PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Esko Takanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sid Vernon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Takanen
vs
Vernon

175 cm
21
177 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

192 cm
21
175 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite 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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Esko Takanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sid Vernon!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Steve Erwin and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vernon scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Vernon is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Takanen defends it well.
Takanen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Takanen tries to kick Vernon off but Vernon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Vernon is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Takanen kicks Vernon off and gets back to his feet.
Takanen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Vernon fails to land with a series of punches.
Takanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vernon.
Takanen scores with the left hand. Vernon knows he should have avoided that one.
Vernon gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takanen.
Esko Takanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vernon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vernon dodges the punch combination from Takanen.
Takanen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Takanen misses with a body shot.
Vernon throws a shot to the body.
The crowd cheers as Takanen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vernon doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Vernon counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Takanen misses with a straight left.
Takanen misses with a combination
and Vernon counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Takanen misses the shot to the body.
Vernon needs to keep his hands up - Takanen had a free shot at his head there.
Takanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Vernon looks to land a right hand but Takanen moved out of range.
Takanen throws a lazy right hand but Vernon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takanen misses with a shot to the body
and Vernon makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Vernon darts in and clinches Takanen up against the cage.
Takanen can't break the clinch.
Vernon creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Takanen breaks the clinch.
Takanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takanen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Vernon momentarily.
Takanen misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takanen throws a right and a left that Vernon avoids nicely.
Vernon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Esko Takanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takanen swings for the body but Vernon moves out of range.
Good exchange - Takanen coming out on top.
Takanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Takanen misses with a series of wild punches.
Takanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vernon takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Vernon ducks under a wild hook from Takanen.
Takanen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Vernon slips a straight right by Takanen.
Vernon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vernon counters with a left to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen throws a lazy right hand but Vernon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takanen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Takanen connects with a looping right hand.
A big right from Takanen misses.
Takanen is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Takanen connects with a jab.
Takanen throws a right and a left that Vernon avoids nicely.
Vernon lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A punch lands to the side of Vernon 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Takanen misses with a few strikes there.
Takanen lands a nice looking body shot.
Takanen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A shot to de liver by Takanen. Beautiful body shot.
Takanen thuds a left hand into Vernon's body.
A combination from Vernon does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vernon looks gassed!
A jab from Takanen misses.
Takanen connects with a body shot.
Takanen throws a shot to the body.
Takanen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Vernon momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vernon takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Takanen misses with an uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Takanen.
Takanen scores with a shot to the body.
Takanen cracks Vernon with an open hand slap.
Takanen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vernon. That did some damage!
Takanen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vernon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Takanen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vernon has him pressed against the cage.
Vernon tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Takanen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Takanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vernon at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Takanen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Takanen lands a right hook to the body.
Good shot there by Takanen.
Takanen scores with a jab.
Takanen throws a good cross that connects.
Takanen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Vernon takes a jab right on the kisser.
Takanen tries to bum rush Vernon with a series of wild strikes but Vernon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vernon has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Takanen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Takanen scores with a body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Takanen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Takanen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Vernon in his tracks.
Vernon tries to move into range but Takanen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vernon is breathing heavily.
Takanen misses with a few strikes there.
Vernon avoids the body shot from Takanen.
Takanen takes a swing at Vernon's ribcage but misses.
Takanen connects with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takanen throws a series of strikes that have Vernon backpedaling.
Takanen throws a series of strikes that have Vernon backpedaling.
Vernon walks into a jab.
Takanen digs a good body shot into Vernon's ribs.
Vernon takes a kick to the side of the head.
Takanen throws out a loose jab but Vernon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Decent striking displayed by Takanen there.
Takanen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Takanen misses with a looping right.
Vernon needs to keep his hands up - Takanen had a free shot at his head there.
Vernon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vernon moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Takanen works Vernon's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takanen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Vernon on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Takanen with a hook.
Takanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Takanen stalks Vernon and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Vernon's face. Vernon staggers backwards, shaken.
Vernon thows a body shot but no joy.
A punch lands to the side of Vernon 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Vernon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Takanen.
Esko Takanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Takanen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vernon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takanen dips to his left and cracks Vernon with an uppercut!
Vernon misses with a few strikes there.
Takanen cracks a nice hook into Vernon's ribs.
Takanen lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Takanen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Takanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Vernon takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Takanen stuns Vernon with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Vernon takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Takanen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Takanen throws a sloppy head kick
and Vernon counters with a low kick, right behind Takanen 's knee.
Takanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice straight punches there by Takanen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Takanen.
Takanen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Takanen connects with a body shot.
Nice cross by Takanen.
Sid Vernon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takanen connects with a single shot there.
Takanen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen scores with a hook.
Takanen lands the left hand.
Takanen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Takanen is looking to score with low kicks.
Vernon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takanen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vernon drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Takanen lands with an uppercut that bounces Vernon off the cage and back into rage.
Takanen throws a good cross that connects.
Takanen scores with a jab.
Takanen tests Vernon's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takanen cracks Vernon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Takanen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Takanen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Takanen throws a series of punches but Vernon avoids them all with ease.
Takanen lands with a hook. Vernon tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Vernon slips a jab from Takanen.
Takanen throws a lazy right hand but Vernon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takanen lands a right hook to the body.
Takanen missing with a left hand there. Vernon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takanen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Vernon is looking to clinch.
Nice cross by Takanen.
Takanen throws a series of punches but Vernon moves out of range.
Vernon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fighters circle momentarily. Takanen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Vernon lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Takanen cracks Vernon with a good jab.
Takanen blocks a head kick by Vernon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen sizes up Vernon with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Takanen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Takanen lands a right hook to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Takanen.
Takanen catches Vernon with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice uppercut lands for Takanen. That snapped Vernon's head back.
Vernon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Takanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Takanen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Takanen.
Takanen throws a head kick that misses.
Takanen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Vernon walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Vernon is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice shot by Takanen.
Vernon is still on wobbly legs! Can Takanen finish him?
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.
Vernon seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vernon at a distance.
Takanen scores with a body shot.
Takanen works Vernon's body with a nice hook.
Takanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Vernon counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Takanen!

Vernon has control of Takanen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Takanen regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Vernon sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Takanen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Takanen tries to lock up and control but Vernon gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takanen working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Vernon is trying to take his opponent's back.
Vernon tries to control but Takanen wriggling away.
Vernon looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sid Vernon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vernon looking to control but Takanen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Vernon prevents Takanen from getting the reversal.
Vernon unloading with bombs!
Takanen regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen is trying to stand back up but Vernon is controlling him
Vernon passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Takanen!
Vernon lands a heavy elbow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Takanen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Vernon landing strikes, looking to finish!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vernon is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Takanen has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Takanen!
Takanen is looking to stand up but Vernon won't let him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esko Takanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Takanen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:26

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