PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gianluca Gattusi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyyrikki Takaraivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gattusi's entrance music is Fratelli d'Italia. A fine choice. 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.

Gattusi
vs
Takaraivo

190 cm
21
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
23
220 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gianluca Gattusi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takaraivo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gattusi to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Gattusi tries to free his leg and advance position but Takaraivo is retaining full guard.
Takaraivo wants to get back to his feet but Gattusi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gattusi wants to pass the guard but Takaraivo is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gattusi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Gattusi tries for a kimura but Takaraivo is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gattusi swings around for an armbar but Takaraivo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gattusi's guard.
Gattusi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Takaraivo wanted to stand there but Gattusi had control of the position.
Gattusi controls Takaraivo momentarily but Takaraivo frees himself.
Gattusi is controlling Takaraivo's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaraivo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gattusi is proving hard to escape from.
Gattusi pulls Takaraivo in to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gattusi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Takaraivo is fending him off so far but Gattusi persists. Nope, Takaraivo circles away and we're back to standing.

Takaraivo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gattusi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Takaraivo after a bit of a struggle.
Gattusi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Takaraivo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gattusi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gianluca Gattusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takaraivo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gattusi up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takaraivo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Takaraivo clinches.
Gattusi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Takaraivo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Takaraivo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gattusi goes for a takedown attempt but Takaraivo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Takaraivo scores with a head kick.

It looks like Gianluca Gattusi has been cut.
Gattusi walks forward, straight into a front kick from Takaraivo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Gattusi does no damage.
Takaraivo throws a body punch but Gattusi moves out of range.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takaraivo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takaraivo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takaraivo tries to land a front kick but Gattusi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick misses from Takaraivo.
Takaraivo keeps the fight on the outside.
Gattusi avoids the head kick by Takaraivo.
Gattusi throws the left hand but Takaraivo avoids the punch easily.
Gattusi avoids the body shot from Takaraivo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Takaraivo drops Gattusi with a beautiful combination! Gattusi stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Takaraivo is looking for the KO!
A looping hook to the body misses from Takaraivo. Gattusi does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nyyrikki Takaraivo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gianluca Gattusi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gattusi throws a nice looking combination but Takaraivo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gattusi throws the kick towards the body but Takaraivo avoids it.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gattusi fails to land with a series of punches.
Takaraivo connects with a leg kick. Gattusi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gattusi blocks a head kick by Takaraivo.

Gattusi pushes Takaraivo up against the cage in a clinch.
Takaraivo wants to break free but Gattusi has control.
Gattusi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gattusi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Takaraivo prevents it.
Takaraivo working hard to break the clinch.
Gattusi is trying to break free.
Takaraivo blocks a body shot from Gattusi.
Takaraivo gets underhooks to prevent Gattusi's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gianluca Gattusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takaraivo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gattusi misses with a body shot.
Gattusi is looking to clinch but Takaraivo is avoiding it.
Gattusi keeps the fight on the outside.

Takaraivo moves into the clinch successfully.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gattusi as Takaraivo tries to tie him up.
Gattusi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Takaraivo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Takaraivo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Takaraivo throws a head kick that misses.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gattusi throws a nice looking combination but Takaraivo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Takaraivo misses with a few strikes there.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gattusi blocks a head kick by Takaraivo.
Gattusi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gattusi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gattusi avoids the body shot from Takaraivo.
Gattusi scores with a shot to the body.
Takaraivo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gattusi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takaraivo was well out of range. Poor timing from Gattusi.
Takaraivo misses with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Takaraivo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gattusi shoots in looking for a takedown but Takaraivo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gattusi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gattusi. Takaraivo does a little dance to reset his feet.
A slow jab from Gattusi misses its intended target.
Takaraivo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gattusi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice takedown defense from Takaraivo. No joy for Gattusi on that attempt.
Takaraivo ducks under a wild hook from Gattusi.

Takaraivo rushes Gattusi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gattusi tries for a takedown but Takaraivo manages to get underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gattusi prevents Takaraivo from breaking the clinch.
Gattusi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Takaraivo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takaraivo tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takaraivo drops Gattusi with a beautiful combination! Gattusi stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Takaraivo is looking for the KO!

Gattusi is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head kick by Takaraivo - that's a beauty! Gattusi is out but he's somehow still standing... he's going... going... gone. Like a drunk walking down the middle of the road, the inevitable face plant follows and the delayed knockout arrives. Even Takaraivo can't help but laugh at the bizarre end to this one!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:15 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Nyyrikki Takaraivo!