with a low kick.
Takahashi checks a leg kick nicely.
McBrain connects with a solid leg kick.
McBrain lands a leg kick that knocks Takahashi off balance momentarily.
Takahashi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McBrain.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McBrain lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McBrain throws a chopping leg kick but Takahashi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Takahashi misses with a left hand
enabling McBrain to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Takahashi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
McBrain 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.

Takahashi is rocked!
McBrain turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Oh Takahashi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
McBrain lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Takahashi seems to have got his legs back now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McBrain lands a nice shot that snaps Takahashi's head back.
Takahashi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Takahashi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McBrain. McBrain obviously looking to wear him down.
A punch combination from McBrain misses.
McBrain feints and then cracks Takahashi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Takahashi down.
McBrain closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Takahashi ducks right into an uppercut from McBrain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McBrain throws a wild body kick that Takahashi sees coming a mile off.
McBrain tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from McBrain tenderised Takahashi's leg. Takahashi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from McBrain! Takahashi is out on his feet! McBrain rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Takahashi is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Takahashi is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bruce McBrain!
Bruce McBrain is the new welterweight champion!
A relieved looking Bruce McBrain thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.