PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tommy McTowlie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yamamoto Takiyama (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.

McTowlie
vs
Takiyama

200 cm
26
177 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

176 cm
26
175 lbs
3 - 2 - 2

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tommy McTowlie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 2, fighting out of London, Yamamoto Takiyama!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McTowlie tries to clinch there but Takiyama circles away.
McTowlie closes the distance looking to clinch

and Takiyama counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in McTowlie's guard now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Takiyama trying to control the position from guard on top but McTowlie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takiyama looking to pass the guard.
McTowlie is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Takiyama drops back, looking for a kneebar! McTowlie looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McTowlie looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McTowlie!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takiyama is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takiyama is trying to control McTowlie's posture but McTowlie avoids it.
Takiyama tries to buck McTowlie off but McTowlie is having none of it.
Takiyama sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Takiyama gets back to full guard.

Takiyama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McTowlie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Takiyama working for submissions but it's allowed McTowlie to get to half guard.
McTowlie is trying to control. Takiyama wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McTowlie is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Takiyama is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

McTowlie decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Takiyama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McTowlie doesn't manage to clinch there - Takiyama circles away.
McTowlie wants to clinch.
McTowlie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takiyama moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Takiyama lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and McTowlie has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from McTowlie and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
McTowlie tries to clinch up.
Takiyama shoots in for a takedown but McTowlie shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Takiyama tries to score a power double leg takedown but McTowlie sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Takiyama somewhat.
A clash of legs there as Takiyama blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takiyama shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
McTowlie really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Takiyama tries a low kick but McTowlie avoids it.
McTowlie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Takiyama shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McTowlie lands with a thumping leg kick.
McTowlie connects with a good right hand that stumbles Takiyama. Takiyama circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McTowlie lands a nice hook to Takiyama's body. Takiyama takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Takiyama swats away the attempt to clinch by McTowlie.

Takiyama shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McTowlie's guard.
McTowlie is looking to stand up but Takiyama isn't so interested in that idea.
Takiyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McTowlie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takiyama is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Takiyama trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but McTowlie manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McTowlie trying to control the position from guard on top but Takiyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yamamoto Takiyama will probably get the nod.
That's time! McTowlie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takiyama takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Takiyama ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McTowlie throws a body punch but Takiyama moves out of range.
Takiyama keeps the fight on the outside.
Takiyama tries to score a power double leg takedown but McTowlie sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Takiyama somewhat.
McTowlie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McTowlie tries to clinch up but Takiyama circles away and keeps his distance.
McTowlie leaves Takiyama with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No joy there for McTowlie, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McTowlie lands a nice shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - McTowlie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Takiyama lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McTowlie circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McTowlie darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tommy McTowlie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McTowlie lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
McTowlie throws a jab when Takiyama was well out of range.
Takiyama closes the distance and clinches up with McTowlie, looking for a takedown. Takiyama pushes McTowlie against the cage but McTowlie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tommy McTowlie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamamoto Takiyama.
McTowlie is looking to clinch.
McTowlie tries to clinch up but Takiyama circles away and keeps his distance.

McTowlie clinches with his opponent.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

McTowlie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McTowlie is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
McTowlie lands a body shot.
McTowlie wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A leg kick checked by McTowlie.
McTowlie throws a leg kick which misses Takiyama's front leg but catches the back leg as Takiyama tries to avoid it.
McTowlie fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Takiyama on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takiyama fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McTowlie buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Takiyama fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McTowlie, pushing him back against the cage.
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!
McTowlie throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Takiyama keeps control of McTowlie as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

McTowlie breaks the clinch.
McTowlie misses with an attempted mid kick.
McTowlie fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
McTowlie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Takiyama has time to react.
Tommy McTowlie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McTowlie digs a good hook to Takiyama's body.
McTowlie tries to clinch up but Takiyama circles away and keeps his distance.
McTowlie is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
McTowlie darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McTowlie tries to clinch but Takiyama is having none of it.
Takiyama misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McTowlie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McTowlie moves to clinch but Takiyama breaks away

and Takiyama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McTowlie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Takiyama wants to control from the top but McTowlie keeps moving.
Yamamoto Takiyama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Takiyama tries to free his leg and advance position but McTowlie is retaining full guard.
Takiyama trying to control the position from guard on top but McTowlie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takiyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McTowlie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takiyama trying to control but McTowlie is working from the bottom.

Yamamoto Takiyama has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Takiyama scores a takedown into full mount!

Takiyama swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and McTowlie is now in Takiyama's guard. A big mistake from Takiyama there, giving up the dominant position!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takiyama looking to hit a scissor sweep but McTowlie is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takiyama has a closed guard, preventing McTowlie from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy McTowlie dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Takiyama throws a leg kick that misses.
Takiyama shoots in looking for a takedown. McTowlie tries to sprawl out of it but Takiyama keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McTowlie manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McTowlie walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takiyama checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McTowlie misses with a low kick as Takiyama jumps back.
McTowlie misses with a straight left.
Nice uppercut lands for McTowlie. That snapped Takiyama's head back.
A bone on bone clash there as Takiyama blocks the leg kick.
McTowlie throws a front kick aimed at Takiyama's knee but Takiyama avoids it well.
Takiyama shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McTowlie as he jumps to the side.
McTowlie looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Takiyama moves out of range of the body kick.
McTowlie looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takiyama darts in and clinches McTowlie up against the cage.

McTowlie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takiyama, right into the meat.
Takiyama throws a leg kick but McTowlie sees it coming and checks it nicely.
McTowlie tries to clinch up but Takiyama circles away and keeps his distance.
McTowlie throws a low kick but Takiyama moves out of range easily.
Tommy McTowlie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McTowlie throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
McTowlie bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Takiyama checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
McTowlie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takiyama paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A shot to the liver by McTowlie. Beautiful body shot.
Takiyama throws a series of punches but McTowlie avoids them all with ease.
Takiyama misses with a two punch combination.
Takiyama takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Takiyama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McTowlie breaks the clinch.
Takiyama is trying hard to land a takedown here. McTowlie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tommy McTowlie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamamoto Takiyama.
Takiyama takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McTowlie is looking to clinch.
Takiyama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McTowlie checks the leg kick.
McTowlie pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McTowlie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McTowlie fails in his attempt to clinch.
A shot to the body from McTowlie misses

and Takiyama counters with a shoot takedown. McTowlie fights it but they end up in guard.
McTowlie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McTowlie keeping full guard, as Takiyama tries to pass.
Takiyama scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takiyama throws a big elbow that misses.
Takiyama tries to free his leg and advance position but McTowlie is retaining full guard.
Takiyama looking to sit in guard and control but McTowlie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Takiyama is looking for a triangle but McTowlie pushes his legs off easily.

Takiyama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McTowlie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Takiyama looking for submissions from the bottom but instead McTowlie passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McTowlie trying to pass the guard but Takiyama defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Takiyama manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Takiyama looking for a sweep. Not yet Takiyama, not yet.

McTowlie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McTowlie is stalling in the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Takiyama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McTowlie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yamamoto Takiyama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takiyama 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yamamoto Takiyama!
Yamamoto Takiyama thanked the fans post fight for their support.