PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Finn Balor (ranked 3671 p4p, 315 weight class) and Satoru Takada (ranked 3401 p4p, 296 weight class). Balor comes to the cage accompanied by Monster. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Balor
vs
Takada

172 cm
46
152 lbs
38 - 21 - 1

170 cm
29
150 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Fast

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 38 - 21 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Finn Balor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Satoru Takada!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balor on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Takada misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balor.
Balor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Balor throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Takada digs a good body shot into Balor's ribs.
Nice uppercut lands for Takada. That snapped Balor's head back.
Balor lands a lovely overhand right.
Takada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balor manages to avoid it.
Balor scores with a three punch combo!
Balor's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Balor duly obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balor loads up on a big right hand but Takada slips the punch.
Balor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Takada's hands.
Takada takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Balor misses with a low kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Takada. That snapped Balor's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Balor throws a jab when Takada was well out of range.
Takada's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Balor connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takada scrambles back to his feet.
Balor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Takada misses the target.
Balor throws a lazy right hand but Takada sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takada stuns Balor with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Takada throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Balor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takada moves away.
Takada tries to counter with a clinch but Balor shakes him off and moves away.
Balor misses with an uppercut. Takada saw that one coming.
Balor swats away the attempt to clinch by Takada.
Takada misses with a body shot.
Takada checks a leg kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balor throws a series of punches but Takada avoids them all with ease.
Takada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Balor was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Takada.
Takada is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Balor rather than just go for the knockout.
Takada with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Takada misses with an uppercut.
It looked like Balor wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Balor dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takada. That did some damage!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takada moves away.
Takada with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Balor misses with a looping right.
Balor gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Balor throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Balor missing with a left hand there. Takada was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takada slips under a jab from Balor.
Takada looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Balor throws a lazy uppercut
letting Takada counter with a right hand.
Takada looks to score with a jab to the body but Balor is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Takada gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Takada works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nice jab there from Takada.
Takada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Balor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Takada swings widly with a right hand
and Balor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Balor shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Balor was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Takada tries to get back to half guard but can't.
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!
Takada is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Balor's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balor moves into full mount! Takada won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balor wants to control the pace but Takada is squirming around nicely.
Balor throws some wild stikes that Takada manages to avoid easily.
Balor wants to control the pace but Takada is squirming around nicely.
Balor misses with a head shot.
Takada tries to hold on but Balor postures up.
Balor throwing strikes here but Takada is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Finn Balor will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Takada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balor takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Takada wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Takada misses with a looping right.
Takada wants to clinch.
Balor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Takada.
Balor throws a right and a left that both miss.
Satoru Takada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Balor takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Balor tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takada connects with a crisp jab.
Balor throws a one two combo.
Takada misses with a hook to the body
and Balor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Takada moves into range and clinches up with Balor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor lands with a short shot to the head.
Takada lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takada misses with a punch on the inside.
Takada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takada tries a body shot but Balor blocks it.
Balor lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Balor misses with a hook from the clinch.
Takada misses with a hook from the clinch.
Balor blocks an uppercut.
Takada throws a head punch that misses.
Balor misses with the head strike.
Takada doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Balor working aggressively here.
Takada blocking some punches.
Takada misses with a hook to the ribs.
Balor misses with some punches.
Takada gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Balor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Balor is defended easily by Takada.
Takada tries to clinch but Balor moves out of range.
Balor throws the left hand but Takada avoids the punch easily.
Takada stuffs the takedown.
It seemed like Takada was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Finn Balor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takada defending well as Balor loads up on a big left hand.
Takada slips a straight right by Balor.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takada throws a jab but it's blocked by Balor.
Takada checks a low kick from Balor.
Takada's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Takada duly obliges.
Left hook, right uppercut from Takada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Balor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Takada throws out a loose jab but Balor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takada misses with a looping left.
Balor misses with a left hand
and Takada counters with a right hand to the body.
Takada throws a jab when Balor was well out of range.
Balor's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Takada connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Balor scrambles back to his feet.
Takada cracks Balor with a right hand to the side of the head.
Takada connects with a good right hand that stumbles Balor. Balor circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Balor fails with an attempt to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Takada! But no joy.
Takada slips under a jab from Balor.
Balor is looking to clinch but Takada is avoiding it.
Balor scores with a leg kick.
Balor takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balor clinches with his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balor wants a takedown.
Takada lands a hook to the side of the head.

Takada breaks the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balor.
Balor throws a sloppy head kick and Takada moves out of range easily.
It seemed like Takada was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Takada tries to sprawl but Balor drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Takada makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Takada.
Takada utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Balor not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Takada working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Balor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Satoru Takada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Balor doesn't manage to clinch there - Takada circles away.
Balor throws a nice head kick!
Takada misses with the combination.
Balor throws a body shot but no joy.
Balor tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Takada is able to avoid easily.
Takada steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Balor.
Balor lands with a kick to the temple. Takada shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Balor is looking to slow Takada down with leg kicks.
Takada lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Takada moves out of range as Balor strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor throws a jab when Takada was well out of range.
Balor throws a push kick but Takada slaps the foot to one side.
Balor walks into a straight right hand from Takada.
Balor takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Takada checks a low kick from Balor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor fails in his attempt to clinch.
A big right from Balor misses.
Takada swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Takada tries to clinch up.
Balor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Takada's hands.
Takada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A punch combination from Takada misses.
A big left from Takada misses.
Balor lands a slapping body shot.
Balor with a nice cross.
Balor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takada manages to avoid it.
Takada connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Balor momentarily.
Balor is looking to clinch.
Takada throws a hook but Balor blocks it.
Takada gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Balor.
Satoru Takada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balor moves away.
As Takada looks to move away, Balor throws a big counter combo but Takada just gets out of the way.
Takada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balor.
Takada throws a poor cross that misses
and Balor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balor staying out of range there.
Balor fires out a quick counter leg kick but Takada just manages to avoid it.
Balor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takada manages to avoid it.
Takada throws a body punch but Balor moves out of range.

Balor clinches up with Takada and pushes him back against the cage.
Takada blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takada creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Takada cracks Balor with a nice body shot.
Takada lands a shoulder strike.
Balor has Takada pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Takada manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Takada's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takada working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada throws a head punch that misses.

Balor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Takada misses with a body shot.

Balor fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Takada to the ground. Balor is now in Takada's guard.

Takada has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Balor is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Balor lands a left hand.
Balor lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Balor lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takada lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takada misses with a punch on the inside.
Balor throws an elbow but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balor.
Balor is working for takedown but Takada is calmly controlling the position for now.
Takada working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Takada scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takada makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Balor misses with some punches.
Balor has a couple of punches blocked by Takada.
Takada is leaning against Balor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Balor has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Takada after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Finn Balor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takada lands with a light punch inside.
Balor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Takada avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Takada pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takada just misses with a punch to the body.
Balor fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takada avoids it really well and circles away.
Good work by Takada as he checks the leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Satoru Takada.
I think Takada has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers 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).