PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nick Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuyuki Takimoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Church comes to the cage accompanied by . Takimoto is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Instrumental. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Church
vs
Takimoto

170 cm
29
155 lbs
20 - 6 - 0

175 cm
30
164 lbs
23 - 11 - 1

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 20 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nick Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kazuyuki Takimoto!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takimoto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kazuyuki Takimoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Takimoto drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Church sneaks out the side door and pushes Takimoto away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Church avoids a punch combination nicely.
Church pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Takimoto lands with a hook. Church tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Takimoto cracks Church with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Takimoto fails to land the takedown.

Church gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Takimoto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takimoto tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Church trying to stall but Takimoto improves his position.
Church is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Takimoto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Church can't find room to land a body shot as Takimoto controls the action.
Church tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Church.
Takimoto is trying to force a seperation but Church has the dominant position.
Church prevents Takimoto from breaking the clinch.
Church misses with a hook to the ribs.
Takimoto misses with some punches.
Church gets underhooks to prevent Takimoto's takedown attempt.
Nick Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuyuki Takimoto.

Takimoto pulls guard.
Takimoto looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Church puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takimoto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Church pulls his head out easily.
Takimoto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Takimoto is trying to control the position but Church postures up.
Takimoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Church is one step ahead there.
Church would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takimoto wants to control the position but Church says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Church knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Takimoto on the ground.
Takimoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Takimoto tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Takimoto wants to improve his position but Church is controlling well.
Takimoto trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Takimoto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Church has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Takimoto is proving hard to escape from.
Takimoto is trying to control the position but Church postures up.

Church stands up from guard. Let's bang!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Church uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Takimoto.
Church takes one to the chin there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuyuki Takimoto 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.

Takimoto throws a solid leg kick but Church takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Takimoto.
Takimoto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Takimoto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Church takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Takimoto takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Church walks into a straight right hand from Takimoto.
Takimoto swings for the body but Church moves out of range.
Church slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Takimoto lands a leg kick that knocks Church off balance momentarily.
Takimoto cracks Church with a good jab.
Takimoto lands a jab to Church's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Church thows a body shot but no joy.
Church tries to close the distance and clinch but Takimoto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Church goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Takimoto finds it's target.
Church misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takimoto.
Takimoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Church throws out a powerful jab.
Church doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Takimoto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Takimoto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takimoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Takimoto has a takedown stuffed.

Church gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Church stalling against the cage.
Takimoto lands a hook that snaps the head of Church backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takimoto lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takimoto jumps guard but Church stands there with Takimoto around his waist. Takimoto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Takimoto working hard to break the clinch.
Takimoto working aggressively here.
Takimoto swings wildly with an uppercut but Church uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takimoto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Church is pushing Takimoto up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Takimoto is trying to break the clinch but Church has him pressed against the cage.

Takimoto successfully pulls guard.

Takimoto has his foot on Church's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Church works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takimoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Church has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Church wants to stand but Takimoto is controlling his posture from full guard.

Church gets to his feet. Takimoto looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Takimoto misses with a hook
and Church counters with an inside leg kick.
Church throws a shot from downtown. Takimoto moves away and avoids it.
Takimoto misses with a hook to the body
and Church counters with a good low kick that Takimoto was not able to check.
Takimoto lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Church thuds a left hand into Takimoto's body.
Takimoto throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Church connects with a good right hand that stumbles Takimoto. Takimoto circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Takimoto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Church connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takimoto scrambles back to his feet.
Takimoto blocks a low kick nicely.
Church misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takimoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Church tries to sprawl out of it but Takimoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Church manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nick Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuyuki Takimoto.
Takimoto shoots in and drives through. Church sprawls well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Church tries to clinch up but Takimoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Takimoto throws a head kick that misses
and Church counters with a big head kick but Takimoto shrugs it off.
Takimoto throws a low kick but Church avoids it.
Church moves out of range of the leg kick from Takimoto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kazuyuki Takimoto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Takimoto. Church does a little dance to reset his feet.
Church connects with a jab.
Takimoto lands a jab-cross combination.
A nice combination there by Takimoto.
Church walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takimoto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Church takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takimoto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Church's sensitive parts.
A chopping leg kick lands by Takimoto.
Takimoto avoids the body shot from Church.
Takimoto lands a jab to Church's midsection.
Church throws a low kick, looking for Takimoto's leg but Takimoto calmly moves out of range.
Takimoto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Takimoto is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Takimoto dips to his left and cracks Church with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takimoto shoots in for a double leg but Church sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Church takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Church throws a body punch but Takimoto moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Takimoto is defended easily by Church.
Church tries to close the distance and clinch but Takimoto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takimoto bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Church's head.
Takimoto connects with a nice looking jab.
Takimoto throws a right hand that misses
and Church counters with a good low kick that Takimoto was not able to check.
Church misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takimoto.
Takimoto looks to land a right hand but Church moved out of range.
Takimoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Church sprawls well. Church wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Takimoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Nick Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuyuki Takimoto.
Takimoto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church tries to clinch there but Takimoto circles away.
Church swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Church is looking to wear down Takimoto with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Church misses with a straight left.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Takimoto.
Takimoto stuns Church with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Church moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takimoto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Church sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Church connects with a good right hand that stumbles Takimoto. Takimoto circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Church takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Church takes a swing at Takimoto's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Church on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Church stuffs the takedown attempt from Takimoto. Takimoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Takimoto missing with a left hand there. Church was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takimoto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Church checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Church.
Takimoto blocks a low kick nicely.
Church avoids a kick to the body.
Takimoto fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Takimoto misses with a right hand
and Church counters with a leg kick.
Takimoto shoots in looking for a takedown but Church manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Takimoto's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nick Church has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takimoto throws a leg kick
and Church counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Church throws a body punch but Takimoto moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Church fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takimoto manages to avoid it.
Takimoto avoids the body shot from Church.
Kazuyuki Takimoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takimoto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kazuyuki Takimoto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Church misses with a low kick as Takimoto jumps back.
Church throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takimoto slips a straight right by Church.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good leg kick by Takimoto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Church lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Takimoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takimoto keeps the fight on the outside.
Church uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takimoto.
Takimoto fails with a takedown attempt.
Takimoto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Church is fending him off so far but Takimoto persists. Nope, Church circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuyuki Takimoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Takimoto 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazuyuki Takimoto!
After winning the bout, Kazuyuki Takimoto thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.