PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kushin Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Pajanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jesse Pajanen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Takahashi
vs
Pajanen

176 cm
28
166 lbs
14 - 17 - 0

170 cm
21
167 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kushin Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Pajanen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takahashi fails with a takedown attempt.
Takahashi has his takedown stuffed
and Pajanen counters with a series of strikes. Takahashi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Takahashi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pajanen counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kushin Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi slips a jab from Pajanen.
Takahashi shoots for a double leg takedown but Pajanen sprawls well. He's pushed Takahashi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pajanen slaps away a takedown attempt from Takahashi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.
Pajanen lands with a shot to the body.
Takahashi moves forwards but Pajanen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Takahashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pajanen avoids it really well and circles away.
Takahashi misses with a takedown

and Pajanen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Takahashi's guard now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takahashi wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pajanen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jesse Pajanen was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Takahashi has his takedown stuffed
and Pajanen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takahashi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pajanen sprawls well. Pajanen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Takahashi gets slowly back to his feet.
Pajanen scoring well with a low kick there.
Pajanen tries to bum rush Takahashi with a series of wild strikes but Takahashi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sloppy strikes from Pajanen. Those never looked like landing.

Pajanen darts in and clinches Takahashi up against the cage.
Pajanen tries to work over Takahashi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Pajanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pajanen, right into the meat.
Pajanen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Pajanen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pajanen is looking to take a break and control but Takahashi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Takahashi sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takahashi is trying to get back to full guard.
Pajanen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Pajanen wants to get back to his feet.
Pajanen wants to control but Takahashi is keeping him busy.

Pajanen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Takahashi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pajanen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pajanen pulls his head out easily.
Takahashi is looking to improve his position.
Takahashi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Pajanen wants to control from the top but Takahashi keeps moving.

Takahashi has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Pajanen should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Takahashi has tightened it up now! Pajanen should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Kushin Takahashi!
Kushin Takahashi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.