PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Teppo Tahkojuusto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tahkojuusto's entrance music is AC/DC : T.N.T. A fine choice. Robert Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tahkojuusto
vs
Smith

185 cm
31
186 lbs
11 - 12 - 1

191 cm
29
191 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Teppo Tahkojuusto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Robert Smith!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tahkojuusto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Smith gets caught flat footed, as Tahkojuusto shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Smith is looking for a triangle here but Tahkojuusto uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Tahkojuusto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Tahkojuusto is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Tahkojuusto decides to stand back up.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tahkojuusto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith connects with a body shot.
Tahkojuusto fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teppo Tahkojuusto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tahkojuusto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tahkojuusto takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Teppo Tahkojuusto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch up.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
Smith scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Tahkojuusto takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Smith lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Teppo Tahkojuusto has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tahkojuusto tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Smith counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Tahkojuusto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Tahkojuusto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Tahkojuusto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tahkojuusto showed some decent athleticism there.
Tahkojuusto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto prevents Smith from improving his position.
Tahkojuusto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Tahkojuusto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith is trying to stand.
Well, if Tahkojuusto is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Smith is trying to stand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tahkojuusto wants to work for an arm triangle but Smith is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Smith is looking to escape.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Robert Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Teppo Tahkojuusto's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tahkojuusto clinches up against the cage.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith is trying to push Tahkojuusto away but Tahkojuusto has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Tahkojuusto wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tahkojuusto was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Tahkojuusto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tahkojuusto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tahkojuusto somewhat.
Smith is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tahkojuusto rather than just go for the knockout.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teppo Tahkojuusto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tahkojuusto closes the distance and clinches up with Smith, looking for a takedown. Tahkojuusto pushes Smith against the cage but Smith circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Tahkojuusto drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tahkojuusto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Tahkojuusto. Tahkojuusto gets slowly back to his feet.
Robert Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tahkojuusto walks into a straight right hand from Smith.
Tahkojuusto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Tahkojuusto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tahkojuusto is looking to clinch.
Smith misses with a double jab.
Smith throws a body punch but Tahkojuusto moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Smith fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tahkojuusto has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tahkojuusto wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Tahkojuusto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tahkojuusto moves out of range of the leg kick from Smith.
Tahkojuusto will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Smith lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tahkojuusto shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Tahkojuusto moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Tahkojuusto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Nice body punch from Smith.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tahkojuusto.

Tahkojuusto takes the fight into the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tahkojuusto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Tahkojuusto fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Tahkojuusto persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Robert Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Teppo Tahkojuusto's cut.
That's time! Tahkojuusto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smith scores with a hook to the body. Tahkojuusto takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Smith scores with a nice head shot.
Smith takes a swing at Tahkojuusto's ribcage but misses.
Tahkojuusto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Tahkojuusto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smith to the ground. Smith escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Smith comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tahkojuusto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith throws a series of punches but Tahkojuusto avoids them all with ease.
Tahkojuusto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teppo Tahkojuusto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tahkojuusto.
Smith swings for the body but Tahkojuusto moves out of range.
Tahkojuusto blocks a low kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Robert Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith throws a body punch but Tahkojuusto moves out of range.
Smith moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Tahkojuusto falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Tahkojuusto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Tahkojuusto on that attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith stalks Tahkojuusto and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tahkojuusto's face. Tahkojuusto staggers backwards, shaken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Tahkojuusto takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Smith thows a body shot but no joy.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Smith throws a leg kick but Tahkojuusto checks it.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Tahkojuusto on that attempt.
Smith falls off balance throwing a combination

and Tahkojuusto counters by moving into the clinch.
Robert Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Tahkojuusto has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tahkojuusto slows down the pace here.
Tahkojuusto is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Teppo Tahkojuusto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tahkojuusto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Smith!