PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rod De Minaur (ranked 18 p4p, 2 weight class) and Ryoto Takahashi (ranked 4 p4p, 1 weight class). De Minaur comes to the cage accompanied by Seek and Destroy . Ryoto Takahashi has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Rod De Minaur's chin.

De Minaur
vs
Takahashi

177 cm
33
157
35 - 9 - 0

175 cm
34
160
30 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

New Standard

Conviction
Conquer

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 35 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rod De Minaur!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryoto Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi moves away from the strike by De Minaur.
De Minaur walks into a straight right hand from Takahashi.
De Minaur connects with an inside leg kick.
De Minaur misses with a low kick as Takahashi jumps back.
Takahashi lands with a nice body punch.
A big right from De Minaur misses.
Rod De Minaur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A decent looking cross lands there for De Minaur.
A big left from Takahashi misses.
De Minaur lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
De Minaur fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Minaur throws a hook to the side of Takahashi's head but Takahashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It seemed like Takahashi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
De Minaur waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takahashi.
Takahashi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Takahashi ducks under a wild hook from De Minaur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from De Minaur.
De Minaur lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
De Minaur scores with a sloppy right hand. Takahashi should have avoided that one.
A big right from De Minaur misses.
De Minaur throws an overhand right that lands on Takahashi's shoulder, as Takahashi tries to avoid the shot.
Takahashi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Takahashi throws an overhand right that lands on De Minaur's shoulder, as De Minaur tries to avoid the shot.
Takahashi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
De Minaur throws a looping overhand right but Takahashi ducks down to avoid it.
De Minaur throws a hook to the side of Takahashi's head but Takahashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
De Minaur pivots, looking for a leg kick but Takahashi is out of range and De Minaur settles back down.
Takahashi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Minaur was well out of range. Poor timing from Takahashi.
De Minaur misses with a straight left.
Takahashi counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takahashi.
Takahashi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but De Minaur circles away quickly and effectively.
De Minaur takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
De Minaur connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Takahashi momentarily.
De Minaur tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takahashi was well out of range. Poor timing from De Minaur.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Takahashi.
Takahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick from Takahashi misses.
Takahashi blocks a low kick nicely.
De Minaur keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Takahashi.
Takahashi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
De Minaur connects with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi is looking to chop away at De Minaur's legs.
De Minaur throws a quick counter head kick but Takahashi was just out of range.
Takahashi throws a push kick but De Minaur slaps the foot to one side.
De Minaur lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
De Minaur misses with a wild body shot.
Takahashi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
De Minaur lands a head shot.
Takahashi tests De Minaur's chin there with a solid looking shot.
De Minaur looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
De Minaur misses with a straight right.
Takahashi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
De Minaur throws a poor cross that misses
and Takahashi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
De Minaur slips under a jab from Takahashi.
Nice shot lands for De Minaur.
De Minaur moves out of range of the body kick from Takahashi.
Takahashi has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur throws a jab when Takahashi was well out of range.
Takahashi keeps De Minaur at a distance using the push kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takahashi.
De Minaur throws a predictable looking body shot
and Takahashi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takahashi throws an overhand right that lands on De Minaur's shoulder, as De Minaur tries to avoid the shot.
De Minaur feinted there with a counter leg kick.
De Minaur lands with a straight right. Takahashi didn't see that one coming.
De Minaur throws a low kick but Takahashi avoids it.
Takahashi stuns De Minaur with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
De Minaur throws a solid leg kick but Takahashi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at De Minaur.
Takahashi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
De Minaur was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Takahashi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
De Minaur paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
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 Rod De Minaur will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Takahashi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and De Minaur counters with a nice uppercut.
Some bone on bone action there as De Minaur checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
De Minaur misses with a right hand
and Takahashi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takahashi slips a straight right by De Minaur.
Takahashi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches De Minaur on the side of the head.
De Minaur shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
De Minaur misses with a hook
and Takahashi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takahashi thuds his right hand into De Minaur's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Takahashi moves out of range as De Minaur strikes.
Takahashi thinks about the counter body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Minaur scores with a body shot.
A big left from De Minaur misses.
Takahashi digs a good body shot into De Minaur's ribs.
De Minaur scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Minaur chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takahashi can pounce on him.
De Minaur tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Takahashi tries to land a front kick but De Minaur steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Takahashi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
De Minaur on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Takahashi misses with a hook.
De Minaur jabbing away but nothing is landing.
De Minaur misses with a body shot.
De Minaur throws a front kick aimed at Takahashi's knee but Takahashi avoids it well.
Takahashi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
De Minaur dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takahashi. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi lands an overhand right.
Takahashi throws a jab but it's blocked by De Minaur.
De Minaur throws a right hand that misses
and Takahashi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
De Minaur throws a chopping leg kick but Takahashi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
It seemed like Takahashi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to 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!
A telegraphed right hand from Takahashi misses the target.
Ryoto Takahashi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takahashi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
De Minaur throws a leg kick
and Takahashi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
De Minaur throws a front kick aimed at Takahashi's knee but Takahashi avoids it well.
De Minaur scores with a punch to the head.
De Minaur throws a hook but Takahashi avoids it easily.
Takahashi scores with a spinning back kick!
De Minaur throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Takahashi! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi lets loose with a powerful body kick. De Minaur will feel that in the morning.
A leg kick checked by Takahashi.
Takahashi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but De Minaur blocks it well.
Takahashi scores with a leg kick.
De Minaur throws an overhand right that lands on Takahashi's shoulder, as Takahashi tries to avoid the shot.
De Minaur connects with a single shot there.
De Minaur fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
Takahashi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Good work by Takahashi as he checks the leg kick.
And Takahashi responds with a good body kick, but De Minaur manages to step out the way in time.
De Minaur lands a slapping body shot.
Nice defenses there by De Minaur.
Takahashi misses the jab.
A jab from De Minaur misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Takahashi misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi blocks a jab.
De Minaur avoids the body shot from Takahashi.
De Minaur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takahashi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Takahashi throws a low kick, looking for De Minaur's leg but De Minaur calmly moves out of range.
Takahashi is looking to score with low kicks.
Takahashi throws a push kick but De Minaur slaps the foot to one side.
Some wild striking there from Takahashi.
An inside leg kick lands from De Minaur.
De Minaur misses with a right hand
letting Takahashi counter with a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Minaur throws a hook but Takahashi blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryoto Takahashi 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.

Takahashi lands a glancing blow to the side of De Minaur's head.
De Minaur throws a jab when Takahashi was well out of range.
Takahashi was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Some bone on bone action there as Takahashi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And Takahashi responds with a good body kick, but De Minaur manages to step out the way in time.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut. De Minaur saw that one coming.
Nice jab there from Takahashi.
De Minaur moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
De Minaur listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
De Minaur takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Minaur lands a jab to the nose.
De Minaur with a nice cross.
De Minaur slips under a jab from Takahashi.
Takahashi lands a leg kick that knocks De Minaur off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Takahashi misses.
De Minaur misses the shot to the body.
Takahashi is trying to counter with his kicks.
Takahashi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
De Minaur swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Takahashi counters with a stiff right hand.
Takahashi is looking to score with low kicks.
De Minaur throws a solid leg kick but Takahashi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at De Minaur.
A little jabbing left from Takahashi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
De Minaur swings for the body but Takahashi moves out of range.
Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from De Minaur.
Takahashi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De Minaur moves away.
Takahashi staying out of range there.
De Minaur misses with a right hand
and Takahashi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
De Minaur pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Takahashi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
De Minaur avoids the body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with a wild body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Takahashi checks a leg kick.
Takahashi feints a counter leg kick.
De Minaur is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takahashi.
Takahashi throws a nice inside leg kick.
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 bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
The crowd cheers as Takahashi lands an impressive looking overhand right. De Minaur doesn't seem phased though.
De Minaur throws a looping overhand right but Takahashi ducks down to avoid it.
De Minaur missing with a left hand there. Takahashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takahashi looks to land a right hand but De Minaur moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur throws a jab when Takahashi was well out of range.
De Minaur ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takahashi scores with a nice strike.
De Minaur throws a big shot that misses.
De Minaur moves out of range of the strikes.
Takahashi checks a leg kick nicely.
Takahashi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Takahashi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Takahashi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut.
Takahashi misses with a double jab.
Takahashi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as De Minaur throws out the jab.
Takahashi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi misses with a hook
and De Minaur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takahashi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice uppercut there from Takahashi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from De Minaur. Takahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takahashi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
De Minaur misses the jab.
Takahashi wants to slow De Minaur down by chopping away at his legs.
De Minaur just misses with a punch to the body.
De Minaur misses with a hook
and Takahashi counters with an inside leg kick.
Takahashi throws a right and a left that both miss.
De Minaur defending well as Takahashi loads up on a big left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryoto Takahashi really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Takahashi looks to land a body kick but De Minaur moved away.
A little feinted left hand from De Minaur on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
De Minaur moves out of range of the body kick.
De Minaur throws out a loose jab but Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takahashi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
De Minaur thows a left - swing and a miss!
A nice leg kick from De Minaur, right into the meat of the thigh.
De Minaur misses with a low kick.
De Minaur throws an off balance right hand
and Takahashi counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for De Minaur. That snapped Takahashi's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takahashi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Takahashi is looking to slow De Minaur down with leg kicks.
Takahashi moves away from the strike by De Minaur.
Takahashi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Minaur tries a low kick but Takahashi avoids it.
Takahashi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Takahashi connects with an inside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Takahashi.
De Minaur walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takahashi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Takahashi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
De Minaur jabs Takahashi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Takahashi misses with a body shot.
Nice jab there from Takahashi.
De Minaur loads up on a big right hand but Takahashi slips the punch.
Takahashi moves away from the strike by De Minaur.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Takahashi on the side of the head.
Takahashi throws the left hand but De Minaur avoids the punch easily.
De Minaur lands with a straight right. Takahashi didn't see that one coming.
De Minaur fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
Takahashi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt De Minaur.
De Minaur throws a leg kick
and Takahashi counters with a straight right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Minaur slips a straight right by Takahashi.
Takahashi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
De Minaur is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takahashi.
Takahashi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Takahashi scores with a nice head shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Takahashi as he connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takahashi.
Takahashi blocks a head kick by De Minaur.
De Minaur rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Takahashi counters with a nice uppercut.
De Minaur steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takahashi.
Takahashi defending well as De Minaur loads up on a big left hand.
De Minaur thows a leg kick but Takahashi checks it
and Takahashi counters with a nice uppercut.
De Minaur throws a leg kick that is checked
and Takahashi counters with a nice leg kick.
De Minaur fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A jab from De Minaur misses.
Nice body punch from Takahashi.
Nice uppercut lands for Takahashi. That snapped De Minaur's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi defending well as De Minaur loads up on a big left hand.
De Minaur throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
De Minaur throws an off balance right hand
and Takahashi counters with a head kick.
De Minaur throws a jab when Takahashi was well out of range.
Takahashi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Minaur throws a big shot that misses.
Takahashi thinks about the counter body kick.
De Minaur throws a poor cross that misses
and Takahashi counters with a right hand to the body.
Takahashi throws a body punch but De Minaur moves out of range.
Takahashi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from De Minaur.
Takahashi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but De Minaur manages to avoid it.
Takahashi throws a hook to the side of De Minaur's head but De Minaur sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Takahashi looks to throw the jab but De Minaur is out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryoto Takahashi 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!

An inside leg kick lands from Takahashi.
De Minaur getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Takahashi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
De Minaur scoring well with a low kick there.
Takahashi swings widly with a right hand
and De Minaur counters with a right hand to the body.
De Minaur bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takahashi throws a body kick that misses.
Takahashi throws a leg kick which misses De Minaur's front leg but catches the back leg as De Minaur tries to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takahashi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
De Minaur looks to land a right hand but Takahashi moved out of range.
Takahashi slips a jab from De Minaur.
De Minaur throws a hook to the side of Takahashi's head but Takahashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Takahashi keeps De Minaur at a distance using the push kick.
Takahashi defending well as De Minaur loads up on a big left hand.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut
and De Minaur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
De Minaur avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
De Minaur misses with a body kick.
De Minaur swings away with a leg kick that misses.
De Minaur misses with a hook
and Takahashi counters with a stiff right hand.
De Minaur lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A jab from Takahashi misses.
An attempted straight right counter from De Minaur misses the target.
Takahashi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Takahashi throws a looping overhand right but De Minaur ducks down to avoid it.
Rod De Minaur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi checks a leg kick.
De Minaur avoids the head kick by Takahashi.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takahashi.
De Minaur throws a sloppy head kick and Takahashi moves out of range easily.
De Minaur stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takahashi.
De Minaur with the inside leg kick.
Takahashi checks a low kick from De Minaur.
Crunch! De Minaur slams his shin into Takahashi's torso.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takahashi looks for the body kick but De Minaur saw that one coming.
De Minaur misses with a right hand
and Takahashi counters with a body kick that stops De Minaur in his tracks momentarily.
De Minaur will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi slips under a jab.
Takahashi moves away from the strike by De Minaur.
Takahashi staying out of range there.
Takahashi tries to land a leg kick but De Minaur saw it coming and moves away.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A jab from Takahashi misses.
De Minaur fires out a quick counter leg kick but Takahashi just manages to avoid it.
Takahashi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Takahashi throws a hook to the side of De Minaur's head but De Minaur sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
De Minaur bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takahashi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Crunch! Takahashi slams his shin into De Minaur's torso.
De Minaur throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Takahashi counters with an outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi slips a straight right by De Minaur.
Takahashi raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Takahashi looks to land a right hand but De Minaur moved out of range.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Takahashi lands with an overhand left.
Takahashi throws the kick towards the body but De Minaur avoids it.
Takahashi connects with the punch.
Takahashi throws the left hand but De Minaur avoids the punch easily.
Takahashi scores with a jab. De Minaur acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Minaur works the jab nicely.

It looks like Ryoto Takahashi has been cut.
Takahashi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Takahashi moves out of range of the leg kick from De Minaur.
A head kick by De Minaur misses
and Takahashi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Takahashi slips a jab from De Minaur.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryoto Takahashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Takahashi 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryoto Takahashi!
Ryoto Takahashi is the new lightweight champion!