PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Prox Ler (ranked 9040 p4p, 407 weight class) and Mako Takaziko (ranked 25317 p4p, 477 weight class). Prox Ler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ler
vs
Takaziko

150 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
20
142 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Prox Ler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mako Takaziko!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ler throws a head kick that misses

and Takaziko moves into the clinch.
Ler is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Takaziko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ler in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ler tries to pull guard but Takaziko holds him up against the cage and eventually Ler drops back down to his feet.

Takaziko manages to break the clinch.

Takaziko instigates a clinch.
Ler tries to stall but Takaziko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Takaziko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ler dives in and grabs Takaziko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takaziko pushes down on Ler's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Prox Ler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takaziko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takaziko throws a series of punches but Ler avoids them all with ease.
Ler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little jabbing left from Takaziko on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ler falls off balance throwing a combination
and Takaziko counters with an outside leg kick.
Takaziko checks a leg kick nicely.
Ler throws a jab when Takaziko was well out of range.
Prox Ler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ler throws a leg kick

and Takaziko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Takaziko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takaziko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ler darts in looking for a takedown but Takaziko gets double underhooks and turns Ler into the cage.
Takaziko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ler.

Takaziko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ler was covering up waiting for the punch and Takaziko finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ler has momentary wrist control but Takaziko slips an elbow through the middle.
Ler is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaziko is stalling in the full guard.
Takaziko's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Takaziko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Takaziko drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Takaziko seems to have locked his on tight now - Ler screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Takaziko, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Mako Takaziko!