PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shingen Takeda (ranked 848 p4p, 1099 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 127 p4p, 155 weight class). Takeda kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Now We Are Free. Howlett has chosen Indestructible as his entrance music. Shingen Takeda has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Takeda
vs
Howlett

184 cm
22
155
11 - 4 - 0

167 cm
21
160
7 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

Nutritional Shaved Ice
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shingen Takeda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Lou da Vinci and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takeda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Howlett counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Takeda makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Takeda.
Howlett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Howlett got a little sloppy there for a moment and Takeda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Howlett has managed to get both his arms back between Takeda's legs - danger averted.
Howlett trying to control the position from guard on top but Takeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howlett advances position into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takeda tries to improve position but can't.
Howlett trying to control the position but Takeda is working away.
Howlett misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett wants to take a breather but Takeda manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Howlett.
Howlett scoring with some ground and pound.
Howlett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Takeda keeping moving, preventing Howlett from controlling successfully.

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

Howlett trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takeda wants to control from the top but Howlett keeps moving.
Our spies down at at Old School Training inform us that Howlett has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Takeda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Howlett is keeping the position for now.
Takeda slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Takeda preventing the sweep.

Howlett escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Takeda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Takeda has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Takeda trying to control but Howlett is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeda slips nicely into half guard.
Howlett wants to improve his position but Takeda is controlling well.
Takeda really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Howlett is defending against the submission attempts here by Takeda.
Takeda controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Takeda trying to control from half guard but Howlett is working away.
Howlett moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Howlett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Howlett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Howlett is on top in guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takeda keeping full guard, as Howlett tries to pass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
That's time! Takeda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Howlett throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Takeda tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Howlett is in Takeda's guard.
Howlett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Howlett postures up.
Takeda keeping full guard, as Howlett tries to pass.

Howlett is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Takeda is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Takeda has escaped and now he's on top!

Takeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
James Howlett has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takeda trying to control the position from guard on top but Howlett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howlett looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Takeda puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Howlett is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda wants to control but Howlett is keeping him busy.
Takeda passes to side control.
Takeda trying to control the action but Howlett is working from the bottom.
Howlett is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Howlett manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Howlett is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Takeda reverses the position - he's now on top in Howlett's guard.
Takeda engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takeda wants to pass the guard but Howlett is keeping the position.
Howlett manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Takeda manages to get himself to full guard.

Howlett slips nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Howlett is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Howlett is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeda is refusing to be controlled, as Howlett sits in half guard.
Takeda wants to control but Howlett is keeping busy.

Howlett moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Takeda.

Howlett working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four 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.

Howlett is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Takeda knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Takeda regains half guard there - taking advantage of Howlett's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Takeda tries to roll over but Howlett keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Some bone on bone action there as Howlett checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Howlett closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Takeda is staying active underneath Howlett, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Takeda is looking for a sweep. Howlett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Howlett is looking for a kimura here.

Howlett is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howlett seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Takeda does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Takeda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Howlett pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Howlett is looking for a kimura here.
Howlett wants to take a breather but Takeda is having none of it.

Howlett is trying to work for a kimura but Takeda is defending well.

Howlett wants to work for an arm triangle but Takeda is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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.
Howlett is thwarting Takeda's attempts to control the position.
Takeda is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Howlett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takeda keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Howlett defending well as Takeda loads up on a big left hand.
Howlett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takeda.
Nice uppercut there from Takeda.
Takeda connects with a jab.
Takeda misses with a straight left.

Howlett throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Takeda was covering up waiting for the punch and Howlett finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Howlett tries to free his leg and advance position but Takeda is retaining full guard.
Shingen Takeda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett trying to control but Takeda is working from the bottom.
Howlett won't allow Takeda to sweep him here.
Howlett trying to control but Takeda is working from the bottom.

Takeda looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Takeda keeping moving, preventing Howlett from controlling successfully.

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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Howlett goes for a double leg but Takeda avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Takeda continues to drive forward.

Howlett moves into range and clinches up with Takeda.
Howlett tries to pull guard but Takeda forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Takeda wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Howlett has him pressed against the cage.

Howlett gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Howlett moves into full mount! Takeda won't be happy about that!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takeda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James Howlett is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Howlett trying to control but Takeda is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Howlett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Howlett 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Howlett!
Our winner, James Howlett, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.