PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harold Benedez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tahkojuusto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tahkojuusto has chosen AC/DC : T.N.T as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Benedez
vs
Tahkojuusto

179 cm
32
180 lbs
8 - 5 - 1

185 cm
36
184 lbs
15 - 18 - 1

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 8 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harold Benedez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 18 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Teppo Tahkojuusto!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Illya Tyunina and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tahkojuusto gets caught napping as Benedez dives in and scores a takedown. Tahkojuusto manages to retain guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Tahkojuusto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tahkojuusto manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Benedez manages to get himself to full guard.
Benedez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tahkojuusto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Benedez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tahkojuusto on the ground.
Tahkojuusto postures up in Benedez's guard and throws a big left but Benedez blocks it.
Benedez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Benedez working a defensive guard here.
Benedez working a defensive guard but Tahkojuusto passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benedez is defending against the submission attempts here by Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tahkojuusto trying to control the pace.
Benedez trying to control here.
Tahkojuusto thows a huge punch but Benedez dodges it nicely.
Tahkojuusto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto trying to control the action but Benedez is working from the bottom.
Benedez is trying to maintain the position but Tahkojuusto is very close to passing his half guard.
Tahkojuusto looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Tahkojuusto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tahkojuusto is pressing down on Benedez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Benedez is holding on for now.

Tahkojuusto postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Benedez to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tahkojuusto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Benedez is fending him off so far but Tahkojuusto persists. Nope, Benedez circles away and we're back to standing.

Tahkojuusto drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tahkojuusto trying to control the position but Benedez is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Benedez's face as Tahkojuusto controls the position.

Tahkojuusto stands up.
Tahkojuusto fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Benedez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Benedez showed some decent athleticism there.

Benedez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tahkojuusto has managed to free his arm - good work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tahkojuusto manages to get to full guard.
Benedez throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tahkojuusto wants to get back to his feet but Benedez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Tahkojuusto is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Tahkojuusto breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tahkojuusto shoots in but Benedez avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Benedez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Benedez passes into half guard.
Benedez working Tahkojuusto over with strikes.
Benedez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tahkojuusto is looking to control Benedez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tahkojuusto avoid being mounted?
Tahkojuusto is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Benedez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Benedez's back!
Well, with Tahkojuusto on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Benedez is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Benedez fending off the submission attempt from Tahkojuusto.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tahkojuusto has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Benedez! Can he survive? No! He's out! Tahkojuusto gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Teppo Tahkojuusto!
After the fight, Teppo Tahkojuusto was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.