PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between D.D Panda (ranked 2565 p4p, 2442 weight class) and Takehiko Hidaka (ranked 99 p4p, 94 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Panda
vs
Hidaka

150 cm
34
205
19 - 17 - 0

194 cm
31
215
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, D.D Panda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Takehiko Hidaka!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Panda tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hidaka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Panda defending well as Hidaka loads up on a big left hand.
Panda fails to land with a series of punches.
Hidaka misses with a hook. Panda ducked under it nicely.
Panda misses the shot to the body.
Hidaka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice defenses there by Hidaka.
Panda shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hidaka steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Hidaka connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Panda momentarily.

It looks like D.D Panda has been cut.
Panda looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Panda scores with a shot to the body.
Panda misses with a looping right.
Good leg kick by Hidaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hidaka throws a leg kick but Panda sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Panda.
Panda shoots for a double leg takedown but Hidaka sprawls well. He's pushed Panda's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Panda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hidaka pivots, looking for a leg kick but Panda is out of range and Hidaka settles back down.
Hidaka misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hidaka thows a leg kick but Panda checks it

and Panda counters with a takedown into side control.
Panda working away.
Hidaka felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Hidaka seems a little lost for a moment, as Panda dominates the positioning.
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.
Hidaka prevents Panda from improving position.
Panda happy to just control the position for now.
Panda tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hidaka's legs.
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.
Panda controls the position from side control.
Panda trying to control the position but Hidaka is working away.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Takehiko Hidaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hidaka cracks Panda with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hidaka throws a big shot that misses.
Hidaka lands a head kick. Panda smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hidaka looks to land a left hand but Panda moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hidaka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Panda changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Takehiko Hidaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hidaka throws a body punch but Panda moves out of range.
Hidaka misses with a low kick.
Panda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Panda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hidaka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Panda moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Panda misses with a looping left.
Panda tries to clinch but Hidaka is having none of it.
Panda closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hidaka circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for D.D Panda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Panda lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hidaka circles away quickly and effectively.
Hidaka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Panda misses with a straight right.
Hidaka stuffs the takedown.
Hidaka throws a nice head kick!
Panda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hidaka defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panda throws a hook but Hidaka blocks it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hidaka darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Panda throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hidaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hidaka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Panda.
Panda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Panda dodges the punch combination from Hidaka.
Hidaka throws a left and a right that both miss

and Panda counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hidaka won't be happy with that.
Hidaka is looking to regain half guard here but Panda keeps moving and retains side control.
Panda controlling the position from side mount.
Hidaka tries to buck Panda off but Panda is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Takehiko Hidaka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on D.D Panda's cut.
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.

Hidaka connects with a single shot there.
Panda lands a slapping body shot.
Takehiko Hidaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hidaka on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hidaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Panda.
Hidaka keeps the fight on the outside.
Hidaka turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Panda misses with a hook.
Panda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hidaka.
Panda on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hidaka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hidaka swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Panda.
Panda checks a leg kick.
Panda attempts a counter takedown but Hidaka avoids it well and moves away.
Hidaka on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Panda moves out of range of the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Panda lands with a shot to the body.
Panda throws a right and a left that both miss.
Panda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hidaka avoids it really well and circles away.
Panda is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Hidaka's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panda avoids the body shot from Hidaka.
Panda avoids a punch combination nicely.
Panda closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hidaka circles away.
Hidaka scores with a nice right hand.
Hidaka connects with a nice looking jab.

D.D Panda's cut is getting worse.
Hidaka misses with an attempted mid kick.
Panda lands a glancing blow to the side of Hidaka's head.
Panda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hidaka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Panda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hidaka misses with an attempted mid kick.
Panda checks a leg kick.
Hidaka scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hidaka shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hidaka just misses with a punch to the body.
Hidaka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Panda feinted with a counter takedown.
Hidaka misses with an uppercut.
Panda takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hidaka finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Panda tries to clinch up but Hidaka circles away and keeps his distance.
Hidaka tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Panda looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for D.D Panda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Panda goes for a double leg but Hidaka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hidaka continues to drive forward.
Hidaka is working Panda over against the cage.
Hidaka scores with a nice hook to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hidaka scores with a shot to the side of Panda's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panda blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Panda is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hidaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Panda leaning against his opponent.
Panda blocks an uppercut.
Panda is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Panda misses with a punch on the inside.
Hidaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Panda stalling in the clinch but Hidaka improves position.
Hidaka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Panda backwards.
Hidaka misses with a body punch.
Hidaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hidaka as Panda tries to tie him up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Panda's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Panda taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by D.D Panda.
Horrible takedown attempt by Panda or perhaps it was just good defense by Hidaka, which made it look bad.
Hidaka jabs Panda right on the nose. Panda blinks but takes it well.
Hidaka dips to his left and cracks Panda with an uppercut!
Panda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hidaka.
Sloppy strikes from Hidaka. Those never looked like landing.
Hidaka misses with a right hand

and Panda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hidaka wants to get back to full guard.
Panda wants to pass the guard but Hidaka is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hidaka tries to get to full guard but Panda has control of the leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Takehiko Hidaka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on D.D Panda's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hidaka lands with a right hand.
The fighters circling - Panda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hidaka ducks under a wild hook from Panda.
Hidaka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fighters circling - Panda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Horrible takedown attempt by Panda or perhaps it was just good defense by Hidaka, which made it look bad.
Hidaka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fighters circling - Panda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hidaka throws a jab when Panda was well out of range.
Panda scores with a jab to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Panda keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Panda misses the shot to the body.
Panda closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hidaka fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Panda.
Some wild striking there from Panda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panda misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Panda is looking to clinch.
Hidaka appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Panda ducks right into an uppercut from Hidaka.
Hidaka lands a slapping body shot.
Hidaka throws a looping overhand right but Panda ducks down to avoid it.
Hidaka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hidaka throws a head kick that misses.
Panda feinted with a counter takedown.
Hidaka throws a nice looking combination but Panda bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hidaka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hidaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hidaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hidaka tries to throw a body punch but Panda avoids it by throwing Hidaka back against the cage.
Panda jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hidaka walks away with a smile on his face. Panda gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A big right from Hidaka misses.
Hidaka dips to his left and cracks Panda with an uppercut!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hidaka takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Panda looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hidaka thuds his shin into the meat of Panda's side.
Hidaka looks to land a combination. Panda sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Hidaka lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Panda shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for D.D Panda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hidaka changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hidaka throws a low kick, looking for Panda's leg but Panda calmly moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panda takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Panda shoots and misses
and Hidaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

D.D Panda's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Panda fails with an attempt to clinch.
Panda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Panda misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hidaka is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hidaka just misses with a punch to the body.
Panda drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hidaka sprawls and moves away.
Hidaka wants to land a leg kick but Panda is out of range.
Panda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hidaka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Panda walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hidaka misses with a head kick.
Panda takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Panda closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hidaka is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hidaka manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
D.D Panda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hidaka wants to sweep but no luck.
D.D Panda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Panda with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takehiko Hidaka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hidaka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takehiko Hidaka!
Takehiko Hidaka seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.