PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jesus Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saguro Takada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Santos might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to BLOWN AWAY. Saguro Takada told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Santos
vs
Takada

176 cm
24
155 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

165 cm
25
155 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Convicted Trap House
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jesus Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Saguro Takada!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Anthony Taglia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos scoring well with a low kick there.
Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Takada sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Santos somewhat.
Santos fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Takada.
Santos throws a jab when Takada was well out of range.
Santos connects with a body shot.
Santos lands with a shot to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Santos.
Santos takes a swing at Takada's ribcage but misses.
Santos with a jab.
Takada works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

It looks like Jesus Santos has been cut.
Takada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Santos. That's going to slow Takada down.
Takada fails to land the takedown.
Takada walks into a stiff left hand from Santos.
Santos connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Santos.
Santos darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Santos works over Takada's head and body with a nice combination.
A nice inside leg kick there by Santos. That's going to slow Takada down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada throws a nice looking combination but Santos bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jesus Santos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takada lands a head kick!
Takada ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Santos darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Takada doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Santos lands a jab-cross combination.
Santos takes a swing at Takada's ribcage but misses.
Santos will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Santos ducks under a wild hook from Takada.
A slapping leg kick lands for Santos.
The fighters circling - Takada throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A solid body kick from Santos.
Santos avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Takada chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Santos walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Takada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Santos scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Santos swats away the attempt to clinch by Takada.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takada.
Santos misses with a low kick.
Santos goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Takada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Santos sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Takada throws a leg kick but Santos sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nice shot lands for Santos.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santos buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Santos throws a leg kick but Takada sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takada swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Santos makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Santos tries to bum rush Takada with a series of wild strikes but Takada uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Santos throws a leg kick
and Takada counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Takada misses with a looping left.
Santos does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A combination from Santos does no damage.
Takada looks to land a right hand but Santos moved out of range.
A head kick from Santos lands but Takada takes it in his stride.
Santos with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada needs to keep his hands up - Santos had a free shot at his head there.
Good leg kick by Takada there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Takada moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Santos connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Takada throws a shot from downtown. Santos moves away and avoids it.
Santos goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Santos walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Santos comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Santos dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takada. That did some damage!
Santos lands with a nice body punch.
Nice body punch from Takada.
A slapping leg kick lands for Takada.
Santos misses with a body shot.
Nice jab there from Takada.
Takada wants to slow Santos down by chopping away at his legs.
Santos is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takada.
Santos uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Takada.
Santos misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takada throws a jab when Santos was well out of range.
Santos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takada misses with a body shot.
Takada jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Takada's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Santos throws the kick towards the body but Takada avoids it.
Takada throws a hook but Santos avoids it easily.
Santos is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Takada loads up on a big right hand but Santos slips the punch.
Good leg kick by Santos there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Santos connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Takada's hands.
A chopping leg kick lands by Santos.
Santos lands a high kick!
Santos connects with a body shot.
Santos takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Takada defending well as Santos loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Takada pushes Santos up against the cage in a clinch.
Takada lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Santos is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Takada struggles to land a body shot inside as Santos controls his hands.
Takada is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Santos gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Santos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jesus Santos's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Santos works Takada's body with a nice hook.
Takada tries to score with a low kick but Santos moves his leg out of the way.
Santos throws a good cross that connects.
Takada lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Takada throws the left hand but Santos avoids the punch easily.
Takada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Santos sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Santos scores with a punch to the head.
Takada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Takada shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Santos manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Santos will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Santos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takada passes Santos's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Takada has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Santos is looking to control Takada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Santos avoid being mounted?
Takada not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada wants to pass the guard but Santos is defending well.
Santos is pressing down on Takada's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Santos trying to control the position here.
Santos trying to keep a closed guard but Takada is proving a slippery customer.
Takada forces his way into half guard.
Santos is staying active underneath Takada, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Santos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Takada thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Santos's head.
Santos wants to control but Takada is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Takada thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Santos's head.
Takada takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Takada is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Santos!
Santos is in all sorts of trouble here.
Takada dominating with strikes here.
Santos is desperately trying to improve his position but Takada has a good base and remains in mount.
Takada thowing shots but they're missing.
Santos wants to hold on but Takada pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Santos's face.
Takada thowing shots but they're missing.
Santos is in a horrible position here. Takada smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Santos working to try and regain half guard.
Santos bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Takada looking to hit a scissor sweep but Santos is one step ahead there.
Takada manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Santos manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takada trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.
Santos controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Santos is on top in guard.
Santos won't allow Takada to sweep him here.
Takada utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saguro Takada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jesus Santos's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A nice combination there by Santos.
Santos defending well as Takada loads up on a big left hand.
Takada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takada fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Santos moves into range and connects with a jab.
Santos ducks under a wild hook from Takada.
Santos throws the left hand but Takada avoids the punch easily.
Takada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takada misses with a leg kick
and Santos makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Santos throws a half hearted mid kick.
Takada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Santos moves away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Santos. That's going to slow Takada down.
Santos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Takada.
Santos throws a predictable looking body shot
and Takada counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Santos uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takada.
Takada throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Takada misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santos.
Takada connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos throws a quick inside leg kick.
Santos just misses with a punch to the body.
Santos blocks a jab.
Takada dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Takada lands with an uppercut that bounces Santos off the cage and back into rage.
Takada moves out of range of the leg kick from Santos.
Takada avoids a kick to the body.
Santos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takada connects with a crisp jab.
Santos lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Santos tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Takada is able to avoid easily.

Takada gets a takedown into half guard.
Takada is keen to just control but Santos is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Santos slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Takada postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Takada preventing the sweep.
Takada is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Santos pulls Takada in close to his closed guard and prevents Takada from doing any damage or advancing position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Santos wants to sweep here but Takada controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takada makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Takada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santos looking to control.
Takada thows a big elbow that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Takada throws the left hand but Santos avoids the punch easily.
Santos is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Takada tests Santos's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Santos lands a nice hook to Takada's body. Takada takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Takada tries to close the distance and clinch up but Santos swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takada shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Santos is trying to defend but Takada finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Takada throwing shots but Santos is blocking nicely.
Santos is trying to control but can't.
Takada sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Santos defending well though.
Takada tries to pass to full mount but Santos defends it.
Santos is positioning himself well to prevent Takada advancing to mount.
Takada is looking to take a break and control but Santos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Santos is looking to control Takada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Santos avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saguro Takada really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jesus Santos's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Santos needs to keep his hands up - Takada had a free shot at his head there.
Santos lands with a kick to the temple. Takada shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Santos lands a front kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Takada misses the target.
Santos misses with a body kick.
Takada lands with a hook. Santos tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Santos misses the shot to the body.
Santos works over Takada's head and body with a nice combination.
Takada scores with a jab to the head.

Takada shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Santos is trying to defend but Takada finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Santos regains full guard. Nicely done.
Saguro Takada has got the better of the ground game so far.
Santos wants to sweep here but Takada controlling him for the moment.
Santos can't keep his opponent in guard - Takada advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Takada.
Takada not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Santos tries to get to full guard but Takada has control of the leg.
Santos is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Takada scores with a couple of nice shots.
Takada is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Santos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Takada.
Takada not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

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.
Takada wants to free his trapped foot but Santos is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Santos is looking to control Takada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Santos avoid being mounted?
Takada missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Santos is looking to control Takada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Santos avoid being mounted?
Takada throwing shots but Santos is blocking nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Takada chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Santos can pounce on him.
Santos throws a low kick but it's checked well by Takada.
Santos with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Santos lands with a thumping leg kick.
Santos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Takada has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos throws a combination that misses
and Takada counters with a leg kick.
Takada connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jesus Santos is winning the standup battle so far.
Takada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santos.
Takada tries to clinch up but Santos circles away and keeps his distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santos. Takada does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice straight punches there by Santos. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Santos.

Takada moves into the clinch.
Takada tries to work over Santos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Santos tries a knee to the head but Takada blocks it.
Santos is trying to break the clinch but Takada has him pressed against the cage.
Santos blocking some punches.
Takada drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Santos gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Santos has a couple of punches blocked by Takada.
Takada lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Santos.
Takada fails to pull guard.
Santos looking to throw knees to the head but Takada is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takada wants to break free but Santos has control.
Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Takada is struggling to control the position.

Santos breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Takada misses with a looping right.
Santos fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Takada.
Takada misses with a leg kick
and Santos makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Santos falls off balance throwing a combination
and Takada counters with a nice low kick that buckles Santos's knee momentarily.

Takada scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Takada throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Takada.
Takada throwing shots but Santos is blocking nicely.
Santos wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saguro Takada dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jesus Santos's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A head kick by Takada misses
and Santos counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takada bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Santos's head.
Takada lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Santos connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Takada blocks a low kick nicely.
Takada moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Santos tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Takada is able to avoid easily.
Takada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takada wants to slow Santos down by chopping away at his legs.
Takada misses with a looping right.
Takada tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Santos was well out of range. Poor timing from Takada.
A decent looking cross lands there for Santos.
Takada on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Santos. Santos obviously looking to wear him down.
Takada checks a leg kick.
A big right from Takada misses.
Takada blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takada moves into the clinch.
Takada is trying to drag Santos to the mat but Santos just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Takada wants to break the clinch but can't.
Takada taking a breather.

Santos breaks the clinch.
Santos keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Takada is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Takada shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Takada trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Takada stopping the sweep attempt from Santos.
Takada being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada throws a big right hand that misses.
Santos wants to get back to his feet but Takada is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Takada is looking to work some ground and pound but Santos has wrist control.
Takada is looking to work some ground and pound but Santos has wrist control.
Santos keeping moving, preventing Takada from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Santos slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Santos comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A low kick from Santos misses
letting Takada counter with a right hand.
Santos attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada just misses with a punch to the body.
Takada's corner calls for a 1-2. Takada obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Santos.
Santos misses with a straight left.
Santos moves out of range as Takada strikes.
Takada lands with a thumping leg kick.
Takada tries to score with a low kick but Santos moves his leg out of the way.
Santos scoring well with a low kick there.
Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takada moves away.
Takada uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Santos.
Takada takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A low kick from Santos is predictable there
and Takada counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takada just misses with a punch to the body.
Takada moves out of range of the body kick from Santos.
Santos misses with an uppercut. Takada saw that one coming.
Takada cracks Santos with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Santos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takada was well out of range. Poor timing from Santos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Santos misses the target.
Santos throws a low kick but Takada avoids it.
Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Jab, jab by Takada - just one landing.
Takada tries to bum rush Santos with a series of wild strikes but Santos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Takada throws a good cross that connects.
Santos misses with a body shot.
Takada checks a leg kick.
Santos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takada was well out of range. Poor timing from Santos.
A slow jab from Santos misses its intended target.
Takada throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Santos connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Takada is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Santos's half guard.
Takada tries to pass the half guard into mount. Santos knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Takada trying to control from half guard but Santos is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saguro Takada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takada has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Saguro Takada!
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight for Saguro Takada!
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight for Saguro Takada!

Saguro Takada wins by unanimous decision!