PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Takesaya Hitagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bragi Ragnarsson (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.

Hitagi
vs
Ragnarsson

190 cm
18
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takesaya Hitagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bragi Ragnarsson!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ragnarsson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hitagi's sensitive parts.
Ragnarsson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hitagi. That did some damage!
Ragnarsson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Takesaya Hitagi has been cut.
Ragnarsson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ragnarsson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ragnarsson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hitagi's head.

Ragnarsson gets a clinch.
Ragnarsson tries to work over Hitagi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hitagi up against the cage.
Hitagi can't get the takedown.
Hitagi is looking to take this one to the mat.
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!
Hitagi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ragnarsson landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson scores a nice knee to the body.
Ragnarsson has a couple of punches blocked by Hitagi.
Hitagi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ragnarsson after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takesaya Hitagi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitagi has Ragnarsson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ragnarsson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ragnarsson stalling the fight.
Ragnarsson throws a head punch that misses.
Ragnarsson working aggressively here.
Ragnarsson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ragnarsson tries a body shot but Hitagi blocks it.
Ragnarsson tries to throw a body punch but Hitagi avoids it by throwing Ragnarsson back against the cage.
Hitagi tries for a takedown but Ragnarsson manages to get underhooks.
Ragnarsson throws a punch but it's blocked by Hitagi.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson stalling the fight.
Ragnarsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ragnarsson has a couple of punches blocked by Hitagi.
Ragnarsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
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!
Ragnarsson tries a body shot but Hitagi blocks it.
Ragnarsson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ragnarsson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitagi blocks a body shot from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Hitagi blocks a body shot from Ragnarsson.
Hitagi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ragnarsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitagi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitagi blocks a body shot from Ragnarsson.
A knee to the head by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson working Hitagi over with knees to the body.
Ragnarsson working aggressively here.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hitagi's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson scores a nice knee to the body.
Hitagi is breathing heavily.
Ragnarsson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hitagi prevents a body shot from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Hitagi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ragnarsson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ragnarsson with a knee to the head.
Hitagi letting Ragnarsson take a breather here.
A head punch on the inside from Ragnarsson fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bragi Ragnarsson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Takesaya Hitagi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ragnarsson lands with a slapping head kick.
Hitagi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hitagi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ragnarsson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Hitagi is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Ragnarsson throws a lazy right hand but Hitagi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Hitagi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ragnarsson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ragnarsson throws a head kick that Hitagi semi-blocks.
Ragnarsson tries to clinch

and Hitagi counters with a nice right hand that sends Ragnarsson toppling to the canvas! Ragnarsson scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Hitagi finish him?!

Ragnarsson is rocked!

It looks like Bragi Ragnarsson has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hitagi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ragnarsson thows a body kick. Hitagi tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Ragnarsson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hitagi's head.
Ragnarsson throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ragnarsson throws a sloppy head kick and Hitagi moves out of range easily.
And Hitagi counters with a quick kick to the body but Ragnarsson blocks it.
Ragnarsson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bragi Ragnarsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson misses with a right hand

and Hitagi counters with a crisp right hand that drops Ragnarsson! Hitagi lets Ragnarsson back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Ragnarsson is still on wobbly legs! Can Hitagi finish him?
Ragnarsson loads up on a big right hand but Hitagi slips the punch.
Hitagi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ragnarsson.
A telegraphed right hand from Ragnarsson misses the target.
It looked like Hitagi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ragnarsson seems to have recovered his senses.
Ragnarsson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A good leg kick by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hitagi's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ragnarsson scoring well with a low kick there.

Ragnarsson has Hitagi up against the cage in a clinch.
Hitagi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ragnarsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitagi blocking some punches.
Ragnarsson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ragnarsson tries a knee to the head but Hitagi blocks it.
Ragnarsson controlling the action here for a moment.
Hitagi blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Ragnarsson fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hitagi.
Ragnarsson tries to work over Hitagi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hitagi is looking for a takedown.
Hitagi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bragi Ragnarsson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ragnarsson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hitagi up against the cage.
Hitagi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ragnarsson tries to work over Hitagi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ragnarsson tries to throw a body punch but Hitagi avoids it by throwing Ragnarsson back against the cage.
Ragnarsson misses with the head strike.
Ragnarsson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.

Takesaya Hitagi's cut is getting worse.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
Hitagi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ragnarsson tries to land a knee to the head but Hitagi blocks with his arms.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hitagi's face.
Ragnarsson scores a nice knee to the body.
Hitagi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takesaya Hitagi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ragnarsson throws a knee to the head but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ragnarsson working aggressively here.
Ragnarsson working aggressively here.
Stalling in the clinch from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bragi Ragnarsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hitagi takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hitagi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ragnarsson.
An attempted straight right counter from Hitagi misses the target.
Ragnarsson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ragnarsson. Hitagi shrugs it off though.
Ragnarsson scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ragnarsson lands a leg kick that knocks Hitagi off balance momentarily.
Ragnarsson throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ragnarsson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hitagi will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Ragnarsson is looking to slow Hitagi down with leg kicks.
Hitagi staying out of range there.
Bragi Ragnarsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Ragnarsson moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson connects with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ragnarsson misses with a knee strike.
Ragnarsson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hitagi blocking some punches.
Hitagi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ragnarsson scores with a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ragnarsson.
Hitagi wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson misses with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ragnarsson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hitagi.
Ragnarsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hitagi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ragnarsson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ragnarsson effectively controlling the action here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ragnarsson misses with the head strike.
Ragnarsson controlling the action here for a moment.
Ragnarsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitagi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ragnarsson tries to throw a body punch but Hitagi avoids it by throwing Ragnarsson back against the cage.
Ragnarsson working aggressively here.
Ragnarsson tries to land a knee to the head but Hitagi blocks with his arms.
Hitagi blocks a body shot from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitagi controls his hands.
Ragnarsson lands a good knee to the midsection. Hitagi won't want to take too many of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ragnarsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ragnarsson lands a knee to the head.
Ragnarsson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hitagi's face.
Ragnarsson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ragnarsson throws a head punch that misses.
Hitagi tries for a takedown but Ragnarsson manages to get underhooks.
Takesaya Hitagi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bragi Ragnarsson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takesaya Hitagi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hitagi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ragnarsson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bragi Ragnarsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ragnarsson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 25:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bragi Ragnarsson!