PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keisuke Honda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taj Mahal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keisuke Honda could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Taj Mahal's chin.

Honda
vs
Mahal

190 cm
20
250 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

198 cm
24
238 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Keisuke Honda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Taj Mahal!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahal shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Honda as he avoids it easily.
Mahal throws a head kick that misses.
Mahal slips under a jab from Honda.
Mahal doesn't manage to clinch there - Honda circles away.
Mahal throws a head kick that Honda semi-blocks.

It looks like Keisuke Honda has been cut.
Mahal is looking to clinch but Honda is avoiding it.
Mahal throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mahal is looking to clinch.
Mahal explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Mahal scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Honda manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Honda trying to mount his opponent but Mahal defends it.
Mahal is in trouble now - Honda has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahal is trying desperately to improve position.
Mahal in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Honda scoring with strikes but Mahal is staying in there.
Honda looking to control but Mahal is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Honda lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mahal really wants to buck Honda off and get back to his feet.
Honda postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Mahal looks a forlorn figure.
Mahal is looking to get to half guard.
Mahal is bucking up trying to escape but Honda cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Honda goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Mahal is on top in guard.
Mahal wants to control from the top but Honda keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honda not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Honda looking for a guillotine here but Mahal defends easily.
Honda looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mahal is one step ahead there.

Mahal got a little sloppy there for a moment and Honda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mahal has managed to get both his arms back between Honda's legs - danger averted.

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.
Honda keeping moving, preventing Mahal from controlling successfully.
Mahal tries to free his leg and advance position but Honda is retaining full guard.
Mahal is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mahal trying to stand up but can't free himself from Honda's guard.
Honda wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Honda manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mahal is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keisuke Honda dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Keisuke Honda's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Honda circles away from the clinch attempt.
Keisuke Honda is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahal shoots for a takedown but Honda saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mahal walks into a straight right hand from Honda.

Honda shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Honda was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
A nice elbow there by Honda.
Mahal is looking to improve his position but Honda isn't that keen on the idea.
Honda controlling from the full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Mahal is squirming around, avoiding Honda's attempts to control the action.
Honda thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honda punching from mount but Mahal doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Keisuke Honda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mahal wants to control but Honda is having none of it.
Honda punishing his opponent with strikes.
Honda tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Honda misses with a head shot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Honda throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahal wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Honda.
Mahal is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Honda punching from mount but Mahal doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Mahal tries to improve his position but Honda has taken his back! Honda has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Mahal tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Honda pushes Mahal away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Keisuke Honda!