Takeshi Izumi’s takedowns lead him to decision win

Takeshi Izumi is a wrestling expert, having been an intercollegiate champion in Japan and Asian Wrestling Champion, as well as a former participant in the Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships. Transitioning full time to MMA in 2020, Izumi has won six of his ten bouts since. He made his PFL debut at the first PFL Africa event in July, dropping a decision to Makkasharip Zaynukov.

A well-traveled MMA fighter, Vinicius Cenci was a Brazilian amateur Muay Thai champion before making the transition to MMA. Cenci is 9-3 in the sport, with eight finishes to his name – seven coming via submission, with all of those submission wins coming via a choke. Cenci dropped his PFL debut earlier this year to Brent Primus before rebounding with a win over Tony Caruso in June.

Who will come out on top in this lightweight battle?

Round 1

Low kick from Izumi, but Cenci with a counter jab. Izumi presses forward, but Cenci lands a combination. Cenci misses a left jab. Low kick by Cenci. Izumi on the outside, and he lands a right hand. Cenci misses a right hand. Low kick by Cenci. Inside combination from Cenci. Izumi with a right hand. Low kick by Izumi. Front kick by Cenci. Low kick by Izumi. Left hand and a round kick by Cenci. One-two by Izumi. Right hand by Cenci, followed by a knee to the chest that brings them into a clinch battle at the fence.

Izumi is able to work his way into a takedown, going on top in Cenci’s guard. Izumi trying to do work and landing ground shots. Cenci is looking for a triangle position, but Izumi is posturing his way to avoid it. Cenci is still going for a triangle, but Izumi works his way out of it again. Cenci lands from the bottom, but Izumi lands hammerfist. Cenci tries for a triangle armbar, but Izumi is stacking to weaken the attempt. Some powerful shots from up top. Izumi ends the round in top position.

Round 2

Jab by Cenci. Low kick from Izumi. Left hand by Cenci. Low kick by Cenci. Body kick by Cenci, but his movement allows Izumi to catch it and score a sudden takedown. Izumi works his arm around Cenci’s neck, looking for a guillotine. Cenci manages to sweep and get in a half-guard position, with Izumi seated up against the fence. Izumi tries to work his way back to his feet, but Cenci tries to keep Izumi’s legs pinned.

https://x.com/PFLMMA/status/1974156328726679948

Izumi tries to threaten the neck, looking for a potential choke on Cenci. Cenci now with a body lock, keeping a hold of the legs until Izumi is able to work himself up and away from Cenci. Jab by Izumi. Left jab misses for Cenci. Exchange on the inside. Strong right hand on another exchange from Cenci. Cenci flashes the left hand. Cenci with another body kick, and it’s caught again by Izumi. Izumi uses it for a takedown, and he lands a couple of strong punches from the top. Cenci tries to scramble, but Izumi scrambles back and gets back on the ground. Izumi stands up and lands a couple of leg kicks on the floored Cenci. That’s where the round ends.

Round 3

An early body lock, and Izumi presses Cenci into the fence. Izumi with an easy takedown. Izumi with a knee against the hip. Ceci tries to scramble up. Knee to the leg by Izumi as he has a hold of the back. Cenci rolls out of it. Izumi counters and works his way into a guard pass, nearing full side control.

Izumi threatens an arm-triangle choke. Izumi is pressing completely, limiting Cenci’s output from the bottom. Izumi gets into full mount! He’s squeezing now with the arm-triangle attempt! Cenci escapes it, but Izumi is still all over him. Cenci is on his feet, but Izumi still has a hold of him with a minute left in the fight. Cenci goes back to guard. Up kick from Cenci, as Izumi moves back. Cenci gets up, but we get another clinch battle right before the bell.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Takeshi Izumi defeats Vinicius Cenci by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28x2) in a Lightweight Showcase Bout.