PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and VinniJay Acunia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takahashi kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is 暗殺者. VinniJay Acunia has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Takahashi
vs
Acunia

180 cm
30
174 lbs
19 - 8 - 1

180 cm
35
151 lbs
33 - 12 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

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 19 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ichiro Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, VinniJay Acunia!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takahashi.
Takahashi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Acunia just misses with a punch to the body.
Acunia throws the kick towards the body but Takahashi avoids it.
Acunia keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A clash of legs there as Acunia blocks the low kick.
Acunia lands a nice hook to Takahashi's body. Takahashi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Takahashi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Acunia has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Acunia moves out of range as Takahashi strikes.
Takahashi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Takahashi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Acunia checks it well.
Acunia lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Acunia lands with a kick to the ribs.
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 steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Acunia. That one must have hurt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Acunia. That's going to slow Takahashi down.
A head kick misses from Acunia.
Acunia walks forward, straight into a front kick from Takahashi.
A punch combination from Takahashi misses.
Acunia attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Takahashi has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Convicted Fight Club in the buildup to the fight.
Takahashi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Acunia moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takahashi moves into the clinch successfully.
Takahashi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Acunia is defending well for now.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takahashi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Takahashi lands a left hand.
Acunia tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Acunia has clasped his hands together around Takahashi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Acunia creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Takahashi sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Takahashi is looking to regain half guard here but Acunia keeps moving and retains side control.
Takahashi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Takahashi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Takahashi.
Takahashi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Acunia working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Takahashi's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acunia postures up in Takahashi's guard and throws a big left but Takahashi blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takahashi wants to sweep but no luck.
Acunia missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Takahashi is adopting a defensive guard.
Acunia tries to free his leg and advance position but Takahashi is retaining full guard.
Acunia missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Acunia wants to control from the top but Takahashi keeps moving.
Takahashi is trying to control the position but Acunia postures up.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Acunia from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Takahashi holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Takahashi shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Acunia eats them both and turns towards Takahashi to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like VinniJay Acunia has been cut.
Takahashi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Takahashi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Takahashi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Acunia rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Takahashi moves into the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Takahashi.
Takahashi trying to land knees to the body.
Takahashi misses with a knee strike.
Takahashi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Acunia blocks it with crossed arms.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Acunia working aggressively here.
Acunia taking a breather.
Acunia misses with a punch to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Acunia as Takahashi tries to tie him up.
Acunia blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Takahashi lands a shoulder strike.
Acunia can't get the takedown.
Takahashi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Acunia lands a hook that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Takahashi as Acunia tries to tie him up.
Takahashi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Acunia blocks it with crossed arms.
Takahashi misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahashi tries to work over Acunia's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Acunia misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Acunia stalling against the cage.
Acunia pushes Takahashi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takahashi blocks a body shot from Acunia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but VinniJay Acunia will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on VinniJay Acunia's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Takahashi moves out of range of the leg kick from Acunia.
Acunia lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
VinniJay Acunia seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takahashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Acunia motions for Takahashi to come forward. Acunia throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Acunia throws a leg kick but Takahashi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Takahashi checks a leg kick.

Takahashi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Acunia, pushing him back against the cage.
Acunia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takahashi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Acunia swings wildly with an uppercut but Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takahashi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Takahashi stalling in the clinch.
Takahashi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Acunia's efforts to push away.
Takahashi swings wildly with an uppercut but Acunia uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takahashi working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to land knees to the body.
Acunia managing to block the knees to the body from Takahashi.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takahashi.
Acunia misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahashi misses with a punch on the inside.
Ichiro Takahashi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Takahashi trying to land knees to the body.
Takahashi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takahashi fails to pull guard.
Takahashi leaning against his opponent.
Takahashi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takahashi lands a hook that snaps the head of Acunia backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Takahashi.
Takahashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Acunia.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Takahashi obliges.
Takahashi scores with a shot to the side of Acunia's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Acunia misses with a punch to the body.
Takahashi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takahashi tries to land knees in the clinch but Acunia avoids the damage to the body.
Acunia tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Acunia lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Acunia scores with a shoulder strike.
Takahashi misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahashi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Acunia lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Acunia is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Takahashi misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Takahashi.
Acunia is trying to maintain a safe position but Takahashi gets an underhook and turns Acunia into the cage.
Acunia prevents a body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi looking to throw knees to the head but Acunia is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Takahashi lands a nice elbow.
Takahashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Takahashi missing with knees to the body.
Takahashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Acunia has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Acunia's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takahashi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Acunia lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takahashi backwards.
Acunia changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Takahashi fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acunia lands a high kick!
Good leg kick by Acunia there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A good leg kick by Acunia.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takahashi throws a chopping leg kick but Acunia manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Acunia fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Takahashi is out of range.
Acunia dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takahashi. That did some damage!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Takahashi 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 Acunia has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Acunia and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A bone on bone clash there as Acunia blocks the leg kick.
Acunia misses with a hook.
Takahashi throws a lazy right hand but Acunia sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Takahashi there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Acunia scoring well with a low kick there.
Takahashi throws a solid leg kick but Acunia takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Takahashi.
Takahashi with a jab.
Acunia feints and then cracks Takahashi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Takahashi down.
Takahashi blocks the body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ichiro Takahashi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on VinniJay Acunia's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Takahashi tries a head kick but it misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Acunia.
Takahashi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Acunia tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Acunia tests Takahashi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Takahashi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Acunia lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Acunia throws out a leg kick but Takahashi moves out of range and Acunia only half commits.
No joy there for Acunia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Acunia moves out of range of the body kick.
Acunia fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takahashi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Takahashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Acunia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Acunia blocks the body kick.
Acunia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takahashi moves away.
Takahashi throws a leg kick but Acunia sees it coming and moves out of range.
Takahashi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Acunia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Acunia with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Takahashi to score with a decent uppercut.
Acunia throws a leg kick which misses Takahashi's front leg but catches the back leg as Takahashi tries to avoid it.
Acunia misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acunia lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Acunia checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Acunia slips under a jab from Takahashi.
Takahashi tries to clinch up but Acunia circles away and keeps his distance.
Acunia stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takahashi.
Acunia 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.
Acunia misses with a hook. Takahashi ducked under it nicely.

Takahashi moves into range and clinches up with Acunia.
Takahashi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Acunia's elbow.
Acunia has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Takahashi after a bit of a struggle.
Acunia struggles to land a body shot inside as Takahashi controls his hands.
Takahashi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Acunia is defending well for now.
Takahashi putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Acunia in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Acunia goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Acunia avoiding damage as Takahashi throws knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Takahashi obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Acunia pushes Takahashi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Acunia blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Takahashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Takahashi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takahashi lands a left hand.
Acunia goes for a takedown in the clinch but Takahashi prevents it.
Acunia is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Takahashi is keeping busy.
Acunia just leaning against Takahashi, taking a breather.
Takahashi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Acunia blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Takahashi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Takahashi content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi lands a nice knee to the body.
Good body shot from Takahashi.
Acunia prevents a body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi throws a knee to the head but misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Takahashi.
Takahashi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Acunia is defending well for now.

Acunia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takahashi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Takahashi.
Takahashi walks forward, straight into a front kick from Acunia.
Acunia connects with a solid leg kick.
Acunia misses with a low kick.
Takahashi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Acunia lands with a thumping leg kick.

Takahashi has closed the distance and engaged Acunia in a clinch.
Acunia tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Acunia.
Takahashi trying to land knees to the body.
Takahashi misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Acunia.
Takahashi with a knee to the head.
Takahashi throws a head punch that misses.
Acunia lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Takahashi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Acunia has Takahashi pressed against the cage.
Takahashi tries a knee to the head but Acunia blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Acunia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Acunia drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ichiro Takahashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of VinniJay Acunia.
Acunia avoiding damage as Takahashi throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ichiro Takahashi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Takahashi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ichiro Takahashi!
Ichiro Takahashi took some time post fight to say the following; 'Eventually age gets the best of all of us. Good luck in the future, with whatever endeavors you pursue.'.