PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Taylor Clark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esko Takanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Clark
vs
Takanen

180 cm
27
185 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

175 cm
31
179 lbs
26 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Crippler's Corner
ANABOLIC **160**

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taylor Clark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Esko Takanen!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clark throws a head kick but Takanen moves out of range.
Takanen throws a head kick that half lands.
Clark looks to land a right hand but Takanen moved out of range.
Takanen misses with a wild body shot.
Clark connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The fighters circling - Takanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Takanen checks a leg kick.
Clark scores with a nice body kick.
Clark scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Clark cracks Takanen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Takanen avoids a kick to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Clark.
Clark keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Clark avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Clark lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Takanen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Clark.
Clark throws a shot from downtown. Takanen moves away and avoids it.
Clark throws a shot from downtown. Takanen moves away and avoids it.
Clark shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Clark ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Clark pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Clark slips a straight right by Takanen.
Clark tries to score with a low kick but Takanen moves his leg out of the way.
Clark lands a front kick.
Takanen lands a right hook to the body.
Clark is looking to slow Takanen down with leg kicks.
A punch combination from Takanen misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clark connects with a solid leg kick.
Good exchange - Takanen coming out on top.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takanen misses with a wild body shot.
A left and a right from Takanen both land. Nice combination.
Takanen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Clark dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takanen. That did some damage!
Clark scores with a sloppy right hand. Takanen should have avoided that one.
Clark swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Clark showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Takanen.
Clark uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takanen.
Takanen punishes Clark's body with a nice straight punch.
Takanen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Takanen throws a sloppy head kick and Clark moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen connects with a solid leg kick.
Clark moves out of range as Takanen throws a body kick.
Takanen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Clark misses with a hook. Takanen ducked under it nicely.
Takanen wants to clinch up but Clark keeps it at a distance.
Takanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Clark misses the target.
Takanen punishes Clark's body with a nice straight punch.
Clark avoids the body shot from Takanen.
Clark slips a jab from Takanen.
Clark is looking to score with low kicks.

Takanen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Clark can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Takanen lands an uppercut.
Takanen keeps control of Clark as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Takanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Takanen can't find room to land a body shot as Clark controls the action.
Takanen has a couple of punches blocked by Clark.

Clark breaks from the clinch.
Clark dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takanen. That did some damage!
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takanen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Clark connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takanen scrambles back to his feet.
Takanen thows a leg kick but Clark checks it
and Clark counters with a low kick, right behind Takanen 's knee.
Clark throws the left hand but Takanen avoids the punch easily.
Takanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Esko Takanen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Takanen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Takanen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Clark takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Takanen misses with a lunging right hand
and Clark counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Clark scores with a nice strike.
A jab from Clark misses.
Takanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Takanen loads up on a big right hand but Clark slips the punch.
Clark connects with a solid leg kick.
Takanen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Takanen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Esko Takanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Clark checks a leg kick.
Takanen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Clark checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Clark moves away from the strike by Takanen.
Esko Takanen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Clark ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takanen moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takanen clinches up against the cage.
Takanen throws a head punch that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Takanen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Clark wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Takanen misses with the head strike.
Clark is trying to break the clinch but Takanen has him pressed against the cage.
Takanen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Clark wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Takanen can't find room to land a body shot as Clark controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Takanen in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Clark is trying to break free.
Takanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Clark escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Takanen takes a swing at Clark's ribcage but misses.
Clark misses with a low kick.
Clark misses with a low kick.
Clark moves out of range as Takanen throws a body kick.
Clark throws a low kick, looking for Takanen's leg but Takanen calmly moves out of range.
Takanen tries to clinch up but Clark circles away and keeps his distance.
Clark fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takanen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Takanen throws a head kick but Clark moves out of range.
Clark lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen misses with a right hand
and Clark counters with a slapping leg kick.
Clark connects with a solid leg kick.
Takanen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Takanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Clark is just out of range.
Clark tries to bum rush Takanen with a series of wild strikes but Takanen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Clark misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takanen.
Clark misses with a body kick.
Takanen misses with a body kick.
Takanen slips a straight right by Clark.
Takanen throws a lazy right hand but Clark sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takanen throws a head kick but Clark moves out of range.
Takanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Takanen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Clark rather than just go for the knockout.
Clark lands with a hook. Takanen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clark checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A shot to the body from Takanen misses
and Clark counters with an outside leg kick.
Takanen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Clark avoids the body shot from Takanen.
Nice uppercut there from Clark.
Takanen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takanen throws out a leg kick but Clark moves out of range and Takanen only half commits.
Clark swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takanen, right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takanen misses the body punch
and Clark counters with a good low kick that Takanen was not able to check.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takanen lands with a hook. Clark tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Clark buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takanen just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Esko Takanen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A shot to the liver by Takanen. Beautiful body shot.
Clark walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takanen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Takanen drops his hands momentarily and Clark takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Clark keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Takanen.
Takanen throws a combination. Clark tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Takanen throws a body punch but Clark moves out of range.
Clark thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takanen looks to land a right hand but Clark moved out of range.
Clark fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Takanen on the side of the head.
Clark throws a jab but it's blocked by Takanen.
Clark tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Takanen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Takanen tries to clinch there but Clark circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark swinging wildly here.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Takanen.
Clark misses with a looping right.
Clark with a nice cross.
Takanen jabs Clark to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Takanen motions for Clark to come forward. Takanen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Clark uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takanen.
Takanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Clark tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Clark.
Takanen looks to land a combination but Clark avoids it well.
Takanen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Clark moves out of range of the strikes.
Taylor Clark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen scores with a one two! Clark had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Clark walks into a stiff left hand from Takanen.
Takanen thows a leg kick but Clark checks it
and Clark counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A clash of legs there as Clark blocks the low kick.
Clark misses with a body kick.
Takanen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takanen checks a low kick from Clark.

Takanen drives through and clinches with Clark against the cage.

Clark pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takanen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Clark.
Takanen misses with a wild combination.
Clark misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen lands a glancing blow to the side of Clark's head.
Clark throws a leg kick that is checked
and Takanen counters with a thumping low kick.
Takanen throws a wild body kick that Clark sees coming a mile off.
Takanen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Takanen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Clark.
Takanen needs to keep his hands up - Clark had a free shot at his head there.
Clark pivots, looking for a leg kick but Takanen is out of range and Clark settles back down.
Clark takes one to the chin there.
Esko Takanen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Takanen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Clark throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice body kick there by Clark.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clark takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Takanen swings for the body but Clark moves out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Takanen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takanen lands a two punch combo.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Clark.
Sloppy strikes from Clark. Those never looked like landing.
A low kick from Clark misses
and Takanen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Takanen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Clark misses with an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takanen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Clark stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Clark misses with a lunging right hand
and Takanen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Clark throws a leg kick but Takanen sees it coming and moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Esko Takanen.
Well Takanen 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Takanen!