PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takaku Fuke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benito Vasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasquez has chosen Megadriver-Guile! as his entrance music. Takaku Fuke has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Fuke
vs
Vasquez

166 cm
23
145 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

173 cm
21
144 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Fightworld Formula
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE-GTI

Fight Club Clothing Helsinki™

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takaku Fuke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Benito Vasquez!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fuke looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fuke working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Vasquez's head.
Fuke wants to pass the guard but Vasquez is keeping the position.
Fuke trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fuke throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fuke passes Vasquez's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Vasquez trying to hold on to Fuke's head to control him but Fuke postures up.
Fuke missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fuke tries to pass the half guard into mount. Vasquez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Fuke throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Vasquez misses with a double jab.
Vasquez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fuke.
Vasquez connects with a nice looking jab.
Fuke shoots for a double leg takedown but Vasquez sprawls well. He's pushed Fuke's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vasquez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fuke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fuke shoots for a double leg takedown but Vasquez sprawls well. He's pushed Fuke's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takaku Fuke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vasquez clobbers Fuke with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fuke.
Vasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Fuke. Fuke gets slowly back to his feet.
Fuke is breathing heavily.
Vasquez throws a series of punches but Fuke moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Vasquez. No joy for Fuke on that attempt.
Fuke needs to keep his hands up - Vasquez had a free shot at his head there.
Fuke dives in and grabs Vasquez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vasquez pushes down on Fuke's head and hops out.
Vasquez throws a nice looking combination but Fuke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vasquez throws a nice looking combination but Fuke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vasquez tries to bum rush Fuke with a series of wild strikes but Fuke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vasquez closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Takaku Fuke has been cut.
Vasquez throws a right hand that Fuke ducks under and follows up with a left that Fuke also avoids with ease.
Fuke dodges the punch combination from Vasquez.
Vasquez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vasquez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vasquez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fuke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vasquez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Vasquez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Fuke backs up against the cage.
Vasquez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fuke.
Vasquez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fuke.
Vasquez comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vasquez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vasquez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Fuke closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Vasquez did well to prevent Fuke getting side control.
Vasquez desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Vasquez regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fuke throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez keeping full guard, as Fuke tries to pass.
Fuke throwing strikes but missing.
Fuke tries to free his leg and advance position but Vasquez is retaining full guard.
Vasquez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fuke is controlling him.
Fuke trying to move into half guard but instead Vasquez has managed to sweep!
Fuke tries to strike from the bottom.
Fuke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vasquez.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fuke slips a jab and a cross from Vasquez.
Vasquez moves out of range as Fuke strikes.
Fuke shoots in for a takedown but Vasquez shows good takedown defense.
Vasquez swinging wildly here.
Vasquez throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four 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.
A combination from Vasquez does no damage.
Fuke throws a series of strikes that have Vasquez backpedaling.
Fuke fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fuke avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vasquez misses with a combination

and Fuke decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vasquez's guard.
Fuke throws a big right hand that misses.
Fuke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fuke being controlled here momentarily.
Fuke trying to move into half guard but instead Vasquez has managed to sweep!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fuke trying to control the position.
Vasquez wanted to stand there but Fuke had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benito Vasquez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Takaku Fuke's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fuke tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vasquez swivels and escapes.
Vasquez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Fuke counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fuke advances to half guard.
Fuke thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Vasquez to regain full guard.
Vasquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fuke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vasquez is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fuke passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez won't allow Fuke to pass to mount.
Fuke working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Vasquez trying to hold on to Fuke's head to control him but Fuke postures up.
Fuke thows a huge punch but Vasquez dodges it nicely.
The fighters are battling for position here. Vasquez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fuke in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fuke looking to pass the guard.
Fuke postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Fuke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vasquez is keeping the position for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vasquez is on top in guard.

Vasquez gets to his feet. Fuke looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Vasquez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Vasquez connects with a body shot.
Vasquez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Fuke on the side of the head.
Vasquez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fuke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fuke shoots for a takedown but Vasquez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Vasquez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A jab from Vasquez finds it's way through Fuke's defenses.
Vasquez lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vasquez.
Vasquez throws a combination that misses
and Fuke counters with a stiff right hand.
Vasquez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takaku Fuke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Benito Vasquez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vasquez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vasquez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Vasquez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Vasquez cracks Fuke with a right hand to the side of the head.
Vasquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Vasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Fuke. Fuke gets slowly back to his feet.
Fuke has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Vasquez finds it's way round the side to connect with Fuke's head.
Vasquez misses with a double jab.
Vasquez swinging wildly here.
Vasquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Vasquez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuke looks for a takedown but Vasquez sprawls well.
Vasquez is working the combinations to good effect here.
Vasquez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vasquez.
Vasquez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Vasquez throws a nice looking combination but Fuke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice sprawl there from Vasquez as Fuke shoots in.
Vasquez misses with a two punch combination.
Vasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Fuke. Fuke gets slowly back to his feet.
Vasquez works over Fuke's head and body with a nice combination.
Vasquez throws a right and a left that Fuke avoids nicely.
Fuke shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A nice combination there by Vasquez.
Vasquez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fuke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vasquez as he jumps to the side.
Vasquez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Fuke momentarily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fuke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vasquez as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benito Vasquez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Takaku Fuke's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Fuke is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Vasquez.
Fuke gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Vasquez.
Fuke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fuke misses with a takedown attempt - Vasquez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fuke looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Vasquez swinging wildly here.
Vasquez throws a nice looking combination but Fuke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vasquez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Fuke's head.
Nice takedown defense from Vasquez. No joy for Fuke on that attempt.
Vasquez throws a sloppy head kick and Fuke moves out of range easily.
Vasquez throws a one two combo.
Vasquez misses with a wild combination.
Vasquez throws a series of punches but Fuke avoids them all with ease.
Vasquez throws a combination that misses

and Fuke counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Vasquez!
Vasquez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Takaku Fuke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vasquez is bucking up trying to escape but Fuke cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuke landing strikes from the mount.
Vasquez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Vasquez is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fuke lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Vasquez hang on?
Fuke throwing strikes here but Vasquez is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Fuke sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Vasquez can't escape the position.
Fuke avoids the attempt from Vasquez to control.
Takaku Fuke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fuke raining down shots from the mount!
Fuke misses with a head shot.
Fuke raining down shots from the mount!
Vasquez 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.
Fuke works his foot free and advances to mount.
Fuke looking to finish Vasquez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Vasquez!
Fuke looking to ground and pound but Vasquez is blocking nicely.
Vasquez wants to control but Fuke is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuke working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Vasquez is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Fuke in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Fuke unloads with some shots from mount but Vasquez bucks and avoids them well.
Vasquez takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Fuke goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Vasquez turns into him and now he's in Fuke's guard.
Vasquez won't allow Fuke to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez wants to stand but Fuke is controlling his posture from full guard.
Vasquez wants to control from the top but Fuke keeps moving.
Fuke looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Vasquez stands and steps away. Fuke gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Vasquez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vasquez.
Fuke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vasquez's waist but Vasquez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fuke off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takaku Fuke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fuke takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fuke takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A right-left combo lands from Vasquez.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Takaku Fuke.
I think Vasquez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benito Vasquez!