PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Takka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takka has chosen Kavinsky - Nightcall as his entrance music. 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.

Overeem
vs
Takka

180 cm
33
193 lbs
22 - 7 - 0

195 cm
31
194 lbs
16 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!

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 22 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alistair Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Timo Takka !
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takka has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Overeem.
Overeem looks to throw the jab but Takka is out of range.
Nice body kick there by Overeem.
Overeem checks the leg kick nicely there.
Takka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Overeem misses with a straight left.
Takka lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Overeem at a distance.
Takka misses the shot to the body.
Takka attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Takka tests Overeem's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Overeem uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takka .
Overeem checks a low kick from Takka .
Overeem tried to score with a low kick but Takka checks it.
Overeem cracks the inside of Takka 's front leg.
Takka checks the leg kick.
Overeem moves forwards but Takka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Takka looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takka throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Overeem throws a nice inside leg kick.
Overeem looks to score with a jab to the body but Takka is just out of range.
Overeem moves out of range of the strikes.
Overeem swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Overeem misses with a low kick.
Overeem connects with a body shot that sends Takka 's belly button to the back.
Takka moves out of range of the body kick from Overeem.
Overeem swings widly with a right hand

and Takka counters with a single leg into guard. Overeem didn't expect that.
Takka won't allow Overeem to get back to his feet.
Overeem pulls Takka in close to prevent any damage.
Overeem preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takka is looking to work some ground and pound but Overeem has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem wants to stand and escape but Takka is having none of it.
Takka seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Takka distracts Overeem with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Takka wants to pass the guard but Overeem is keeping the position.
Takka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Takka is pushing down on Overeem's leg trying to pass to half guard. Overeem is fighting to maintain full guard but Takka has managed to sneak the leg through.
Takka lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Well, if Takka is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Takka looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem trying to hold on to Takka 's head to control him but Takka postures up.
Takka stops Overeem from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Overeem manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Overeem is trying to keep Takka in close.
Takka throwing strikes but missing.
Takka is looking to work some ground and pound but Overeem has wrist control.
Overeem looking to hit a scissor sweep but Takka is one step ahead there.
Overeem wants to get back to his feet but Takka is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem has momentary wrist control but Takka slips an elbow through the middle.
Overeem wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Overeem looking for a sweep. Not yet Overeem, not yet.
Takka trying to control but Overeem is working from the bottom.
Overeem is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Takka scoring with punches to the head and body.
Takka wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Overeem is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Takka throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Takka dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Takka attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Takka closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Overeem's guard.
Takka trying to control but Overeem is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Takka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Takka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Overeem looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Overeem is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Overeem wants to sweep but no luck.
Takka looking to pass the guard.
Takka working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Overeem trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takka tries to free his leg and advance position but Overeem is retaining full guard.
Takka connects with a couple of short punches.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Takka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Overeem keeping moving, preventing Takka from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Takka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Overeem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Takka .
Overeem wants to stand and escape but Takka is having none of it.
Takka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Takka wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.
Takka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Overeem is keeping the position for now.
Overeem seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takka scoring with some ground and pound.
Takka cracks Overeem with a solid left hand.
Overeem wants to stand and escape but Takka is having none of it.
Takka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takka looking to pass the guard.
Takka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Takka lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Takka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Takka postures up.
Takka chips away with some ground and pound.
Takka tries to free his leg and advance position but Overeem is retaining full guard.
Takka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takka trying to control the position from guard on top but Overeem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takka postures up and lands a big shot to Overeem's brow.
Takka throwing strikes but missing.
Overeem preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takka tries to free his leg and advance position but Overeem is retaining full guard.
Takka with a nice head shot there.
Takka keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Overeem's head.
Overeem controls Takka momentarily but Takka frees himself.
Takka trying to control the position from guard on top but Overeem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takka throws an elbow that misses. Overeem uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Takka 's guard. Nice move by Overeem!

Takka looking for subs off his back but Overeem has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem wants to stand up but Takka has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Takka trying to control but Overeem postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Takka is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Overeem pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takka is staying active underneath Overeem, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Takka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Takka uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Takka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Timo Takka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Overeem checks the leg kick.
Takka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takka is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Takka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takka wants to clinch.

Takka darts in and clinches Overeem up against the cage.
Overeem struggles to land a body shot inside as Takka controls his hands.
Takka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Overeems head.
Overeem lands with a right to the head.
Takka stalling in the clinch but Overeem improves position.
Overeem misses with a body punch.
Takka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Overeem misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Takka tries to throw a body punch but Overeem avoids it by throwing Takka back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Takka lands with a light punch inside.
Takka trying to land knees to the body.
Overeem misses with a hook from the clinch.
Overeem presses Takka against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Overeem working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Overeem scores with a hook to the body.
Overeem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Overeem misses with a punch to the body.
Takka missing with knees to the body.
Overeem tries to work over Takka 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Overeem tries a body shot but Takka blocks it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Takka obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Overeem's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takka is trying to pull guard but Overeem has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Overeem creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Overeem doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Overeem misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Overeem's face.
Overeem works on Takka 's body with a couple of short punches.
Overeem scores with a hook to the body.
Takka prevents a body shot from Overeem.
Overeem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Takka blocks a body shot from Overeem.
Overeem tries to work over Takka 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Overeem.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Overeem.
Overeem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Overeem on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Overeem is pressed up against the cage. Takka has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Overeem down to the mat. Overeem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Overeem misses with a jab, cross combination.
Timo Takka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Takka slips a straight right by Overeem.
Takka uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Takka has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Overeem throws a wild body kick that Takka sees coming a mile off.
Overeem misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Timo Takka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takka lands a slapping body shot.
Overeem is looking to wear down Takka with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Takka scores with a jab to the head.
Takka walks into a left hand.
Takka throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Takka crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Overeem - the referee stops the clock and Takka gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Overeem. Takka manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Takka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Takka jabs at Overeem's body.
Overeem doesn't manage to clinch there - Takka circles away.
Overeem takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Overeem uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takka .
Overeem misses with a double jab.
Takka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Overeem throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Takka stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takka clinches with his opponent.
Overeem working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Takka tries to pull guard but Overeem won't allow it.
Alistair Overeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Takka .
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Overeem lands a body punch in the clinch.
Overeem has a couple of punches blocked by Takka .
Overeem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Takka trying to land knees to the body.
Takka lands a right hand.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Overeem can't find room to land a body shot as Takka controls the action.
Takka tries to land knees in the clinch but Overeem avoids the damage to the body.
Overeem has a couple of punches blocked by Takka .
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Overeem prevents a body shot from Takka .
Alistair Overeem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takka lands a body punch.
Overeem tries a body shot but Takka blocks it.
Overeem looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice left hand lands by Takka .

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alistair Overeem.
I think Takka has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timo Takka !
A relieved looking Timo Takka thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.