PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arnoldas Sireika (ranked 1170 p4p, 148 weight class) and Saku Takashi (ranked 1991 p4p, 239 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Sireika
vs
Takashi

180 cm
26
197 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

189 cm
26
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

King Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Arnoldas Sireika!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Takashi!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sireika displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Takashi.
As Takashi tries to get set, Sireika tries to push him back and clinch up but Takashi manages to avoid the attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Takashi.

Takashi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sireika!
Sireika isn't going anywhere.
Takashi slows the pace down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sireika sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Takashi controlling the position.
Takashi in side control, throwing shots but Sireika defends.
Sireika tries to bench press Takashi off him but Takashi keeps the position.
Takashi scoring with punches and elbows.
Takashi tries to score with some ground and pound. Sireika controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Takashi landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sireika on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sireika tries to get out of the position.
Takashi working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Sireika is letting Takashi control him for a moment.
Sloppy strikes there by Takashi.
The strikes coming from Takashi are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takashi content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Takashi lands a decent elbow from side control.
Takashi lands an elbow.
Takashi scores with a couple of short elbows.
Takashi working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Takashi throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Takashi lands a nice forearm strike.
Takashi postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Takashi fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sireika dodges the ground and pound from Takashi.
Takashi in side control, throwing shots but Sireika defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi lands a nice forearm strike.
Takashi moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Takashi scores with a couple of short elbows.
Takashi throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Takashi is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Takashi lands a decent elbow from side control.
Takashi remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Takashi lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Takashi politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Takashi prefers to stall for the moment though.
Takashi landing a few strikes.
Takashi tries to score with some ground and pound. Sireika controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Takashi cracks Sireika with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Takashi lands a nice forearm strike.
Takashi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Takashi takes a little break here. Sireika wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Takashi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sireika sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Takashi misses with the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takashi in side control, throwing shots but Sireika defends.
Takashi misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sireika defending against the ground and pound.
Takashi controlling from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Takashi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Takashi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sireika sprawls well. Sireika wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Takashi gets slowly back to his feet.
Sireika is looking to counter the offense by Takashi and move into the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Takashi.
Sireika seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Takashi tries for a takedown but Sireika circles away easily
and Takashi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Arnoldas Sireika has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Takashi.
Takashi fails with the takedown.
Saku Takashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takashi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sireika pinned against the cage. Sireika gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sireika tries to clinch up.
Takashi tries for a takedown but Sireika circles away easily
and Sireika counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi fails to land the takedown.
Takashi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Takashi with a poor takedown
and Sireika connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Takashi is defended easily by Sireika.
Takashi goes for a double leg but Sireika avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sireika continues to drive forward.
Arnoldas Sireika is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takashi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sireika swivels and escapes.
Takashi shoots in but no luck this time.
Takashi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As Takashi tries to get set, Sireika tries to push him back and clinch up but Takashi manages to avoid the attempt.
Sireika is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sireika tries to clinch but Takashi is having none of it.
Takashi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Takashi tries for a takedown but Sireika sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Takashi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sireika's guard.
Sireika wants to get back to his feet but Takashi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Takashi wants to control from the top but Sireika keeps moving.
Takashi is stalling in the full guard.
Takashi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Takashi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Takashi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sireika avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Takashi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takashi misses with a takedown attempt - Sireika sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Takashi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sireika's guard.
Takashi content to stall in guard here.
Takashi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sireika works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takashi postures up and lands a big shot to Sireika's brow.
Takashi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Saku Takashi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sireika preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sireika wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Takashi manages to pass to side control.
Takashi is controlling the pace.
Takashi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takashi controlling the action here.
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 Arnoldas Sireika will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Takashi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sireika counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takashi shoots and misses
letting Sireika counter with a right hand.
Takashi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Takashi.
Arnoldas Sireika has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Takashi.
Sireika is looking to clinch.
Takashi feints the counter takedown.
Takashi tries for a takedown but Sireika circles away easily
and Sireika counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi has his takedown stuffed
and Sireika makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Takashi misses with a takedown attempt
and Sireika counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Takashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Sireika.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sireika wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Takashi tries for a takedown but Sireika circles away easily
enabling Sireika to counter with a crisp jab.
Takashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Takashi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sireika manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Takashi preventing the sweep.
Takashi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sireika is trying to control the position but Takashi postures up.
Takashi content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takashi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sireika working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takashi.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sireika tries to sprawl but Takashi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Sireika keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Takashi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Takashi is taking a breather. Sireika says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sireika is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Takashi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Takashi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Takashi winds up and cracks Sireika with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Takashi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sireika is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Takashi scores with a couple of nice shots.
Takashi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Takashi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sireika on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Takashi connects with a nice short shot to Sireika's temple.
Takashi drops an elbow to the side of Sireika's head.
Takashi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Takashi passes to side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takashi looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Sireika is avoiding damage well.
Takashi misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Saku Takashi just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Takashi fails to land the takedown.
A little feinted left hand from Sireika on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Takashi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Takashi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Takashi shoots in for a takedown but Sireika shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Arnoldas Sireika has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Takashi.
Sireika keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Arnoldas Sireika is winning the standup battle so far.
Takashi dives in for a single leg takedown but Sireika sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Takashi fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sireika swivels and escapes.
Takashi dives in for a single leg takedown but Sireika sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takashi misses with a takedown attempt
and Sireika connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Takashi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Takashi fails with a takedown attempt.
Sireika is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Takashi.
Takashi fails with the takedown
enabling Sireika to counter with a crisp jab.
Takashi shoots in looking for a takedown but Sireika manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Takashi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sireika is looking to clinch but Takashi is avoiding it.
Takashi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As Takashi tries to get set, Sireika tries to push him back and clinch up but Takashi manages to avoid the attempt.
Sireika lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takashi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sireika counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takashi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sireika wants to clinch.
Sireika tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takashi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Takashi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sireika tries to counter by clinching up but Takashi breaks away and moves out of range.
Takashi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sireika as he avoids it easily.
Sireika tries to counter by clinching up but Takashi breaks away and moves out of range.
Takashi has his takedown stuffed
and Sireika counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Sireika gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Sireika.

Takashi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sireika throwing strikes from guard but Takashi blocks nicely.
Sireika wants to control from the top but Takashi keeps moving.
Takashi is pulling down on Sireika's head. It's preventing any offense from Sireika, at least for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Takashi is on top in guard.

Takashi preventing the sweep.
Takashi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takashi postures up in Sireika's guard and throws a big left but Sireika blocks it.
Takashi cracks Sireika with a solid left hand.
Takashi throws a big right hand that misses.
Sireika controls Takashi momentarily but Takashi frees himself.
Sireika being controlled here, momentarily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Takashi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takashi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Takashi is standing up over Sireika. Sireika looks to escape but Takashi dives into side control.
Takashi looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Sireika is avoiding damage well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arnoldas Sireika had his way with Saku Takashi in that round.
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!

Takashi feints and as Sireika raises his hands in defense, Takashi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sireika preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takashi controlling from the top position.
Takashi throws a big right hand that misses.
Takashi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takashi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sireika wants to stand up but Takashi is controlling him.
Takashi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sireika preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takashi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Takashi.
Takashi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sireika swivels and escapes.
Sireika was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sireika leaves Takashi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
As Takashi tries to get set, Sireika tries to push him back and clinch up but Takashi manages to avoid the attempt.
Arnoldas Sireika has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Takashi.

That's two 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.
Takashi fails with the takedown.
Takashi shoots in for a takedown but Sireika shows good takedown defense.
Sireika wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Takashi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sireika moves in looking to clinch but Takashi pushes him off.
Takashi fails with the takedown
and Sireika counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takashi tries for a takedown but Sireika sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Takashi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sireika counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sireika.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sireika.
Takashi looking for a takedown.
Takashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sireika just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takashi jumps guard but Sireika stands there with Takashi around his waist. Takashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Sireika.
Sireika lands a left hand.
Sireika lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sireika lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takashi tries to pull guard but Sireika won't allow it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sireika.
Sireika lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sireika.
Takashi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sireika lands with a light punch inside.
Sireika lands with a short shot to the head.

Takashi is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sireika.
Takashi is still on wobbly legs! Can Sireika finish him?
Takashi jumps guard but Sireika turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Takashi jumps guard but Sireika stands there with Takashi around his waist. Takashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Takashi seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sireika lands a shoulder strike.
Sireika presses Takashi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Takashi tries to pull guard but Sireika holds him up against the cage and eventually Takashi drops back down to his feet.
Sireika stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sireika lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Takashi backwards.
Sireika lands a left hand.
Sireika dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Sireika drops Takashi onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Takashi is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!
Sireika tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takashi's elbow.
Takashi fails to pull guard.
Takashi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sireika walks away with a smile on his face. Takashi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Takashi darts in looking for a takedown but Sireika gets double underhooks and turns Takashi into the cage.
Takashi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sireika swivels and escapes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arnoldas Sireika showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sireika 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 48:47
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 48:47
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arnoldas Sireika!
Arnoldas Sireika retains his middleweight title!
A victorious Arnoldas Sireika thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.