PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Rostov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eigi Takagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takagi is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Welcome to the Jungle. Maxim Rostov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rostov
vs
Takagi

177 cm
25
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
166 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Rostov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eigi Takagi!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takagi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Takagi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Takagi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rostov.
Good shot there by Takagi.

Rostov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Takagi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rostov fails to pull guard.
Rostov lands an elbow just above Takagi 's eye.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Takagi.

Rostov is rocked!
Takagi can't find room to land a body shot as Rostov controls the action.

Rostov breaks from the clinch.
Rostov takes one on the button.
Oh Rostov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Takagi lands with a good body shot.

Takagi catches Rostov napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Rostov to the canvas!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rostov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Takagi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takagi wants to pass the guard but Rostov is keeping the position.
Takagi trying to control the position from guard on top but Rostov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rostov seems to have got his legs back now.
Rostov wants to stand but Takagi is controlling the position.

Rostov working for a triangle but Takagi defends it easily.
Takagi won't allow Rostov to get back to his feet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two 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.
Rostov tries to strike from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Takagi connects with a jab.
Rostov fails with a takedown attempt.
Takagi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rostov fails with the takedown
and Takagi counters with a huge left! Rostov is in big trouble! He's backing up but Takagi isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Rostov from any more damage. A dominating finish by Takagi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eigi Takagi!
Eigi Takagi is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Eigi Takagi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.