Post by The Sandmen on Sept 6, 2013 17:24:35 GMT -5
Hisae Watanabe glares at her opponent from the opposite corner.
Claudia Gadelha looks like she's feeling the pressure.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising her fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Josh Rosenthal.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
The bell announces the first round!
Watanabe decides to launch some tentative punches
Gadelha launches a couple of jabs that are answered by Watanabe with a stiff cross! Solid exchange!
Claudia Gadelha tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Watanabe is unable to remain on her feet and falls to the ground
Claudia Gadelha is in open guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in open guard over Watanabe... she fakes a move and then tries a kneebar!
Watanabe rolls on the ground trying to get free and after a few kicks of her own she escapes.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Claudia Gadelha. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) are cheering for the fighters.
Claudia Gadelha seems fresh. She may still have a lot of gas in her tank.
Gadelha studies her opponent looking for a hole in her defense.
0:51 Round 1 and Gadelha is still in good shape. She sure has trained hard for this fight.
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
A high kick from Claudia Gadelha
misses badly. Gadelha slips and falls!
Watanabe is standing while Gadelha is on the ground on her back
Claudia Gadelha doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on her feet
She moves fast and now she is standing
Back to the beginning! Claudia Gadelha is standing now.
A punch from Claudia Gadelha
gets blocked by Watanabe.
Claudia Gadelha fires an unorthodox punch to Watanabe's torso
that goes wide.
Claudia Gadelha tries to bring the fight to the ground
Watanabe goes down.
Claudia Gadelha is in open guard over Watanabe
Watanabe switches to high guard just before trying to sink a triangle!
Gadelha struggles and her head turns red from the choke, but she manages to slip her head of the lock!
Gadelha tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Claudia Gadelha tries to pass to half guard...
Hisae Watanabe's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
The clock says 1:50 in the 1 round
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Watanabe switches to high guard just before trying to sink a triangle!
Gadelha struggles and her head turns red from the choke, but she manages to slip her head of the lock!
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in closed guard... Watanabe tries to roll on the ground!
Claudia Gadelha uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Watanabe clumsily fails here and it's time for Claudia Gadelha to fight back!
Gadelha struggles on the ground and tries to break Hisae Watanabe's guard...
Watanabe doesn't want to free her opponent and Gadelha continues in closed guard
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in closed guard... Watanabe tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Claudia Gadelha!
Hisae Watanabe is in full mount over Claudia Gadelha
Hisae Watanabe tries to finish the fight with an armbar from the top
Gadelha is smart enough to avoid the submission attempt
Gadelha tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Gadelha tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
Hisae Watanabe doesn't want to lose her adventageous position and she struggles to mantain the full mount.
Josh Rosenthal stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) are cheering for the fighters.
Hisae Watanabe takes a few seconds to recover her breath...
Gadelha steps backwards away from Hisae Watanabe. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Hisae Watanabe leans forwards and tries to grapple with Gadelha
Watanabe shows her clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Claudia Gadelha's corner is turning out to be her worst enemy! Watanabe is throwing a flurry of punches!
Claudia Gadelha just can't get away!
Gadelha's Right cheek is bruised after the punishement she's received!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Watanabe tries to take Claudia Gadelha down... Gadelha stumbles backwards and Hisae Watanabe launches a few punches...
Claudia Gadelha dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Gadelha is trying to counter now!
Claudia Gadelha gets control of Hisae Watanabe's neck and attempts a guillotine!
Hisae Watanabe shakes her off and staves off danger.
Gadelha doesn't want to clinch as she ducks under Hisae Watanabe embrace and tries to move away...
Hisae Watanabe pushes Gadelha forward and doesn't allow her to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Watanabe is launching some bone breaking punches to Gadelha's ribs while in the clinch.
Wow. You can see the pain in Claudia Gadelha's eyes.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Claudia Gadelha tries a Foot Sweep takedown on Hisae Watanabe
well done Watanabe falls hard on the mat
The clock says 3:40 in the 1 round
Gadelha is standing while Watanabe is on the ground on her back
Hisae Watanabe kicks her legs trying to keep Claudia Gadelha away.
Claudia Gadelha takes a kick to the body.
Gadelha is standing while Watanabe is on the ground on her back
Hisae Watanabe doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on her feet
She moves fast and now she is standing
Hisae Watanabe is on her feet again.
Hisae Watanabe goes with a looping right hand while Claudia Gadelha jumps back and jabs
Gadelha seems staggered and Hisae Watanabe runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
The clock says 4:10 in the 1 round
You have to give credit to the match-maker for putting on such an even fight.
Claudia Gadelha moves forward looking for some grappling action
Gadelha has her opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
The fighters are clinching.
Watanabe struggles and launches a few punches to Gadelha's head
Those punches are hitting! Gadelha covers her head!
Gadelha's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement she's received!
The clock says 4:35 in the 1 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Watanabe tries to take Claudia Gadelha down... Gadelha stumbles backwards and Hisae Watanabe launches a few punches...
Claudia Gadelha dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Crisp uppercut by Watanabe followed by a hard jab
Claudia Gadelha stumbles back.
Gadelha pushes Hisae Watanabe and moves away from her. She seems to be recovering her breath.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Watanabe.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Crisp uppercut by Watanabe followed by a hard jab
Claudia Gadelha stumbles back.
Gadelha's Nose is beginning to swell
A punch from Claudia Gadelha
grazes Watanabe's left cheek.
Hisae Watanabe shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Claudia Gadelha is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Watanabe into her guard.
Hard blow to Gadelha's mid-section, she seems hurt
Hisae Watanabe is in closed guard over Gadelha
Watanabe works on the ground with her fingers over Gadelha's face
Gadelha shakes her head and continues fighting on the ground.
Hisae Watanabe is in closed guard over Gadelha
Hisae Watanabe tries to open Gadelha's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Hisae Watanabe. Gadelha is unable to cover herself now!
Hisae Watanabe is in closed guard over Gadelha
Watanabe tries to escape from the closed guard
Hisae Watanabe any adventage in the ground.
Poorly executed technique. Claudia Gadelha looks to counter!
Gadelha throws her legs up in a triangle attempt!
Watanabe's arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
You can see the pain reflected in Watanabe's eyes...
Watanabe's arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Punishing hold!
Crippling lock!
Hisae Watanabe realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Hisae Watanabe. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) are cheering for the fighters.
Bone shattering straight right hand from Claudia Gadelha!
Watanabe is going to have a big headache after that blow!
Watanabe goes to the body...
She punishes Gadelha's ribs with a couple of hooks.
The clock says 1:30 in the 2 round
Watanabe goes for a low kick..
Faster than a blinking eye, she follows up with a high kick!
The clock says 1:40 in the 2 round
Gadelha studies her opponent looking for a hole in her defense.
Watanabe moves forward looking for some action
Hisae Watanabe shows some wrestling skills as she put her opponent in a double overhook!
The fighters are clinching.
Claudia Gadelha tries to shrug her way out of the clinch.
Watanabe is determined to work from the clinch. She pummeled through and managed to retain her position.
Watanabe doesn't want to clinch as she ducks under Claudia Gadelha embrace and tries to move away...
Claudia Gadelha pushes Watanabe forward and doesn't allow her to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Watanabe takes a break to breathe while holding Claudia Gadelha.
Josh Rosenthal sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Hisae Watanabe fakes a punch and launches herself over Gadelha!
Nice move by Watanabe who clinches and pushes Gadelha against the cage
The fighters are clinching.
Hisae Watanabe postures up and launches another series of punches!
Gadelha pushes her opponent forward and blocks most of Hisae Watanabe's offensive.
Josh Rosenthal sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Claudia Gadelha shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Hisae Watanabe is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Gadelha into her guard.
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
The fight was awfully one sided. Matchmakers should take this into account for future fights.
Watanabe breaths deeply while on the ground
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in closed guard... Watanabe tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Claudia Gadelha!
Hisae Watanabe is in full mount over Claudia Gadelha
Gadelha tries to escape from the full mount...
Hisae Watanabe is not caught off guard and moves to side mount to keep her superior position.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Claudia Gadelha attempts to trap Hisae Watanabe in her guard.
Hisae Watanabe keeps control and remains in side mount.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Gadelha works on the ground with her fingers over Watanabe's face
Watanabe shakes her head and continues fighting on the ground.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Gadelha measures the resilience of Watanabe's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Watanabe blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Claudia Gadelha attempts to trap Hisae Watanabe in her guard.
Hisae Watanabe keeps control and remains in side mount.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Watanabe shifts to north-south position and tries to finish with a lock!
Gadelha pushes Hisae Watanabe forward against her back and breaks the lock!
Josh Rosenthal stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Claudia Gadelha paws at Watanabe.
Watanabe answers with solid punches!
Down Gadelha goes! She's out cold! That phenomenal knock out has put the rest of Hisae Watanabe's divison on notice!
Winner is Hisae Watanabe by KO (Punches) at 4:34 Round 2
Statistics: Hisae Watanabe
Punches 16/20 (80%)
Kicks 2/2 (100%)
Clinch strikes 8/23 (35%)
Takedowns 1/1 (100%)
GnP strikes 4/6 (67%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 2/2 (100%)
Time on the ground 203 s
Statistics: Claudia Gadelha
Punches 3/6 (50%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/1 (0%)
Takedowns 3/3 (100%)
GnP strikes 0/2 (0%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 185 s
Not a bad fight. Claudia was better at the beginning than she was at the end, allowing Watanabe to take over, and get into her stand-up groove.
Claudia Gadelha looks like she's feeling the pressure.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising her fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Josh Rosenthal.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
The bell announces the first round!
Watanabe decides to launch some tentative punches
Gadelha launches a couple of jabs that are answered by Watanabe with a stiff cross! Solid exchange!
Claudia Gadelha tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Watanabe is unable to remain on her feet and falls to the ground
Claudia Gadelha is in open guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in open guard over Watanabe... she fakes a move and then tries a kneebar!
Watanabe rolls on the ground trying to get free and after a few kicks of her own she escapes.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Claudia Gadelha. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) are cheering for the fighters.
Claudia Gadelha seems fresh. She may still have a lot of gas in her tank.
Gadelha studies her opponent looking for a hole in her defense.
0:51 Round 1 and Gadelha is still in good shape. She sure has trained hard for this fight.
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
A high kick from Claudia Gadelha
misses badly. Gadelha slips and falls!
Watanabe is standing while Gadelha is on the ground on her back
Claudia Gadelha doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on her feet
She moves fast and now she is standing
Back to the beginning! Claudia Gadelha is standing now.
A punch from Claudia Gadelha
gets blocked by Watanabe.
Claudia Gadelha fires an unorthodox punch to Watanabe's torso
that goes wide.
Claudia Gadelha tries to bring the fight to the ground
Watanabe goes down.
Claudia Gadelha is in open guard over Watanabe
Watanabe switches to high guard just before trying to sink a triangle!
Gadelha struggles and her head turns red from the choke, but she manages to slip her head of the lock!
Gadelha tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Claudia Gadelha tries to pass to half guard...
Hisae Watanabe's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
The clock says 1:50 in the 1 round
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Watanabe switches to high guard just before trying to sink a triangle!
Gadelha struggles and her head turns red from the choke, but she manages to slip her head of the lock!
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in closed guard... Watanabe tries to roll on the ground!
Claudia Gadelha uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Watanabe clumsily fails here and it's time for Claudia Gadelha to fight back!
Gadelha struggles on the ground and tries to break Hisae Watanabe's guard...
Watanabe doesn't want to free her opponent and Gadelha continues in closed guard
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in closed guard... Watanabe tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Claudia Gadelha!
Hisae Watanabe is in full mount over Claudia Gadelha
Hisae Watanabe tries to finish the fight with an armbar from the top
Gadelha is smart enough to avoid the submission attempt
Gadelha tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Gadelha tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
Hisae Watanabe doesn't want to lose her adventageous position and she struggles to mantain the full mount.
Josh Rosenthal stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) are cheering for the fighters.
Hisae Watanabe takes a few seconds to recover her breath...
Gadelha steps backwards away from Hisae Watanabe. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Hisae Watanabe leans forwards and tries to grapple with Gadelha
Watanabe shows her clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Claudia Gadelha's corner is turning out to be her worst enemy! Watanabe is throwing a flurry of punches!
Claudia Gadelha just can't get away!
Gadelha's Right cheek is bruised after the punishement she's received!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Watanabe tries to take Claudia Gadelha down... Gadelha stumbles backwards and Hisae Watanabe launches a few punches...
Claudia Gadelha dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Gadelha is trying to counter now!
Claudia Gadelha gets control of Hisae Watanabe's neck and attempts a guillotine!
Hisae Watanabe shakes her off and staves off danger.
Gadelha doesn't want to clinch as she ducks under Hisae Watanabe embrace and tries to move away...
Hisae Watanabe pushes Gadelha forward and doesn't allow her to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Watanabe is launching some bone breaking punches to Gadelha's ribs while in the clinch.
Wow. You can see the pain in Claudia Gadelha's eyes.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Claudia Gadelha tries a Foot Sweep takedown on Hisae Watanabe
well done Watanabe falls hard on the mat
The clock says 3:40 in the 1 round
Gadelha is standing while Watanabe is on the ground on her back
Hisae Watanabe kicks her legs trying to keep Claudia Gadelha away.
Claudia Gadelha takes a kick to the body.
Gadelha is standing while Watanabe is on the ground on her back
Hisae Watanabe doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on her feet
She moves fast and now she is standing
Hisae Watanabe is on her feet again.
Hisae Watanabe goes with a looping right hand while Claudia Gadelha jumps back and jabs
Gadelha seems staggered and Hisae Watanabe runs to capitalize with a bunch of jabs and crosses.
The clock says 4:10 in the 1 round
You have to give credit to the match-maker for putting on such an even fight.
Claudia Gadelha moves forward looking for some grappling action
Gadelha has her opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
The fighters are clinching.
Watanabe struggles and launches a few punches to Gadelha's head
Those punches are hitting! Gadelha covers her head!
Gadelha's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement she's received!
The clock says 4:35 in the 1 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Watanabe tries to take Claudia Gadelha down... Gadelha stumbles backwards and Hisae Watanabe launches a few punches...
Claudia Gadelha dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Crisp uppercut by Watanabe followed by a hard jab
Claudia Gadelha stumbles back.
Gadelha pushes Hisae Watanabe and moves away from her. She seems to be recovering her breath.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Watanabe.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Crisp uppercut by Watanabe followed by a hard jab
Claudia Gadelha stumbles back.
Gadelha's Nose is beginning to swell
A punch from Claudia Gadelha
grazes Watanabe's left cheek.
Hisae Watanabe shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Claudia Gadelha is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Watanabe into her guard.
Hard blow to Gadelha's mid-section, she seems hurt
Hisae Watanabe is in closed guard over Gadelha
Watanabe works on the ground with her fingers over Gadelha's face
Gadelha shakes her head and continues fighting on the ground.
Hisae Watanabe is in closed guard over Gadelha
Hisae Watanabe tries to open Gadelha's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Hisae Watanabe. Gadelha is unable to cover herself now!
Hisae Watanabe is in closed guard over Gadelha
Watanabe tries to escape from the closed guard
Hisae Watanabe any adventage in the ground.
Poorly executed technique. Claudia Gadelha looks to counter!
Gadelha throws her legs up in a triangle attempt!
Watanabe's arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
You can see the pain reflected in Watanabe's eyes...
Watanabe's arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Punishing hold!
Crippling lock!
Hisae Watanabe realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Hisae Watanabe. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) are cheering for the fighters.
Bone shattering straight right hand from Claudia Gadelha!
Watanabe is going to have a big headache after that blow!
Watanabe goes to the body...
She punishes Gadelha's ribs with a couple of hooks.
The clock says 1:30 in the 2 round
Watanabe goes for a low kick..
Faster than a blinking eye, she follows up with a high kick!
The clock says 1:40 in the 2 round
Gadelha studies her opponent looking for a hole in her defense.
Watanabe moves forward looking for some action
Hisae Watanabe shows some wrestling skills as she put her opponent in a double overhook!
The fighters are clinching.
Claudia Gadelha tries to shrug her way out of the clinch.
Watanabe is determined to work from the clinch. She pummeled through and managed to retain her position.
Watanabe doesn't want to clinch as she ducks under Claudia Gadelha embrace and tries to move away...
Claudia Gadelha pushes Watanabe forward and doesn't allow her to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Watanabe takes a break to breathe while holding Claudia Gadelha.
Josh Rosenthal sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Hisae Watanabe fakes a punch and launches herself over Gadelha!
Nice move by Watanabe who clinches and pushes Gadelha against the cage
The fighters are clinching.
Hisae Watanabe postures up and launches another series of punches!
Gadelha pushes her opponent forward and blocks most of Hisae Watanabe's offensive.
Josh Rosenthal sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Claudia Gadelha shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Hisae Watanabe is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Gadelha into her guard.
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
The fight was awfully one sided. Matchmakers should take this into account for future fights.
Watanabe breaths deeply while on the ground
Claudia Gadelha is in closed guard over Watanabe
Gadelha is in closed guard... Watanabe tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Claudia Gadelha!
Hisae Watanabe is in full mount over Claudia Gadelha
Gadelha tries to escape from the full mount...
Hisae Watanabe is not caught off guard and moves to side mount to keep her superior position.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Claudia Gadelha attempts to trap Hisae Watanabe in her guard.
Hisae Watanabe keeps control and remains in side mount.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Gadelha works on the ground with her fingers over Watanabe's face
Watanabe shakes her head and continues fighting on the ground.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Gadelha measures the resilience of Watanabe's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Watanabe blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Claudia Gadelha attempts to trap Hisae Watanabe in her guard.
Hisae Watanabe keeps control and remains in side mount.
Hisae Watanabe is in side mount over Claudia Gadelha
Watanabe shifts to north-south position and tries to finish with a lock!
Gadelha pushes Hisae Watanabe forward against her back and breaks the lock!
Josh Rosenthal stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Claudia Gadelha paws at Watanabe.
Watanabe answers with solid punches!
Down Gadelha goes! She's out cold! That phenomenal knock out has put the rest of Hisae Watanabe's divison on notice!
Winner is Hisae Watanabe by KO (Punches) at 4:34 Round 2
Statistics: Hisae Watanabe
Punches 16/20 (80%)
Kicks 2/2 (100%)
Clinch strikes 8/23 (35%)
Takedowns 1/1 (100%)
GnP strikes 4/6 (67%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 2/2 (100%)
Time on the ground 203 s
Statistics: Claudia Gadelha
Punches 3/6 (50%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/1 (0%)
Takedowns 3/3 (100%)
GnP strikes 0/2 (0%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 185 s
Not a bad fight. Claudia was better at the beginning than she was at the end, allowing Watanabe to take over, and get into her stand-up groove.