PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Teppo Tahkojuusto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kostya Zhuravlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tahkojuusto comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC : T.N.T. Zhuravlev has chosen Aria - Volja i Razum as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Tahkojuusto
vs
Zhuravlev

185 cm
34
186 lbs
12 - 16 - 1

162 cm
29
170 lbs
7 - 6 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 12 - 16 - 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 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kostya Zhuravlev!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tahkojuusto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zhuravlev is fending him off so far but Tahkojuusto persists. Nope, Zhuravlev circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tahkojuusto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Zhuravlev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tahkojuusto did well to prevent Zhuravlev getting side control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tahkojuusto is looking to control Zhuravlev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tahkojuusto avoid being mounted?

Zhuravlev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tahkojuusto defends it well.
Zhuravlev wants to pass to mount but Tahkojuusto is defending the position.

Zhuravlev seems to be working for a kimura but Tahkojuusto defends the submission attempt.
Zhuravlev is pressing down on Tahkojuusto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tahkojuusto is holding on for now.
Tahkojuusto tries to roll over but Zhuravlev keeps him under control.

Zhuravlev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto pushes Zhuravlev off looking to stand but Zhuravlev dives back in and keeps control.
Tahkojuusto trying to control from the bottom.

Zhuravlev is looking for a kimura here.

Tahkojuusto looking for submissions off his back.
Zhuravlev is trying to control the action in half guard but Tahkojuusto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tahkojuusto trying to hold on to Zhuravlev's head to control him but Zhuravlev postures up.
Zhuravlev slows the pace down in half guard.
Zhuravlev is thwarting Tahkojuusto's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto wants to improve his position but Zhuravlev is controlling well.
Tahkojuusto trying to hold on to Zhuravlev's head to control him but Zhuravlev postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Teppo Tahkojuusto just wasn't active enough.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zhuravlev as he avoids it easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tahkojuusto enables Zhuravlev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tahkojuusto manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Tahkojuusto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zhuravlev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zhuravlev trying to control the position from guard on top but Tahkojuusto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tahkojuusto trying to keep a closed guard but Zhuravlev is proving a slippery customer.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev tries to free his leg and advance position but Tahkojuusto is retaining full guard.
Tahkojuusto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zhuravlev postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Teppo Tahkojuusto just wasn't active enough.

Zhuravlev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tahkojuusto was covering up waiting for the punch and Zhuravlev finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zhuravlev forces his way into half guard.

Zhuravlev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tahkojuusto has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zhuravlev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Zhuravlev is trying to control the action in half guard but Tahkojuusto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Zhuravlev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tahkojuusto doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zhuravlev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto is looking to improve his position.

Tahkojuusto manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Tahkojuusto swinging wildly here.

Zhuravlev gets a double leg takedown into Tahkojuusto's guard.
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!
Zhuravlev postures up.
Zhuravlev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tahkojuusto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhuravlev prevents Tahkojuusto from getting back to his feet.
Zhuravlev preventing the sweep.
Zhuravlev trying to control the position from guard on top but Tahkojuusto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kostya Zhuravlev dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zhuravlev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tahkojuusto looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Tahkojuusto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zhuravlev slows the pace down.
Tahkojuusto struggling a bit here.
Zhuravlev is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Tahkojuusto's shoulder. That is not cool.
Tahkojuusto stops Zhuravlev from passing to mount.
Tahkojuusto is looking for a sweep.
Tahkojuusto regains half guard.
Tahkojuusto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Zhuravlev trying to control the position from guard on top but Tahkojuusto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhuravlev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tahkojuusto is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto looking to control.
Zhuravlev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tahkojuusto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zhuravlev trying to control the position from guard on top but Tahkojuusto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kostya Zhuravlev was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Tahkojuusto gets caught flat footed, as Zhuravlev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Tahkojuusto pushes Zhuravlev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Tahkojuusto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Zhuravlev scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tahkojuusto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zhuravlev looking to sit in guard and control but Tahkojuusto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tahkojuusto preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tahkojuusto trying to control but Zhuravlev postures up.
Tahkojuusto is trying to get back to full guard.
Zhuravlev is trying to control the action in half guard but Tahkojuusto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Tahkojuusto trying to control from the bottom.
Zhuravlev is pressing down on Tahkojuusto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tahkojuusto is holding on for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Zhuravlev scores a takedown into full mount!
Tahkojuusto gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto wants to control but Zhuravlev is keeping busy.

Zhuravlev is looking for a kimura but Tahkojuusto is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zhuravlev to get the leverage.
Zhuravlev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tahkojuusto knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Tahkojuusto has one foot on Zhuravlev's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Tahkojuusto throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zhuravlev's waist but Zhuravlev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tahkojuusto off to one side.

Zhuravlev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tahkojuusto is trying to defend but Zhuravlev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tahkojuusto wants to control the action here but instead Zhuravlev manages to pass to full mount!
Zhuravlev throwing strikes here but Tahkojuusto is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Zhuravlev punching from mount but Tahkojuusto doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Kostya Zhuravlev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tahkojuusto tries to hold on but Zhuravlev pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev looking to control but Tahkojuusto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tahkojuusto can't escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tahkojuusto throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Tahkojuusto swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Zhuravlev looking to control but Tahkojuusto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tahkojuusto tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Zhuravlev moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Tahkojuusto has worked his arm free - good work by Tahkojuusto!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tahkojuusto is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kostya Zhuravlev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tahkojuusto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zhuravlev tries to avoid it but Tahkojuusto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zhuravlev to the ground. Zhuravlev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tahkojuusto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tahkojuusto tries for a takedown but Zhuravlev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Teppo Tahkojuusto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Zhuravlev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tahkojuusto's guard.
Tahkojuusto working a defensive guard here.
Tahkojuusto keeping full guard, as Zhuravlev tries to pass.

Tahkojuusto pushes Zhuravlev off and scrambles back to his feet.

Zhuravlev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tahkojuusto is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhuravlev trying to control the action but Tahkojuusto is working from the bottom.
Zhuravlev is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Zhuravlev has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Zhuravlev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tahkojuusto manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Zhuravlev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zhuravlev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tahkojuusto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tahkojuusto trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev trying to control the position from guard on top but Tahkojuusto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhuravlev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zhuravlev passes Tahkojuusto's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tahkojuusto throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Tahkojuusto tries to kick Zhuravlev off but Zhuravlev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tahkojuusto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Tahkojuusto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zhuravlev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zhuravlev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhuravlev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tahkojuusto is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Tahkojuusto working for a triangle but Zhuravlev defends it easily.
Zhuravlev throwing strikes from guard but Tahkojuusto blocks nicely.
Tahkojuusto working a defensive guard here.
Zhuravlev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tahkojuusto is keeping the position for now.
Kostya Zhuravlev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Tahkojuusto looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Zhuravlev passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev works to advance to full mount. Tahkojuusto defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Zhuravlev content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tahkojuusto really wants to buck Zhuravlev off and get back to his feet.
Zhuravlev looking to control but Tahkojuusto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zhuravlev tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
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 is looking to improve his position but Zhuravlev isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kostya Zhuravlev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zhuravlev 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kostya Zhuravlev!
Kostya Zhuravlev seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.