PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Meguru Takayanagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Takayanagi's choice of entrance music: All Rounder Meguru. 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.

Steamboat
vs
Takayanagi

178 cm
32
150 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

171 cm
28
160 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Steamboat!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Meguru Takayanagi!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steamboat is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Takayanagi checks a low kick from Steamboat.
Takayanagi dives in and grabs Steamboat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Steamboat pushes down on Takayanagi's head and hops out.
Steamboat throws a push kick but Takayanagi slaps the foot to one side.
Steamboat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steamboat throws a leg kick but Takayanagi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Takayanagi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A good leg kick by Steamboat.
Takayanagi looks for a takedown but Steamboat sprawls well.
Steamboat lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Takayanagi tries for a takedown but Steamboat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ricky Steamboat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Meguru Takayanagi.
Steamboat takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayanagi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Takayanagi blocks the body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Steamboat. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Steamboat.
Steamboat's corner calls for a 1-2. Steamboat obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Steamboat just misses with a punch to the body.
Takayanagi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steamboat.
Steamboat throws a shot from downtown. Takayanagi moves away and avoids it.
Steamboat waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takayanagi.
Steamboat thows a leg kick but Takayanagi checks it

and Takayanagi counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Steamboat struggling a bit here.
Steamboat tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Takayanagi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takayanagi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Steamboat has escaped the position, nice work there.

Takayanagi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Steamboat manages to work his way to half guard, despite Takayanagi's best efforts.
Takayanagi with the ground and pound but Steamboat uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat trying to control the position.
Steamboat keeping moving, preventing Takayanagi from controlling successfully.
Takayanagi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Steamboat is keeping the position for now.
Takayanagi has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Lock and Roll Grappling Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Takayanagi is still trying to improve position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Takayanagi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Steamboat holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Ricky Steamboat wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A big left from Takayanagi misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takayanagi takes a swing at Steamboat's ribcage but misses.
Steamboat attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Steamboat looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Takayanagi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Steamboat sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ricky Steamboat will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Steamboat works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Steamboat lands a head kick. Takayanagi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Steamboat fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takayanagi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A jab from Steamboat does it's job there.
A jab from Steamboat misses.
Steamboat throws out a powerful jab.
Steamboat keeps Takayanagi at a distance using the push kick.
Takayanagi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steamboat.
Steamboat cracks Takayanagi with an open hand slap.
Takayanagi feints and then cracks Steamboat's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Steamboat down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steamboat bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Steamboat fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat throws a body kick that misses.

Takayanagi scores with a takedown into Steamboat's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Steamboat holds on and takes a little breather.
Takayanagi trying to control but Steamboat is working from the bottom.
Steamboat looking to hit a scissor sweep but Takayanagi is one step ahead there.
Takayanagi wants to pass the guard but Steamboat is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Takayanagi wants to control from the top but Steamboat keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ricky Steamboat.
Steamboat misses with a looping left.
Nice sprawl there from Steamboat as Takayanagi shoots in.
Steamboat fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Steamboat looks to score with a jab to the body but Takayanagi is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Steamboat as he checks the leg kick.
Takayanagi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Steamboat checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Steamboat looks to throw a body kick
and Takayanagi counters with a low kick, right behind Steamboat 's knee.
Ricky Steamboat is winning the standup battle so far.
Steamboat tries to score with a low kick but Takayanagi moves his leg out of the way.
Takayanagi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Takayanagi fails to land the takedown.
Takayanagi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Takayanagi fails with the takedown
and Steamboat counters with a nice body kick.
Ricky Steamboat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Meguru Takayanagi.
Steamboat has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Takayanagi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat connects with a looping right hand.
An inside leg kick from Steamboat misses.
Takayanagi thows a body shot but no joy.
Steamboat looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Takayanagi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Steamboat changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Steamboat moves forwards but Takayanagi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takayanagi throws a head kick but Steamboat moves out of range.
Takayanagi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Steamboat's calf.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steamboat lands a glancing blow to the side of Takayanagi's head.
Steamboat fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Takayanagi darts in looking for a takedown but Steamboat gets double underhooks and turns Takayanagi into the cage.
Steamboat lands an uppercut.
Takayanagi trying to land knees to the body.
Takayanagi blocks an uppercut.
Steamboat taking a breather.
Takayanagi tries to work over Steamboat's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steamboat pushes Takayanagi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Takayanagi prevents a body shot from Steamboat.
Takayanagi can't get the takedown.
Steamboat avoiding damage.
Steamboat misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Takayanagi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Steamboat breaks from the clinch.
Takayanagi moves out of range as Steamboat throws a body kick.
Steamboat with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Steamboat enables Takayanagi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Steamboat manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Takayanagi trying to move into half guard but instead Steamboat has managed to sweep!

Takayanagi working for submissions but it's allowed Steamboat to get to half guard.
Steamboat is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Takayanagi manages to get to full guard.
Steamboat trying to control the position from guard on top but Takayanagi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takayanagi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Takayanagi looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Takayanagi is looking for a triangle but Steamboat pushes his legs off easily.
Takayanagi is striking but Steamboat is not phased and passes to half guard.
Steamboat wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takayanagi keeps working.
Steamboat trying to control the pace.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takayanagi tries to get to full guard but Steamboat has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat content to control rather than advance.
Meguru Takayanagi has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ricky Steamboat.
Takayanagi works the jab nicely.
That kick from Steamboat tenderised Takayanagi's leg. Takayanagi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Steamboat fakes the leg kick and cracks Takayanagi in the body.
Takayanagi misses with a takedown attempt - Steamboat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ricky Steamboat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Meguru Takayanagi.
Takayanagi shoots in and drives through. Steamboat sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat loads up on a big right hand but Takayanagi slips the punch.
Takayanagi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Takayanagi is looking to slow Steamboat down with leg kicks.
Takayanagi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Steamboat lands a jab to the nose.
Steamboat gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Steamboat tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steamboat fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takayanagi thows a leg kick but Steamboat checks it
and Steamboat counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Takayanagi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Takayanagi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Takayanagi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Takayanagi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A clash of legs there as Takayanagi blocks the low kick.
Steamboat misses with a two punch combination.
A jab lands there for Takayanagi.
Takayanagi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steamboat tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takayanagi was well out of range. Poor timing from Steamboat.
A head kick misses from Steamboat.
Steamboat moves out of range of the body kick.
Takayanagi fails with a takedown attempt.
Steamboat is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Steamboat misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayanagi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Steamboat at a distance.
Takayanagi tries a low kick but Steamboat avoids it.
Takayanagi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Steamboat swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steamboat pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Takayanagi back to the cage. Steamboat follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takayanagi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Steamboat sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Steamboat throws a chopping leg kick but Takayanagi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Steamboat avoids the head kick by Takayanagi.
Steamboat 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.
Takayanagi misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi throws a body punch but Steamboat moves out of range.
Takayanagi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steamboat.
Steamboat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Takayanagi.
Ricky Steamboat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Meguru Takayanagi.
Takayanagi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Takayanagi takes one to the side of the head.
Takayanagi with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Steamboat counter with a right hand.
Steamboat swinging wildly here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Steamboat gets a clinch.
Takayanagi fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi takes an elbow to the forehead.
Steamboat lands a shot to the body.
Steamboat blocks an uppercut.

Steamboat's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steamboat connects with a solid leg kick.
Steamboat throws the kick towards the body but Takayanagi avoids it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Takayanagi.
Takayanagi shoots in looking for a takedown but Steamboat manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Takayanagi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Steamboat lands a jab.
Takayanagi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Steamboat connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takayanagi scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi throws a lazy head kick
and Steamboat counters with a stiff right hand.
Steamboat misses with a series of wild punches.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Takayanagi.
Steamboat throws a leg kick but Takayanagi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Steamboat throws out a powerful jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steamboat scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice takedown defense from Steamboat. No joy for Takayanagi on that attempt.
Takayanagi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Takayanagi looks to land a combination. Steamboat sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Steamboat had his way with Meguru Takayanagi in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A bone on bone clash there as Steamboat blocks the leg kick.
Steamboat connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Takayanagi's hands.
Takayanagi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Steamboat.
Steamboat swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Takayanagi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Steamboat pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The fighters circle momentarily. Steamboat darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Steamboat lands a high kick!

Takayanagi is rocked!
Takayanagi swings for the body but Steamboat moves out of range.
Takayanagi is still on wobbly legs! Can Steamboat finish him?
Steamboat lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Takayanagi shoots for a takedown but Steamboat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Steamboat drops Takayanagi with a straight right hand, right on the button! Steamboat follows him down to the mat and pounds him out with hammerfists until the referee jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ricky Steamboat!
Ricky Steamboat retains his featherweight title!