PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eduardo Corassa (ranked 11 p4p, 27 weight class) and Ryoto Takahashi (ranked 2 p4p, 5 weight class). Takahashi is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by SMOKING & THINKING. Ryoto Takahashi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Corassa
vs
Takahashi

165 cm
35
145
39 - 13 - 2

175 cm
32
157
20 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Vegan Gains
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Conquer
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Eduardo Corassa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryoto Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Corassa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Corassa lands a body punch.
Takahashi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Takahashi lands with a short shot to the head.

Takahashi pulls guard successfully.
Corassa tries to free his leg and advance position but Takahashi is retaining full guard.
Corassa content to stall in guard here.
Corassa's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Corassa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Corassa wants to stand but Takahashi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corassa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Takahashi.
Takahashi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Corassa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Corassa throws an off balance right hand
and Takahashi counters with a good, hard body kick but Corassa shrugs it off.
A solid body kick from Corassa.
Takahashi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Corassa.
Takahashi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Corassa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Takahashi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Corassa scores with a shot to the body.
Corassa misses with an uppercut.
Corassa misses with a double jab.

Corassa has closed the distance and engaged Takahashi in a clinch.
Takahashi has a couple of punches blocked by Corassa.
Corassa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Corassa lands with a light punch inside.
Takahashi throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Corassa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Corassa misses with the head strike.
Corassa misses with a hook to the ribs.

Corassa manages to break the clinch.
Corassa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Takahashi throws a chopping leg kick but Corassa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Takahashi wants to land a leg kick but Corassa is out of range.
Corassa throws a predictable looking body shot
and Takahashi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takahashi moves out of range of the body kick from Corassa.
Takahashi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Takahashi tries to clinch but Corassa moves out of range.
Corassa goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Corassa throws a predictable looking body shot
and Takahashi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Takahashi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi misses with a head kick.
Takahashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Corassa tried to counter with a leg kick but Takahashi avoided it.
Corassa throws a leg kick but Takahashi checks it.
Corassa looks to score with a jab to the body but Takahashi is just out of range.
Takahashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Corassa.
A low kick from Corassa misses
and Takahashi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Corassa thinking.
A lazy left from Corassa finds it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Corassa throws a hook but Takahashi avoids it easily.
Takahashi throws a body punch but Corassa moves out of range.
Corassa wants to clinch up but Takahashi keeps it at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Eduardo Corassa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Corassa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Good leg kick by Corassa.
Corassa misses the body punch
and Takahashi counters with an inside leg kick.
Takahashi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Corassa connects with an inside leg kick.
Corassa works the jab nicely.
Takahashi has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Corassa explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Corassa here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Corassa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takahashi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Corassa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Takahashi.
Corassa is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Takahashi.
Takahashi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Corassa tries to land a leg kick but Takahashi saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corassa lands an overhand right.
Corassa seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Takahashi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Corassa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takahashi can do to turn this around?
Takahashi thows a left - swing and a miss!

Corassa rushes Takahashi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Corassa can't find room to land a body shot as Takahashi controls the action.
Takahashi blocks a body shot from Corassa.

Corassa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Eduardo Corassa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takahashi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Corassa.
Takahashi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Corassa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Corassa throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
enabling Takahashi to counter with a crisp jab.
Corassa scores with a shot to the body.
Corassa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Takahashi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corassa scoring well with a low kick there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takahashi throws a head kick but Corassa moves out of range.
Corassa scores with a jab to the head.
Corassa throws a right hand that misses
and Takahashi counters with a stiff right hand.

Takahashi tries to keep at a distance but Corassa has taken the fight into the clinch.
Corassa lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Takahashi fails to land.

Corassa breaks the clinch.
Takahashi walks into a straight right hand from Corassa.
Takahashi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Corassa tries to clinch up
and Takahashi counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corassa works Takahashi's body with a nice hook.
Corassa throws a body shot but no joy.
Takahashi cracks Corassa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Corassa lands a jab to the head.
Takahashi moves away from the strike by Corassa.
Corassa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takahashi moves away.
Corassa misses with a jab to the body
and Takahashi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Good standup being displayed there by Corassa as he connects with a hook.
Corassa tries to clinch but Takahashi is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corassa lands an overhand right.
Corassa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takahashi.
Corassa misses the jab.
Corassa defending well as Takahashi loads up on a big left hand.
Takahashi lands a leg kick that knocks Corassa off balance momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takahashi throws a front kick aimed at Corassa's knee but Corassa avoids it well.
Takahashi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Corassa can pounce on him.
Corassa tries to clinch up.
Corassa misses with a low kick.
Eduardo Corassa is winning the standup battle so far.
Corassa lands with a kick to the ribs.
Corassa misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eduardo Corassa dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Takahashi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Takahashi moves out of range as Corassa throws a body kick.
Takahashi misses with a kick to the body.
Corassa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Corassa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Takahashi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Takahashi takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Corassa takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takahashi lands with a short shot to the head.
Corassa has had enough of the clinch but Takahashi keeps him there for the moment.
Takahashi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Takahashi prevents a body shot from Corassa.
Corassa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Corassa lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi blocking some punches.
Takahashi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Corassas head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Takahashi.
Corassa blocks a body shot from Takahashi.
A right hook to the body lands for Takahashi.
Corassa tries to break the clinch but Takahashi is controlling the position.
Corassa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A hook to the body from Corassa.
Takahashi pushes Corassa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Corassa pushes Takahashi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Corassa struggles to land a body shot inside as Takahashi controls his hands.
Corassa can't find room to land a body shot as Takahashi controls the action.

Takahashi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Corassa uses from the top position.
Takahashi is controlling Corassa's posture.
Corassa showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Corassa wanted to stand there but Takahashi had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corassa looking to pass the guard.
Takahashi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Takahashi feints and then cracks Corassa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Corassa down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Takahashi misses.
Takahashi catches Corassa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Takahashi tries to work over Corassa's front leg with a kick but Corassa checks it.
Corassa was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Corassa swings for the body but Takahashi moves out of range.

Corassa closes the distance and clinches.
Takahashi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Takahashi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Corassa's elbow.
Takahashi tries to throw a body punch but Corassa avoids it by throwing Takahashi back against the cage.
Takahashi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Takahashi digs a right hand underneath Corassa's ribcage. Corassa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Corassa.
Takahashi struggles to land a body shot inside as Corassa controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi presses Corassa against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Takahashi has a couple of punches blocked by Corassa.
Takahashi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with some punches.
Takahashi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Corassa lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Takahashi misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahashi tries a body shot but Corassa blocks it.
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 misses with a hook to the ribs.
Takahashi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Corassa backwards.
Takahashi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takahashi has a couple of punches blocked by Corassa.
Takahashi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Corassa blocking some punches.
Takahashi blocks a body shot from Corassa.
Corassa misses with a punch on the inside.
Corassa blocks a body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahashi prevents Corassa from breaking the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryoto Takahashi really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Takahashi misses with a kick to the body.
Takahashi misses with a wild body shot.
Corassa scores with a nice strike.
Corassa cracks Takahashi with an open hand slap.
Corassa slips a jab from Takahashi.
Takahashi throws an off balance right hand
and Corassa counters with a low kick, right behind Takahashi 's knee.
A jab lands there for Takahashi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corassa misses with a hook
and Takahashi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Good leg kick by Corassa.
Corassa connects with a body shot that sends Takahashi's belly button to the back.
Takahashi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi avoids the body shot from Corassa.
Some bone on bone action there as Takahashi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Takahashi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A punch lands to the side of Takahashi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Corassa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Corassa throws a lazy right hand but Takahashi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takahashi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Corassa in his tracks.
Corassa throws a jab when Takahashi was well out of range.
Corassa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takahashi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Corassa throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Corassa misses with a low kick.
A little jabbing left from Takahashi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Corassa takes a swing at Takahashi's ribcage but misses.
Corassa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takahashi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Takahashi tries to clinch but Corassa moves out of range.
Takahashi lands with a good body shot.
Corassa misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Takahashi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice defenses there by Corassa.
Corassa scores with a jab to the head.
Ryoto Takahashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi tries to clinch but Corassa moves out of range.
Takahashi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Corassa to score with a decent uppercut.
Takahashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Corassa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takahashi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Corassa.
Takahashi lands with an uppercut that bounces Corassa off the cage and back into range.
A low kick from Corassa misses
and Takahashi counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Corassa is rocked!
Corassa throws a head kick that misses.
Oh Corassa is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Corassa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Takahashi swinging wildly here.
Corassa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corassa swats away the attempt to clinch by Takahashi.
Corassa seems to have got his legs back now.
Takahashi moves in looking to clinch but Corassa pushes him off.
Corassa thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Takahashi if he has to take too many more of those.
Takahashi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Corassa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Takahashi momentarily.
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 keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takahashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A good leg kick by Corassa.
Takahashi throws out a leg kick but Corassa moves out of range and Takahashi only half commits.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eduardo Corassa had his way with Ryoto Takahashi in that 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!

Corassa lands with a cross.
Takahashi takes a swing at Corassa's ribcage but misses.
Corassa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A decent looking cross lands there for Corassa.
Takahashi moves away from the strike by Corassa.

Takahashi feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Corassa sprawling to the canvas! Corassa rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Takahashi finish him?!

It looks like Eduardo Corassa has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takahashi moves away from the strike by Corassa.
Corassa tests Takahashi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Takahashi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Corassa misses with a right hand
and Takahashi counters with a huge left! Corassa is in big trouble! He's backing up but Takahashi isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Corassa from any more damage. A dominating finish by Takahashi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ryoto Takahashi!
Ryoto Takahashi is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Ryoto Takahashi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.