PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lanky Lewis (ranked 4210 p4p, 4216 weight class) and Ryu Takahara (ranked 0 p4p, 529 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lewis
vs
Takahara

184 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
20
190
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Prefers standup

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lanky Lewis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ryu Takahara!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takahara gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Takahara jumps guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Lewis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Takahara pulls Lewis in close to prevent any damage.

Lewis got a little sloppy there for a moment and Takahara has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lewis has managed to get both his arms back between Takahara's legs - danger averted.
Takahara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lewis is one step ahead there.
Takahara controls Lewis momentarily but Lewis frees himself.

Lewis drops back looking for a leg! Takahara is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Takahara manages to kick Lewis off! Lewis jumps back into Takahara's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lewis is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Lewis is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Takahara is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Takahara has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lewis has an active guard here but Takahara has managed to pass into half guard.
Lewis is trying to get back to full guard.

Takahara is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lewis sees it coming and defends easily.
Takahara throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Lewis actively working from the bottom here.
Lewis is looking to improve his position.
Takahara not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

Lewis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Lewis actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Well, if Takahara is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Lewis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Takahara pulls his head out easily.

Lewis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lewis is breathing heavily.
Ground and pound from Takahara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahara looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Lewis looking for submissions off his back.
Takahara drops an elbow to the side of Lewis's head.

Takahara is looking for a kimura but Lewis is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Takahara to get the leverage.
Takahara is trying to control the action in half guard but Lewis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Takahara perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nice strikes from Takahara there.
Takahara drops an elbow to the side of Lewis's head.

Lewis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takahara works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahara controlling his opponent.
Takahara is landing with some decent strikes but Lewis is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Lewis sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Takahara is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lewis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Takahara pulls his head out easily.

Lewis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

No joy there for Lewis, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lewis lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Lewis throws a nice looking combination but Takahara bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lewis throws a nice looking combination but Takahara bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lewis fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lewis misses with a jab, cross combination.
Takahara wants to counter the offense by Lewis and move into the clinch position.

Takahara throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lewis tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Takahara is in Lewis's guard.
Takahara passes Lewis's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takahara passes to side control.
Lewis is trying to get back to half guard.

Takahara wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lewis, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takahara content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Ryu Takahara has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lewis manages to get back to half guard.
Lewis wants to get back to full guard but Takahara has passed into side control.
Lewis regains half guard.

Lewis looking for submissions off his back.

Lewis looking for submissions off his back.
Takahara is taking a breather. Lewis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahara is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Lewis is defending against the submission attempts here by Takahara.

Lewis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Takahara slows the pace down in half guard.
Takahara slips a nice elbow through Lewis's hands, connecting with Lewis's forehead.

Lewis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Takahara seems content to control.

Lewis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Takahara content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Takahara is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lewis doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Takahara.
Takahara working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four 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.
Takahara is pressing down on Lewis's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lewis is holding on for now.
Lewis is not content to let Takahara control the position.

Lewis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Takahara stalling.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lewis looking for submissions off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryu Takahara will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Takahara gets a clinch.

Takahara successfully pulls guard.
Lewis stops Takahara from standing up.

Lewis drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Takahara dives on top into guard.

Takahara got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lewis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Takahara has managed to get both his arms back between Lewis's legs - danger averted.
Lewis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lewis lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takahara manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lewis manages to get himself to full guard.

Takahara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lewis is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Lewis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takahara drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Takahara seems to have locked his on tight now - Lewis screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Takahara, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Ryu Takahara!