[1985-07-21-UWF] Nobuhiko Takada vs Super Tiger

Nobuhiko Takada vs Super Tiger - UWF 7/21/85

Sayama without his Tiger Mask?!!? Not as cool. Two of the all-time best kickers here. First like three minutes of fifteen minute match are cut. They are throwing some really beautiful kicks, but both are so good at blocking and movement nothing really lands until the end. The matwork is pretty good. Both are better on the mat with a pro like Fujiwara rather than left to their own devices where nothing seems to connect. It is just kicks and then takedown attempts nothing connects the matwork. I liked Sayama's legsweep/legscissors combo that Takada countered with a double wristlock. Sayama had good selling during Triangle Choke with his coughing. The narrative felt like they were equally great at kicking and equally mediocre on the mat. I felt Sayama was dictating ring positioning better, but Takada being a bit taller and stronger was better at takedowns. The match complexion changed in the last minute when Sayama finally lands a wild spin kick to the head that causes Takada to take an 8 count. Takada had his bell run and it is a matter of time. Takada goes for a throw and Tiger squashes it and grabs a double wristlock for a win. The match flew by and there were some good kicks, but not much else. I was hoping more some really badass kicks to the head. ***