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). Chooooooooon! I think Tahkojuusto might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to AC/DC : T.N.T. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tahkojuusto
vs
Smith

185 cm
33
186 lbs
12 - 15 - 1

191 cm
31
191 lbs
7 - 10 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 12 - 15 - 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 7 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Robert Smith!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Valeri Chadov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tahkojuusto fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Tahkojuusto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Smith misses with a hook. Tahkojuusto ducked under it nicely.
Tahkojuusto takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Smith lands with a right hand.
Smith jabs Tahkojuusto right on the nose. Tahkojuusto blinks but takes it well.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Tahkojuusto!
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tahkojuusto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tahkojuusto shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Tahkojuusto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Robert Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tahkojuusto.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teppo Tahkojuusto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Tahkojuusto closes the distance looking to clinch
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.
Tahkojuusto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tahkojuusto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smith lands a two punch combo.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Tahkojuusto shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tahkojuusto lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Smith has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Smith and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Tahkojuusto shoots in and bounces Smith off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tahkojuusto stops Smith from standing up.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tahkojuusto wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Tahkojuusto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tahkojuusto has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smith is proving hard to escape from.
Tahkojuusto won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tahkojuusto postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
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 stuffs the takedown attempt from Tahkojuusto. Tahkojuusto gets slowly back to his feet.
Tahkojuusto takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tahkojuusto misses with a takedown attempt
and Smith counters with a right hand to the body.
Tahkojuusto slips a straight right by Smith.
Smith scores with a punch to the head.
Tahkojuusto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice shot by Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Smith moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tahkojuusto staying out of range there.
Tahkojuusto doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tahkojuusto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith lands a nice looking body shot.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.

Tahkojuusto closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Smith dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tahkojuusto doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Tahkojuusto on that attempt.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Tahkojuusto walks into a jab.
Tahkojuusto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tahkojuusto lands a head kick!
Smith loads up on a big right hand but Tahkojuusto slips the punch.
Smith attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Smith misses with a double jab.
Smith feints a jab promting Tahkojuusto to slip. Smith then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Tahkojuusto slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Tahkojuusto moves out of range as Smith strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith scores with a nice strike.
Tahkojuusto throws a leg kick but Smith checks it.
Tahkojuusto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Tahkojuusto shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teppo Tahkojuusto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tahkojuusto fails with a takedown attempt.
Tahkojuusto throws a nice head kick!

Tahkojuusto forces Smith back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tahkojuusto drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tahkojuusto fails with the takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith lands a nice looking body shot.
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.
Smith clobbers Tahkojuusto with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tahkojuusto wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Smith connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily
and Smith counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tahkojuusto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
A bone on bone clash there as Smith blocks the leg kick.
Tahkojuusto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A big left from Smith misses.

Tahkojuusto gets a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Tahkojuusto.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Smith connects with a looping right hand.
Tahkojuusto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Smith bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tahkojuusto's head backwards.
Tahkojuusto tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tahkojuusto closes the distance looking to clinch
and Smith counters with a left and a right that stings Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Tahkojuusto shoots in.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head kick misses from Tahkojuusto.
A big right from Smith misses.
Teppo Tahkojuusto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tahkojuusto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
Tahkojuusto wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Tahkojuusto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith, right into the meat.
Tahkojuusto checks a low kick from Smith.
Tahkojuusto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tahkojuusto shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Tahkojuusto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teppo Tahkojuusto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Tahkojuusto wants to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tahkojuusto. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Smith has time to react.
Smith swings for the body but Tahkojuusto moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Tahkojuusto takes the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tahkojuusto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Smith breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith clobbers Tahkojuusto with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tahkojuusto slips under a jab from Smith.
Tahkojuusto tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tahkojuusto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith throws a hook but Tahkojuusto avoids it easily.
Tahkojuusto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.
Tahkojuusto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tahkojuusto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith with a nice cross.
Smith ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Smith stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Robert Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Tahkojuusto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tahkojuusto showed some decent athleticism there.
Smith is trying to stand.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.

Tahkojuusto is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smith is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.

Tahkojuusto decides to stand and escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith with a hook.
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!
Smith digs a good body shot into Tahkojuusto's ribs.
Tahkojuusto slips a straight right by Smith.
Teppo Tahkojuusto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tahkojuusto is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.

Tahkojuusto fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Tahkojuusto persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Smith is trying to stand up here but Tahkojuusto is controlling him well.
Teppo Tahkojuusto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tahkojuusto seems to be looking for submissions.
Tahkojuusto prevents Smith from standing back up.

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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

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