PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between TJ Welsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuuga Ikeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Welsh's entrance music is Lets Have A War. A fine choice. Yuuga Ikeda has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Welsh
vs
Ikeda

190 cm
25
199 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

189 cm
16
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

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 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, TJ Welsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Yuuga Ikeda!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Welsh shoots in looking for a takedown but Ikeda manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Welsh's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ikeda fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Ikeda gets caught flat footed, as Welsh shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ikeda has a closed guard, preventing Welsh from standing up.
Welsh sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Welsh stopping the sweep attempt from Ikeda.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Ikeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. TJ Welsh wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ikeda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ikeda wants to stand but Welsh is controlling his arm.
Welsh prevents Ikeda from moving into mount.

Welsh bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Welsh shoots in for a takedown but Ikeda shows good takedown defense.

Welsh closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ikeda did well to prevent Welsh getting side control.
Welsh tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Ikeda.
Welsh trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Welsh is working for a submission of some sort.

Welsh is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welsh is looking to advance position but Ikeda won't allow it.
Welsh controlling the pace.
Ikeda trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ikeda tries to roll over but Welsh keeps him under control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Welsh trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. TJ Welsh wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Welsh wants to clinch up but Ikeda keeps it at a distance.

Welsh clinches up with Ikeda and pushes him back against the cage.
Ikeda takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ikeda is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Welsh pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Welsh lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Yuuga Ikeda has been cut.
Ikeda tries to pull guard but Welsh holds him up against the cage and eventually Ikeda drops back down to his feet.
TJ Welsh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuuga Ikeda.
Ikeda throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ikeda is trying to pull guard but Welsh turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ikeda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Welsh just stands there and leans against the cage.
Knees to the body from Welsh.
Ikeda looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Welsh pressing his opponent against the cage.
Welsh looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Welsh has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Ikeda regains guard immediately.
Ikeda preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ikeda working a defensive guard here.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Ikeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Welsh drops back looking for a leg! Ikeda is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ikeda manages to kick Welsh off! Welsh jumps back into Ikeda's guard.
Welsh looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Welsh is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ikeda is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ikeda has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Welsh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yuuga Ikeda's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Welsh shoots in looking for a takedown but Ikeda manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Welsh's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Welsh stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Welsh wants it to stay on the feet.

Welsh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Welsh lands in his opponent's guard.

Ikeda has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Welsh can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Welsh trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ikeda's guard.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Ikeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Welsh working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Welsh distracts Ikeda with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Welsh decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Welsh stuffs the takedown attempt from Ikeda. Ikeda gets slowly back to his feet.
Ikeda shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Welsh sprawls well. Welsh wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ikeda gets slowly back to his feet.
TJ Welsh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuuga Ikeda.

Welsh instigates a clinch.
Welsh with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welsh is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A body shot lands from Welsh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Welsh takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ikeda is looking to break free of the clinch but Welsh has double underhooks.
Ikeda is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Welsh is defending well for now.

Welsh jumps guard and drags Ikeda to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Welsh is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ikeda stops Welsh from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ikeda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Welsh is keeping the position for now.
Ikeda won't allow Welsh to sweep him here.

TJ Welsh has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Welsh decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Welsh is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ikeda is just riding it out for now. Welsh eventually gives up the hold.
Welsh wants to stand up but Ikeda manages to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ikeda tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ikeda is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Welsh wants to control from the top but Ikeda keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Welsh postures up.
Welsh trying to control but Ikeda is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Welsh stopping the sweep attempt from Ikeda.

TJ Welsh has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ikeda, right into the meat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Welsh drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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!
Welsh moves into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Welsh dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yuuga Ikeda's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Welsh tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ikeda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No luck for Welsh with that takedown attempt.
Ikeda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Welsh is fending him off so far but Ikeda persists. Nope, Welsh circles away and we're back to standing.
Ikeda shoots in for a takedown but Welsh shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Welsh tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ikeda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Welsh shoots in looking for a takedown but Ikeda manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Welsh's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ikeda moves in looking to clinch but Welsh pushes him off.
Ikeda misses with a takedown attempt - Welsh sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
TJ Welsh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuuga Ikeda.
Welsh misses with a jab, cross combination.

Ikeda decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ikeda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Welsh keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Ikeda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Welsh is refusing to be controlled, as Ikeda sits in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Welsh has a takedown stuffed.
Ikeda closes this distance looking for a takedown but Welsh circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Welsh feints and as Ikeda raises his hands in defense, Welsh changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ikeda has a closed guard, preventing Welsh from standing up.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Ikeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Welsh postures up.
Welsh preventing the sweep.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Welsh tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ikeda swivels and escapes.
Welsh misses with a takedown attempt - Ikeda sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ikeda closes the distance and clinches up with Welsh, looking for a takedown. Ikeda pushes Welsh against the cage but Welsh circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welsh closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ikeda circles away.
Ikeda tries to clinch up but Welsh circles away and keeps his distance.

Welsh looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Ikeda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Welsh defends well.
Ikeda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Welsh wants to control from the top but Ikeda keeps moving.
Ikeda is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
TJ Welsh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Welsh slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because TJ Welsh just wasn't active enough.
An inside leg kick from Ikeda misses.
Welsh wants to clinch.
Welsh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ikeda sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Welsh somewhat.
Welsh circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Welsh shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ikeda pinned against the cage. Ikeda gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ikeda throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to TJ Welsh.
Well Welsh has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... TJ Welsh!
After the fight, TJ Welsh was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.