PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Moana Tautua (ranked 2383 p4p, 2028 weight class) and Genkei Takahashi (ranked 295 p4p, 256 weight class). Genkei Takahashi is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Tautua
vs
Takahashi

177 cm
29
158
6 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
168
2 - 1 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Moana Tautua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Genkei Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Takahashi.
A left and a right from Tautua both land. Nice combination.
Takahashi scores with a nice body kick.
Tautua throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Takahashi.
Takahashi feints a counter leg kick.
Takahashi looks for the body kick but Tautua saw that one coming.
Tautua fails to land with a series of punches.
Takahashi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Nice takedown defense from Takahashi. No joy for Tautua on that attempt.
Takahashi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Tautua moves out of range of the body kick.
Tautua tries to counter with a takedown but Takahashi is quick to defend against it.
Tautua rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Takahashi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tautua connects with a body shot that sends Takahashi's belly button to the back.
Moana Tautua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tautua looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Takahashi.
A low kick from Takahashi is predictable there

and Tautua decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Takahashi's guard.
Takahashi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Takahashi is continuing to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tautua trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tautua tries to free his leg and advance position but Takahashi is retaining full guard.
Takahashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Takahashi, not yet.
Tautua being controlled here momentarily.
Tautua pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takahashi is keeping the position for now.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Tautua from controlling successfully.
Takahashi controlling the position.
Tautua trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Takahashi pulls Tautua in to control the position.
Tautua trying to control but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Tautua stopping the sweep attempt from Takahashi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tautua looking to pass the guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Takahashi holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Takahashi dodges the punch combination from Tautua.
Tautua looks to land a left hand but Takahashi moved out of range nicely.
Tautua dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tautua ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takahashi moves away.
Takahashi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Takahashi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tautua fails to land with a series of punches.
Tautua tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Takahashi scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tautua drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tautua stopping the sweep attempt from Takahashi.
Takahashi is still trying to improve position.
Takahashi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Takahashi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Tautua trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tautua is working hard here to advance position.
Tautua has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Takahashi holds on and takes a little breather.
Tautua trying to control but Takahashi is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tautua looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Takahashi stalling.

Tautua looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Takahashi lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Tautua wants to get back to full guard.
Tautua is pressing down on Takahashi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tautua can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Takahashi controls the pace.

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

Tautua looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Moana Tautua dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Takahashi scores with a push kick.
Takahashi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tautua fails to land with a series of punches.
Takahashi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Tautua blocks it well.
Tautua tries to bum rush Takahashi with a series of wild strikes but Takahashi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Takahashi throws a front kick aimed at Tautua's knee but Tautua avoids it well.
Takahashi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tautua drops down looking for a counter takedown but Takahashi sprawls and moves away.
Takahashi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tautua is trying hard to land a takedown here. Takahashi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Takahashi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tautua looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Takahashi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Tautua blocks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Tautua misses.
Genkei Takahashi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tautua rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Takahashi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tautua looks to land a combination. Takahashi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Tautua throws a body punch but Takahashi moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tautua throws a low kick but Takahashi moves out of range easily.
Moana Tautua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takahashi misses with a body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takahashi.
Tautua drops down looking for a counter takedown but Takahashi sprawls and moves away.
Takahashi slips a jab and a cross from Tautua.
Takahashi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tautua moves out of range of the leg kick from Takahashi.
No luck for Tautua with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moana Tautua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tautua throws a series of punches but Takahashi moves out of range.
Takahashi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
No joy there for Tautua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Takahashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Takahashi shoots for a double leg takedown but Tautua sprawls well. He's pushed Takahashi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tautua tries to land a leg kick but Takahashi saw it coming and moves away.
Takahashi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tautua throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tautua dives in and scores a takedown into Takahashi's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takahashi pulls Tautua in close to his closed guard and prevents Tautua from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tautua preventing the sweep.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Tautua from controlling successfully.
Tautua being controlled here momentarily.
Tautua trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tautua stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takahashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Tautua's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi controlling Tautua's posture.
Takahashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Takahashi, not yet.
Tautua trying to control but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Takahashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Takahashi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tautua is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takahashi can do to turn this around?

Takahashi is looking for a kimura here.
Moana Tautua overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tautua tries to roll over but Takahashi keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi seems to be working for a kimura but Tautua defends the submission attempt.

Tautua looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tautua tries to get to full guard but Takahashi has control of the leg.

Takahashi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Takahashi is looking to take a break and control but Tautua is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tautua trying to hold on to Takahashi's head to control him but Takahashi postures up.
Tautua is looking to improve his position.
Takahashi is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Moana Tautua will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Takahashi throws a body kick that misses.
A leg kick checked by Tautua.
Tautua works over Takahashi's head and body with a nice combination.

Tautua feints and as Takahashi raises his hands in defense, Tautua changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tautua sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Takahashi's guard.

Tautua is looking for a kimura but Takahashi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tautua to get the leverage.
Takahashi keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Takahashi wants to control but Tautua is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Takahashi is pressing down on Tautua's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Takahashi has his hands on Tautua's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The adventures of Takahashi the control monster continue. Boring.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tautua pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takahashi is keeping the position for now.
Takahashi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tautua advances position into side control!
Takahashi manages to get back to half guard.
Takahashi tries to get to full guard but Tautua has control of the leg.
Tautua trying to mount his opponent but Takahashi defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to control but Tautua postures up.
Takahashi is looking for a sweep. Tautua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Takahashi is defending against the submission attempts here by Tautua.
Takahashi is trying to maintain the position but Tautua is very close to passing his half guard.
Takahashi is controlling Tautua's trapped leg to prevent Tautua from advancing to side control.

Tautua is looking for a kimura but Takahashi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tautua to get the leverage.
Tautua trying to control from half guard but Takahashi is working away.
Takahashi tries to get to full guard but Tautua has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Takahashi pulls Tautua in close to prevent any damage.
Takahashi wants to sweep but no luck.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Tautua from controlling successfully.
Tautua stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takahashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Tautua got a little sloppy there for a moment and Takahashi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tautua has managed to get both his arms back between Takahashi's legs - danger averted.
Tautua stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takahashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Takahashi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tautua doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tautua manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tautua trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tautua trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tautua stopping the sweep attempt from Takahashi.
Takahashi trying to control the position here.
Tautua sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Takahashi's guard.
Takahashi is trying to get back to full guard.
Tautua trying to mount his opponent but Takahashi defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takahashi gets back to full guard.
Tautua stopping the sweep attempt from Takahashi.
Genkei Takahashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tautua pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takahashi is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Moana Tautua showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tautua has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Moana Tautua!
Moana Tautua gave a mention to Conquer in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).