PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Springsteen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryo Takajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Springsteen
vs
Takajiri

178 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bruce Springsteen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryo Takajiri!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Springsteen moves into range and clinches up with Takajiri.

Springsteen breaks from the clinch.

Springsteen clinches up against the cage.

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

Springsteen forces Takajiri back against the cage and clinches.

Springsteen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Takajiri wants to get back to full guard.
Takajiri trying to hold on to Springsteen's head to control him but Springsteen postures up.

Takajiri is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Springsteen pulls his head out easily.
Springsteen wants to take a breather but Takajiri is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takajiri tries to get to full guard but Springsteen has control of the leg.
Takajiri keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Springsteen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Springsteen prevents Takajiri from improving his position.
Springsteen is keen to just control but Takajiri is a slippery customer.

Springsteen is working for a kimura but Takajiri is defending it quite comfortably.
Takajiri trying to control from the bottom.
Takajiri slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Takajiri is looking for a triangle but Springsteen pushes his legs off easily.

Takajiri is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takajiri looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Springsteen trying to control but Takajiri is working from the bottom.

Takajiri had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Springsteen defends it easily.
Springsteen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Takajiri working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Springsteen has passed into half guard!

Takajiri looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takajiri tries to get to full guard but Springsteen has control of the leg.
Springsteen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Takajiri knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Takajiri actively working from the bottom here.
Takajiri wants to get back to full guard.
It looks like Springsteen is going to stand back up.
Springsteen is thwarting Takajiri's attempts to control the position.
Springsteen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Takajiri gets full guard.

Takajiri has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Springsteen should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Takajiri has tightened it up now! Springsteen should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ryo Takajiri!