PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Meguru Takayanagi (ranked 24850 p4p, 4235 weight class) and Colton Baudhuin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Takayanagi
vs
Baudhuin

173 cm
18
147
0 - 2 - 0

183 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Meguru Takayanagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Colton Baudhuin!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baudhuin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Takayanagi has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Baudhuin is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Baudhuin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Baudhuin gets a double leg takedown into Takayanagi's guard.
Baudhuin sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Takayanagi pushes Baudhuin off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takayanagi throws a right and a left that Baudhuin avoids nicely.

Takayanagi darts in and clinches Baudhuin up against the cage.
Baudhuin dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Baudhuin is trying to pull guard but Takayanagi has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baudhuin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Takayanagi smiles and moves away.
Takayanagi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baudhuin.
Baudhuin slips a jab and a cross from Takayanagi.
Baudhuin unleashes a big counter combination but Takayanagi bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Takayanagi wants to clinch up but Baudhuin keeps it at a distance.
Baudhuin feints the counter takedown.
Takayanagi misses with a head kick.
Takayanagi scores with a leg kick.
Takayanagi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Baudhuin's head.
Baudhuin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Baudhuin closes the distance and clinches up with Takayanagi, looking for a takedown. Baudhuin pushes Takayanagi against the cage but Takayanagi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Meguru Takayanagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Colton Baudhuin.
Takayanagi swinging wildly here.
Baudhuin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Takayanagi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Baudhuin's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baudhuin looks for the body kick but Takayanagi saw that one coming.
Takayanagi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takayanagi throws a right hand that Baudhuin ducks under and follows up with a left that Baudhuin also avoids with ease.
Baudhuin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Takayanagi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Meguru Takayanagi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baudhuin goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Baudhuin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takayanagi, pushing him back against the cage.
Baudhuin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Takayanagi walks away with a smile on his face. Baudhuin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Takayanagi throws a nice looking combination but Baudhuin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Baudhuin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Takayanagi working hard to break the clinch.
Takayanagi managing to block the knees to the body from Baudhuin.

Takayanagi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takayanagi tries to sprawl but Baudhuin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Baudhuin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Baudhuin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Baudhuin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Baudhuin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Takayanagi wants to get back to his feet.
Baudhuin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baudhuin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Takayanagi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takayanagi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takayanagi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takayanagi throws a sloppy head kick

and Baudhuin counters with a shoot takedown. Takayanagi fights it but they end up in guard.
Takayanagi is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Baudhuin dives into side control.
Takayanagi is breathing heavily.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Baudhuin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Baudhuin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Takayanagi is trying to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Takayanagi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Baudhuin's head.
Takayanagi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Baudhuin looks for a takedown but Takayanagi sprawls well.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Takayanagi enables Baudhuin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Takayanagi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Takayanagi pushes Baudhuin off and scrambles back to his feet.
Takayanagi connects with a leg kick.
Takayanagi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Takayanagi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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 avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Baudhuin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baudhuin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Baudhuin trying to control but Takayanagi is working from the bottom.
Baudhuin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Baudhuin trying to move into half guard but instead Takayanagi has managed to sweep!

Takayanagi has gone for a leg lock! Baudhuin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Takayanagi's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baudhuin advances to half guard.
Colton Baudhuin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Well, if Baudhuin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Takayanagi looks like he's trying to stand up.

Baudhuin decides to stand and escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Takayanagi swinging wildly here.
Baudhuin avoids a kick to the body.
Takayanagi sets himself, and Baudhuin steps forward looking for the clinch! Takayanagi avoids it this time.
Baudhuin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takayanagi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Takayanagi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Meguru Takayanagi is winning the standup battle so far.
Takayanagi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Takayanagi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Baudhuin is looking to score with low kicks.
Takayanagi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Baudhuin's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baudhuin connects with a jab.
Takayanagi throws a sloppy head kick and Baudhuin moves out of range easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takayanagi misses with a few strikes there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Takayanagi checks a leg kick.
Baudhuin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Meguru Takayanagi dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Takayanagi.
Takayanagi misses with a double jab.

Baudhuin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Baudhuin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Takayanagi throws Baudhuin to one side and escapes!
Takayanagi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takayanagi looks to land a combination but Baudhuin avoids it well.

Baudhuin gets a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baudhuin cracks Takayanagi with a nice body shot.

Baudhuin gets control of Takayanagi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Baudhuin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Baudhuin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Takayanagi trying to control the position from guard on top but Baudhuin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baudhuin looking for a sweep. Not yet Baudhuin, not yet.
Baudhuin is controlling Takayanagi's posture.

Baudhuin is working an open guard so Takayanagi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Baudhuin throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Takayanagi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Baudhuin is in Takayanagi's guard.
Baudhuin wants to pass the guard but Takayanagi is keeping the position.
Baudhuin wants to control from the top but Takayanagi keeps moving.
Baudhuin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takayanagi is working an open guard so Baudhuin takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Baudhuin throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Takayanagi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Baudhuin is in Takayanagi's guard.
Takayanagi keeping moving, preventing Baudhuin from controlling successfully.
Baudhuin chips away with some ground and pound.

Takayanagi is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Baudhuin presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Takayanagi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Baudhuin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Meguru Takayanagi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baudhuin swings for the body but Takayanagi moves out of range.
Takayanagi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

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

Takayanagi pushes Baudhuin off and gets back to his feet.
Meguru Takayanagi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takayanagi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takayanagi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Takayanagi is looking to clinch but Baudhuin is avoiding it.
A punch combination from Takayanagi misses.
Takayanagi throws a lazy head kick

and Baudhuin counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Baudhuin.
Baudhuin is trying to pull guard but Takayanagi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Takayanagi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Baudhuin can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takayanagi manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takayanagi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Baudhuin clinches.
Meguru Takayanagi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baudhuin has Takayanagi pressed against the cage, preventing Takayanagi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Baudhuin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Takayanagi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Baudhuin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Baudhuin blocks a head kick by Takayanagi.
Takayanagi throws a leg kick that is checked

and Baudhuin counters by clinching up.
Baudhuin fails to pull the fight into his guard.

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 Meguru Takayanagi.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Takayanagi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Meguru Takayanagi!
Meguru Takayanagi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.