PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hiro Takayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bear McGrillis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takayama comes to the cage accompanied by Mama Said Knock You Out. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Bear McGrillis was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Takayama
vs
McGrillis

180 cm
22
250 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hiro Takayama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bear McGrillis!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGrillis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Takayama is fending him off so far but McGrillis persists. Nope, Takayama circles away and we're back to standing.
Takayama changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McGrillis tries to avoid it but Takayama manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McGrillis to the ground. McGrillis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McGrillis lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
McGrillis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Takayama tries to clinch but McGrillis is having none of it.
McGrillis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Takayama counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McGrillis missing with punches from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGrillis is looking to improve his position.
McGrillis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayama controlling the action here.

Takayama is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, McGrillis has managed to free his arm - good work.
Takayama is trying to control the action in half guard but McGrillis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Takayama is thwarting McGrillis's attempts to control the position.

Takayama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Takayama shoots in for a takedown but McGrillis shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Takayama shoots for a takedown but McGrillis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiro Takayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takayama shoots for a double leg takedown but McGrillis sprawls well. He's pushed Takayama's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Takayama looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Takayama is breathing heavily.
A punch combination from McGrillis misses.
McGrillis closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Takayama looks for a takedown but McGrillis sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrillis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McGrillis with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McGrillis should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
McGrillis tries for a takedown but Takayama circles away easily

and Takayama counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in McGrillis's guard now.
Takayama slips nicely into half guard.
McGrillis is in trouble now - Takayama has advanced to mount!

Takayama goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now McGrillis is on top in guard.
Takayama keeping moving, preventing McGrillis from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takayama working for a triangle but McGrillis defends it easily.
Takayama looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGrillis is one step ahead there.
McGrillis wants to stand but Takayama is controlling his posture from full guard.
Takayama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiro Takayama dominated that 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.

Takayama shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McGrillis pinned against the cage. McGrillis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Takayama bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McGrillis tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
McGrillis is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Takayama here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Takayama lands a big shot there that rocks McGrillis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Takayama with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
McGrillis wants to control but Takayama is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayama looking to control but McGrillis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Takayama jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… McGrillis is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by McGrillis and Takayama has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Takayama tries for a kimura but McGrillis is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGrillis struggling a bit here.
McGrillis is breathing heavily.

Takayama decides to stand back up. Takayama steps back and let's McGrillis get back to his feet.
McGrillis scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGrillis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Takayama scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McGrillis won't allow Takayama to pass to mount.
Takayama wants to control but McGrillis is keeping him busy.
Takayama wants to pass the guard but McGrillis is defending well.

Takayama is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, McGrillis has managed to free his arm - good work.
Takayama misses with a head shot. McGrillis uses the momentum to regain guard.
Takayama pushes down on McGrillis's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayama moves into full mount! McGrillis won't be happy about that!
Takayama works his way to his opponent's back.

Takayama looking to break McGrillis's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. McGrillis remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Takayama will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

McGrillis preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Takayama.
Takayama is trying to stick to McGrillis's back but McGrillis is turning into Takayama. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Takayama's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by McGrillis.
Takayama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Takayama might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Takayama has control of McGrillis's left arm, preventing McGrillis from doing any damage.
McGrillis wants to control from the top but Takayama keeps moving.
Hiro Takayama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGrillis might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Takayama kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takayama striking off his back but it's not causing McGrillis any problems.
Takayama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Takayama is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Takayama seems to be looking for submissions.
McGrillis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Takayama is working away from the top position though.

Takayama is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McGrillis is just riding it out for now. Takayama eventually gives up the hold.
McGrillis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Takayama is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiro Takayama dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

McGrillis looks to land a combination but Takayama avoids it well.
McGrillis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Takayama changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McGrillis tries to avoid it but Takayama manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McGrillis to the ground. McGrillis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Takayama misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takayama shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McGrillis as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiro Takayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGrillis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGrillis lands with an overhand left.
McGrillis throws a right hand that Takayama ducks under and follows up with a left that Takayama also avoids with ease.
Takayama tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGrillis swivels and escapes.
Takayama misses with a body punch
and McGrillis counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McGrillis lands the left hand.
Takayama takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice takedown defense from McGrillis. No joy for Takayama on that attempt.
McGrillis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McGrillis moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takayama shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McGrillis as he jumps to the side.
McGrillis lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McGrillis.
McGrillis stalks Takayama and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Takayama's face. Takayama staggers backwards, shaken.
McGrillis swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Takayama counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for McGrillis!
McGrillis is in all sorts of trouble here.

Takayama is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. McGrillis can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Takayama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as McGrillis is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayama prevents McGrillis from getting the reversal.

Takayama goes for an armbar but McGrillis turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from McGrillis.

Takayama is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Takayama is pulling down on McGrillis's head to control his posture.

Takayama throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! McGrillis escapes and throws Takayama's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Bear McGrillis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takayama defending against the ground and pound.

McGrillis looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
McGrillis tries to stand but Takayama is controlling his head.

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 Hiro Takayama.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Takayama, 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiro Takayama!