PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Banner (ranked 1899 p4p, 185 weight class) and Satoru Takada (ranked 1864 p4p, 184 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Banner
vs
Takada

165 cm
37
145 lbs
18 - 18 - 0

170 cm
26
150 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bruce Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Satoru Takada!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner slips under a jab from Takada.

Banner moves into the clinch successfully.
Takada lands a left hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Takada.
Banner tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Takada on the inside.
Takada blocks an elbow strike.
Banner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Takada breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takada lands a jab to Banner's midsection.
Takada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Banner rushes Takada and presses him up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Banner just misses with a elbow thrown towards Takada's brow.
Banner connects with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takada fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takada tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Takada lands a right hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Takada fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takada tries a body shot but Banner blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner tries to throw a body punch but Takada avoids it by throwing Banner back against the cage.
Banner leaning against his opponent.
Banner blocking some punches.
Takada misses with a body punch.
Banner looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Banner lands an elbow that stopped Takada in his tracks for a moment.
Takada tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Takada.
Banner tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Takada dodges an elbow strike from Banner.
Takada has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Banner seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Takada can turn it around.
Banner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Banner lands an elbow that stopped Takada in his tracks for a moment.
Takada misses with the head strike.
Banner lands an elbow inside.
Banner has Takada pushed against the cage.
Takada displaying some good clinch control by pressing Banner up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Takada presses Banner against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Takada blocks an elbow strike.
Banner blocks an uppercut.
Takada goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Banner is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Takada is keeping busy.
Banner misses with a hook to the ribs.
Banner slows down the pace here.
Come on Banner - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right handed body shot lands from Takada.
Takada lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Banner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Takada misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Takada tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Banner just misses with a elbow thrown towards Takada's brow.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Banner as Takada tries to tie him up.
Banner misses with a punch to the body.
Takada misses with the head strike.
Banner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Takada takes an elbow to the temple.
Takada is leaning against Banner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Banner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Takada fails to land.
Banner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Takada lands a left hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Takada misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Banner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Banner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Banner leaning against his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takada blocks the elbow strike.
Banner lands an elbow just above Takada 's eye.
Takada swings wildly with an uppercut but Banner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Takada makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Banner connects with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banner prevents a body shot from Takada.
Banner throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Takada breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Banner tries to clinch there but Takada circles away.
Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takada manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Banner is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Takada.

Banner has managed to clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Takada.
Banner missing with knees to the body.
Banner misses with an elbow over the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Satoru Takada will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takada manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Banner has closed the distance and engaged Takada in a clinch.
Banner's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takada blocks an elbow strike from Banner.
Banner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takada's defenses.
A bit of stalling here from Banner.
Still in the clinch, Takada scores with a nice short uppercut.
Banner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Banner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Banner lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Takada.
Banner lands an elbow just above Takada 's eye.
Banner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Banner looking to stall.
Takada misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bruce Banner has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banner leaning his opponent against the cage.
Banner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Takada lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Takada misses with an elbow strike.
Takada digs a right hand into Banner's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Banner's gas tank.

Takada breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Banner tries to clinch but Takada moves out of range.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bruce Banner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takada keeps the fight on the outside.
Takada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takada circles away from the clinch attempt.
As Banner backs off Takada throws a huge counter combo but Banner manages to avoid it all.
Takada gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Banner.

Banner gets a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Banner.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Banner just misses with a elbow thrown towards Takada's brow.
Takada lands a nice uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Banner throws an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada blocks an elbow strike.
Banner misses with a punch to the body.
Takada lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Banner stalling in the clinch but Takada improves position.
Banner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Takada struggles to land a body shot inside as Banner controls his hands.
Takada dodges an elbow strike from Banner.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A bit of stalling here from Banner.
Banner blocking some punches.
Takada swings wildly with an uppercut but Banner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takada lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Takada fails to land.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Takada cracks Banner with a nice body shot.
Takada working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Banner'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.
Takada blocks the elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takada presses Banner against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Takada fails to land.
Takada looking to slow down the pace here.
A left hand lands to the body for Takada.
Banner tries a knee to the head but Takada blocks it.
Takada misses with the head strike.
Takada dodges an elbow strike from Banner.
Banner tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Banner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Takada blocks an uppercut.
Takada lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Banner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A short right from Takada on the inside.
Banner blocking some punches.
Banner avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner connects with a knee to the head.
Banner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Takada fails to land.
Banner tries to work over Takada's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Banner tries a body shot but Takada blocks it.
Takada lands a right hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Banner.
Takada throws a punch but it's blocked by Banner.
Banner looking to slow down the pace here.
Banner looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Takada misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takada working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Takada.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Banner throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Satoru Takada will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Takada throws a shot from downtown. Banner moves away and avoids it.
Banner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Banner wants to clinch up but Takada keeps it at a distance.
Takada throws a body shot but no joy.
Banner wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Takada cracks Banner with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Takada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banner cracks a nice hook into Takada's ribs.
Banner tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Takada counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Banner takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Banner takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Banner is rocked!
Takada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Oh Banner is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Banner scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Banner seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takada throws an overhand right that lands on Banner's shoulder, as Banner tries to avoid the shot.
A jab from Takada misses.
Takada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Banner doesn't seem bothered though.
Banner walks into a straight right hand from Takada.
Takada lands with a straight right. Banner didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takada wants to counter with a clinch but Banner pushes him away.
No joy there for Banner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Takada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Banner, as that shot connected.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takada swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Takada tries to counter by closing the distance.
Takada jabs Banner to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bruce Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takada swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Banner throws a right and a left that both miss.
Banner tries to clinch there but Takada circles away.
Banner tries to clinch but Takada moves away
and Takada counters with a nice uppercut.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Banner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Takada scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Takada tests Banner's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Takada's shoulder, as Takada tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takada throws a body shot but no joy.
Takada circles away from the clinch attempt.
Banner scores with a sloppy right hand. Takada should have avoided that one.
Banner tries to clinch there but Takada circles away.
Takada let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A jab from Takada misses.
Takada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Banner is looking to clinch but Takada is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Banner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Takada moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Banner takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Takada lands a big uppercut and Banner crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Banner looks OK. Takada waves Banner back to his feet!
Takada throws an off balance right hand
and Banner counters with a left and a right that stings Takada.
Takada keeps the fight on the outside.
Banner throws a hook to the side of Takada's head but Takada sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It seemed like Takada was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Takada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Banner moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada misses with a wild combination.
Takada misses with an uppercut.
Banner tries to clinch up

and Takada counters with a crisp right hand that drops Banner! Takada lets Banner back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Takada throws a lazy right hand but Banner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Banner closes the distance and clinches.
Satoru Takada is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Banner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Banner working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takada tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Banner's elbow.
Banner trying to control the position but instead, Takada has worked for underhooks and has pushed Banner into the cage.
Banner working aggressively here.
Bruce Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner misses with an elbow over the top.
Banner prevents a body shot from Takada.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banner.
Takada has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takada blocks the elbow strike.
Banner tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Banner lands an elbow just above Takada 's eye.
Nice elbow from Banner.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takada has a couple of punches blocked by Banner.
Takada blocks an elbow strike.
Banner lands an elbow just above Takada 's eye.

And that's the end of the fight!
Satoru Takada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Takada winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Satoru Takada!
An out of breath and clearly excited Satoru Takada thanked Aspire Nutrition for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).