PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zachary Bender (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Toriyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takeshi Toriyama is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bender
vs
Toriyama

185 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zachary Bender!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Takeshi Toriyama!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Toriyama swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bender tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Toriyama fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bender sprawls well initially but Toriyama persists and gets the takedown into half 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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bender wants to get back to his feet.
Toriyama lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Bender tries to kick Toriyama off but Toriyama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Toriyama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bender's head.
Toriyama works his way into side control.
Bender tries to escape but Toriyama is in control.
Toriyama scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Bender to see if he's OK.
Bender is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Toriyama has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Bender takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Toriyama working the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Toriyama controls the position.
Bender takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Toriyama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bender, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toriyama trying to control the action but Bender is working from the bottom.
Toriyama working the ground and pound.
Bender on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Toriyama working the body and head with strikes.
Bender on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bender is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Toriyama scoring with punches and elbows.
Toriyama lands a few punches from side control.
Toriyama working the head with strikes.
Toriyama lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Bender down.
Toriyama lands a nice forearm strike.
Toriyama cracks Bender with a big right hand but Bender just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Toriyama is chipping away with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Check out the look on Toriyama's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Toriyama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bender, who protects the arm well.
Toriyama lands a few punches from side control.
Bender is pushing Toriyama's head away, looking to escape. Toriyama manages to hold on to the position though.
Toriyama creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Toriyama cracks Bender with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Toriyama landing strikes.
Toriyama working the head and body with strikes.
Toriyama scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Bender to see if he's OK.
Toriyama is working Bender over with some ground and pound from side control.
Toriyama wants to control but Bender is keeping him busy.
Toriyama lands a few punches from side control.
Toriyama is looking to take a break and control but Bender is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bender is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Toriyama asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bender on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bender is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Toriyama is controlling him well.
Bender is breathing heavily.
Bender is working to avoid the ground and pound but Toriyama connects with a decent elbow.

Toriyama working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Toriyama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bender, who protects the arm well.
Toriyama lands some shots froms side control.
Toriyama in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bender takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bender is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Toriyama lands some shots froms side control.
Toriyama cracks Bender with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Toriyama lands a nice forearm strike.
Toriyama working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Bender on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bender tries to escape but Toriyama is in control.
Toriyama trying to control the action but Bender is working from the bottom.
Toriyama creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bender wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Toriyama 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.

Toriyama scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Bender takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bender is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Toriyama asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Toriyama scores with a couple of short elbows.
Toriyama tries to move to mount but Bender blocks the move with his legs.
Bender pushes Toriyama away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Toriyama gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Toriyama wants to control but Bender is keeping him busy.
Toriyama landing strikes.

Toriyama tries for a kimura but Bender is defending well.
Toriyama is putting a hurting on Bender here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toriyama lands an elbow.
Bender prevents Toriyama from moving into mount.
Toriyama lands an elbow.
Toriyama scoring with punches from side control.
Toriyama cracks Bender with a big elbow.

Toriyama is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bender is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bender wants to get back to his feet but Toriyama drags him back down.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Toriyama wants to control but Bender is keeping him busy.
Toriyama working the ground and pound.
Bender wants to get back to his feet.
Toriyama scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toriyama is putting a hurting on Bender here, landing some big shots from side control.
Toriyama in side control lands a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Toriyama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bender knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Toriyama lands an elbow.
Toriyama prevents Bender from escaping the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Toriyama is putting a hurting on Bender here, landing some big shots from side control.
Toriyama working the head with strikes.
Toriyama cracks Bender with a big elbow.
Toriyama in side control lands a decent elbow.
Toriyama lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Bender down.
Toriyama is putting a hurting on Bender here, landing some big shots from side control.
Toriyama tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Toriyama stalls from top position.

Toriyama tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Toriyama has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Toriyama has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bender is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Toriyama is putting a hurting on Bender here, landing some big shots from side control.
Bender takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Toriyama lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Bender down.
Toriyama working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Toriyama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bender has escaped the position, nice work there.
Toriyama lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bender is trying to buck Toriyama off.
Toriyama working the ground and pound.
Bender wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Toriyama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bender keeps working.
Takeshi Toriyama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Toriyama in side control lands a decent elbow.
Toriyama in side control lands a decent elbow.
Bender is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Toriyama working the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Toriyama working the head with strikes.
Toriyama is chipping away with strikes.
Toriyama working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Toriyama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bender gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Toriyama to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Toriyama working some strikes from top position.
Bender is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bender will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Toriyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bender swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bender utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Toriyama postures up and lands a big shot to Bender's brow.
Bender wants to stand up but Toriyama is controlling him.
Toriyama stands up over Bender, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bender wants to get back to his feet but Toriyama is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Toriyama stands up over Bender, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toriyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Bender is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bender is looking to stand up but Toriyama isn't so interested in that idea.
Toriyama scoring with punches to the head and body.
Toriyama scoring with some ground and pound.
Toriyama trying to control but Bender is working from the bottom.
Toriyama tries to free his leg and advance position but Bender is retaining full guard.
Bender is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Toriyama working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bender's head.
Toriyama distracts Bender with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Toriyama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Toriyama landing some decent shots from guard.
Toriyama looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toriyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Bender is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bender is looking to stand up but Toriyama isn't so interested in that idea.
Toriyama trying to control but Bender is working from the bottom.
Toriyama lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Toriyama postures up and lands a big shot to Bender's brow.
Toriyama chips away with some ground and pound.
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!
Toriyama wants to control from the top but Bender keeps moving.
Toriyama is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Toriyama landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toriyama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Toriyama must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Toriyama lands a couple of elbows.
Toriyama tries to free his leg and advance position but Bender is retaining full guard.
Toriyama is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bender is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Toriyama is controlling him.
Bender has momentary wrist control but Toriyama slips an elbow through the middle.
Toriyama connects with a couple of short punches.
Toriyama wants to pass the guard but Bender is keeping the position.
Toriyama chips away with some ground and pound.
Toriyama is in close to Bender's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Toriyama chips away with some ground and pound.
Toriyama working some strikes from top position.
Toriyama has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Iron Fist Training. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bender is looking to stand up but Toriyama isn't so interested in that idea.
Toriyama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bender wants to stand up but Toriyama is controlling him.
Toriyama connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bender wants to stand up but Toriyama is controlling him.
Toriyama distracts Bender with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Toriyama prevents Bender from getting back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Toriyama working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Toriyama scoring with punches to the head and body.
Toriyama postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zachary Bender has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takeshi Toriyama is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bender keeping moving, preventing Toriyama from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takeshi Toriyama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Toriyama 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takeshi Toriyama!
After the fight, Takeshi Toriyama was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.