PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Noryuki Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaroslav Svoboda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Svoboda has chosen Giles as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Takahashi
vs
Svoboda

177 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

174 cm
21
155 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Noryuki Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jaroslav Svoboda!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svoboda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takahashi moves away.
Svoboda misses with a low kick.
Svoboda throws a leg kick which misses Takahashi's front leg but catches the back leg as Takahashi tries to avoid it.
Takahashi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Svoboda checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Takahashi looks to score with a jab to the body but Svoboda is just out of range.
Takahashi wants to clinch up but Svoboda keeps it at a distance.
Takahashi tried to score with a low kick but Svoboda checks it.
Takahashi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Svoboda chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Svoboda throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Takahashi's head.

Svoboda closes the distance and clinches.
Takahashi looking for a takedown.
Svoboda creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takahashi's defenses.

Takahashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Svoboda avoids the head kick by Takahashi.
Takahashi missing with a left hand there. Svoboda was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svoboda lands a nice looking body kick.
Takahashi wants to clinch.

Svoboda has taken the fight to the clinch.
Svoboda lands an elbow inside that Takahashi shrugs off.
Svoboda pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Takahashi tries to pull guard but Svoboda holds him up against the cage and eventually Takahashi drops back down to his feet.
Svoboda lands a damaging elbow.
Takahashi missing with knees to the body.
Takahashi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Svoboda throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Svoboda unloads a knee to the mid-section. Takahashi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Takahashi tries to pull guard but Svoboda holds him up against the cage and eventually Takahashi drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noryuki Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Svoboda blocks it with crossed arms.
Svoboda avoiding damage.
Svoboda throws a knee to the head but misses.
Svoboda throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Svoboda lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svoboda tries to land knees in the clinch but Takahashi avoids the damage to the body.
Svoboda creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takahashi's defenses.
Svoboda managing to block the knees to the body from Takahashi.
Nice elbow from Svoboda.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.
Svoboda unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Svoboda throws an elbow that misses.
Svoboda throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nice elbow from Svoboda.
Takahashi jumps guard but Svoboda stands there with Takahashi around his waist. Takahashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Svoboda keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Takahashi's efforts to push away.
Takahashi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Svoboda pulls his leg out and moves away.
Takahashi throws a hook but Svoboda avoids it easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Takahashi.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Svoboda wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi wants to control but Svoboda is keeping him busy.
Svoboda wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Svoboda prevents Takahashi from moving into mount.
Svoboda is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Takahashi misses with a wild combination.

Svoboda pushes Takahashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Takahashi avoids the elbow strike from Svoboda, against the cage.
Svoboda misses with an elbow strike.
Svoboda looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Svoboda lands an elbow inside that Takahashi shrugs off.

Takahashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jaroslav Svoboda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Svoboda misses with a body kick.
Takahashi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Svoboda chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Noryuki Takahashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Svoboda throws a chopping leg kick but Takahashi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaroslav Svoboda 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.

Takahashi swings for the body but Svoboda moves out of range.
Takahashi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Svoboda pinned against the cage. Svoboda gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Svoboda cracks Takahashi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Svoboda throws the kick towards the body but Takahashi avoids it.
Takahashi tried to score with a low kick but Svoboda checks it.
Takahashi wants to clinch
and Svoboda counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svoboda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takahashi.
Noryuki Takahashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takahashi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Svoboda sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takahashi blocks a head kick by Svoboda.

Svoboda darts in and clinches Takahashi up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svoboda scores a nice knee to the body.
Svoboda lands a nice elbow.
Takahashi takes an elbow to the temple.
Takahashi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noryuki Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi blocks an elbow strike.
Takahashi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Svoboda pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Svoboda lands an elbow inside that Takahashi shrugs off.
Svoboda throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Svoboda is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Takahashi avoiding damage as Svoboda throws knees to the body.
Svoboda lands an elbow inside.
Svoboda creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takahashi's defenses.
Svoboda tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Takahashi avoids it.
Svoboda blocks an elbow strike.
Svoboda lands a nice elbow.
Takahashi takes an elbow to the temple.
Svoboda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Svoboda is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Svoboda comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Svoboda utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Svoboda obliges.
Takahashi takes an elbow to the forehead.
A bit of stalling here from Svoboda.
Takahashi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice elbow from Svoboda.
With the fighters up against the cage, Svoboda throws an elbow but misses.
Takahashi letting Svoboda take a breather here.
Takahashi takes an elbow to the temple.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Takahashi looking to slow down the pace here.
Svoboda lands an elbow inside that Takahashi shrugs off.
Svoboda unloads a knee to the mid-section. Takahashi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Svoboda taking a breather.
Svoboda misses with an elbow over the top.
Takahashi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Svoboda gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Svoboda lands an elbow inside.
The referee is keeping an eye on Svoboda - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Takahashi is trying to force a seperation but Svoboda has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svoboda looking to throw knees to the head but Takahashi is blocking nicely.
Svoboda lands a nice elbow.
Svoboda is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Svoboda throws a knee to the head but misses.
Come on Svoboda - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Svoboda misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Svoboda.
Takahashi being controlled against the cage.
Svoboda throws a knee to the head but misses.
Svoboda is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Takahashi tries to break the clinch but Svoboda is controlling the position.
Svoboda holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jaroslav Svoboda.
Svoboda throws a push kick but Takahashi slaps the foot to one side.

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.
Takahashi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Svoboda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Svoboda throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Takahashi misses with the combination.

Takahashi tries to keep at a distance but Svoboda has taken the fight into the clinch.
Svoboda lands a nice elbow.
Takahashi is trying to force a seperation but Svoboda has the dominant position.
Svoboda prevents Takahashi from breaking the clinch.
Takahashi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Takahashi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Svoboda is defending well for now.
Svoboda creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takahashi's defenses.
Takahashi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Takahashi.
Svoboda tries a knee to the head but Takahashi blocks it.
Takahashi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Takahashi takes an elbow to the temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaroslav Svoboda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Takahashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Takahashi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Takahashi tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Svoboda with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takahashi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Svoboda has taken the fight to the clinch.
Svoboda stalling in the clinch.
Svoboda connects with a nasty looking knee right to Takahashi's face.
The referee is keeping an eye on Svoboda - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Takahashi has had enough of the clinch but Svoboda keeps him there for the moment.
Svoboda gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Svoboda lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Jaroslav Svoboda seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Takahashi avoiding damage as Svoboda throws knees to the body.
Svoboda lands a nice elbow.
Takahashi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Takahashi takes an elbow to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takahashi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Svoboda goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Takahashi wants to clinch but Svoboda slips to the side
and Svoboda counters with a nice body shot.
A clash of legs there as Svoboda blocks the low kick.
Takahashi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svoboda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Svoboda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from Svoboda.
Svoboda defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Takahashi.
Svoboda moves out of range of the strikes.
Svoboda with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Good leg kick by Svoboda there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Svoboda fakes the leg kick and cracks Takahashi in the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svoboda throws a leg kick which misses Takahashi's front leg but catches the back leg as Takahashi tries to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Takahashi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Svoboda - the referee stops the clock and Takahashi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Svoboda. Takahashi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Svoboda lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Svoboda lands a head kick. Takahashi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Takahashi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Svoboda connects with a solid leg kick.
A good leg kick by Svoboda.
Svoboda throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Takahashi.
Svoboda chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Takahashi tries to clinch
and Svoboda counters with an inside leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Takahashi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Svoboda - the referee stops the clock and Takahashi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Svoboda. Takahashi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Svoboda scoring well with a low kick there.
Jaroslav Svoboda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svoboda thows a body kick. Takahashi tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Takahashi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Takahashi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Svoboda scoring well with a low kick there.
Takahashi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jaroslav Svoboda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Svoboda throws a head kick that Takahashi semi-blocks.
A slapping body kick lands there for Svoboda.
Svoboda throws a nice outside leg kick.
Svoboda lands a nice looking body kick.
Takahashi will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Svoboda throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A head kick from Svoboda lands but Takahashi takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svoboda lands a head kick. Takahashi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Svoboda buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Svoboda dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takahashi. That did some damage!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Svoboda.
Svoboda tries a head kick but it misses.
Svoboda throws a head kick that half lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Takahashi has closed the distance and engaged Svoboda in a clinch.
Noryuki Takahashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takahashi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Svoboda has him pressed against the cage.
Takahashi fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noryuki Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Svoboda prevents Takahashi from breaking the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takahashi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Svoboda is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Svoboda putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Takahashi in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Svoboda gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Noryuki Takahashi has been cut.
Svoboda holding his opponent close, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jaroslav Svoboda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Svoboda 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jaroslav Svoboda!