PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Takumi Sagaki (ranked 5030 p4p, 463 weight class) and Ignatius Thistlewhite (ranked 3952 p4p, 393 weight class). Sagaki comes to the cage accompanied by Crazy Nights - Loudness. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sagaki
vs
Thistlewhite

172 cm
18
147 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
152 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Takumi Sagaki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ignatius Thistlewhite!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sagaki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sagaki showed some decent athleticism there.

Thistlewhite looking for submissions off his back.

Sagaki is trying to work for a kimura but Thistlewhite is defending well.
Thistlewhite is trying to get back to full guard.
Sagaki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thistlewhite throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Sagaki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sagaki definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Thistlewhite is looking for a sweep. Sagaki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sagaki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Sagaki is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thistlewhite defends it well.
Thistlewhite felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sagaki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thistlewhite sees it coming and defends easily.
Thistlewhite is looking for a sweep. Sagaki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thistlewhite is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sagaki is looking to advance position but Thistlewhite won't allow it.
Thistlewhite is looking for a sweep. Sagaki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thistlewhite is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sagaki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sagaki's back!
Thistlewhite scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Sagaki is trying to break free.
Thistlewhite gets his hands free as Sagaki looks to control.

Thistlewhite looking for the choke but no joy.
Thistlewhite connects with a big shot to the side of Sagaki's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sagaki turns into Thistlewhite and is now in his guard.
Thistlewhite preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sagaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Thistlewhite is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thistlewhite trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Sagaki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Thistlewhite striking off his back but it's not causing Sagaki any problems.
Thistlewhite bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sagaki's guard.

Thistlewhite with a nice head shot there.
Thistlewhite must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thistlewhite landing with the ground and pound.
Thistlewhite throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite scoring with punches to the head and body.
Thistlewhite throws a big right hand that misses.
Thistlewhite really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sagaki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Thistlewhite scoring with some ground and pound.

Sagaki has his foot on Thistlewhite's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thistlewhite works his way back into a safe position though.
Thistlewhite is in close to Sagaki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Thistlewhite lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thistlewhite scoring with some ground and pound.
Thistlewhite loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sagaki working a defensive guard here.

Thistlewhite stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Sagaki has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Thistlewhite manages to get his head free but now Sagaki has transitioned to an armbar! Thistlewhite grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Sagaki! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Takumi Sagaki!
Takumi Sagaki retains his featherweight title!
An out of breath Takumi Sagaki thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.