PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kazuo Takashi (ranked 50 p4p, 914 weight class) and Millard Masters (ranked 6 p4p, 56 weight class). Takashi's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, 吉田兄弟 Rising. Masters is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Enter the Sandman. Millard Masters has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Takashi
vs
Masters

170 cm
27
135
17 - 0 - 0

160 cm
27
140
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kazuo Takashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Millard Masters!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takashi rushes Masters and presses him up against the cage.
Takashi lands a right hand.

Takashi pulls guard effortlessly.
Takashi trying to control the position.
Takashi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
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 land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Takashi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters trying to control but Takashi is working from the bottom.
Masters must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takashi has his foot on Masters's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Masters works his way back into a safe position though.
Masters throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Masters slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Takashi wants to control but Masters postures up.
You can see the frustration on Takashi's face as Masters controls the position.
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.
Masters tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Masters working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Masters working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Takashi has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Takashi tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masters wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Takashi, who protects the arm well.
Masters looking to control but instead Takashi has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Masters is looking for a kimura but Takashi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Masters to get the leverage.
Takashi gets full guard.
Masters loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Masters trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Takashi trying to control the position here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

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.
Takashi is trying to keep Masters in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Masters accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Takashi drives through and clinches with Masters against the cage.
Masters fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Takashi jumps into guard, dragging Masters to the mat.
Takashi pulls Masters in to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Masters pushing down on Takashi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Takashi is staying active underneath Masters, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Takashi gets full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Masters shoots in for a takedown but Takashi shows good takedown defense.
Takashi is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Masters.
Masters lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Masters throws a series of punches but Takashi avoids them all with ease.
Takashi stuffs the takedown.
Masters throws an overhand right that lands on Takashi's shoulder, as Takashi tries to avoid the shot.

Takashi gets a takedown into half guard.
Takashi stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masters is not content to let Takashi control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters trying to control here.
Takashi is looking to take a break and control but Masters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Masters has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Takashi is working away from the top position though.
Takashi not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Masters won't allow Takashi to pass to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Takashi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Takashi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Masters can do to turn this around?
Masters working hard to break the clinch.
Masters wants to stall.
Masters doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Takashi gets underhooks to prevent Masters's takedown attempt.
Kazuo Takashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Millard Masters.
Takashi stalling the fight.
Masters is looking for a takedown.
Takashi has Masters pressed against the cage.
Masters tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Takashi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Masters or not.
Masters looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi leaning his opponent against the cage.

Takashi drags the fight down to the ground.

Masters avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Takashi working a defensive guard here.
Masters throwing strikes but missing.
Takashi working a defensive guard here.
Takashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masters wants to control the action here but instead Takashi manages to pass to full mount!
Masters keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Masters keeps trying to improve his position.
Takashi controlling from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Masters tries to control the position but Takashi now has his back.
Takashi keeps control of the position as Masters tries to break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuo Takashi dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Masters is trying hard to land a takedown here. Takashi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Takashi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Masters misses with a wild combination.
Masters swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Masters looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Takashi trying to control the position here.
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 drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Takashi dives on top into guard.

Our spies down at at Walter J Abramowitz Center for Bigness inform us that Masters has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Masters is controlling Takashi's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Takashi forces his way into half guard.
Masters tries to get to full guard but Takashi has control of the leg.
Takashi frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Masters is trying desperately to improve position.
Masters is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Takashi wants to take Masters's back here but Masters is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi content just to control the position here.
Masters is looking to get to half guard.
Takashi works his way to his opponent's back.
Takashi tries to get the hooks in deep but Masters pushed the leg off.
Masters is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Takashi off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
I really don't envy Masters right now.
Masters staying busy and making it hard for Takashi to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Masters is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Takashi gets his way!
Masters surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
Masters tries to roll but Takashi sticks to his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takashi is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Takashi is looking to control Masters but Masters is wriggling around and keeping busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuo Takashi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Takashi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Kazuo Takashi!
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight for Kazuo Takashi!
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight for Kazuo Takashi!

Kazuo Takashi wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Kazuo Takashi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated Millard Masters had this to say: 'Damn, I will go back to the gym and get stronger'.