PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shiba Inu (ranked 2592 p4p, 299 weight class) and Saku Takashi (ranked 3340 p4p, 367 weight class). Inu kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Koi no Mega Lover. Saku Takashi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Inu
vs
Takashi

184 cm
25
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

189 cm
25
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Shiba Inu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Takashi!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Inu looks for a takedown but Takashi sprawls well.

Takashi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Inu wants to sweep here but Takashi controlling him for the moment.
Takashi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Inu had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Takashi defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Inu working for a triangle but Takashi defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takashi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Takashi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Takashi tries to free his leg and advance position but Inu is retaining full guard.
Takashi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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.
Takashi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Inu has his foot on Takashi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Takashi works his way back into a safe position though.
Inu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Takashi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Takashi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Takashi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inu is trying to control the position but Takashi postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takashi stays in close to Inu's body and controls the position.

Inu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Takashi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Takashi has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Dojokan. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Takashi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Takashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Inu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Inu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Takashi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Inu gets tackled into the cage by Takashi. Takashi maintains the clinch.

Takashi has clasped his hands together around Inu's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
A lull in the action here as Takashi stalls from top position.
Inu tries to buck Takashi off but Takashi is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Takashi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Inu closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Takashi to the mat! Takashi manages to get full guard.
Inu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takashi is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Inu looking to sit in guard and control but Takashi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Takashi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Inu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Takashi is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

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.
Takashi stopping the sweep attempt from Inu.
Takashi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Takashi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Inu is keeping the position for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Takashi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Inu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Inu shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Inu looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Takashi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Inu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inu is thwarting Takashi's attempts to control the position.

Inu wants to work for an arm triangle but Takashi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Inu is trying to control. Takashi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Takashi has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Inu is on him like a limpet, forcing Takashi back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inu misses with a body punch.

Takashi tightens his grip and picks Inu up, before dumping him to the ground. Inu manages to land in guard.
Takashi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Takashi tries to free his leg and advance position but Inu is retaining full guard.
Takashi preventing the sweep.
Takashi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Saku Takashi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Takashi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Saku Takashi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Takashi controls the position.
Let's hope that Takashi has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inu regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi content to control rather than advance.
Inu tries to roll over but Takashi keeps him under control.
Takashi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Takashi.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Takashi moves in looking to clinch but Inu pushes him off.
Inu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Inu misses with a takedown attempt - Takashi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Takashi.
Inu feinted with a counter takedown.
Inu fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Takashi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shiba Inu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Inu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takashi avoids it really well and circles away.
Saku Takashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Takashi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Inu was covering up waiting for the punch and Takashi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Takashi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Yet more stalling tactics from Takashi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi won't allow Inu to sweep him here.
Takashi wants to pass the guard but Inu is keeping the position.
Takashi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Takashi shoots in but Inu avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Inu feints and as Takashi raises his hands in defense, Inu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Inu postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Takashi is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Inu, into his guard.

Takashi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takashi controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Takashi really 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.

Takashi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Takashi wants it to stay on the feet.
Takashi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Inu tries to avoid it but Takashi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Inu to the ground. Inu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Takashi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Takashi lands in his opponent's guard.

Inu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Takashi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Takashi preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi pushing down on Inu's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Takashi trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Takashi is continuing to stall.
Takashi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Inu defending well though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Inu drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Inu looking to pass the guard.
Takashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Takashi, not yet.
Inu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Inu passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inu tries to move to mount but Takashi blocks the move with his legs.

Inu swings around for an armbar but Takashi sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Inu's guard.

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

Inu has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Takashi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Takashi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takashi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Inu wants to sweep but no luck.
Takashi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Takashi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Inu has an active guard here but Takashi has managed to pass into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Takashi dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Inu shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Inu was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Takashi bucks up and tries to throw Inu off but instead Inu has got his back!

Inu is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Takashi has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Takashi rolls, trying to escape but Inu keeps control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Inu has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Takashi has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Inu keeps control of the position as Takashi tries to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Inu is persistently looking for the submission but Takashi is defending it well.
Takashi breaks Inu's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Takashi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Takashi is one step ahead there.
Takashi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Inu working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi is stalling in the full guard.
Inu wants to hit a switch here but Takashi passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Inu there!
Takashi controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The adventures of Takashi the control monster continue. Boring.
Takashi wants to control the pace but Inu is squirming around nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takashi controlling from mount.
Shiba Inu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Inu is looking to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saku Takashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Takashi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 46:49
Judge William Gold scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Glass scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saku Takashi!
Saku Takashi is the new middleweight champion!