This is the Dream.15 live blog for Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. DJ.taiki, a featherweight bout on tonight's Dream event from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.Ishida moves down to featherweight in this fight against DJ.taiki. Both weighed-in at 143 pounds.
The live blog is below.
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Only in Japan can a fighter come out to Coldplay ("Viva La Vida") and not be ironic -- and it works. Ishida enters holding the flag of Japan.
Round 1: Taiki storms out with a kick. And it doesn't take long for Ishida to score the takedown. Ishida scores with left hands inside Taiki's halfguard. Ishida steps over to side mount with only around 90 seconds into the fight. Ishida eyes the arm-triangle. Ishida slowly tries to slide his own left knee across the body. He gives up on it. Ishida instead takes the crucifix, and then slickly turns for the armbar. Ishida is too high and Taiki escapes! They are back on their feet and Ishida offers a fist bump. A Taiki kick slips up Ishida, who quickly recovers. Ishida scores the takedown off a kick. Taiki kicks off to his feet and Ishida immediately goes for the takedown and gets it. Ishida passes to side with five minutes left. After a reposition, Ishida looks to pass but instead falls into Taiki's halfguard. He'll pass to side mount wit 3:18 left and continues to score with punches. Taiki tries to scramble out and gives up his back. Taiki recomposes to closed guard. Ishida allows Taiki to standup and scores his fourth takedown. Ishida again takes DJ.taiki's back, with one hook in. Ishida gets to his knees into side mount. Taiki gives up his back and stands. Round ends.
Dominant first round for Ishida.
Round 2: Taiki again walks towards Ishida with a kick only to get caught and taken down. Ishida back to work inside the guard of DJ.taiki. Taiki landing off his back, as might have bursted Ishida's left cauliflower ear. Ishida takes Taiki's back, and secures both hooks in. The two battling for wrist control. Ishida turns over for full mount. Taiki explodes and escapes to his feet. He stuns Ishida with a left. DJ.taiki grabs a guillotine to the ground but Ishida escapes with a minute left to land rapid right punches.
Too little too late for Taiki and MMAFighting.com gives the second round also to Ishida.
Ishida wins by unanimous decision
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