PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Noryuki Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takehiko Takaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Takahashi
vs
Takaki

177 cm
24
155 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

177 cm
20
159 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Conviction
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Noryuki Takahashi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Takehiko Takaki!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takaki throws a solid leg kick but Takahashi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Takaki.
A solid body kick from Takaki.
Takaki tries to work over Takahashi's front leg with a kick but Takahashi checks it.
Takaki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takaki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takahashi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Takaki pinned against the cage. Takaki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Takaki - that will leave a mark!
Takahashi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takaki.
Takahashi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Takaki is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Takahashi.
Takaki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Takahashi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Takahashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takaki avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noryuki Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takaki tries to land a front kick but Takahashi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Takaki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Takaki looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Takahashi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Takaki circles away.
Takaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Takaki with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.

Takaki moves into the clinch successfully.
Stalling in the clinch from Takahashi.
Takaki lands a right hand.
Takahashi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Takahashi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Takaki scores with a shoulder strike.
Takahashi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Takaki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Takahashi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Takahashi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Takaki is defending well for now.
Takaki lands a body punch in the clinch.
Takaki lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaki pushes Takahashi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short left from Takaki.
Takahashi working hard to break the clinch.
Takaki is leaning against Takahashi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takaki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takahashi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Takaki lands a nice uppercut.
Takaki presses Takahashi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Takaki is working Takahashi over against the cage.
Takahashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
A short uppercut from Takaki.
Takahashi takes a shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
Takahashi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Takaki pushes Takahashi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Takaki lands a body punch.
Takaki lands with a right to the head.
Takahashi wants to break free but Takaki has control.
Takahashi is trying to break free.
Takaki lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Takaki.
Takaki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki works on Takahashi's body with a couple of short punches.
Nice body punch from Takaki - that landed with a thud.
Takaki lands with a left to the head.
Takaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Takaki is working Takahashi over against the cage.
Takaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Still in the clinch, Takaki scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takaki lands with a light punch inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
Takahashi tries to break the clinch but Takaki is controlling the position.
Takahashi wants a takedown.
A right handed body shot lands from Takaki.
Takaki lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Takaki.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takaki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Takaki as the two fighters clinch.
Takaki lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takaki gets underhooks to prevent Takahashi's takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takehiko Takaki dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Takaki has closed the distance and engaged Takahashi in a clinch.
Takaki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nice body punch from Takaki - that landed with a thud.
Takaki blocks an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Takaki.
Takaki lands a body punch.
A body shot lands from Takaki.
Takaki is working Takahashi over against the cage.
Takaki lands a nice shot to the body.
Takaki keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Takahashi's efforts to push away.
Takaki lands with a right to the head.
A right hand to the body from Takaki.
Takaki cracks Takahashi with a nice body shot.
Takahashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Takaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takaki lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Takaki stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A body shot lands from Takaki.
Nice body punch from Takaki.
A frustrated look appears on Takahashi's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaki lands a nice uppercut.
Takaki lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Takaki scores with a hook to the body.
Takaki is leaning against Takahashi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A body shot lands from Takaki.
A right handed body shot lands from Takaki.
Takaki lands a body shot.
A hook to the body from Takaki.
A short right from Takaki.
Takehiko Takaki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A right hook to the body lands for Takaki.
Takaki scores with a hook to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Takaki.
Takaki lands a nice uppercut.
Takaki scores with a shot to the side of Takahashi's head.
Takahashi tries to land knees in the clinch but Takaki avoids the damage to the body.
A short uppercut from Takaki.
Takaki lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Takahashi.
Takaki lands a right hand.
Takaki scores with a nice hook to the head.
Takahashi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takaki lands a left hand.

Takahashi is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaki lands a hook to the side of the head.
Oh Takahashi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Takahashi wants to get back to striking at distance but Takaki won't allow it.
Takaki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Takaki.
Takahashi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takahashi seems to have got his legs back now.
Takaki lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Takahashi wants to get back to striking at distance but Takaki won't allow it.
Takaki lands a body punch.
Takaki lands with a light punch inside.
Takaki lands an uppercut.
Takaki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Takaki lands a nice shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takaki lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Takaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki lands a shot to the body.
Takaki lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Takahashis head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
Takaki lands a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Takaki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaki stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Takaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Good body shot from Takaki.
Takaki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Takahashi or not.
Takaki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Takahashi or not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takaki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Takaki lands with a left to the head.
Takaki scores with a shot to the side of Takahashi's head.
Takaki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Takahashi or not.
Takaki scores with a hook to the body.
Takaki lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Takahashi.
Takaki lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Still in the clinch, Takaki scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takaki digs a right hand into Takahashi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Takahashi's gas tank.
A body shot lands from Takaki.
Takaki lands with a short shot to the head.
Takaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Takahashis head.
Takaki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Takaki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Takaki.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takaki.
Takahashi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Takaki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takahashi wants a takedown.
A right handed body shot lands from Takaki.
Takaki gets through Takahashi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Takaki.
Takaki is leaning against Takahashi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takaki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Takaki lands a shot to the body.
Takaki gets through Takahashi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Takaki as the two fighters clinch.
Takaki works on Takahashi's body with a couple of short punches.
Takaki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takaki.
A right hand to the body from Takaki.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
Takaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takaki prevents Takahashi from breaking the clinch.
Takaki keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Takahashi's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takehiko Takaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Takaki throws a front kick that sends Takahashi stumbling back into the cage.
Takaki lands with a slapping head kick.
Takaki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Takahashi.
A nice leg kick lands there from Takaki.

Takaki has Takahashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Takahashi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Takaki works on Takahashi's body with a couple of short punches.
Takaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takaki.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takaki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Takaki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Takaki.
Takahashi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Takaki avoids it.
A right hook to the body lands for Takaki.
Takahashi tries a body shot but Takaki blocks it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
Takaki lands a nice uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Takaki.
Still in the clinch, Takaki scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takaki lands a nice shot to the body.
Takaki lands a shot to the body.
Takahashi is trying to break free.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takaki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Takaki lands a shoulder strike.
A shot in the inside from Takaki.
Takaki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Takahashi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Takaki lands a body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
Takaki lands a shoulder strike.
Takahashi working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaki lands a nice uppercut.
Takahashi can't break the clinch.
Takaki scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Takaki.
Takaki lands with a short shot to the head.
Takaki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Takahashis head.
Takaki is leaning against Takahashi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takaki is working Takahashi over against the cage.
A hook to the body from Takaki.
Nice body punch from Takaki - that landed with a thud.
Takaki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Takaki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takaki scores with a hook to the body.
Takaki cracks Takahashi with a nice body shot.
Takaki lands a shoulder strike.
Takaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki lands a shot to the body.
Takaki lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki blocks an elbow strike.
Takahashi wants a takedown.
Takaki digs a right hand underneath Takahashi's ribcage. Takahashi let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Takaki - that landed with a thud.
A short body shot lands from Takaki as the two fighters clinch.
Takaki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Takahashi or not.
Takaki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Takaki lands a left hand.
Takaki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Takahashi or not.
Takaki scores with a shot to the side of Takahashi's head.
Takahashi working hard to break the clinch.
Takaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Takahashis head.
A hook to the body from Takaki.
Takaki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takaki cracks Takahashi with a nice body shot.
Takaki is working Takahashi over against the cage.
Takaki is leaning against Takahashi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takaki.
Takaki cracks Takahashi with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Takaki - that landed with a thud.
Takaki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Good body shot from Takaki.
Takaki lands a nice uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Takaki.
Takaki lands a body shot.
A short uppercut from Takaki.
Takaki scores with a shot to the side of Takahashi's head.
Takaki lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takahashi wants to break free but Takaki has control.
Takaki gets through Takahashi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Takaki.
Takaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Takaki.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takaki.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takaki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Takaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Takaki.
Takaki pushes Takahashi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takahashi tries to circle away but Takaki has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takehiko Takaki really dominated that round.
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.

Takaki feints and then cracks Takahashi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Takahashi down.
Takehiko Takaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takaki is looking to slow Takahashi down with leg kicks.
Takaki lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jab from Takaki.
An inside leg kick lands from Takaki.
Takaki keeps Takahashi at a distance using the push kick.
Takahashi takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Takahashi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Takaki thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Takahashi if he has to take too many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaki circles to his right before unloading a perfect head kick! Takahashi drops to the canvas, hurt badly! Takaki follows Takahashi to the ground and unloads with a series of strikes that force the referee to step in and end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:09 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Takehiko Takaki! Takehiko Takaki retains his featherweight title!