PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kyuko Takagawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kris Powell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Takagawa
vs
Powell

200 cm
18
283 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyuko Takagawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kris Powell!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Powell.
Takagawa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Powell as he avoids it easily.
Takagawa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Powell tries to avoid it but Takagawa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Powell to the ground. Powell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Takagawa lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Powell backs up against the cage.

It looks like Kris Powell has been cut.

Powell scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Powell in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takagawa being controlled for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Takagawa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Takagawa tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Powell wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Takagawa, who protects the arm well.

Powell goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Takagawa has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Powell but great work by Takagawa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell is trying to control Takagawa's posture but Takagawa avoids it.
Powell is not content to let Takagawa control the position.
Powell isn't going anywhere.
Takagawa trying to control the action but Powell is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Powell tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Takagawa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Takagawa works to advance to full mount. Powell defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Powell tries to reverse the position but Takagawa maintains control.
Powell looks gassed!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Takagawa throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takagawa is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Powell can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Powell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Takagawa looking to control and managing it successfully.

Takagawa goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Powell is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Powell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takagawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Powell throws a strike but Takagawa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Takagawa looking to sit in guard and control but Powell gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Takagawa is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kyuko Takagawa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kris Powell's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Takagawa fails with the takedown

and Powell counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Powell.
Powell wants to control from the top but Takagawa keeps moving.
Powell throws a big right hand that misses.
Takagawa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Powell trying to control but Takagawa is working from the bottom.
Takagawa is trying to control the position but Powell postures up.
Powell is working Takagawa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Takagawa is pulling down on Powell's head to control his posture.
Powell wants to control from the top but Takagawa keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Powell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Takagawa's guard.
Powell passes Takagawa's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Powell content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Powell is keen to just control but Takagawa is a slippery customer.
Takagawa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Takagawa trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takagawa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Takagawa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Powell postures up in Takagawa's guard and throws a big left but Takagawa blocks it.

Takagawa manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Powell. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Takagawa darts in and clinches Powell up against the cage.
Takagawa looking for a takedown.
Takagawa is trying to break the clinch but Powell has him pressed against the cage.

Takagawa turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Takagawa manages to end up in side control.
Powell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Powell manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powell is trying to control the action in half guard but Takagawa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Takagawa is trying is best to control the position here.
Powell missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Powell wants to advance to full mount but Takagawa doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Takagawa had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Powell is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Takagawa Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Powell's back instead.
Takagawa is looking to control Powell but Powell is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Powell tries to roll but Takagawa sticks to his back.

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.
Takagawa biding his time, controlling Powell.
Powell is really stuck here.
Takagawa tries to get the hooks in deep but Powell pushed the leg off.
Takagawa has the hooks in. Powell is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Powell looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Takagawa controlling well, preventing Powell from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kris Powell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kris Powell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Powell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Takagawa circles away.
Takagawa misses with a takedown attempt - Powell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Powell fails with the takedown.
Powell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Powell shoots in but Takagawa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kyuko Takagawa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Powell.
Takagawa shoots in and drives through. Powell sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Takagawa has Powell up against the cage in a clinch.
Takagawa fails to pull guard.
Powell wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell fails to pull guard.
Takagawa can't get the takedown.
Takagawa stalls.
Takagawa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Powell is leaning against Takagawa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Powell is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Takagawa can't fight it off and eventually Powell manages to take the fight to the floor. Takagawa looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Powell thows a big elbow that misses.
Takagawa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Powell is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Powell is looking to advance position but Takagawa has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Powell swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Powell can't escape the position.
Powell wants to control but Takagawa is having none of it.
Takagawa wants to control the pace but Powell is squirming around nicely.
Kris Powell has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takagawa lands a big elbow.
Powell is trying to reverse the position but instead Takagawa has taken his back - oops!

Takagawa looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Powell taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kyuko Takagawa!