PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Giovanni Nicodemo (ranked 2664 p4p, 239 weight class) and Satoru Takada (ranked 2736 p4p, 246 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Nicodemo
vs
Takada

170 cm
29
155 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

170 cm
28
150 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Giovanni Nicodemo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Satoru Takada!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takada takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nicodemo slips a jab from Takada.
The fighters circling - Takada throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takada scores with a nice right hand.
A jab from Nicodemo misses.
Takada throws a hook but Nicodemo avoids it easily.
Nicodemo misses with an uppercut
and Takada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takada throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nicodemo on the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Takada looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nicodemo was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nicodemo looks to land a left hand but Takada moved out of range nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Takada! But no joy.
Nicodemo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takada throws an overhand right that lands on Nicodemo's shoulder, as Nicodemo tries to avoid the shot.
Takada needs to keep his hands up - Nicodemo had a free shot at his head there.

Takada gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Takada pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nicodemo dips to his left and cracks Takada with an uppercut!
Nicodemo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada walks into a jab.
Nicodemo with a nice cross.
Nicodemo misses with a straight left.
Nicodemo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takada moves away.
Nicodemo throws a lazy uppercut
and Takada counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takada takes a swing at Nicodemo's ribcage but misses.
Takada throws out a powerful jab.
Nicodemo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nicodemo cracks Takada with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nicodemo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nicodemo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nicodemo lands with a hook. Takada tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nicodemo dodges the punch combination from Takada.
Nicodemo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Takada counters with a right hand to the body.
Takada fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo looks to throw the jab but Takada is out of range.
Takada looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Takada misses with a hook.
Nicodemo takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Takada misses with a straight left.
Nicodemo missing with a left hand there. Takada was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nicodemo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Takada scores with a hook.
Takada throws a body punch but Nicodemo moves out of range.
Takada swings for the body but Nicodemo moves out of range.
Nicodemo misses with an uppercut. Takada saw that one coming.
Takada is looking for the big counter here.
Nicodemo swings widly with a right hand
and Takada counters with a nice uppercut.
Takada misses with a looping right.
Takada takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Takada throws a hook but Nicodemo avoids it easily.
It looked like Nicodemo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Some wild striking there from Nicodemo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada misses the shot to the body.
Takada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nicodemo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nicodemo is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nicodemo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takada checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nicodemo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Nicodemo misses.
Takada steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A low kick from Nicodemo misses

and Takada counters by moving into the clinch.
Nicodemo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Takada misses with the head strike.
Takada lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nicodemo has a couple of punches blocked by Takada.
A head punch on the inside from Nicodemo fails to land.
Nicodemo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takada can't find room to land a body shot as Nicodemo controls the action.
Nicodemo lands a nice uppercut.
Nicodemo lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takada throws a punch but it's blocked by Nicodemo.
Takada blocking some punches.
Nicodemo struggles to land a body shot inside as Takada controls his hands.
Takada misses with a punch to the body.
A body shot lands from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Takada.
A short right from Nicodemo.
Takada pressing his opponent against the cage.
Takada tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nicodemo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takada blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Nicodemo scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nicodemo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Takada.
Takada lands a body shot.
Takada blocks a body shot from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Takada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nicodemo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Takada gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Takada slips a straight right by Nicodemo.
Takada tries to counter by closing the distance.
A big right from Takada misses.
Nicodemo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nicodemo is looking to chop away at Takada's legs.
Takada throws the left hand but Nicodemo avoids the punch easily.
A swing and a miss from Nicodemo.
A telegraphed right hand from Takada misses the target.
Takada loads up on a big right hand but Nicodemo slips the punch.
Takada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nicodemo manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicodemo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Takada counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nicodemo throws a right and a left that both miss.

Takada forces Nicodemo back against the cage and clinches.
Takada lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takada blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada wants to get back to striking at distance but Nicodemo won't allow it.
Nicodemo misses with some punches.
Nicodemo tries to work over Takada's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nicodemo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nicodemo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takada's elbow.
Takada's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nicodemo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nicodemo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Takada backwards.
Giovanni Nicodemo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nicodemo throws a punch but it's blocked by Takada.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nicodemo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo lands a hook that snaps the head of Takada backwards.
Nicodemo lands a shoulder strike.
Nicodemo prevents a body shot from Takada.
A short left from Takada.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Takada.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nicodemo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Takada.
Takada scores with a hook to the body.
Nicodemo throws a punch but it's blocked by Takada.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nicodemo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Nicodemo fails to land.
Nicodemo misses with a punch on the inside.
Takada gets through Nicodemo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Takada lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Takada blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Takada misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nicodemo.
Takada working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Nicodemo fails to land.
Nicodemo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Still in the clinch, Takada scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takada's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nicodemo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nicodemo throws a head punch that misses.
Takada scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Takada is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nicodemo throws a punch but it's blocked by Takada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takada.
Nicodemo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Takada misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Takada working aggressively here.
Takada misses with a hook from the clinch.
Takada misses with a body punch.
Takada throws an elbow that misses.
Nicodemo works on Takada's body with a couple of short punches.
Nicodemo throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takada.
Nicodemo tries to throw a body punch but Takada avoids it by throwing Nicodemo back against the cage.
Takada lands an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Takada scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nicodemo struggles to land a body shot inside as Takada controls his hands.
Takada makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nicodemo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takada throws a punch but it's blocked by Nicodemo.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takada.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo misses with a short punch on the inside.

Takada breaks the clinch.

Takada moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takada has had enough of the clinch but Nicodemo keeps him there for the moment.
Nicodemo misses with a punch on the inside.
Takada pushes off an throws an elbow but Nicodemo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nicodemo has a couple of punches blocked by Takada.
Nicodemo throws a head punch that misses.
Nicodemo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Takada backwards.
Nicodemo misses with a short punch on the inside.

Nicodemo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Takada throws a combination that misses
enabling Nicodemo to counter with a crisp jab.
Takada looks to score with a jab to the body but Nicodemo is just out of range.
Nicodemo misses with a looping right.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nicodemo keeps the fight on the outside.
Takada moves forwards but Nicodemo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nicodemo misses with a left hand
and Takada makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Giovanni Nicodemo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Takada uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nicodemo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Takada throws out the jab.
Nicodemo misses with a looping right.
Nicodemo sets himself, and Takada steps forward looking for the clinch! Nicodemo avoids it this time.
Takada misses with a double jab.
Takada uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nicodemo.
Takada is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nicodemo.
Takada takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nicodemo misses with a straight right.
Nicodemo digs a good body shot into Takada's ribs.
Takada lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicodemo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Takada. Takada circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Takada missing with a left hand there. Nicodemo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takada defending well as Nicodemo loads up on a big left hand.
Takada misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo misses with a hook

and Takada counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Takada.
Takada works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takada misses with a punch to the body.
Takada doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nicodemo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takada blocking some punches.
Takada scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takada creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nicodemo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Still in the clinch, Nicodemo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nicodemo blocks a body shot from Takada.
Nicodemo working aggressively here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takada creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nicodemo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice elbow from Takada.
Takada misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nicodemo.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nicodemo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takada blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nicodemo is working Takada over against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Takada scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takada tries to work over Nicodemo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nicodemo swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Takada pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takada just misses with a punch to the body.
Nicodemo throws a hook but Takada avoids it easily.
Nicodemo misses with a looping left.
Takada tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nicodemo throws an overhand right that lands on Takada's shoulder, as Takada tries to avoid the shot.
Takada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takada lands a nice shot to the body.
Nicodemo swats away the attempt to clinch by Takada.
Satoru Takada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab by Nicodemo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada loads up on a big right hand but Nicodemo slips the punch.
Takada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice uppercut there from Nicodemo.
Takada tries to clinch but Nicodemo moves out of range.
Nicodemo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Takada takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nicodemo looks to throw the jab but Takada is out of range.
Takada looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Takada on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nicodemo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takada has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nicodemo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nicodemo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nicodemo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takada looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nicodemo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nicodemo throws a right hand that misses
and Nicodemo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Takada throws a hook but Nicodemo avoids it easily.
Nicodemo throwing a counter right hand but Takada manages to avoid it.
Takada lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takada is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nicodemo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Takada throws out the jab.
Takada defending well as Nicodemo loads up on a big left hand.
Nicodemo darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nicodemo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takada just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Nicodemo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the side of Takada's head but Takada sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Takada throws the left hand but Nicodemo avoids the punch easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Nicodemo misses the target.
Nicodemo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takada.
Nicodemo lands a head shot.
Takada connects with a body shot.
Takada throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nicodemo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Takada just misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Giovanni Nicodemo.
I think Nicodemo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Giovanni Nicodemo!
After winning the bout, Giovanni Nicodemo thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.