PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Clifford Smith (ranked 3417 p4p, 2868 weight class) and Kazuki Takeda (ranked 417 p4p, 352 weight class). Kazuki Takeda has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Clifford Smith's chin.

Smith
vs
Takeda

184 cm
20
195
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
188
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Clifford Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuki Takeda!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Takeda.
A little feinted left hand from Smith on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Takeda in a clinch.
Takeda is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
Smith lands a right hand.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Takeda is defending well for now.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Smith drives through and clinches with Takeda against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Smith - that landed with a thud.
Smith working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A shot in the inside from Smith.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Takeda avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Takeda is defending well for now.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Takeda is defending well for now.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Smith creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Takeda avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Smith scores with a nice short uppercut.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith lands with a right to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smith.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Takeda backwards.
Smith lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Smith successfully pulls guard.

Takeda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Takeda has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.
Takeda pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Takeda has control of the leg.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.
Takeda working the head and body with strikes.
Takeda looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Takeda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith wants to improve his position but Takeda is controlling well.

Takeda is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Takeda eventually gives up the hold.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith won't allow Takeda to pass to mount.

Takeda wants to work for an arm triangle but Smith is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Takeda seems to be looking for submissions.
Takeda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Takeda seems to be looking for submissions.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.
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. Takeda connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.

Takeda is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Takeda has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Smith defend it? Takeda steps over the head and cranks it - Smith is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Takeda!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kazuki Takeda!
Kazuki Takeda spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
The defeated Clifford Smith had this to say: 'SOMEBODY CALL 9-11!!!!!!!!!!'.