PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Baller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Takiki Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baller's entrance music is Helicopter, made of meat!. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Baller
vs
Takiki Jr

225 cm
29
275 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

200 cm
25
270 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Powerful

Perkele!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Baller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Sam Takiki Jr!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takiki Jr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baller steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Takiki Jr. That one must have hurt.
Baller swings away with a body shot that misses
and Takiki Jr counters with a solid body kick.
Takiki Jr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takiki Jr with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takiki Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Baller has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takiki Jr throws a leg kick which misses Baller's front leg but catches the back leg as Baller tries to avoid it.
Baller is breathing heavily.
Takiki Jr keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

It looks like Paul Baller has been cut.
A good leg kick by Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr misses with a jab, cross combination.
That kick from Takiki Jr tenderised Baller's leg. Baller is trying to keep his angry face on.
That kick from Takiki Jr tenderised Baller's leg. Baller is trying to keep his angry face on.
Takiki Jr buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takiki Jr is looking to slow Baller down with leg kicks.
Baller takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Takiki Jr throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Takiki Jr pushes Baller away with a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baller takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Baller takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Takiki Jr lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takiki Jr lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Takiki Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.
Baller on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Takiki Jr lands with a slapping head kick.
Takiki Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Baller takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A punch combination from Takiki Jr misses.
Takiki Jr explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Takiki Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Takiki Jr scores with a push kick.
Takiki Jr turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takiki Jr chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takiki Jr fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Baller.
Takiki Jr lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Takiki Jr throws a nice outside leg kick.
Takiki Jr lands a nice shot to the body.

Takiki Jr forces Baller back against the cage and clinches.
Takiki Jr scores with a nice hook to the head.
Baller really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A knee to the head by Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr stalling in the clinch.
Takiki Jr lands a shot to the body.
Takiki Jr lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Takiki Jr lands with a short shot to the head.
Takiki Jr digs a right hand into Baller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Baller's gas tank.
Takiki Jr lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Baller backwards.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Takiki Jr takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Takiki Jr tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Takiki Jr lands an uppercut.
Takiki Jr creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Baller's defenses.
Stalling in the clinch from Takiki Jr.
Baller tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takiki Jr with a knee to the head.
Takiki Jr lands an elbow just above Baller 's eye.
Baller misses with the head strike.
Takiki Jr throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takiki Jr connects with a knee to the head.

Paul Baller's cut is getting worse.
A short right from Takiki Jr.
Baller will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Takiki Jr connects with a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Takiki Jr.
A short body shot lands from Takiki Jr as the two fighters clinch.
Takiki Jr scores with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baller tries to work over Takiki Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baller has a couple of punches blocked by Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Takiki Jr displaying some good clinch control by pressing Baller up against the cage.
Takiki Jr lands an elbow just above Baller 's eye.
Takiki Jr with a knee to the head.
Takiki Jr landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Takiki Jr holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baller is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Takiki Jr lands with a right to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takiki Jr leaning against his opponent.
Baller can't find room to land a body shot as Takiki Jr controls the action.
Takiki Jr misses with a knee strike.
Takiki Jr landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Takiki Jr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Baller's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Takiki Jr buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takiki Jr throws a head kick that half lands.
Takiki Jr works Baller's body with a nice hook.
Takiki Jr feints and then cracks Baller's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Baller down.
Takiki Jr feints and then cracks Baller's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Baller down.
Takiki Jr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Baller's hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baller stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr throws a leg kick which misses Baller's front leg but catches the back leg as Baller tries to avoid it.
Takiki Jr lands a leg kick that knocks Baller off balance momentarily.
Takiki Jr lands a leg kick that knocks Baller off balance momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick misses from Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr throws a nice head kick!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Takiki Jr.

Takiki Jr takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baller working aggressively here.
Takiki Jr creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Baller's defenses.
Takiki Jr working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Takiki Jr is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Takiki Jr lands with a right to the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Takiki Jr softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Paul Baller's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Takiki Jr prevents a body shot from Baller.
Takiki Jr using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baller has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baller takes a knee to the side of the body.
Takiki Jr misses with a knee strike.
Takiki Jr putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Baller in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Takiki Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takiki Jr stalling the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takiki Jr utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A short right from Takiki Jr on the inside.
Takiki Jr misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takiki Jr misses with a knee to the head.
Takiki Jr is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Takiki Jr misses with a knee strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Baller takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Takiki Jr.
Baller throws a punch but it's blocked by Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baller.
A left hand lands to the body for Takiki Jr.
Baller pressing his opponent against the cage.
Takiki Jr stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Baller takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baller takes a knee right on the jaw!
Takiki Jr working Baller over with knees to the body.
Takiki Jr tries a knee to the head but Baller blocks it.
Baller throws a head punch that misses.
Takiki Jr blocks an uppercut.
Baller wants to stall.
Takiki Jr with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees in the clinch landing for Takiki Jr.
Knees in the clinch landing for Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr lands a knee to the head.
Takiki Jr with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takiki Jr landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Takiki Jr.

Jeez, Paul Baller's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Takiki Jr with a knee to the head.
Baller takes a knee right on the jaw!
Takiki Jr avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takiki Jr with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Takiki Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Takiki Jr landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr blocking some punches.
Takiki Jr lands a good knee to the midsection. Baller won't want to take too many of those.
Takiki Jr lands a left hand.
Takiki Jr with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baller swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baller is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Baller tries to work over Takiki Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sam Takiki Jr seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takiki Jr lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Takiki Jr stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Takiki Jr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Takiki Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Baller's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Takiki Jr dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baller misses with a left hand
and Takiki Jr counters with a leg kick.
Takiki Jr scores with a head kick. Baller tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Takiki Jr connects with a leg kick. Baller looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Baller blocks a head kick by Takiki Jr.
Baller moves out of range of the body kick from Takiki Jr.
Baller throws a body punch but Takiki Jr moves out of range.
Takiki Jr lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baller blocks a head kick by Takiki Jr.
Baller swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baller is looking to wear down Takiki Jr with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Baller moves out of range of the body kick.
Baller takes a swing at Takiki Jr's ribcage but misses.
Baller misses with a left hand
and Takiki Jr counters with a thumping low kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Takiki Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Baller has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takiki Jr lands a head kick. Baller smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A nice inside leg kick there by Takiki Jr. That's going to slow Baller down.
Baller has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Baller circles away.
Takiki Jr lands with a kick to the ribs.
Sam Takiki Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Takiki Jr moves into the clinch.
Takiki Jr working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Baller takes a knee to the side of the body.
Takiki Jr digs a right hand into Baller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Baller's gas tank.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takiki Jr makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Takiki Jr displaying some good clinch control by pressing Baller up against the cage.
Takiki Jr lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Takiki Jr - that landed with a thud.
Paul Baller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baller takes a knee right on the jaw!
Takiki Jr putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Baller in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Takiki Jr tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baller trying to control the position but instead, Takiki Jr has worked for underhooks and has pushed Baller into the cage.
Takiki Jr landing knees to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Takiki Jr.
Takiki Jr lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takiki Jr misses with a knee strike.
Takiki Jr unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Takiki Jr looking to throw knees to the head but Baller is blocking nicely.
Takiki Jr tries a knee to the head but Baller blocks it.
Baller blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Takiki Jr lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Baller fails to land.
Takiki Jr lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Baller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takiki Jr stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Takiki Jr lands a nice knee to the body.
Takiki Jr is leaning against Baller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takiki Jr lands a body punch.
Takiki Jr with a knee to the head.
Takiki Jr holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baller doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sam Takiki Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Takiki Jr scores with a shot to the side of Baller's head.
Takiki Jr looking to throw knees to the head but Baller is blocking nicely.
Baller displaying some good clinch control by pressing Takiki Jr up against the cage.
Takiki Jr has Baller pushed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baller is looking to control Takiki Jr's arms but Takiki Jr gets an underhook and turns him. Now Baller has his back to the cage.
Takiki Jr lands a shoulder strike.
Takiki Jr is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takiki Jr lands with a light punch inside.
Baller working aggressively here.
Baller pushes Takiki Jr back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takiki Jr with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Takiki Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Takiki Jr landing knees to the body.
Takiki Jr landing some nice looking knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Takiki Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Takiki Jr has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Takiki Jr!
Sam Takiki Jr thanked the fans post fight for their support.