PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Felix Katov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshihiro Takeyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yoshihiro Takeyama will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Katov
vs
Takeyama

202 cm
18
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
220 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Felix Katov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Takeyama!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katov blocks a head kick by Takeyama.
Katov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Katov closes the distance and pushes Takeyama back into the cage.
Takeyama missing with knees to the body.
Takeyama blocks an uppercut.
Katov misses with the head strike.
Takeyama tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Katov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Katov misses with the head strike.
Katov working some nice short punches in the clinch.

It looks like Yoshihiro Takeyama has been cut.
Katov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Katov as Takeyama tries to tie him up.
Katov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Katov lands a right hand.
A short right from Katov on the inside.
Katov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Katov misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takeyama.
Katov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Takeyama is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takeyama.
Takeyama is looking to control Katov's arms but Katov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Takeyama has his back to the cage.
Katov swings wildly with an uppercut but Takeyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Takeyama fails to land.
Katov has a couple of punches blocked by Takeyama.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Katov misses with a punch on the inside.
Katov misses with some punches.
Takeyama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Takeyama looking to slow down the pace here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Takeyama looking to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Katov.
Katov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Katov misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takeyama looking to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Katov as Takeyama tries to tie him up.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yoshihiro Takeyama.
Katov swats away the attempt to clinch by Takeyama.
Takeyama is looking to clinch.
Takeyama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takeyama is looking to clinch.
Takeyama tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Katov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Katov is breathing heavily.
Takeyama is looking to escape.

Takeyama manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takeyama tries to clinch but Katov is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Takeyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Katov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Katov clinches.
Katov misses with the head strike.
Katov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeyama tries a knee to the head but Katov blocks it.
Takeyama is trying to maintain a safe position but Katov gets an underhook and turns Takeyama into the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Katov as Takeyama tries to tie him up.
Takeyama is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Katov has denied him.
Takeyama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Katov throws a punch but it's blocked by Takeyama.
Takeyama tries to land knees in the clinch but Katov avoids the damage to the body.
Katov swings wildly with an uppercut but Takeyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Katov swings wildly with an uppercut but Takeyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takeyama misses with a punch to the body.
Takeyama tries to throw a body punch but Katov avoids it by throwing Takeyama back against the cage.
Katov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takeyama backwards.
Katov misses with a punch on the inside.
Katov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Katov has a couple of punches blocked by Takeyama.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Katov.
Katov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeyama blocks an uppercut.
Takeyama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Takeyama swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Katov as Takeyama tries to tie him up.
Takeyama stalling in the clinch but Katov improves position.
Katov has a couple of punches blocked by Takeyama.
Katov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Katov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Katov prevents a body shot from Takeyama.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Takeyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Katov's brow.
Takeyama throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takeyama misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takeyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Katov avoids it.
Takeyama trying to land knees to the body.
Katov swings wildly with an uppercut but Takeyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Katov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yoshihiro Takeyama's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Takeyama tries to close the distance and clinch up but Katov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Takeyama closes the distance looking to clinch

and Katov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Takeyama's guard.
Takeyama is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Takeyama is looking to stand back up but Katov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Takeyama.
Takeyama tries to kick Katov off but Katov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Katov trying to control from half guard but Takeyama is working away.
Takeyama is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Takeyama wants to get back to his feet.

Katov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takeyama wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Katov moves into the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takeyama.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Takeyama.
Takeyama looking to stall.
Takeyama taking a breather.
Katov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takeyama can do to turn this around?
Takeyama throws an elbow but it misses.
Takeyama missing with knees to the body.
Takeyama misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katov working aggressively here.
Takeyama using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Katov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takeyama is trying to stall.
Takeyama throws a head punch that misses.
Takeyama is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Katov is keeping busy.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Katov as Takeyama tries to tie him up.
Katov pushes Takeyama back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takeyama is trying to maintain a safe position but Katov gets an underhook and turns Takeyama into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yoshihiro Takeyama.
Takeyama looks to clinch

and Katov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Takeyama!

Takeyama sneaks out the side door and pushes Katov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takeyama is looking to clinch.
Takeyama is looking to clinch but Katov is avoiding it.
Takeyama darts in trying to clinch

and Katov counters with a shoot takedown. Takeyama fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takeyama kicks Katov off and gets to his feet.
Takeyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Katov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takeyama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Katov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Katov attempts a counter takedown but Takeyama avoids it well and moves away.
Yoshihiro Takeyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takeyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Katov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Katov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Takeyama sprawls and moves away.
Takeyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Takeyama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Felix Katov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takeyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Katov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takeyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Takeyama tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Katov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takeyama is looking to clinch but Katov is avoiding it.
Takeyama wants to clinch up but Katov keeps it at a distance.
Takeyama wants to clinch.
Katov keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeyama is looking to clinch but Katov is avoiding it.
Takeyama is looking to clinch.
Katov swats away the attempt to clinch by Takeyama.
Katov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Takeyama tries to clinch but Katov is having none of it.
Takeyama tries to clinch but Katov moves out of range.
Takeyama tries to clinch but Katov moves out of range.
Takeyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Katov circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Takeyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Takeyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Katov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Katov swats away the attempt to clinch by Takeyama.
Takeyama closes the distance looking to clinch

and Katov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takeyama is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Katov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yoshihiro Takeyama's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Takeyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Takeyama looks to clinch

and Katov counters with a shoot takedown. Takeyama fights it but they end up in guard.
Takeyama is looking to stand up but Katov isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Takeyama manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Katov has a couple of punches blocked by Takeyama.
Takeyama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Katov working aggressively here.
Takeyama is looking to control Katov's arms but Katov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Takeyama has his back to the cage.
Takeyama misses with a knee to the head.
Katov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takeyama stalling in the clinch but Katov improves position.
Takeyama tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Katov's elbow.
Felix Katov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Takeyama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Katov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takeyama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Takeyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Katov is defending well for now.
Katov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Katov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Katov has a couple of punches blocked by Takeyama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Takeyama trying to land knees to the body.
Takeyama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Katov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Katov blocks an uppercut.
Takeyama looking to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yoshihiro Takeyama.
Katov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Takeyama tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Katov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takeyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Katov circles away.
Takeyama closes the distance looking to clinch

and Katov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Takeyama keeping moving, preventing Katov from controlling successfully.
Katov stops Takeyama from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeyama keeping moving, preventing Katov from controlling successfully.
Katov stops Takeyama from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Takeyama is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Takeyama throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takeyama misses with a knee strike.
Katov avoiding damage as Takeyama throws knees to the body.
Katov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takeyama taking a breather.
Katov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takeyama looking to slow down the pace here.
Takeyama tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeyama misses with a knee strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Katov as Takeyama tries to tie him up.
Katov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Takeyama looking to slow down the pace here.
Katov throws a head punch that misses.
Takeyama tries to stall but Katov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Katov blocks a body shot from Takeyama.
Takeyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Katov is defending well for now.
A short uppercut from Katov.
Takeyama swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A shot in the inside from Katov.
Katov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Katov misses with a punch on the inside.
Yoshihiro Takeyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Felix Katov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Felix Katov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Katov, 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Felix Katov!