PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Takada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ula Cleo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ula Cleo is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Takada
vs
Cleo

189 cm
18
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
21
145 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nick Takada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ula Cleo!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cleo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Takada sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cleo somewhat.
Takada defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cleo.

Takada closes the distance and clinches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Takada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cleo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Takada as he jumps to the side.
Nick Takada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ula Cleo.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Takada is defended easily by Cleo.
Cleo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Takada.
Takada plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takada has taken the fight to the clinch.
Takada tries for a takedown but Cleo manages to get underhooks.
Takada wants a takedown but no success here.
Takada dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Takada tries to pull guard but Cleo won't allow it.
Cleo is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Takada tries to pull guard but Cleo holds him up against the cage and eventually Takada drops back down to his feet.

Takada manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cleo won't allow Takada to sweep him here.
Takada trying to strike off his back.

Cleo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cleo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Cleo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Takada looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Takada looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Takada!
Takada wants to take a breather but Cleo manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Takada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cleo is proving hard to escape from.
Takada content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cleo 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.
Cleo keeping full guard, as Takada tries to pass.

Nick Takada has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nice body kick there by Takada.
Cleo shoots in for a takedown but Takada shows good takedown defense.
Takada shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cleo sprawls well. Cleo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Takada gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Takada dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cleo shoots for a takedown but Takada saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cleo fails with the takedown.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Takada.

Takada moves into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Takada really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Takada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Takada fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Takada as Cleo shoots in.
Nick Takada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ula Cleo.

Takada moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Cleo prevents the takedown attempt.
Takada stalling in the clinch.

Takada pulls guard effortlessly.

Cleo drops back looking for a leg! Takada is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Takada manages to kick Cleo off! Cleo jumps back into Takada's guard.

Takada looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cleo has picked Takada up and slammed him! Takada can't keep hold of the triangle and Cleo manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A control attempt from Takada but he's now mounted!
Takada can't escape the position.

Cleo working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Takada knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cleo on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada is trying desperately to improve position.
Takada wants to hold on but Cleo pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Takada is looking to get to half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nick Takada just wasn't active enough.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cleo.
Nick Takada is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Takada moves into range and clinches up with Cleo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Takada dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Takada throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cleo.
Takada leaves Cleo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Takada closes the distance and clinches up with Cleo, looking for a takedown. Takada pushes Cleo against the cage but Cleo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cleo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cleo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Takada swivels and escapes.
Nick Takada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ula Cleo.
Takada looks for a takedown but Cleo sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Takada is defended easily by Cleo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cleo shoots in for a takedown but Takada shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleo tries for a takedown but Takada sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Takada darts in and clinches Cleo up against the cage.

Takada breaks from the clinch.
Takada looks for a takedown but Cleo sprawls well.

Takada clinches up against the cage.

Takada manages to pull guard.
Takada working a defensive guard but Cleo manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada is looking to reverse the position.
Takada bucks up and tries to throw Cleo off but instead Cleo has got his back!
Takada is in bad spot here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takada is trying to defend against the choke here but Cleo has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Cleo Tightens the hold and Takada taps out furiously! Cleo displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ula Cleo!