PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sakire Hayes (ranked 4227 p4p, 5424 weight class) and Meguru Takayanagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hayes
vs
Takayanagi

179 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
147
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sakire Hayes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Meguru Takayanagi!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Reed Andrews and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takayanagi tries to clinch but Hayes moves out of range.

Hayes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Takayanagi landing knees to the head.
Hayes is trying to pull guard but Takayanagi has him pressed against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Takayanagi.
Hayes wants a takedown.
Hayes missing with knees to the body.
Hayes is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakire Hayes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Takayanagi walks away with a smile on his face. Hayes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Takayanagi has closed the distance and engaged Hayes in a clinch.
Takayanagi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hayes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Takayanagi prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hayes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hayes.

Hayes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Takayanagi takes the fight into the clinch.
Takayanagi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Takayanagi putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hayes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi misses with the head strike.
Hayes jumps guard but Takayanagi stands there with Hayes around his waist. Hayes gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Takayanagi.
Hayes avoids the elbow strike from Takayanagi, against the cage.

Hayes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takayanagi tries to clinch but Hayes moves out of range.
Hayes closes the distance and clinches up with Takayanagi, looking for a takedown. Hayes pushes Takayanagi against the cage but Takayanagi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Takayanagi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hayes circles away.
Hayes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takayanagi avoids it really well and circles away.
Takayanagi tries to close the distance and clinch but Hayes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It looked like Hayes was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Takayanagi has Hayes up against the cage in a clinch.

Hayes breaks the clinch.
Takayanagi tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hayes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick from Takayanagi lands but Hayes takes it in his stride.
Takayanagi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hayes is fending him off so far but Takayanagi persists. Nope, Hayes circles away and we're back to standing.

Takayanagi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hayes was covering up waiting for the punch and Takayanagi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Takayanagi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Takayanagi has gone for a leg lock! Hayes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Takayanagi's guard.

Hayes trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Takayanagi manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hayes can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Takayanagi controls the pace.
Hayes is pulling down on Takayanagi's head. It's preventing any offense from Takayanagi, at least for the moment.

Takayanagi drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hayes dives on top into guard.

Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Tokyo inform us that Takayanagi has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Hayes trying to control but Takayanagi is working from the bottom.

Hayes gets to his feet. Takayanagi looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Meguru Takayanagi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Takayanagi fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Hayes as Takayanagi shoots in.
Takayanagi slips a jab and a cross from Hayes.
Hayes looks for a takedown but Takayanagi sprawls well.
Takayanagi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Takayanagi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hayes as he avoids it easily.
Sakire Hayes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Meguru Takayanagi.

Hayes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hayes has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Takayanagi after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takayanagi.
Hayes struggles to land a body shot inside as Takayanagi controls his hands.

Hayes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hayes darts in and clinches Takayanagi up against the cage.
Hayes has Takayanagi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Takayanagi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Takayanagi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hayes holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hayes is trying to pull guard but Takayanagi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Meguru Takayanagi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Knees in the clinch landing for Takayanagi.
Hayes taking a breather.
Takayanagi connects with a knee to the head.
Hayes wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Takayanagi misses with a punch on the inside.
Hayes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Takayanagi prevents it.
Hayes tries for a takedown but Takayanagi manages to get underhooks.
Takayanagi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hayes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takayanagi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hayes takes an elbow to the temple.
A short left from Takayanagi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Takayanagi is defending well.
Takayanagi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Hayes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takayanagi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takayanagi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Takayanagi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hayes blocks an uppercut.
Hayes trying to land knees to the body.
Takayanagi misses with a knee strike.
Hayes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Hayes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takayanagi scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Hayes pushes Takayanagi off and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Takayanagi shoots in and bounces Hayes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Takayanagi wants to pass the guard but Hayes is keeping the position.
Takayanagi throwing strikes but missing.
Takayanagi throws a big elbow that misses.

Takayanagi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Takayanagi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Meguru Takayanagi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Takayanagi takes the fight into the clinch.

Hayes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Takayanagi clinches up with Hayes and pushes him back against the cage.
Takayanagi misses with a knee to the head.
Hayes trying to land knees to the body.
Hayes jumps guard but Takayanagi stands there with Hayes around his waist. Hayes gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takayanagi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Hayes breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takayanagi misses with a head kick.
Hayes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Takayanagi has closed the distance and engaged Hayes in a clinch.
Hayes tries for a takedown but Takayanagi manages to get underhooks.

Hayes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hayes has managed to clinch.
Takayanagi tries to land a knee to the head but Hayes blocks with his arms.
Takayanagi looking to throw knees to the head but Hayes is blocking nicely.

Hayes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hayes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takayanagi avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakire Hayes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayes circles away from the clinch attempt.

Takayanagi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Takayanagi managing to block the knees to the body from Hayes.
Hayes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Takayanagi working Hayes over with knees to the body.

Hayes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Takayanagi tries to clinch up but Hayes circles away and keeps his distance.
Hayes tried to counter with a leg kick but Takayanagi avoided it.
Takayanagi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takayanagi has a takedown stuffed.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Takayanagi tries to land a knee to the head but Hayes blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes tries to pull guard but Takayanagi won't allow it.
Takayanagi managing to block the knees to the body from Hayes.
Nice elbow from Takayanagi.

Hayes breaks from the clinch.
Hayes keeps the fight on the outside.
Hayes tries to clinch but Takayanagi moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Hayes misses.

Takayanagi clinches up against the cage.
Hayes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takayanagi blocks it with crossed arms.

Hayes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takayanagi shoots in and drives through. Hayes sprawls well.
Takayanagi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hayes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Takayanagi somewhat.
Meguru Takayanagi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Takayanagi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hayes tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Takayanagi is in Hayes's guard.

Hayes kicks Takayanagi off and gets to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hayes misses with a double jab.
Takayanagi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Takayanagi is looking to clinch but Hayes is avoiding it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Takayanagi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Meguru Takayanagi.
I've got Takayanagi 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Meguru Takayanagi!
A relieved looking Meguru Takayanagi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.