PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fabricio Bezerra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsunori Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takahashi has chosen Crystal King - You wa Shock! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bezerra
vs
Takahashi

189 cm
24
156 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

163 cm
18
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabricio Bezerra!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Katsunori Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi looks to score with a jab to the body but Bezerra is just out of range.
Bezerra tries to clinch there but Takahashi circles away.
Bezerra tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bezerra dives in for a single leg takedown but Takahashi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Takahashi can't break the clinch.
Bezerra definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Takahashi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bezerra has Takahashi pressed against the cage, preventing Takahashi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bezerra has Takahashi pressed against the cage, preventing Takahashi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bezerra tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Takahashi smiles and moves away.
Takahashi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bezerra counters with a body kick that stops Takahashi in his tracks momentarily.
Takahashi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bezerra counters with a left and a right that stings Takahashi.
Takahashi throws an off balance right hand

and Bezerra counters with a nice double leg into side control. Takahashi won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Takahashi pushes Bezerra away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bezerra gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bezerra tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi wants to get back to his feet but Bezerra drags him back down.

Bezerra tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Bezerra stands up and beckons Takahashi to his feet.
Bezerra delivers a nice body kick.
Bezerra scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Takahashi misses with a double jab.
Fabricio Bezerra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bezerra shoots in for a takedown but Takahashi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Bezerra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bezerra tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bezerra.
Takahashi throws a series of punches but Bezerra moves out of range.
Takahashi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Takahashi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bezerra was well out of range. Poor timing from Takahashi.
Takahashi swings widly with a right hand
and Bezerra counters with an inside leg kick.
Takahashi looks winded!
Bezerra shoots and misses
and Takahashi counters with a straight right hand.
Bezerra dives in and grabs Takahashi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takahashi pushes down on Bezerra's head and hops out.
Bezerra keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A decent looking cross lands there for Bezerra.
Bezerra throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Takahashi's waist but Takahashi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bezerra off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Bezerra with that takedown attempt.
Takahashi stuffs the takedown attempt from Bezerra. Bezerra gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck for Bezerra with that takedown attempt.
Bezerra lands a two punch combo.

Bezerra scores with a takedown into Takahashi's guard.
Bezerra prevents Takahashi from getting back to his feet.
Bezerra wants to pass the guard but Takahashi is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi pushes Bezerra off and gets back to his feet.

Bezerra bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bezerra decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Bezerra tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Takahashi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Bezerra really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bezerra dives in and grabs Takahashi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takahashi pushes down on Bezerra's head and hops out.
Takahashi misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabricio Bezerra dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bezerra is looking to clinch but Takahashi is avoiding it.
Takahashi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bezerra looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Takahashi takes a swing at Bezerra's ribcage but misses.
Bezerra uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takahashi.
Fabricio Bezerra is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bezerra ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bezerra scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bezerra fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takahashi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bezerra counters with a thumping low kick.
Takahashi dives in and grabs Bezerra's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bezerra pushes down on Takahashi's head and hops out.
Bezerra throws a head kick that Takahashi semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bezerra on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.
Takahashi swinging wildly here.
Takahashi looks to land a combination but Bezerra avoids it well.
Takahashi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bezerra counters with a left to the body.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut
and Bezerra counters with a leg kick.
Bezerra shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Takahashi as he jumps to the side.

Bezerra moves into the clinch.
Takahashi wants to break free but Bezerra has control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra working a defensive guard here.

Bezerra is looking for a triangle but Takahashi pushes his legs off easily.
Takahashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bezerra. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Takahashi being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Takahashi wanted to stand there but Bezerra had control of the position.
Bezerra is trying to keep Takahashi in close.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Fabricio Bezerra wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Bezerra takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bezerra.
Takahashi misses with a left hand
and Bezerra counters with a head kick.
Bezerra with a lazy takedown attempt
and Takahashi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Bezerra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bezerra lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bezerra is looking to clinch.
Takahashi misses with a left hand
enabling Bezerra to counter with a crisp jab.
Bezerra changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Takahashi tries to avoid it but Bezerra manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Takahashi to the ground. Takahashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bezerra misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takahashi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra wants to clinch.
Bezerra staying out of range there.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut
and Bezerra counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takahashi keeps the fight on the outside.
Bezerra displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Takahashi throws out the jab.
Takahashi misses with a double jab
and Bezerra counters with a body kick that stops Takahashi in his tracks momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabricio Bezerra dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bezerra is looking to clinch.
Takahashi throws an off balance right hand
and Bezerra counters with a good, hard body kick but Takahashi shrugs it off.
Takahashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Bezerra.
Takahashi misses with a left hand
and Bezerra counters with a solid body kick.
Takahashi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bezerra shoots in for a takedown but Takahashi shows good takedown defense.

Bezerra manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Takahashi on his heels. He'll look to pass Takahashi's guard now, I'm sure.

Takahashi kicks Bezerra off and gets to his feet.
Takahashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bezerra plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Takahashi throws a right hand that misses
and Bezerra counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Takahashi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bezerra throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Fabricio Bezerra is winning the standup battle so far.
Bezerra closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut
and Bezerra counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Takahashi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Takahashi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bezerra.
Bezerra is trying hard to land a takedown here. Takahashi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Bezerra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bezerra shoots in but Takahashi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Takahashi misses the shot to the body.

Bezerra shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bezerra showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra prevents Takahashi from standing back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra trying to control the action but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Takahashi manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Bezerra keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Bezerra tries to score a body lock takedown but Takahashi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Bezerra pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bezerra moves in looking to clinch but Takahashi pushes him off.

Bezerra has managed to clinch.
Bezerra can't get the takedown.
Takahashi wants to get back to striking at distance but Bezerra won't allow it.

Bezerra gets control of Takahashi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bezerra will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bezerra is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Takahashi gets to his feet. Bezerra looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra connects with a high kick.
Takahashi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bezerra moves away from the strike by Takahashi.
Takahashi walks into a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bezerra darts in and clinches Takahashi up against the cage.
Takahashi takes an elbow to the forehead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bezerra looking to stall.
Takahashi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabricio Bezerra clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bezerra wants to clinch.
Bezerra uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takahashi.
Takahashi takes a kick to the side of the head.
Donk. Takahashi catches Bezerra right on the button with a cross.
Takahashi misses with a right hand
and Bezerra counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bezerra is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bezerra is looking to clinch but Takahashi is avoiding it.
Bezerra wants to clinch up but Takahashi keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bezerra scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Takahashi throws a right hand that misses
and Bezerra counters with a left and a right that stings Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with a looping left.
Bezerra fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Takahashi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bezerra makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Takahashi really felt that one!
Takahashi looks to land a right hand but Bezerra moved out of range.
Bezerra tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takahashi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bezerra connects with a high kick.
Bezerra lands a high kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Takahashi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bezerra uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takahashi.
Takahashi throws a right hand that Bezerra ducks under and follows up with a left that Bezerra also avoids with ease.
Takahashi throws a series of punches but Bezerra avoids them all with ease.

Bezerra changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Takahashi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bezerra is looking to take a break and control but Takahashi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Takahashi seems a little lost for a moment, as Bezerra dominates the positioning.
Bezerra trying to control the action but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Bezerra working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi is trying to buck Bezerra off.
Bezerra is looking to take a break and control but Takahashi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Bezerra is trying to get an arm triangle but Takahashi is defending well.
Bezerra landing strikes.
Takahashi tries to escape but Bezerra is in control.

Bezerra decides to stand back up. Bezerra steps back and let's Takahashi get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Bezerra gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Bezerra manages to break the clinch.

Bezerra gets the takedown into side control.
Takahashi is being controlled here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takahashi is pushing Bezerra's head away, looking to escape. Bezerra manages to hold on to the position though.
Bezerra working the head with strikes.
Bezerra trying to control the action but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takahashi wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabricio Bezerra had his way with Katsunori Takahashi in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Bezerra drives through with a takedown into guard.

Takahashi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Bezerra escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bezerra throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Takahashi.
Bezerra shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Takahashi as he avoids it easily.
Bezerra tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takahashi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bezerra staying out of range there.
Bezerra shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takahashi defends it nicely.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Takahashi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takahashi is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bezerra connects with an inside leg kick.
That kick from Bezerra tenderised Takahashi's leg. Takahashi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Takahashi missing with a left hand there. Bezerra was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bezerra.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Bezerra. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Takahashi shoots in and gets a takedown into Bezerra's guard.
Bezerra is trying to keep Takahashi in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bezerra's guard.
Bezerra is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Takahashi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bezerra is proving hard to escape from.

Fabricio Bezerra has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Bezerra tries to clinch up but Takahashi circles away and keeps his distance.
Bezerra looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bezerra tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bezerra fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takahashi avoids it really well and circles away.
Bezerra fails with the takedown.
Bezerra has a takedown stuffed.
Bezerra with a poor takedown
and Takahashi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bezerra lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Takahashi throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bezerra tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takahashi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi throws a poor cross that misses
and Bezerra makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Bezerra fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fabricio Bezerra is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Bezerra gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Bezerra manages to break the clinch.
Takahashi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bezerra counters with a three punch combo that has Takahashi backing up. Takahashi nods at Bezerra to acknowledge the strikes.

Bezerra shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Takahashi's guard.
Bezerra trying to control but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Takahashi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bezerra is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bezerra lands a couple of digs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fabricio Bezerra showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bezerra has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 50:45
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabricio Bezerra!
Fabricio Bezerra is the new featherweight champion!