PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Everett Covington (ranked 533 p4p, 1378 weight class) and Shingen Takeda (ranked 72 p4p, 190 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Covington
vs
Takeda

177 cm
26
159
6 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
162
8 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $120 3 160Q

Nutritional Shaved Ice
Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $120 3 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Everett Covington!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shingen Takeda!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takeda fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Covington to the ground. Takeda is now in Covington's guard.
Takeda is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Takeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Takeda preventing the sweep.
Covington looking to control.
Covington has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Takeda wants to control from the top but Covington keeps moving.
Takeda sitting in guard here, content to control.
Covington keeping full guard, as Takeda tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takeda showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Takeda trying to control but Covington is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Covington lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Takeda keeping moving, preventing Covington from controlling successfully.
Covington pushing down on Takeda's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Takeda is trying to get back to full guard.
Covington works his foot free and advances to mount.
Covington with the ground and pound from mount.
Covington scoring with strikes but Takeda is staying in there.

It looks like Shingen Takeda has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Covington with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Covington moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Takeda has worked his arm free - good work by Takeda!
Takeda regains half guard.
Takeda is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Covington's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Covington's back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Covington showing good submission defense here.
I really don't envy Covington right now.

Takeda tightening his grip on Covington, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Covington is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Covington rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Covington is trying to get back to full guard.
Takeda is trying to control. Covington wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Covington trying to control from the bottom.

Takeda is looking for a kimura but Covington is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Takeda to get the leverage.
Covington moves into full guard.
Covington keeping full guard, as Takeda tries to pass.
Takeda controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Covington looking to control but Takeda passes into half guard.
Takeda tries to pass the half guard into mount. Covington knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Covington is pressing down on Takeda's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Covington pulls Takeda in close to prevent any damage.
Covington wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Covington is trying to keep Takeda in close.
Covington looking for a sweep. Not yet Covington, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shingen Takeda will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shingen Takeda's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Covington shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Takeda as he jumps to the side.
Takeda looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Takeda pivots, looking for a leg kick but Covington is out of range and Takeda settles back down.
Takeda misses the jab.
Takeda throws a low kick, looking for Covington's leg but Covington calmly moves out of range.
Covington throwing a counter right hand but Takeda manages to avoid it.
Takeda connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Covington's hands.
Takeda connects with the punch.
Covington throws a jab but it's blocked by Takeda.
Covington shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takeda defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Covington moves away from the strike by Takeda.
Covington checks the leg kick nicely there.
Takeda lands a really nice looking cross but Covington seems unphased.
A punch lands to the side of Covington 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda throws a half hearted mid kick.
Takeda throws a hook to the side of Covington's head but Covington sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Covington looks to score with a jab to the body but Takeda is just out of range.
Takeda thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takeda throws a leg kick

and Covington counters with a takedown into side control.
The ground and pound from Covington seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Covington has an Americana. Takeda didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Covington is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Covington hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Everett Covington!
Everett Covington retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath Everett Covington thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.