PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and TAKAMORI GOMA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takahashi comes to the cage accompanied by Tokyo Drift. 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
GOMA

172 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

173 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, TAKAMORI GOMA!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

GOMA shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Takahashi's guard.
Takahashi wants to stand up but GOMA is controlling him.
Takahashi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
GOMA trying to stand up but can't free himself from Takahashi's guard.
GOMA trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
GOMA stopping the sweep attempt from Takahashi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

GOMA gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi avoids the head kick by GOMA.
Takahashi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Takahashi throws a series of punches but GOMA avoids them all with ease.
Takahashi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
GOMA chopping away at his opponent's legs.
GOMA bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Takahashi's head backwards.
Takahashi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and GOMA counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
GOMA tries to stand but Takahashi is controlling from the bottom.
Takahashi throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Takahashi wants to get back to his feet but GOMA is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Takahashi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as GOMA controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
GOMA is looking to work some ground and pound but Takahashi has wrist control.
GOMA is looking to stand up but Takahashi won't let him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Takahashi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and GOMA counters with a straight right hand.
Takahashi throws an overhand right that lands on GOMA's shoulder, as GOMA tries to avoid the shot.
GOMA digs a good body shot into Takahashi's ribs.
Takahashi fails with the takedown
and GOMA counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
GOMA throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Takahashi throws a sloppy head kick
enabling GOMA to counter with a crisp jab.
GOMA takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

GOMA moves into the clinch.
GOMA throws a head punch that misses.
GOMA is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Takahashi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
GOMA swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takahashi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Takahashi tries to break the clinch but GOMA is controlling the position.
Takahashi has GOMA pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. GOMA manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
GOMA misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
GOMA lands a right hand.
GOMA swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takahashi is working for takedown but GOMA is calmly controlling the position for now.
Takahashi goes for a takedown attempt but GOMA pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Takahashi scores with a four punch combination!
Takahashi misses with a double jab

and GOMA counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by GOMA.

GOMA stands up from Takahashi's guard - GOMA perhaps looking for a knockout.

GOMA shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TAKAMORI GOMA dominated that round.
That's time! Takahashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takahashi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takahashi misses with a double jab

and GOMA counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Takahashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Takahashi is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

GOMA gets to his feet - Takahashi follows without any prompting.
Takahashi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and GOMA counters with a single leg into guard. Takahashi didn't expect that.
GOMA trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takahashi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

GOMA stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Takahashi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and GOMA counters with a series of strikes. Takahashi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Takahashi takes one to the side of the head.
Takahashi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and GOMA connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
GOMA works over Takahashi's head and body with a nice combination.
Takahashi throws a leg kick

and GOMA counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takahashi looks to move to half guard but instead GOMA has passed into mount! Damn!

GOMA gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

GOMA closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Takahashi to the mat! Takahashi manages to get full guard.

GOMA stands and steps away. Takahashi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

GOMA clinches with his opponent.
GOMA stops a takedown attempt from Takahashi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

GOMA successfully pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to control but GOMA is working from the bottom.
GOMA wants to get back to his feet but Takahashi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Takahashi throws a strike but GOMA rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Takahashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Takahashi throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Takahashi wants to sweep but no luck.

Takahashi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but GOMA can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Takahashi misses with a straight left.

GOMA shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Takahashi will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

GOMA stands up from Takahashi's guard - GOMA perhaps looking for a knockout.
Takahashi throws a sloppy head kick
and GOMA counters with a low kick, right behind Takahashi 's knee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TAKAMORI GOMA showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Takahashi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kenji Takahashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takahashi shoots and misses

and GOMA counters by moving into the clinch.
Takahashi tries to pull guard but GOMA won't allow it.
Takahashi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. GOMA is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but GOMA has him pressed against the cage.
GOMA effectively controlling the action here.
Takahashi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
GOMA gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Takahashi.
GOMA throws an elbow that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
GOMA wants a takedown.
GOMA manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
GOMA goes for a takedown in the clinch but Takahashi prevents it.
GOMA tries to land knees in the clinch but Takahashi avoids the damage to the body.
Takahashi avoiding damage as GOMA throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
GOMA missing with knees to the body.
GOMA is pressed up against the cage. Takahashi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag GOMA down to the mat. GOMA avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
GOMA scores with a head kick.
Takahashi closes the distance but GOMA moves to the side
and GOMA counters with a series of strikes. Takahashi will be more careful next time no doubt.
GOMA tries a head kick but it misses.
GOMA tries a head kick but it misses.
GOMA scores with a jab. Takahashi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Takahashi with a poor takedown

and GOMA counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Takahashi's guard now.
Takahashi throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

GOMA stands up and waves to Takahashi to follow him.

GOMA shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

GOMA stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Takahashi to get to his feet.
Takahashi fails with the takedown
and GOMA counters with a head kick. That will keep Takahashi thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Takahashi throws a right hand that GOMA ducks under and follows up with a left that GOMA also avoids with ease.
GOMA shoots in and drives through. Takahashi sprawls well.
GOMA looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Takahashi with a poor takedown
and GOMA counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
GOMA scores with a jab to the head.
Takahashi misses with a takedown attempt
and GOMA counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

GOMA gets a clinch.
Kenji Takahashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takahashi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. GOMA avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
GOMA drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Takahashi avoiding damage as GOMA throws knees to the body.
TAKAMORI GOMA is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Takahashi being controlled against the cage.
Takahashi blocks the elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
TAKAMORI GOMA comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well GOMA has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 26:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 26:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... TAKAMORI GOMA!