PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neo Nova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masato Takaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Masato Takaya told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Nova
vs
Takaya

171 cm
19
137 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

162 cm
24
145 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Blitzkrieg Formula 5000 $50 Off Price

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Neo Nova!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masato Takaya!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Chad Campbell and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nova works Takaya's body with a nice hook.
Nova fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takaya manages to avoid it.
Nova feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Takaya's calf.
Takaya lands a lovely overhand right.
Nova throws an overhand right that lands on Takaya's shoulder, as Takaya tries to avoid the shot.
Takaya scores with a nice right hand.
Takaya swinging wilding here.
Nova takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takaya throws out a loose jab but Nova uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nova throws a wild body kick that Takaya sees coming a mile off.
Nova walks into a straight right hand from Takaya.

It looks like Neo Nova has been cut.
Nova throws out a loose jab but Takaya uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takaya misses with a straight left.
Takaya throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nova fails with an attempt to clinch.
Takaya takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

It looks like Masato Takaya has been cut.
A swing and a miss from Nova.
A jab from Nova misses.
Takaya throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nova stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takaya.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaya misses with a jab, cross combination.
Takaya takes one to the chin there.
Takaya clinches but Nova breaks the clinch
and Nova counters with a stiff right hand.
Takaya tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nova connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Takaya is rocked!
Nova lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Takaya circles away quickly and effectively.
Nova tries a head kick but it misses.

Takaya darts in and clinches Nova up against the cage.
Nova cracks Takaya with a nice body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nova.
Takaya's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Takaya has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nova works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takaya looks gassed!

Nova pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nova scores with a jab to the head.
Nova lands the left hand.
Takaya is still on wobbly legs! Can Nova finish him?
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!
Nova avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takaya seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaya throws a chopping leg kick but Nova manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nova is looking to clinch.
Takaya looks to throw the jab but Nova is out of range.
Takaya throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masato Takaya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takaya looks to land a combination but Nova avoids it well.
Nova scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Takaya uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nova throws a leg kick but Takaya sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takaya clinches but Nova breaks the clinch
and Nova counters with a straight right hand.

Nova pushes Takaya up against the cage in a clinch.
Takaya is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Knees in the clinch landing for Takaya.
Nova throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takaya blocks it with crossed arms.
Nova is leaning against Takaya and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takaya throws an elbow but it misses.
Takaya misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nova digs a right hand underneath Takaya's ribcage. Takaya let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Takaya takes an elbow to the forehead.
Takaya avoids the elbow strike from Nova, against the cage.
Nova lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takaya backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nova.
Takaya blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nova lands with a light punch inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Nova.
Takaya lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nova swings wildly with an uppercut but Takaya uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nova lands an elbow that stopped Takaya in his tracks for a moment.
Nova throws an elbow but it misses.
Nova working aggressively here.
Takaya stalling in the clinch but Nova improves position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nova.
Nova misses with a knee to the head.
Takaya avoids a wild elbow strike from Nova.
Nova lands an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Nova.
Nova lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nova doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nova pushes Takaya back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takaya with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nova lands a nice knee to the body.
Takaya lands a hook that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Takaya blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nova scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nova softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Nova.
Takaya fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takaya swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nova scores with a shot to the side of Takaya's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nova is trying to maintain a safe position but Takaya gets an underhook and turns Nova into the cage.
Takaya blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nova lands an elbow just above Takaya 's eye.
Takaya is working Nova over against the cage.
Nova creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takaya's defenses.
Nova tries a knee to the head but Takaya blocks it.
Takaya looking to throw knees to the head but Nova is blocking nicely.
Nova throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Nova manages to break the clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Takaya 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice defenses there by Nova.
Nova misses the jab.
Nova throws a shot from downtown. Takaya moves away and avoids it.
Takaya cracks Nova with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Takaya swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nova counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Takaya swats away the attempt to clinch by Nova.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Some wild striking there from Takaya.
Takaya swings for the body but Nova moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neo Nova dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Takaya moves away from the strike by Nova.
Takaya looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jab from Nova.
Takaya doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nova avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nova catches Takaya with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Takaya takes one on the button.
No joy there for Nova, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Takaya throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nova misses with an uppercut.
Masato Takaya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takaya missing with a left hand there. Nova was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nova stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takaya.
Nova moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nova looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nova moves out of range as Takaya strikes.

Nova clinches up with Takaya and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nova scores with a hook to the body.
A shot in the inside from Nova.
Takaya avoiding damage as Nova throws knees to the body.
Nova misses with an elbow over the top.
Nice body punch from Takaya - that landed with a thud.
A head punch on the inside from Nova fails to land.
Nova missing with knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Takaya.
Takaya has Nova pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Takaya.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takaya.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nova swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nova tries to land knees in the clinch but Takaya avoids the damage to the body.
Nova lands an elbow inside.
Takaya presses Nova against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nova throws an elbow that misses.
Nova tries to work over Takaya's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Takaya trying to control the position but instead, Nova has worked for underhooks and has pushed Takaya into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nova.
Takaya blocks an uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Takaya lands with a right to the head.
Takaya lands a left hand.
Nova missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Takaya scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takaya pushes Nova back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nova working aggressively here.
Nova misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaya.
Takaya slows down the pace here.
Nova lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nova trying to land knees to the body.
Takaya taking a breather.
Takaya softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nova misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaya.
Takaya lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Takaya fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takaya takes an elbow to the forehead.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nova. Takaya does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takaya misses with a jab, cross combination.
A slow jab from Nova misses its intended target.
Jab, jab by Takaya - just one landing.
Takaya scores with a decent looking hook.

Takaya moves into the clinch.
Nova avoiding damage as Takaya throws knees to the body.
Takaya creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nova gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nova with a knee to the head.
Takaya wants to stall.
Nova landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Takaya misses with the head strike.
Takaya lands a body shot in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nova as Takaya tries to tie him up.
Nova wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Takaya has him pressed against the cage.
Takaya stalling in the clinch.
Nova is working Takaya over against the cage.
Takaya is trying to maintain a safe position but Nova gets an underhook and turns Takaya into the cage.
Takaya swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nova connects with a nasty looking knee right to Takaya's face.
Nova lands a hook to the side of the head.

Nova breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takaya looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nova lands with a thumping leg kick.
Takaya takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Nova clinches.
Nova scores with a nice hook to the head.
Takaya scores with a shoulder strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Nova.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nova swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nova taking a breather.
Nova swings wildly with an uppercut but Takaya uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Nova.
Nova's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takaya working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Takaya creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nova lands a shoulder strike.
A hook to the body from Nova.
Nova lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nova.
Nova swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takaya managing to block the knees to the body from Nova.
Nova unloads a knee to the mid-section. Takaya lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nova looking to stall.
A bit of stalling here from Takaya.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takaya wants to stall.
Nova lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neo Nova dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nova throws a shot from downtown. Takaya moves away and avoids it.
Takaya looks to throw the jab but Nova is out of range.
Takaya tries to clinch but Nova is having none of it.
Nova throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Takaya sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good shot there by Nova.
Takaya throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nova throws a leg kick but Takaya sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takaya swinging wilding here.

Nova darts in and clinches Takaya up against the cage.
Takaya blocks an elbow strike from Nova.
Nova pushes Takaya back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nova lands a body shot.
Nova gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Takaya blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Takaya doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Takaya.
Takaya misses with the head strike.
Takaya throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takaya blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nova looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaya lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Takaya blocks an elbow strike from Nova.
Nova lands an elbow inside that Takaya shrugs off.
Takaya misses with the head strike.
Nova misses with a punch on the inside.
Takaya taking a breather.
A nice left hand lands by Nova.
Takaya lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Takaya controlling the action here for a moment.
Nova scores with a shoulder strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nova as Takaya tries to tie him up.
Nova misses with a punch on the inside.
Nova pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Takaya avoids the elbow strike from Nova, against the cage.
Nova misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaya.
Nova tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nova tries a knee to the head but Takaya blocks it.
Takaya is trying to stall.
Nova lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takaya blocking some punches.
Nova misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaya.
Takaya swings wildly with an uppercut but Nova uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takaya swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two 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.
Nova lands a body shot.
Takaya lands an uppercut.
Takaya is leaning against Nova and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takaya connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nova's face.
Takaya lands a shot to the body.
Takaya pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Takaya trying to stall but Nova improves his position.
Nova throws an elbow but it misses.
Takaya blocks an elbow strike from Nova.
Takaya tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nova.
Nova lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nova misses with a hook from the clinch.
Takaya avoiding damage as Nova throws knees to the body.
Nova misses with a knee strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nova.
Takaya lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takaya.
Takaya managing to block the knees to the body from Nova.
Takaya is trying to stall.
Takaya lands a left hand.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Takaya.
Nova blocking some punches.
Nova scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nova tries to land knees in the clinch but Takaya avoids the damage to the body.
Takaya lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Nova blocks an elbow strike.
Nova misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaya.
Nova looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Takaya looking to stall.
Takaya blocks the elbow strike.
Takaya using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nova has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takaya avoiding damage as Nova throws knees to the body.
Takaya lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Takaya is trying to maintain a safe position but Nova gets an underhook and turns Takaya into the cage.
Takaya softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nova digs a right hand into Takaya's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Takaya's gas tank.
Nova unloads a knee to the mid-section. Takaya lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nova lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nova lands an uppercut.
Nova's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takaya lands an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Takaya scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nova.
Takaya lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takaya creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Takaya blocks an uppercut.
Nova unloads a knee to the mid-section. Takaya lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stalling in the clinch from Takaya.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Takaya looking to slow down the pace here.

Nova breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Takaya closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nova missing with knees to the body.
Nova lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takaya backwards.
Takaya looking to slow down the pace here.
Nova pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nova lands a body shot in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Nova scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takaya is working Nova over against the cage.
Nova misses with a punch on the inside.
Takaya lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Nova misses with a body punch.
Takaya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Takaya is looking to control Nova's arms but Nova gets an underhook and turns him. Now Takaya has his back to the cage.
Nova tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice body punch from Nova - that landed with a thud.
Takaya lands with a short shot to the head.
Nova lands a hook that snaps the head of Takaya backwards.
Takaya throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Takaya doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Takaya misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Nova.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Neo Nova did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Nova's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nova swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nova slips a straight right by Takaya.
Takaya closes the distance looking to clinch
and Nova counters with a leg kick.
Nova tries to clinch but Takaya is having none of it.
Neo Nova is winning the standup battle so far.
Takaya is looking to clinch but Nova is avoiding it.
Takaya uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Takaya throws the left hand but Nova avoids the punch easily.
Takaya throws a series of punches but Nova avoids them all with ease.
Takaya misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nova slips under a jab from Takaya.
Nova swinging wilding here.

Nova rushes Takaya and presses him up against the cage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaya looking to slow down the pace here.
Still in the clinch, Nova scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nova softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nova lands a hook that snaps the head of Takaya backwards.
Takaya fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takaya presses Nova against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Takaya pushes Nova back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nova digs a right hand into Takaya's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Takaya's gas tank.
Nova lands a hook that snaps the head of Takaya backwards.
Nova blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Takaya blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nova scores with a nice hook to the head.
Takaya misses with some punches.
Nova lands with a right to the head.
Takaya throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nova creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takaya's defenses.
Nova scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nova is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nice body punch from Nova.
A hook to the body from Nova.
Takaya scores with a nice hook to the head.
Takaya takes an elbow to the temple.
Takaya misses with a punch on the inside.
Nova lands an elbow just above Takaya 's eye.
Takaya is looking to control Nova's arms but Nova gets an underhook and turns him. Now Takaya has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nova lands a damaging elbow.
Nice body punch from Nova - that landed with a thud.
Nova pushes off an throws an elbow but Takaya leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nova misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nova throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Good body shot from Takaya.
Nova using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takaya has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nova misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaya.
Nova tries to land knees in the clinch but Takaya avoids the damage to the body.
Takaya lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Nova lands a right hand.
A short left from Takaya.
Nova lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takaya backwards.
Neo Nova has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Takaya misses with an elbow over the top.
Nova misses with a punch on the inside.
Takaya lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takaya lands with a light punch inside.
Takaya content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Takaya managing to block the knees to the body from Nova.
Takaya throws an elbow that misses.
Nova has a couple of punches blocked by Takaya.
Nova misses with an elbow strike.
Takaya dodges an elbow strike from Nova.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nova.
Nice body punch from Takaya - that landed with a thud.
Takaya is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nova lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Takaya lands an elbow that stopped Nova in his tracks for a moment.
Takaya scores with a nice hook to the head.
Takaya fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takaya lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Nova working aggressively here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Takaya misses with some punches.
Nova lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Takaya as the two fighters clinch.
Takaya has a couple of punches blocked by Nova.
Takaya tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Knees to the body from Nova.
Good body shot from Nova.
Nova throws an elbow that misses.
Nova misses with the head strike.
Takaya trying to control the position but instead, Nova has worked for underhooks and has pushed Takaya into the cage.
Nova misses with a knee strike.
Takaya taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Takaya lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nova throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nova has a couple of punches blocked by Takaya.

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.
Nova using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takaya has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takaya is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nova pushes off an throws an elbow but Takaya leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A body shot lands from Takaya.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takaya.
Takaya lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nova blocks the elbow strike.
Still in the clinch, Takaya scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takaya scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nova misses with a body punch.
Nova is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Takaya lands a nice elbow.
Nova misses with an elbow over the top.
Takaya displaying some good clinch control by pressing Nova up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Takaya.
Nice body punch from Nova.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaya.
A short uppercut from Takaya.
Takaya lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nova leaning against his opponent.
Nice elbow from Nova.
Nova misses with some punches.
Nova tries to land a knee to the head but Takaya blocks with his arms.
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 Neo Nova will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Takaya slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nova steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takaya.
Nova wants to clinch
and Takaya counters with a three punch combo that has Nova backing up. Nova nods at Takaya to acknowledge the strikes.
Nova misses with a hook.
Takaya misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slow jab from Takaya misses its intended target.
Nova misses with an uppercut. Takaya saw that one coming.
Nova throws the left hand but Takaya avoids the punch easily.
Nova scores with a nice right hand.
Takaya with a jab.
Nova tries to clinch there but Takaya circles away.
Takaya throws a combination that misses

and Nova counters by moving into the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Nova trying to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nova throws an elbow but misses.
Takaya stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Takaya tries to throw a body punch but Nova avoids it by throwing Takaya back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Nova.
Takaya tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nova tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nova using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takaya has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takaya tries to land knees in the clinch but Nova avoids the damage to the body.
Takaya lands with a light punch inside.
Takaya lands with a short shot to the head.
Takaya blocking some punches.
Nova blocks the elbow strike.
Takaya misses with a punch on the inside.
Takaya blocking some punches.
Takaya blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Takaya wants to stall.
Nova tries to land knees in the clinch but Takaya avoids the damage to the body.
Nova throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takaya managing to block the knees to the body from Nova.
Takaya blocks an elbow strike.
Takaya managing to block the knees to the body from Nova.
Takaya creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nova's defenses.
Takaya lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nova throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takaya tries to land a knee to the head but Nova blocks with his arms.
Takaya lands a knee to the head.
Nova working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nova tries to land a knee to the head but Takaya blocks with his arms.
Takaya is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nova is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nova misses with a punch to the body.
Nova pushes Takaya back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nova.
Takaya unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nova lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Takaya presses Nova against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nova.
Nova lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nova lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Takaya tries to stall but Nova uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nice body punch from Takaya - that landed with a thud.
Takaya dodges an elbow strike from Nova.
Nova tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice left hand lands by Takaya.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nova just misses with a elbow thrown towards Takaya's brow.
Takaya lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Takaya makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nova throws an elbow but misses.
Nova being controlled against the cage.
Takaya prevents a body shot from Nova.
Takaya lands an uppercut.
Nova blocks an uppercut.
Nova scores with a shoulder strike.
Takaya taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nova creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Takaya lands a hook that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Nova lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Takaya.
Nova misses with a punch to the body.
Takaya makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Takaya lands a hook that snaps the head of Nova backwards.
Nova lands with a light punch inside.
Takaya looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A short body shot lands from Nova as the two fighters clinch.
Takaya pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nova with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nova lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nova looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nova is working Takaya over against the cage.
Takaya scores with a shot to the side of Nova's head.
Nova lands a nice uppercut.
Takaya pushes Nova back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nova.
A short uppercut from Takaya.
Nova lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Takaya backwards.
Nova throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takaya blocks it with crossed arms.
Takaya is looking to control Nova's arms but Nova gets an underhook and turns him. Now Takaya has his back to the cage.
Takaya throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Takaya takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nova lands an elbow inside that Takaya shrugs off.
Nova misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nova blocking some punches.
Nova misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaya.
Nova throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Takayas head.
Takaya throws an elbow but it misses.
Takaya lands an uppercut.
Nova swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takaya is trying to stall.
Nova pushes off an throws an elbow but Takaya leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Neo Nova is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nova misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaya.
Nova connects with a knee to the head.
Takaya is leaning against Nova and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takaya throws a head punch that misses.
Nova lands a damaging elbow.
Takaya blocks an elbow strike from Nova.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takaya misses with a punch to the body.
Masato Takaya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takaya trying to stall but Nova improves his position.
Nova lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takaya creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masato Takaya comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nova has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 49:46
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 49:47
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neo Nova!
Neo Nova is the new super heavyweight champion!