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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). Takayanagi has chosen All Rounder Meguru as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 178 cm
33
150 lbs
10 - 3 - 0 |
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171 cm
29
160 lbs
8 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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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
10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Steamboat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Meguru Takayanagi!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takayanagi avoids the body shot from Steamboat.
Steamboat lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Takayanagi fails with a takedown attempt.
Steamboat attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Takayanagi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Takayanagi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Takayanagi goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Steamboat has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Takayanagi but great work by Steamboat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takayanagi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Steamboat wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Takayanagi keeps trying to improve his position.
Takayanagi struggling a bit here.
Takayanagi tries to improve position but can't.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayanagi strikes from the bottom but Steamboat takes advantage and advances to full mount!
Takayanagi tries to hold on but Steamboat postures up.
Takayanagi felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Takayanagi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Takayanagi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Takayanagi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Takayanagi has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Steamboat is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Takayanagi.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat is looking to take a break and control but Takayanagi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Takayanagi is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Steamboat is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Steamboat can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Takayanagi is looking to escape.
Steamboat avoids the attempt from Takayanagi to control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat wants to control the pace but Takayanagi is squirming around nicely.
Takayanagi is trying to escape the mount.
Steamboat content just to control the position here.
Takayanagi gets back to half guard.
Steamboat controlling the action here.
Takayanagi looking for submissions off his back.
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.
Takayanagi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Steamboat's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Steamboat's back!
Steamboat is trying to break free.
Takayanagi tightening his grip on Steamboat, looking for the choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takayanagi lands with a hammerfist to the side of Steamboat's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Meguru Takayanagi will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Steamboat takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Takayanagi throws a combination that misses
and Steamboat counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takayanagi shoots in but no luck this time.
Steamboat turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takayanagi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Steamboat throws a shot from downtown. Takayanagi moves away and avoids it.
Steamboat lands a right hook to the body.
Steamboat has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Takayanagi finds it's way round the side to connect with Steamboat's head.
Steamboat moves in looking to clinch but Takayanagi pushes him off.
Takayanagi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Takayanagi throws a leg kick but Steamboat sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takayanagi cracks Steamboat with an open hand slap.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat misses with a shot to the body
enabling Takayanagi to counter with a crisp jab.
Steamboat thumps Takayanagi with a low kick.
A shot to the liver by Steamboat. Beautiful body shot.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takayanagi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Steamboat blocks a low kick nicely.
Steamboat fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takayanagi manages to avoid it.
Takayanagi misses with a few strikes there.
Ricky Steamboat is winning the standup battle so far.
Steamboat takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takayanagi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Takayanagi lands a jab to Steamboat's midsection.
Steamboat looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Takayanagi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steamboat.
Takayanagi avoids a punch combination nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Takayanagi shoots in for a takedown but Steamboat shows good takedown defense.
Takayanagi throws a sloppy head kick and Steamboat moves out of range easily.
Takayanagi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Takayanagi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Steamboat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Takayanagi somewhat.
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 bounces Steamboat off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Steamboat is trying to keep Takayanagi in close.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Steamboat trying to keep a closed guard but Takayanagi is proving a slippery customer.
Steamboat looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Takayanagi puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Takayanagi is pressing down on Steamboat's thigh, looking to free his foot. Steamboat is holding on for now.
Steamboat is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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.
Takayanagi is thwarting Steamboat's attempts to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Takayanagi throws out a powerful jab.
Steamboat lands a two punch combo.
Takayanagi misses with a right hand
and Steamboat counters with a series of strikes. Takayanagi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Takayanagi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Meguru Takayanagi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!
Steamboat throws a leg kick but Takayanagi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Steamboat. Takayanagi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takayanagi dives in and grabs Steamboat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Steamboat pushes down on Takayanagi's head and hops out.
Steamboat lands a leg kick that knocks Takayanagi off balance momentarily.
Takayanagi dives in for a single leg takedown but Steamboat sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Steamboat works on Takayanagi's body with a couple of short punches.
Takayanagi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Steamboat pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ricky Steamboat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Meguru Takayanagi.
Steamboat doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steamboat throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Takayanagis head.
Steamboat scores with a shot to the side of Takayanagi's head.
Steamboat struggles to land a body shot inside as Takayanagi controls his hands.
Takayanagi misses with a body punch.
Steamboat comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Steamboat.
Steamboat prevents Takayanagi from breaking the clinch.
Takayanagi wants a takedown.
Takayanagi tries a body shot but Steamboat blocks it.
Takayanagi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Steamboat pulls his leg out and moves away.
Steamboat fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Steamboat lands a high kick!
Steamboat stuffs the takedown attempt from Takayanagi. Takayanagi gets slowly back to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Steamboat scores with a four punch combination!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat looks to land a body kick but Takayanagi moved away.
Crunch! Steamboat slams his shin into Takayanagi's torso.
Takayanagi dives in and grabs Steamboat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Steamboat pushes down on Takayanagi's head and hops out.
Takayanagi doesn't manage to clinch there - Steamboat circles away.
Takayanagi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Steamboat avoids it really well and circles away.
Steamboat tries to clinch
and Takayanagi counters with a good low kick that Steamboat was not able to check.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Steamboat tries a head kick but it misses.
Steamboat misses with a hook. Takayanagi ducked under it nicely.
Steamboat throws a hook but Takayanagi avoids it easily.
Takayanagi misses with a leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Takayanagi tries a head kick but it misses.
Steamboat just misses with a punch to the body.
Crunch! Takayanagi slams his shin into Steamboat's torso.
Steamboat feints and then cracks Takayanagi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Takayanagi down.
Takayanagi lands a nice hook to Steamboat's body. Steamboat takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Takayanagi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Steamboat is out of range and Takayanagi settles back down.
Takayanagi staying out of range there.
A big right from Steamboat misses.
Steamboat with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Steamboat checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Steamboat misses the shot to the body.
Steamboat motions for Takayanagi to come forward. Steamboat throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ricky Steamboat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steamboat defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Takayanagi.
Takayanagi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steamboat.
Steamboat gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Takayanagi to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Takayanagi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steamboat is looking for a triangle but Takayanagi pushes his legs off easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Steamboat showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Takayanagi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Meguru Takayanagi!
During a confident post fight interview, Meguru Takayanagi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
43% |
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