PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Satoru Takada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshihisa Matsui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Takada
vs
Matsui

170 cm
21
150 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

167 cm
28
159 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Satoru Takada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoshihisa Matsui!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Anthony Taglia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsui throws a low kick, looking for Takada's leg but Takada calmly moves out of range.
Matsui misses with a kick to the body.
It looked like Takada was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The fighters circle momentarily. Takada darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Matsui moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsui is looking to clinch.
Yoshihisa Matsui seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsui tries to clinch but Takada moves out of range.

Takada tries to keep at a distance but Matsui has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matsui told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Matsui creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsui can't find room to land a body shot as Takada controls the action.
Takada will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Matsui up against the cage.
Matsui tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takada's elbow.
Takada has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Matsui avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada avoids a wild elbow strike from Matsui.
Takada avoids the elbow strike from Matsui, against the cage.
Takada drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Matsui gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Takada misses with the head strike.

Takada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Takada throws a hook but Matsui blocks it.
Matsui misses with a left hand
and Takada connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matsui scores with a kick to the midsection.
Matsui tries to clinch up.
Matsui is looking to clinch but Takada is avoiding it.
Matsui lands with a thumping leg kick.

Matsui has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Takada prevents a body shot from Matsui.
Takada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Matsui.
Takada prevents a body shot from Matsui.

Takada breaks the clinch.
Matsui misses the body punch
and Takada counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Matsui rushes Takada and presses him up against the cage.
Takada softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Takada digs a right hand underneath Matsui's ribcage. Matsui let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Matsui is working Takada over against the cage.

Takada breaks the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Takada scores with a four punch combination!
Takada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Takada. Matsui does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matsui fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takada, pushing him back against the cage.
Matsui tries to throw a body punch but Takada avoids it by throwing Matsui back against the cage.
Takada lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Matsui can't find room to land a body shot as Takada controls the action.
Takada lands a body punch.
Matsui misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matsui tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Takada lands an uppercut.
Takada pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Takada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matsui doesn't manage to clinch there - Takada circles away.
Matsui throws a hook to the side of Takada's head but Takada sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takada, as that shot connected.
Matsui scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsui tries to clinch but Takada moves away
letting Takada counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsui throws a predictable looking body shot
and Takada counters with a stiff right hand.

Matsui clinches.
Matsui tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takada's elbow.

Takada breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takada throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matsui misses with a jab to the body
and Takada counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
It looks like Takada has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Matsui tries to clinch up but Takada circles away and keeps his distance.
Takada scores with the left hand. Matsui knows he should have avoided that one.
A shot to the liver by Matsui. Beautiful body shot.
Matsui throws a leg kick
and Takada counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Matsui is rocked!
Matsui wants to clinch but Takada slips to the side
enabling Takada to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Satoru Takada dominated that 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.

An inside leg kick from Matsui misses.
Takada is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Matsui throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Takada counter with a right hand.
Matsui doesn't manage to clinch there - Takada circles away.
Takada throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsui steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Takada.
Matsui moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Matsui misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takada.
Takada swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Takada scores with a nice head shot.
Matsui moves to clinch but Takada breaks away
and Takada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsui is still on wobbly legs! Can Takada finish him?
Matsui tries to clinch
and Takada counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Takada throws a looping overhand right but Matsui ducks down to avoid it.
Matsui on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsui tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takada swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matsui tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Takada counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matsui connects with a right hand. Takada shakes it off.
Matsui seems to have recovered his senses.
Takada is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matsui can do to turn this around?
Matsui connects with a body shot.
Matsui moves to clinch but Takada breaks away
letting Takada counter with a right hand.
Matsui fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Takada looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matsui lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Takada is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Takada takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slow jab from Takada misses its intended target.
Takada connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsui tries to close the distance and clinch but Takada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takada circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Takada to counter with a crisp jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matsui looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Takada chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matsui can pounce on him.
Matsui connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsui misses the shot to the body.
Takada was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Takada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsui.
Matsui scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matsui tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matsui throws a poor cross that misses
and Takada counters with a stiff right hand.
Matsui works the jab nicely.
Matsui scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matsui tries to land a front kick but Takada steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matsui lands with a good body shot.
Matsui tries to clinch
and Takada counters with a straight right hand.
Matsui moves in looking to clinch but Takada pushes him off.
Takada is looking to counter punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Takada.
Matsui tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Takada counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed right hand from Takada misses the target.

Matsui clinches.
Takada lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matsui backwards.
Takada goes for a takedown attempt but Matsui pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Matsui misses with an uppercut. Takada saw that one coming.
Matsui misses with a series of wild punches.
Matsui thows a leg kick but Takada checks it
and Takada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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 Satoru Takada will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Matsui throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Takada stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Matsui scores with a shot to the body.

Matsui takes the fight into the clinch.
Matsui lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Takada or not.
Matsui has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Takada swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsui uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsui tries a body shot but Takada blocks it.
Takada tries to throw a body punch but Matsui avoids it by throwing Takada back against the cage.
Takada blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takada misses with the head strike.
Takada blocks an elbow strike from Matsui.
Matsui lands an elbow just above Takada 's eye.
A nice right hand lands inside from Matsui.
Matsui scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Takada misses with an uppercut.
Satoru Takada is winning the standup battle so far.
Takada moves out of range as Matsui strikes.

Matsui rushes Takada and presses him up against the cage.
Yoshihisa Matsui seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Takada blocking some punches.
Takada lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Takada lands a left hand.
Matsui misses with some punches.
Nice elbow from Matsui.
Matsui struggles to land a body shot inside as Takada controls his hands.
Matsui lands a right hand.
Takada is trying to maintain a safe position but Matsui gets an underhook and turns Takada into the cage.
Takada lands a left hand.
Matsui will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Takada up against the cage.
Yoshihisa Matsui has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada digs a right hand underneath Matsui's ribcage. Matsui let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Takada blocks a body shot from Matsui.
Takada blocking some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Matsui.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matsui misses with a punch to the body.
Matsui blocks a body shot from Takada.
Takada lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Takada wants a takedown but no success here.
Takada lands with a left to the head.
Takada misses with a punch to the body.
Takada goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matsui creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takada's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada blocks an uppercut.

Takada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matsui motions for Takada to come forward. Matsui throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matsui throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matsui throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Takada counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fighters circling - Matsui throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takada is looking for a counter combo.
Satoru Takada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sloppy strikes from Takada. Those never looked like landing.
Takada checks a leg kick.
Takada staying out of range there.
A little feinted left hand from Takada on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matsui tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Takada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsui throws an off balance right hand
and Takada counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsui tries to clinch but Takada moves away
and Takada counters with a series of strikes. Matsui will be more careful next time no doubt.
A swing and a miss from Matsui.
Takada was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nice shot lands for Takada.
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!
Decent striking displayed by Matsui there.
Matsui turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Matsui misses with a wild body shot.
Takada throwing a counter right hand but Matsui manages to avoid it.
Matsui tries to clinch
and Takada counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsui throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsui misses with a hook. Takada ducked under it nicely.
Matsui closes the distance looking to clinch
and Takada counters with a straight right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yoshihisa Matsui.
I think Takada 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Satoru Takada!