PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Takehiko Takaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Orlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takaki comes into the arena with Mahavishnu Orchestra - Meeting Of The Spirits blaring out of the sound system. Orlov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Daft Punk - Get Lucky. Alexander Orlov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Takehiko Takaki's chin.

Takaki
vs
Orlov

177 cm
35
155 lbs
31 - 17 - 0

180 cm
28
155 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Takehiko Takaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Orlov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Albert Achterberg and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Orlov misses with a looping right.
Takaki tries to bum rush Orlov with a series of wild strikes but Orlov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Takaki misses with an uppercut. Orlov saw that one coming.
Takaki blocks a low kick nicely.
Orlov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Orlov throws a wild body kick that Takaki sees coming a mile off.
Some bone on bone action there as Orlov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Takaki misses with a straight left.
Takaki lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Orlov circles away quickly and effectively.
Orlov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Takaki dives in for a single leg takedown but Orlov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Takaki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Orlov has had enough of the clinch but Takaki keeps him there for the moment.

Orlov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Takaki scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Takaki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
We've been informed that Orlov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Orlov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Takaki counters with an outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orlov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Orlov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Takaki.
Takaki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Alexander Orlov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takaki throws a sloppy head kick
and Orlov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Orlov connects with an inside leg kick.

Takaki gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Takaki trying to pass the guard but Orlov defending well.
Orlov wants to improve his position but Takaki is controlling well.
Takaki performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We've been hearing good reports from Takaki's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orlov is trying to get back to full guard.
Takaki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Orlov tries to roll over but Takaki keeps him under control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takaki works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaki misses with the ground and pound.
Orlov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Orlov manages to get back to half guard.
Takaki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Takaki performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Takaki working over Orlov with some ground and pound. Orlov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takaki controlling the action here.

Takaki is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Orlov defends it well.
Takaki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Orlov is refusing to be controlled, as Takaki sits in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takaki takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takehiko Takaki dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Orlov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nice defenses there by Orlov.
Orlov throws a shot from downtown. Takaki moves away and avoids it.
Orlov throws a right hand that misses
and Takaki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Takaki.
Takaki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Orlov throws a body kick that misses
and Orlov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Orlov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Orlov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Orlov wants to slow Takaki down by chopping away at his legs.
Orlov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takaki.
Takaki misses with a body shot.
Orlov misses with an uppercut. Takaki saw that one coming.
Orlov throws a hook but Takaki avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Orlov.
Orlov ducks under a wild hook from Takaki.
Takaki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A cross from Orlov lands.
Takaki avoids the body shot from Orlov.
Takaki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Orlov is looking to slow Takaki down with leg kicks.
Orlov ducks right into an uppercut from Takaki.
Orlov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Takaki.
Orlov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Orlov throws a head kick but Takaki moves out of range.

Takaki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Orlov to the mat! Orlov manages to get full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takaki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Takaki wants to pass the guard but Orlov is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orlov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Takaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Orlov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Orlov has Takaki pulled in close to control his posture.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Takaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Orlov throws out the jab.
Orlov avoids the body shot from Takaki.
Takaki throws a front kick aimed at Orlov's knee but Orlov avoids it well.
Donk. Takaki catches Orlov right on the button with a cross.
Orlov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orlov moves away from the strike by Takaki.
A big right from Orlov misses.
Orlov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Takaki manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Orlov on his heels. He'll look to pass Orlov's guard now, I'm sure.
Takaki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Takaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Orlov controlling the position.
Orlov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Takaki manages to get himself to full guard.
Takaki keeping full guard, as Orlov tries to pass.
Orlov trying to control the position from guard on top but Takaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orlov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Takaki wants to sweep here but Orlov controlling him for the moment.
Takaki seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alexander Orlov.
Takaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Orlov is just out of range.
Takaki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Takehiko Takaki will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Orlov throws a right hand that misses
and Takaki counters with a nice uppercut.
Orlov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Takaki.

Takaki shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Takaki slips a nice elbow through Orlov's hands, connecting with Orlov's forehead.
Takaki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Takaki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Orlov tries to roll over but Takaki keeps him under control.
Takaki is thwarting Orlov's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaki is looking to take a break and control but Orlov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Orlov trying to control from the bottom.
Orlov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Takaki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Takaki is trying to control. Orlov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Takaki is looking to advance position but Orlov won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Orlov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Takaki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Orlov swivels and escapes.
Takaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Takaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takaki throws a head kick that half lands.
Orlov blocks a leg kick.
Orlov avoids the body shot from Takaki.
Takaki takes one to the chin there.
Takaki keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
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!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Orlov checks a leg kick.
Takaki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Orlov tried to score with a low kick but Takaki checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaki stuns Orlov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Takaki gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Orlov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takaki.
The fighters circling - Takaki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That kick from Orlov tenderised Takaki's leg. Takaki is trying to keep his angry face on.
Takaki throws a head kick that half lands.
Orlov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Takaki throws a sloppy head kick and Orlov moves out of range easily.
Orlov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takaki throws the left hand but Orlov avoids the punch easily.
Takaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Takaki scores with a hook to the body. Orlov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Orlov throws an overhand right that lands on Takaki's shoulder, as Takaki tries to avoid the shot.
Alexander Orlov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Orlov.
Alexander Orlov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orlov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Takaki.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takehiko Takaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orlov throws a leg kick but Takaki moved away.
Takaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Takaki throws a right hand that Orlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Orlov also avoids with ease.
Orlov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Orlov connects with a solid leg kick.
Takaki misses with a body shot.
Orlov connects with a leg kick. Takaki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Takaki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Orlov misses with a kick to the body
and Takaki counters with a body kick that stops Orlov in his tracks momentarily.
Takaki throws a combination that misses
and Orlov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takaki misses with a wild body shot.
Takaki darts in looking for a takedown but Orlov gets double underhooks and turns Takaki into the cage.
Takaki lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Orlov tries a body shot but Takaki blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takehiko Takaki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Takaki, 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takehiko Takaki!
After winning the bout, Takehiko Takaki thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.