PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Brett Helix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ichi Takeshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Helix
vs
Takeshi

165 cm
34
138 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

155 cm
40
138 lbs
26 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brett Helix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ichi Takeshi!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takeshi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Takeshi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Takeshi trying to control the position from guard on top but Helix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takeshi tries to free his leg and advance position but Helix is retaining full guard.

Helix has his foot on Takeshi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Takeshi works his way back into a safe position though.
Takeshi throwing strikes from guard but Helix blocks nicely.
Helix wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helix bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Takeshi's guard.

Takeshi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helix postures up in Takeshi's guard and throws a big left but Takeshi blocks it.
Helix postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Takeshi has his foot on Helix's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Helix works his way back into a safe position though.
Helix tries to free his leg and advance position but Takeshi is retaining full guard.
Helix is looking to work some ground and pound but Takeshi has wrist control.
Helix with a flurry of punches that miss.
Helix controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Takeshi looking to control.
Takeshi keeping moving, preventing Helix from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Helix postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Takeshi is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Takeshi misses with an uppercut
and Helix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Takeshi.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takeshi grinds an elbow into Helix's temple.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Takeshi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Helix sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Takeshi is putting a hurting on Helix here, landing some big shots from side control.
You can see the frustration on Helix's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Helix manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Takeshi is taking a breather. Helix says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helix is trying is best to control the position here.
Helix is trying to get back to full guard.
Takeshi stalling.

Takeshi seems to be looking for submissions.
Helix is looking to improve his position.
Helix makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Helix.

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.
Takeshi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Helix swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Helix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takeshi.
Helix tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Helix looking to control.
Helix keeping moving, preventing Takeshi from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Takeshi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Helix swivels and escapes.
Helix jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Helix thuds his right hand into Takeshi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Takeshi throws a head kick that misses.
Takeshi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Helix sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ichi Takeshi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Helix's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takeshi cracks Helix with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Takeshi gets a double leg takedown into Helix's guard.
Takeshi working some strikes from top position.

Helix throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Takeshi escapes and throws Helix's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Helix tries to bench press Takeshi off him but Takeshi keeps the position.
Takeshi has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Helix working to try and regain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takeshi wants to control the pace but Helix is squirming around nicely.
We've been informed that Takeshi has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Takeshi unloading with bombs!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takeshi is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Helix has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Takeshi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takeshi unloading with bombs!
Helix tries to hold on but Takeshi postures up.
Takeshi with shots to the head and body - Helix looks very uncomfortable down there.
Takeshi wants to control the pace but Helix is squirming around nicely.
Takeshi connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Takeshi prevents Helix from getting the reversal.
Helix is trying to reverse the position but instead Takeshi has taken his back - oops!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helix turns into Takeshi and is now in his guard.
Takeshi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Helix accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Takeshi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Helix is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Takeshi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Takeshi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takeshi preventing the sweep.
Takeshi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeshi tries to free his leg and advance position but Helix is retaining full guard.
Takeshi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Takeshi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Helix is controlling Takeshi's posture.
Takeshi landing some decent shots from guard.
Helix controlling Takeshi's posture.
Takeshi looking to pass the guard.
Helix tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Takeshi scoring with some ground and pound.
Ichi Takeshi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Helix trying to control the position.
Helix wants to sweep but no luck.
Takeshi trying to control but Helix is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Helix lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Takeshi pulls Helix in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takeshi keeping moving, preventing Helix from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ichi Takeshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Takeshi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Helix.
Helix tries to counter with a takedown but Takeshi is quick to defend against it.
Helix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takeshi manages to avoid it.
Helix with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A looping hook to the body misses from Takeshi. Helix does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takeshi throws a sloppy head kick
and Helix counters with a thumping low kick.
Helix throws a nice outside leg kick.
Takeshi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Helix counters with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takeshi tries to clinch up.
Takeshi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Helix paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takeshi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Helix went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Takeshi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Helix sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Helix stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helix swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Donk. Helix catches Takeshi right on the button with a cross.
Helix connects with a crisp jab.
Takeshi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Helix tries to avoid it but Takeshi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Helix to the ground. Helix escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Brett Helix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichi Takeshi.
Helix uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takeshi.
Takeshi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Helix tries to avoid it but Takeshi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Helix to the ground. Helix escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Takeshi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Takeshi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Helix tries to buck Takeshi off but Takeshi is having none of it.
Helix is trying to control Takeshi's posture but Takeshi avoids it.
Helix tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Takeshi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Helix controls the position for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helix manages to work his way to half guard, despite Takeshi's best efforts.
Takeshi wants to take a breather but Helix is having none of it.
Takeshi lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takeshi is looking to take a break and control but Helix is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Takeshi wants to pass the guard but Helix is defending well.
Helix wants to get back to full guard.
Takeshi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Takeshi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Helix knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helix is trying to control but can't.
Nice strikes from Takeshi there.

Takeshi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Helix has managed to free his arm - good work.
Helix holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Takeshi is trying to control the action in half guard but Helix is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Takeshi is thwarting Helix's attempts to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Takeshi darts in and clinches Helix up against the cage.
Helix lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Brett Helix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeshi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Takeshi gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Helix is trying to control the position but Takeshi postures up.
Helix wants to control but Takeshi passes easily into half guard.
Ichi Takeshi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Takeshi stalling.

Helix is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Takeshi has latched onto it... Big trouble! Takeshi pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Helix is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Takeshi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ichi Takeshi!
Ichi Takeshi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.