PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bret Hill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshihiro Takaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hill comes into the arena with Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi blaring out of the sound system. Takaya has chosen Jimi Hendrix - All along the Watchtower as his entrance music. Yoshihiro Takaya will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hill
vs
Takaya

160 cm
19
145 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

171 cm
19
152 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Knock Out Artistry
Lightning Fight Gear

Nancy Botwin's Herbal Nutritions
Malicious Intent Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bret Hill!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Yoshihiro Takaya!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hill tries to clinch up.
Hill tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takaya paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Hill gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Hill is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Hill working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Takaya has passed into half guard!
Takaya is tying to control. Hill wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Takaya might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hill kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Takaya prevents Hill from standing back up.
Hill is staying active underneath Takaya, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Takaya seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Hill actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Takaya shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hill as he avoids it easily.

Takaya feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Hill wriggles free and stands up.
Takaya slips a jab and a cross from Hill.
Hill wants to clinch up but Takaya keeps it at a distance.
Hill keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Takaya.
Hill tries to clinch but Takaya is having none of it.
Hill tries to clinch but Takaya moves out of range.
Takaya misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hill is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hill throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hill dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takaya. That did some damage!
Hill misses with a double jab.
Takaya shoots in but no luck this time.
Bret Hill has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoshihiro Takaya.
Takaya throws a series of punches but Hill avoids them all with ease.
Hill digs a good hook to Takaya's body.

Hill fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takaya, pushing him back against the cage.
Takaya prevents Hill from breaking the clinch.
Hill scores with a shoulder strike.

Hill breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Good shot there by Hill.
Hill fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takaya has a takedown stuffed.
Takaya has a takedown stuffed.
Takaya looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaya takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A jab lands there for Hill.
Hill wants to clinch.
Hill tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takaya swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bret Hill is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takaya slips a jab from Hill.

Takaya drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hill is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Takaya asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Hill is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takaya taking a breather here.
Hill is trying to buck Takaya off.
Check out the look on Takaya's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Hill is trying to buck Takaya off.
Takaya tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hill's legs.
Takaya lands a nice forearm strike.
Hill is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hill on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yoshihiro Takaya will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hill throws a series of punches but Takaya moves out of range.
Takaya takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hill uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A left and a right from Hill both land. Nice combination.
Hill showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Takaya.
Takaya swats away the attempt to clinch by Hill.
Hill tries to clinch up.

Takaya shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hill tries to kick Takaya off but Takaya keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hill is refusing to be controlled, as Takaya sits in half guard.

Hill looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaya wants to control but Hill is keeping him busy.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Takaya lands a nice short elbow.

Takaya is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hill doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Takaya.
Takaya prevents Hill from standing back up.
Takaya lands strikes from half guard.
Hill might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hill wants to get back to his feet.
Takaya trying to mount his opponent but Hill defends it.
Hill tries to get to full guard but Takaya has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Takaya looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hill wants to get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Takaya misses with a straight left.
Takaya throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hill's waist but Hill gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Takaya off to one side.
Takaya misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takaya is breathing heavily.
Hill moves away from the strike by Takaya.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hill.
Hill lands a body shot.
Takaya shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hill as he avoids it easily.
Bret Hill has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoshihiro Takaya.
Hill tries to clinch there but Takaya circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaya slips a jab and a cross from Hill.
Hill with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takaya swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hill fails with an attempt to clinch.
Takaya dodges the punch combination from Hill.
Takaya tries to clinch
and Hill connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Takaya with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hill counters with a series of strikes. Takaya will be more careful next time no doubt.
Good shot there by Hill.
Takaya slips a jab and a cross from Hill.
Takaya misses with a takedown
and Hill counters with a nice body shot.
Hill wants to clinch
and Takaya counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hill tries to clinch up.
Takaya circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hill is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Takaya shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hill as he jumps to the side.
Hill lunges at Takaya with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Takaya's hand.
Takaya circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hill is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hill connects with a nice looking jab.
Takaya walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hill throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Takaya.
A cross from Hill lands.
Bret Hill is winning the standup battle so far.
Takaya stuns Hill with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Takaya fails with the takedown
and Hill counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bret Hill dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hill throws a head kick but Takaya moves out of range.

Hill moves into the clinch successfully.
Takaya keeps control of Hill as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Takaya blocking some punches.
Hill with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hill is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hill has had enough of the clinch but Takaya keeps him there for the moment.
The is referee keeping an eye on Hill - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hill can't break the clinch.
Hill is looking to break free of the clinch but Takaya has double underhooks.
Hill lands a damaging elbow.
Takaya avoids the elbow strike from Hill, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hill throws an elbow that misses.
Hill misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hill misses with an elbow strike.
Hill leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hill lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaya drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hill pulls his leg out and moves away.

Takaya closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Takaya lands in his opponent's guard.

Hill looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Takaya trying to control but Hill is working from the bottom.
Hill wants to hit a switch here but Takaya passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hill there!
Takaya tries to control but Hill wriggling away.
Takaya lands a big shot there that rocks Hill but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaya dominating with strikes here.
Takaya connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Takaya has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Takaya looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hill regains half guard.

Takaya is trying to work for a kimura but Hill is defending well.

Hill looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hill looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hill wants to get back to his feet.
Takaya wants to control but Hill is keeping him busy.
Takaya seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Takaya takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Takaya is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hill turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Takaya keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hill.

Hill gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Hill pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hill darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hill throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Takaya sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hill dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takaya. That did some damage!
Takaya misses with a takedown
and Hill counters with a nice uppercut.
Takaya ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hill moves away.
Hill defending well as Takaya loads up on a big left hand.
Takaya blocks a head kick by Hill.
Hill misses with a series of wild punches.
Takaya swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Yoshihiro Takaya just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Takaya misses with a takedown attempt
and Hill cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hill.
Takaya takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hill swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Takaya misses with a jab, cross combination.
Takaya avoids a punch combination nicely.

Hill drives through and clinches with Takaya against the cage.
Hill crunches a lovely knee into Takaya's ribcage.
Hill is looking to break free of the clinch but Takaya has double underhooks.
Hill looking to throw knees to the head but Takaya is blocking nicely.
Hill lands an elbow just above Takaya 's eye.
Hill throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takaya blocks it with crossed arms.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hill comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Hill breaks from the clinch.
Hill looks to land a combination but Takaya avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takaya shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takaya with shots to the head and body - Hill looks very uncomfortable down there.
A nice elbow there by Takaya.
Takaya sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hill is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Takaya is landing with some decent strikes but Hill is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hill is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Takaya with shots to the head and body - Hill looks very uncomfortable down there.
Takaya landing punches.
Takaya looking to control but Hill is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
A nice elbow there by Takaya.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hill bucks up and throws Takaya to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Hill showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Takaya.
Hill throws a right and a left that Takaya avoids nicely.

Takaya scores with a takedown into Hill's guard.

Hill had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Takaya is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Hill Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Takaya's back instead.
Takaya manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hill's guard. Nice work there by Takaya.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takaya looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaya wants to control from the top but Hill keeps moving.
Hill is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hill is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hill wants to advance to full mount but Takaya doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Takaya is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Takaya wants to sweep but no luck.

Takaya is working an open guard so Hill takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Takaya avoids a punch combination nicely.
Takaya with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hill counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hill moves in looking to clinch but Takaya pushes him off.
Hill stalks Takaya and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Takaya's face. Takaya staggers backwards, shaken.
Takaya fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hill manages to avoid it.
Takaya swats away the attempt to clinch by Hill.
Hill tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takaya paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takaya misses with a takedown attempt
and Hill counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Bret Hill will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hill tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takaya swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Takaya avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hill cracks Takaya with an open hand slap.
Bret Hill is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hill.

Hill rushes Takaya and presses him up against the cage.
Hill throws an elbow that misses.
Hill lands an elbow that stopped Takaya in his tracks for a moment.
Takaya is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hill gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Takaya prevents Hill from breaking the clinch.
Takaya goes for a takedown attempt but Hill pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hill throws a combination. Takaya tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hill with a hook.
Takaya is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Hill throws a combination. Takaya tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaya with a poor takedown
and Hill counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bret Hill has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoshihiro Takaya.
Takaya avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hill scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hill throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Hill pushes Takaya up against the cage in a clinch.
Hill tries a knee to the head but Takaya blocks it.
Hill is looking to control Takaya's arms but Takaya gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hill has his back to the cage.
Takaya fails to pull guard.
Hill tries to land a knee to the head but Takaya blocks with his arms.
Hill throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takaya blocks it with crossed arms.
Takaya's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Takaya wants a takedown.

Takaya has hold of one of Hill's legs. Hill is fighting the takedown attempt but Takaya gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Hill looking for a guillotine here but Takaya defends easily.
Hill keeping moving, preventing Takaya from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hill wants to stand but Takaya is controlling the position.
Takaya forces his way into half guard.
Takaya is tying to control. Hill wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Takaya prevents Hill from standing back up.

Hill kicks off Takaya and gets to his feet.
Takaya tries to clinch but Hill moves out of range.
Hill tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Takaya counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hill!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaya is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Yoshihiro Takaya has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hill is wriggling around trying to escape.
You get the feeling that Hill really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Hill is squirming around, avoiding Takaya's attempts to control the action.
Hill is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hill really wants to buck Takaya off and get back to his feet.
Takaya controlling from mount.
Takaya postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hill looks a forlorn figure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hill is squirming around, avoiding Takaya's attempts to control the action.
Takaya lands with some strikes.
Hill is squirming around, avoiding Takaya's attempts to control the action.
Takaya with shots to the head and body - Hill looks very uncomfortable down there.
Takaya postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hill looks a forlorn figure.
Hill wants to try and get back to his feet.

Hill somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takaya walks into a straight right hand from Hill.

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 Bret Hill.
I think Hill has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 47:49
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Peck scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Yoshihiro Takaya!
Yoshihiro Takaya is the new featherweight champion!