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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shug Skinner (ranked 338 p4p, 25 weight class) and Kazuo Takashi (ranked 44 p4p, 5 weight class). Takashi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: 吉田兄弟 Rising. The key to victory for Shug Skinner has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.
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| 175 cm
30
153
13 - 10 - 1 |
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170 cm
30
145
28 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin |
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Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank |
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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 13 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Shug Skinner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Kazuo Takashi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takashi pushes Skinner up against the cage in a clinch.
Skinner lands a nice elbow.
Takashi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Skinner.
Takashi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Skinner smiles and moves away.
Takashi clinches up with Skinner and pushes him back against the cage.
Takashi misses with some punches.
Takashi successfully pulls guard.
Skinner postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Skinner passes into side control.
Takashi is looking to regain half guard here but Skinner keeps moving and retains side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Skinner's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Skinner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takashi keeps working.
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.
Skinner working away.
Skinner happy to just control the position for now.
Takashi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
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.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Skinner is staying tight to Takashi's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Takashi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Takashi wants to control but Skinner is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Skinner controlling the action here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Skinner trying to mount his opponent but Takashi defends it.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A shot to the liver by Skinner. Beautiful body shot.
Skinner misses with a lunging right hand
and Takashi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Skinner's guard.
Takashi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Skinner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Takashi trying to control but Skinner is working from the bottom.
Takashi trying to move into half guard but instead Skinner has managed to sweep!
Skinner is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skinner trying to control the position from guard on top but Takashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takashi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Skinner manages to get himself to full guard.
Takashi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Skinner controlling the position.
Takashi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kazuo Takashi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Skinner scores with a decent looking hook.
A slow jab from Skinner misses its intended target.
A swing and a miss from Skinner.
And Takashi tries to counter it with a takedown but Skinner pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Skinner throws a series of punches but Takashi avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Skinner.
Takashi wants to counter the offense by Skinner and move into the clinch position.
Takashi misses with a hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Skinner throws a combination that misses
and Takashi counters with a single leg into guard. Skinner didn't expect that.
Takashi wants to pass the guard but Skinner is keeping the position.
Takashi wants to control from the top but Skinner keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takashi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Takashi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Skinner is keeping the position for now.
Takashi wants to control from the top but Skinner keeps moving.
Skinner can't keep his opponent in guard - Takashi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takashi wants to take a breather but Skinner is having none of it.
Takashi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kazuo Takashi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Takashi is looking to advance position but Skinner won't allow it.
Takashi controlling the pace.
Takashi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Skinner is just riding it out for now. Takashi eventually gives up the hold.
Takashi is controlling the pace.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi is looking to take a break and control but Skinner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Skinner misses with a left hand
and Takashi counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Skinner!
Takashi tries to move into full mount but can't pass Skinner's legs.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skinner is looking to reverse the position.
Skinner is not content to let Takashi control the position.
Takashi has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Skinner sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Skinner is staying active underneath Takashi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Takashi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Takashi is trying to control. Skinner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kazuo Takashi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Takashi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Takashi avoids the body shot from Skinner.
Takashi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Takashi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Shug Skinner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takashi lands a jab to Skinner's midsection.
Skinner moves into range and clinches up with Takashi.
Takashi avoids a wild elbow strike from Skinner.
Skinner pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skinner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Takashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Skinner just stands there and leans against the cage.
Takashi jumps guard but Skinner stands there with Takashi around his waist. Takashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Takashi stalling in the clinch.
Takashi stalling in the clinch but Skinner improves position.
Skinner manages to break the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi goes for a double leg but Skinner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Skinner continues to drive forward.
Shug Skinner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuo Takashi.
Takashi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Skinner to the mat! Skinner manages to get full guard.
Skinner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Skinner keeping full guard, as Takashi tries to pass.
Takashi pushing down on Skinner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Skinner has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Takashi is working away from the top position though.
Skinner is controlling Takashi's trapped leg to prevent Takashi from advancing to side control.
Takashi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takashi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skinner keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Skinner won't allow Takashi to pass to mount.
Takashi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Skinner keeps working.
Takashi works his way into side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi trying to control the position but Skinner is working away.
Skinner struggling a bit here.
Takashi wants to control but Skinner is keeping him busy.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Skinner throws a lazy uppercut
and Takashi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Skinner controls Takashi momentarily but Takashi frees himself.
Takashi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Skinner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takashi passes into half guard.
Takashi is trying a forearm choke I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Takashi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Skinner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takashi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Skinner sees it coming and defends easily.
Takashi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Skinner knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kazuo Takashi really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Skinner moves in looking to clinch but Takashi pushes him off.
Takashi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Skinner defends it well.
Takashi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Takashi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Takashi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takashi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Takashi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Takashi trying to stall but Skinner improves his position.
Takashi seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Skinner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi takes the fight into the clinch.
Takashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Skinner just stands there and leans against the cage.
Skinner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Skinner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takashi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi moves out of range as Skinner strikes.
Takashi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Skinner.
Skinner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Takashi goes for a double leg but Skinner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Skinner continues to drive forward.
Shug Skinner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuo Takashi.
Skinner missing with a left hand there. Takashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takashi tries to clinch up.
Skinner is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Takashi.
Takashi closes the distance and pushes Skinner back into the cage.
Takashi takes an elbow to the temple.
Takashi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Skinner is keeping busy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Skinner misses with an elbow over the top.
Skinner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takashi's defenses.
Skinner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Skinner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takashi, pushing him back against the cage.
Takashi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Takashi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Skinner smiles and moves away.
Takashi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Skinner is trying to defend but Takashi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Skinner works his way to full guard. Good work.
Takashi passes into half guard.
Takashi is looking to advance position but Skinner won't allow it.
Takashi trying to advance position but Skinner counters by regaining guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Skinner working a defensive guard but Takashi passes into half guard.
Takashi wants to control but Skinner is keeping him busy.
Takashi controlling the action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takashi uses his free foot to push down on Skinner's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Skinner.
Takashi pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Kazuo Takashi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Takashi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Takashi pulls guard successfully.
Skinner is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Takashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi slows the pace down in half guard.
Skinner moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Skinner keeping full guard, as Takashi tries to pass.
Takashi passes Skinner's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Takashi wants to free his trapped foot but Skinner is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Takashi wants to control but Skinner is keeping him busy.
Skinner is trying to control but can't.
Takashi trying to control the action but Skinner is working from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi doesn't manage to clinch there - Skinner circles away.
Takashi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Skinner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Skinner wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Shug Skinner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takashi is looking to clinch but Skinner is avoiding it.
Skinner scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Takashi doesn't seem bothered though.
Takashi shoots in and drives through. Skinner sprawls well.
Nice defenses there by Takashi.
Skinner lands a nice looking body shot.
Skinner throws a right hand that misses
and Takashi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skinner is defending against the submission attempts here by Takashi.
Takashi is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Skinner is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Takashi has taken his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takashi trying to control.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuo Takashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Takashi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazuo Takashi! Kazuo Takashi retains his featherweight title!
After winning the bout, Kazuo Takashi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
30% |
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