PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kazuo Takashi (ranked 142 p4p, 1404 weight class) and Millard Masters (ranked 10 p4p, 85 weight class). Takashi comes to the cage accompanied by å‰ç”°å…„å¼Ÿ Rising. Masters has chosen Enter the Sandman as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Takashi
vs
Masters

170 cm
26
135
10 - 0 - 0

160 cm
26
140
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Beachside Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kazuo Takashi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Millard Masters!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masters avoids the body shot from Takashi.
Takashi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Masters defends well and Takashi ends up having to push Masters into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The referee calls for Takashi to work.
Takashi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Masters goes for a takedown attempt but Takashi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Takashi blocks a head kick by Masters.

Takashi moves into the clinch.
Takashi stalling in the clinch.
Masters wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Takashi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Masters jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Takashi walks away with a smile on his face. Masters gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Takashi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Masters pinned against the cage. Masters gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Masters.
Masters throws a low kick but Takashi moves out of range easily.
Masters pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Masters misses with a hook. Takashi ducked under it nicely.
Takashi is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Masters.
Masters throws a body kick that misses

and Takashi counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Masters!
Takashi trying to control the action but Masters is working from the bottom.
Takashi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Masters is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takashi is looking to take a break and control but Masters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Masters is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Masters's face as Takashi controls the position.
Masters is looking for a sweep.
Takashi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Masters keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters tries to control but Takashi manages to take his back.
Takashi is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takashi struggling to keep hold of the position.
Takashi is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Takashi is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Masters wants to control his opponent's hands but Takashi gets his hands free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takashi patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Takashi is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Masters defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Masters tries to escape but Takashi has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Takashi controlling from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Takashi has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Masters has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuo Takashi dominated that round.
That's time! Takashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Masters misses with a series of wild punches.
Masters throws a body shot but no joy.
A head kick misses from Masters.

Takashi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Takashi successfully pulls guard.
Masters wants to pass the guard but Takashi is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters controlling from the top position.
Masters must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Masters wants to control from the top but Takashi keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Takashi is looking for a triangle here but Masters uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Masters is trying to get an arm triangle but Takashi is defending well.
Takashi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Masters's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Masters is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Takashi defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Takashi is pressing down on Masters's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Masters thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Masters trying to control but Takashi is working from the bottom.
Takashi seems keen to control Masters's posture.
Masters trying to control the position from guard on top but Takashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Masters tries to free his leg and advance position but Takashi is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi trying to control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Masters sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Takashi's guard.
Masters wants to stand but Takashi has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Masters seems to be working for a kimura but Takashi defends the submission attempt.

Takashi actively working from the bottom here.

Takashi is defending against the submission attempts here by Masters.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Takashi clinches with his opponent.
Masters has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Takashi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Masters tries to break free but Takashi pushes him back against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Takashi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Takashi pulls guard.
Masters is looking to work some ground and pound but Takashi has wrist control.
Masters working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Masters wants to pass the guard but Takashi is keeping the position.
Kazuo Takashi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Takashi trying to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Millard Masters will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Takashi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Masters looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Takashi tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Masters manages to circle out of the way.
Masters throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Takashi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Takashi pulls guard effortlessly.

Takashi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Masters gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Takashi controls Masters momentarily but Masters frees himself.
Takashi keeping moving, preventing Masters from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi controls Masters momentarily but Masters frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters looking to pass the guard.
Takashi looking to control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Masters really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Takashi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Takashi keeping moving, preventing Masters from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Masters throws a combination that misses

and Takashi counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Masters working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Takashi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Takashi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Masters is trying to keep Takashi in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Masters throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Takashi escapes and throws Masters's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Masters is looking for a sweep.

Takashi tries for a kimura but Masters is defending well.
Takashi is looking to take a break and control but Masters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi trying to control the position but Masters is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masters is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Masters is not content to let Takashi control the position.
Masters tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Takashi easily slips into full mount!
Takashi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Takashi is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Masters is in real trouble.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takashi just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuo Takashi clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Masters misses with a looping left.
Takashi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Masters falls off balance throwing a combination

and Takashi moves into the clinch.
Masters goes for a takedown in the clinch but Takashi prevents it.

Takashi pulls guard.
Masters stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Masters trying to control but Takashi is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi trying to control the position.
Takashi being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takashi working for a triangle but Masters defends it easily.
Masters tries to free his leg and advance position but Takashi is retaining full guard.
Masters wants to stand but Takashi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Takashi keeping moving, preventing Masters from controlling successfully.
Takashi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Masters can do to turn this around?

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Masters throws a right and a left that Takashi avoids nicely.
Takashi tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Masters manages to circle out of the way.

Takashi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Masters is working for takedown but Takashi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Masters goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Masters looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Takashi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takashi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Masters pressing his opponent against the cage.

Takashi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Masters drops back looking for a leg! Takashi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Takashi manages to kick Masters off! Masters jumps back into Takashi's guard.
Masters stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takashi is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Masters has his hands clasped together but Takashi extends and breaks Masters's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Takashi.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kazuo Takashi!
Kazuo Takashi retains his bantamweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Kazuo Takashi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Millard Masters spoke after the fight, saying 'Damn, I will go back to the gym and get stronger'.