PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takumi Sagaki (ranked 628 p4p, 31 weight class) and Takeru Kubota (ranked 411 p4p, 21 weight class). Sagaki's entrance music is Crazy Nights - Loudness. A fine choice. Kubota has chosen Devilman No Uta (1972) as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Sagaki
vs
Kubota

172 cm
26
147 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
140 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takumi Sagaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Takeru Kubota!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sagaki misses with an uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kubota, right into the meat.
Kubota works Sagaki's body with a nice hook.
We've been hearing reports that Sagaki has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kubota scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sagaki slips under a jab from Kubota.
Takeru Kubota seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sagaki moves away.
Kubota misses with a looping right.
Sagaki feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kubota checks a leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kubota.
Kubota with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kubota fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sagaki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sagaki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sagaki slips a straight right by Kubota.
Kubota takes a swing at Sagaki's ribcage but misses.
Kubota throws a wild body kick that Sagaki sees coming a mile off.
Kubota throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sagaki moves out of range as Kubota throws a body kick.
Sagaki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kubota throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice defenses there by Sagaki.
Kubota tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kubota fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sagaki checks it well.
Kubota swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kubota cracks Sagaki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kubota misses with a body shot.
Kubota throws a hook but Sagaki blocks it.
Sagaki has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sagaki there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sagaki throws a front kick aimed at Kubota's knee but Kubota avoids it well.
Sagaki checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kubota motions for Sagaki to come forward. Kubota throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot by Kubota.
Kubota has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kubota slips a straight right by Sagaki.
Sagaki misses with a low kick as Kubota jumps back.
Kubota throws a wild body kick that Sagaki sees coming a mile off.
Kubota checks the leg kick.
Kubota follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Sagaki checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sagaki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kubota scores with a nice strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed right hand from Sagaki misses the target.
Kubota throws a hook but Sagaki avoids it easily.
Kubota tests Sagaki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kubota lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sagaki at a distance.
Sagaki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Good exchange - Kubota coming out on top.
Kubota connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kubota is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sagaki had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A head kick misses from Kubota.
Kubota lands a slapping body shot.
Sagaki on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sagaki misses with a low kick.
Kubota throws a sloppy head kick and Sagaki moves out of range easily.
Sagaki looks for a takedown but Kubota sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeru Kubota dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sagaki checks a low kick from Kubota.
Kubota connects with a looping right hand.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Sagaki might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Nice sprawl there from Kubota as Sagaki shoots in.
Kubota scores with a kick to the midsection.
Sagaki throws a low kick, looking for Kubota's leg but Kubota calmly moves out of range.

Sagaki gets a takedown into half guard.
Kubota wants to improve his position but Sagaki is controlling well.
Sagaki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sagaki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sagaki connects with a nice short shot to Kubota's temple.
Sagaki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sagaki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kubota keeps working.
Kubota slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kubota looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sagaki is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sagaki drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kubota looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kubota looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kubota!

Kubota has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kubota prevents Sagaki from getting the reversal.
Kubota seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Sagaki is holding on tight.
Sagaki slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kubota is thwarting Sagaki's attempts to control the position.

Sagaki actively working from the bottom here.
Kubota wants to pass to mount but Sagaki is defending the position.

Sagaki looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sagaki manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Sagaki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kubota doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kubota manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kubota tries to stand but Sagaki is controlling from the bottom.
Kubota preventing the sweep.

Sagaki is looking for a triangle but Kubota pushes his legs off easily.

Sagaki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kubota can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sagaki looking for subs off his back but Kubota has passed one foot through into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takeru Kubota will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kubota throws a wild body kick that Sagaki sees coming a mile off.
A left lands for Kubota.
A head kick misses from Sagaki.
Kubota lands with a slapping head kick.
Sagaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sagaki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sagaki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kubota is able to avoid easily.
Kubota shapes to counter with a head kick.
A jab from Kubota misses.
Sagaki shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kubota.
Sagaki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kubota sprawls and moves away.
Kubota thumps Sagaki with a low kick.
Kubota tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kubota. Sagaki shrugs it off though.
Kubota throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kubota throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kubota thumps Sagaki with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sagaki blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagaki throws a leg kick
and Kubota counters with a body kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sagaki.
Kubota chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sagaki wants to slow Kubota down by chopping away at his legs.
Kubota avoids the head kick by Sagaki.
Kubota swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sagaki.
Sagaki blocks a head kick by Kubota.
Sagaki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kubota.
Sagaki throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kubota jabs at Sagaki's body.
Kubota throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kubota throws a good cross that connects.
Kubota has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sagaki on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sagaki throws a low kick but Kubota moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sagaki doesn't seem bothered though.
Kubota with a hook.
Takeru Kubota is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kubota misses with a jab to the body
and Sagaki counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kubota's knee momentarily.
Kubota throws a lazy right hand but Sagaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kubota.
Sagaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kubota throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kubota misses with a straight left.
A leg kick checked by Kubota.
Kubota throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kubota throws a low kick, looking for Sagaki's leg but Sagaki calmly moves out of range.
Kubota lands with a hook. Sagaki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kubota blocks a jab.
Kubota stuns Sagaki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A jab from Kubota misses.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sagaki moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeru Kubota really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kubota punishes Sagaki's body with a nice straight punch.
Sagaki misses with a leg kick.
Sagaki throws a body shot but no joy.
Sagaki fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kubota checks it well.
Kubota jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sagaki dives in for a single leg takedown but Kubota sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Sagaki throws a head kick but Kubota moves out of range.
Kubota scores with a hook.
Sagaki on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kubota. Kubota obviously looking to wear him down.
A swing and a miss from Sagaki.
Sagaki misses with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by Kubota there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sagaki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kubota can pounce on him.
Kubota steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sagaki.
Kubota raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Sagaki doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Sagaki.
Sagaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kubota.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota scores with a nice right hand.
Kubota displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sagaki.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kubota.
Kubota looks to land a right hand but Sagaki moved out of range.
Kubota misses the jab.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kubota.
Sagaki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kubota misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sagaki takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kubota moves out of range as Sagaki strikes.
Kubota misses with a wild body shot.
Sagaki throws a lazy right hand but Kubota sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sagaki throws the left hand but Kubota avoids the punch easily.
Kubota fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sagaki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota lands an overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kubota throws a sloppy head kick and Sagaki moves out of range easily.
Sagaki throws a solid leg kick but Kubota takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sagaki.
A good leg kick by Kubota.
Kubota tries to land a leg kick but Sagaki saw it coming and moves away.
Kubota looks to land a right hand but Sagaki moved out of range.
Sagaki half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kubota throws an overhand right that lands on Sagaki's shoulder, as Sagaki tries to avoid the shot.
Kubota lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sagaki takes a step back to recover.
Kubota throws a leg kick

and Sagaki counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kubota won't be happy with that.
Kubota bucks up and tries to throw Sagaki off but instead Sagaki has got his back!
Kubota is trying to get back to his feet but Sagaki has full control of the position and if anything, Kubota has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Sagaki lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Kubota.

Kubota defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sagaki is punishing Kubota with strikes - can he finish him?!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeru Kubota dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sagaki throws out a loose jab but Kubota uses good head movement to avoid it.
A low kick from Kubota is predictable there
and Sagaki counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kubota is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Takumi Sagaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kubota misses with a head kick.
Sagaki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kubota connects with a solid leg kick.
Sagaki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sagaki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kubota scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kubota keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kubota scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubota connects with a crisp jab.
Kubota cracks the inside of Sagaki's front leg.
Kubota stuffs the takedown.
Sagaki misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota throws a head kick that Sagaki semi-blocks.
Nice body kick there by Kubota.
Kubota lands with a nice body kick.
Sagaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takumi Sagaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sagaki goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kubota connects with an inside leg kick.
Sagaki looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kubota lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sagaki will feel that in the morning.
Takeru Kubota seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kubota bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sagaki's head.
Kubota punishes Sagaki's body with a nice straight punch.
Kubota jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kubota circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kubota tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kubota dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sagaki scores with a jab.
Sagaki motions for Kubota to come forward. Sagaki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sagaki misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kubota feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sagaki's calf.
Sagaki walks into a left hand.
Kubota scores with a kick to the body.
Kubota is looking to slow Sagaki down with leg kicks.
Sagaki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kubota.
Kubota lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sagaki throws a push kick but Kubota slaps the foot to one side.
Sagaki misses with a takedown
and Kubota connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kubota with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice shot lands for Kubota.
Sagaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kubota as he avoids it easily.
Kubota connects with a body shot.
Kubota jabs Sagaki to the body, keeping him at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takeru Kubota comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kubota 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Takeru Kubota!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Takeru Kubota!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Takeru Kubota!

Takeru Kubota wins by unanimous decision!
Takeru Kubota decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.