PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eusebio Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shenji Takawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ward
vs
Takawa

164 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
224 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Can Moonwalk

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Eusebio Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Shenji Takawa!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takawa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ward throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ward really is a fat lump.

Ward gets a takedown into half guard.
Ward scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Takawa is refusing to be controlled, as Ward sits in half guard.
Takawa wants to control but Ward is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takawa tries to get to full guard but Ward has control of the leg.

Ward is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takawa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ward.
Takawa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ward.
Ward is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ward is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ward not doing much here.

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

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.
Takawa goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ward is looking to counter the offense by Takawa and move into the clinch.
Takawa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ward.

Takawa moves into range and clinches up with Ward.

Takawa gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Takawa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Ward wants to try and get back to his feet.
Takawa tries to control but Ward wriggling away.
Ward wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takawa working the ground and pound effectively.

It looks like Eusebio Ward has been cut.

Takawa is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ward can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Ward tries to hold on but Takawa pushes him away.
Ward is looking to get to half guard.
Ward is trying to stand.

Takawa looking to secure an arm triangle but Ward defends it well.

Takawa goes for an armbar but Ward turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ward tries to stand but Takawa is controlling from the bottom.

Ward wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Takawa's closed guard. He's half up but Takawa has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Takawa pivots and extends the arm, Ward falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Takawa! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Shenji Takawa!