PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jere Luokkamaki (ranked 1933 p4p, 3368 weight class) and Yasuda Takahiro (ranked 204 p4p, 315 weight class). Takahiro is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Majinahanashi. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Luokkamaki
vs
Takahiro

170 cm
20
145
4 - 3 - 0

176 cm
20
145
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

New Standard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jere Luokkamaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yasuda Takahiro!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahiro connects with a single shot there.
Takahiro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Takahiro scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Luokkamaki drives through and clinches with Takahiro against the cage.
Takahiro misses with the head strike.
Luokkamaki lands a right hand.
Luokkamaki tries a body shot but Takahiro blocks it.
Takahiro misses with a body punch.
Takahiro lands a nice uppercut.
Takahiro is looking to control Luokkamaki's arms but Luokkamaki gets an underhook and turns him. Now Takahiro has his back to the cage.
A hook to the body from Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki misses with some punches.
Luokkamaki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Luokkamaki misses with a body punch.
Takahiro is trying to break the clinch but Luokkamaki has him pressed against the cage.
Takahiro pushes off an throws an elbow but Luokkamaki leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takahiro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahiro looking to slow down the pace here.
Luokkamaki lands a right hand.
Takahiro's coach down at Gold Samurai's Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Takahiro's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Takahiro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Luokkamaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Takahiro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takahiro misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahiro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Luokkamaki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Takahiro looking to stall.
Come on Takahiro - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Luokkamaki misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahiro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takahiro is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Luokkamaki is keeping busy.
Takahiro looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahiro prevents a body shot from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro working aggressively here.
A short right from Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Luokkamaki blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Luokkamaki.
Takahiro is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Takahiro has a couple of punches blocked by Luokkamaki.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Luokkamaki.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Luokkamaki.
Takahiro scores with a shot to the side of Luokkamaki's head.
Takahiro is trying to break the clinch but Luokkamaki has him pressed against the cage.
Luokkamaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Luokkamaki misses with a punch to the body.
Takahiro scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A frustrated look appears on Takahiro's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahiro just leaning against Luokkamaki, taking a breather.
Takahiro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Luokkamaki backwards.
Takahiro blocking some punches.
Takahiro misses with a punch on the inside.
Takahiro prevents a body shot from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Luokkamaki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Luokkamaki has a couple of punches blocked by Takahiro.
Luokkamaki blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Luokkamaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Takahiro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luokkamaki misses with a body punch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Luokkamaki is working Takahiro over against the cage.
Luokkamaki tries to throw a body punch but Takahiro avoids it by throwing Luokkamaki back against the cage.
Takahiro misses with some punches.
Takahiro misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahiro lands a shoulder strike.
Luokkamaki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Luokkamaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Luokkamaki fails to land.
A right hook to the body lands for Luokkamaki.
Takahiro tries to break free but Luokkamaki pushes him back against the cage.
Takahiro blocking some punches.
Luokkamaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Luokkamaki tries to work over Takahiro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Takahiro pushes Luokkamaki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takahiro pushes Luokkamaki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takahiro blocks a body shot from Luokkamaki.
A hook to the body from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro wants to break the clinch but can't.
Takahiro blocking some punches.
Takahiro throws an elbow but it misses.
A short uppercut from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro misses with a punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yasuda Takahiro will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Takahiro looks to score with a jab to the body but Luokkamaki is just out of range.
Luokkamaki takes a swing at Takahiro's ribcage but misses.
Takahiro swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Takahiro misses with a two punch combination.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Luokkamaki dips to his left and cracks Takahiro with an uppercut!
Takahiro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki is looking to clinch.
Takahiro tries to clinch but Luokkamaki moves out of range.
Luokkamaki seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Luokkamaki walks into a left hand.
Luokkamaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Luokkamaki avoids the body shot from Takahiro.
Luokkamaki seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Luokkamaki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luokkamaki avoids the head kick by Takahiro.
A telegraphed right hand from Takahiro misses the target.
Takahiro is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Luokkamaki rather than just go for the knockout.
Takahiro misses with a double jab.
Yasuda Takahiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takahiro lands an overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Luokkamaki slips a jab from Takahiro.
Luokkamaki throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahiro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Takahiro gets tackled into the cage by Luokkamaki. Luokkamaki maintains the clinch.
Luokkamaki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takahiro backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Luokkamaki fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Takahiro.
Luokkamaki misses with some punches.
Luokkamaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takahiro.
Luokkamaki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takahiro works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takahiro tries to circle away but Luokkamaki has him pinned against the cage.
Luokkamaki lands a body shot.
Takahiro misses with the head strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Takahiro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Luokkamaki's brow.
Takahiro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Luokkamaki backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Luokkamaki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Luokkamaki fails to land.
Takahiro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jere Luokkamaki has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Luokkamaki misses with some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takahiro throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Luokkamaki tries a body shot but Takahiro blocks it.
Luokkamaki scores with a hook to the body.
Luokkamaki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Takahiro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Luokkamaki.
Takahiro blocks a body shot from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Takahiro looking to stall.
Luokkamaki misses with a body punch.
Luokkamaki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Luokkamaki lands with a left to the head.
Takahiro looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki misses with a hook from the clinch.

Takahiro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takahiro takes one on the button.
Luokkamaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takahiro is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Luokkamaki with a body shot.
Luokkamaki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Takahiro.
Takahiro lands a glancing blow to the side of Luokkamaki's head.
Luokkamaki takes one on the button.
Takahiro tries to clinch but Luokkamaki moves out of range.
Luokkamaki is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Takahiro.
Takahiro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Luokkamaki.
Yasuda Takahiro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takahiro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro scores with a sloppy right hand. Luokkamaki should have avoided that one.
A slow jab from Luokkamaki misses its intended target.
Takahiro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Takahiro misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahiro connects with a single shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Luokkamaki throws a jab but it's blocked by Takahiro.
A slow jab from Luokkamaki misses its intended target.
As Luokkamaki backs off Takahiro throws a huge counter combo but Luokkamaki manages to avoid it all.
Takahiro takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Danga de danga de dang - Takahiro scores with a four punch combination!
Takahiro missing with a left hand there. Luokkamaki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As Takahiro tries to get set, Luokkamaki tries to push him back and clinch up but Takahiro manages to avoid the attempt.
Takahiro looks to land a right hand but Luokkamaki moved out of range.
Luokkamaki keeps the fight on the outside.
Luokkamaki is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Takahiro.
Luokkamaki wants to clinch.
Takahiro defending well as Luokkamaki loads up on a big left hand.
Takahiro is looking to clinch.
Takahiro tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from Takahiro.
Takahiro tries to clinch up but Luokkamaki circles away and keeps his distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yasuda Takahiro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Takahiro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Luokkamaki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takahiro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Takahiro throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Takahiro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Luokkamaki.
Takahiro swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki keeps the fight on the outside.

Takahiro drives through and clinches with Luokkamaki against the cage.
Takahiro taking a breather.
Luokkamaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Luokkamaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Takahiro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Luokkamaki blocks it with crossed arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Luokkamaki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Takahiro is trying to break the clinch but Luokkamaki is controlling him.
Luokkamaki tries to throw a body punch but Takahiro avoids it by throwing Luokkamaki back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahiro stalling in the clinch but Luokkamaki improves position.
Takahiro throws a punch but it's blocked by Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki blocking some punches.
Luokkamaki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Takahiro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takahiro taking a breather.
Luokkamaki lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Luokkamaki fails to land.
Still in the clinch, Luokkamaki scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takahiro misses with a knee strike.
Takahiro tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Takahiro pushes Luokkamaki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takahiro throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nice body punch from Takahiro - that landed with a thud.
Takahiro scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Luokkamaki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahiro working aggressively here.
Luokkamaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takahiro has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Luokkamaki scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luokkamaki lands a left hand.
Luokkamaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Takahiro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Luokkamaki's brow.
Luokkamaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takahiro lands a knee to the head.
Takahiro misses with the head strike.
Luokkamaki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Luokkamaki has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Luokkamaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takahiro's elbow.
Luokkamaki has a couple of punches blocked by Takahiro.
Luokkamaki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Takahiro lands a hook to the side of the head.
Luokkamaki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Takahiro backwards.
Takahiro makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahiro is looking to control Luokkamaki's arms but Luokkamaki gets an underhook and turns him. Now Takahiro has his back to the cage.
Luokkamaki lands with a light punch inside.
Luokkamaki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Luokkamaki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Luokkamaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takahiro tries to stall but Luokkamaki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Takahiro working aggressively here.
Takahiro misses with some punches.
Luokkamaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Luokkamaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takahiro's elbow.

Takahiro breaks from the clinch.

Takahiro gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Takahiro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Luokkamaki's brow.
A short body shot lands from Luokkamaki as the two fighters clinch.
Takahiro throws an elbow but it misses.
Takahiro looking to stall.
Takahiro tries to throw a body punch but Luokkamaki avoids it by throwing Takahiro back against the cage.
Jere Luokkamaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takahiro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Luokkamaki moves into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Takahiro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Luokkamaki's brow.
Takahiro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Luokkamaki misses with the head strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luokkamaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takahiro's elbow.
Luokkamaki can't find room to land a body shot as Takahiro controls the action.
Takahiro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Takahiro's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Takahiro takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Takahiro throws a punch but it's blocked by Luokkamaki.
A nice right hand lands inside from Takahiro.
Luokkamaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takahiro's elbow.
Takahiro tries to land a knee to the head but Luokkamaki blocks with his arms.
Yasuda Takahiro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Takahiro tries a body shot but Luokkamaki blocks it.
Luokkamaki can't find room to land a body shot as Takahiro controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yasuda Takahiro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Takahiro winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yasuda Takahiro!