PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pentti Hirvonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takala comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Volga kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Topi Takala will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hirvonen
vs
Takala

185 cm
35
196 lbs
35 - 17 - 0

198 cm
29
194 lbs
25 - 6 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!
Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

Perkele!
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 17 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pentti Hirvonen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Takala there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hirvonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Takala is just out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Hirvonen blocks the leg kick.
Takala ducks under a wild hook from Hirvonen.

Hirvonen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Takala!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Takala can't do much from the bottom here.
Takala tries to buck Hirvonen off but Hirvonen is having none of it.
Hirvonen trying to control the action but Takala is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen advances to mount.
Hirvonen trying to control but Takala is having none of it.
Poor strikes thrown by Hirvonen there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Takala is looking to control Hirvonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Takala avoid being mounted?
Hirvonen trying to pass the guard but Takala defending well.

Hirvonen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hirvonen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hirvonen trying to mount his opponent but Takala defends it.
Hirvonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Takala's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hirvonen works his way into full mount!
Hirvonen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hirvonen trying to control but Takala is having none of it.
Hirvonen thowing shots but they're missing.
Hirvonen looking to finish Takala with some ground and pound. This is bad for Takala!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hirvonen scoring with strikes but Takala is staying in there.
Takala working to try and regain half guard.
Takala tries to lock up and control but Hirvonen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Hirvonen is controlling the pace.
Hirvonen is looking to take a break and control but Takala is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hirvonen is looking to stall here but Takala recovers full guard.
Hirvonen wants to control from the top but Takala keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala trying to control the position here.
Hirvonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takala is keeping the position for now.
Hirvonen trying to control but Takala is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Pentti Hirvonen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Takala misses the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takala looks for the body kick but Hirvonen saw that one coming.
Takala stuffs the takedown attempt from Hirvonen. Hirvonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Hirvonen misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Hirvonen dominated that round.
That's time! Hirvonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takala blocks a leg kick.
Takala cracks Hirvonen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Pentti Hirvonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Takala misses.
Takala is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Takala cracks Hirvonen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hirvonen misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Hirvonen misses with a wild combination.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Takala but Takala pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hirvonen blocks a head kick by Takala.
Hirvonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen drops his hands momentarily and Takala takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A slow jab from Takala misses its intended target.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hirvonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen slips a jab from Takala.

Hirvonen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Takala quickly recovers to half guard.
Takala pushes Hirvonen off looking to stand but Hirvonen dives back in and keeps control.
Hirvonen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Takala reverses the position - he's now on top in Hirvonen's guard.

Hirvonen working for a triangle but Takala defends it easily.
Takala wants to control from the top but Hirvonen keeps moving.
Takala preventing the sweep.
Takala must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Takala pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hirvonen is keeping the position for now.
Hirvonen has a closed guard, preventing Takala from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala preventing the sweep.
Takala trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hirvonen's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Hirvonen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Hirvonen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hirvonen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hirvonen controls Takala momentarily but Takala frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Takala gets to his feet - Hirvonen follows without any prompting.
A decent looking cross lands there for Takala.
Hirvonen throws a lazy right hand but Takala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hirvonen throws a lazy uppercut
and Takala makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Takala.
Takala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Takala wants it to stay on the feet.
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!
Takala slips a jab from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Takala throws a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Takala but Takala pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pentti Hirvonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hirvonen scores with a takedown into Takala's guard.
Takala working a defensive guard here.
Takala lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hirvonen!
Hirvonen tries to reverse the position but Takala maintains control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Takala stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Hirvonen misses with a wild body shot.
Takala cracks Hirvonen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Hirvonen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala 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.

Takala throws a body punch but Hirvonen moves out of range.
Hirvonen checks a low kick from Takala.
Takala avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Takala scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Pentti Hirvonen has been cut.
Takala listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A slow jab from Hirvonen misses its intended target.
Hirvonen is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Takala's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Takala cracks Hirvonen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Takala is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hirvonen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takala defends it nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hirvonen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Takala finds it's way round the side to connect with Hirvonen's head.
Takala needs to keep his hands up - Hirvonen had a free shot at his head there.
Topi Takala seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown but Takala shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Takala lands a leg kick that knocks Hirvonen off balance momentarily.
Takala throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Hirvonen counters with a single leg into guard. Takala didn't expect that.
Hirvonen pushes down on Takala's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hirvonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takala keeps working.
Takala moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hirvonen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Takala pulls Hirvonen in close to his closed guard and prevents Hirvonen from doing any damage or advancing position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takala wants to stand but Hirvonen is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Takala's guard.
Takala is looking to escape.
Takala avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hirvonen.
Takala is trying to control but can't.

Hirvonen is trying to work for a kimura but Takala is defending well.
Hirvonen is looking to take a break and control but Takala is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hirvonen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen is thwarting Takala's attempts to control the position.
Hirvonen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hirvonen tries to pass to full mount but Takala defends it.
Takala tries to get to full guard but Hirvonen has control of the leg.
Hirvonen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Takala wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala trying to hold on to Hirvonen's head to control him but Hirvonen postures up.
Takala is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Hirvonen is staying active.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Topi Takala hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Takala moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hirvonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hirvonen throws a jab when Takala was well out of range.
Hirvonen misses with a straight left.
Hirvonen defending well as Takala loads up on a big left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hirvonen lands an overhand right.
Hirvonen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Takala sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pentti Hirvonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hirvonen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hirvonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Takala shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hirvonen lands a slapping body shot.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Takala.
Hirvonen tries to move into range but Takala moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hirvonen thumps Takala with a low kick.
Takala throws a half hearted mid kick.
An inside leg kick from Hirvonen misses.
Hirvonen misses with a looping left.
Takala connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nice sprawl there from Takala as Hirvonen shoots in.
Hirvonen tries to bum rush Takala with a series of wild strikes but Takala uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen throws an overhand right that lands on Takala's shoulder, as Takala tries to avoid the shot.
A left lands for Takala.
Takala fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hirvonen.
An inside leg kick from Takala misses.
Takala stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hirvonen tries to move into range but Takala moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A jab from Hirvonen misses.
Takala takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hirvonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takala has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hirvonen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Takala throws a hook to the side of Hirvonen's head but Hirvonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takala scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takala connects with an inside leg kick.
Hirvonen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hirvonen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Takala fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hirvonen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Takala connects with a leg kick. Hirvonen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nice straight punches there by Takala. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Takala.
Takala looks to land a right hand but Hirvonen moved out of range.
Hirvonen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
No joy there for Hirvonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The fighters circling - Takala throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen throws a series of punches but Takala moves out of range.
Takala lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Takala connects with a leg kick. Hirvonen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Takala fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hirvonen.
Hirvonen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Takala throws a lazy right hand but Hirvonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Topi Takala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takala tests Hirvonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Hirvonen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Takala is trying to defend but Hirvonen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hirvonen throws a strike but Takala avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takala manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
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!
Takala prevents Hirvonen from breaking the clinch.

Takala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fighters circling - Hirvonen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A slow jab from Takala misses its intended target.
Some bone on bone action there as Hirvonen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hirvonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Takala takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Takala cracks Hirvonen with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hirvonen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hirvonen in particular looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Good standup being displayed there by Hirvonen as he connects with a hook.
Takala avoids the body shot from Hirvonen.
Takala throws an overhand right that lands on Hirvonen's shoulder, as Hirvonen tries to avoid the shot.
Hirvonen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hirvonen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Takala fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hirvonen is out of range.
Takala fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hirvonen checks it well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen darts in looking for a takedown but Takala gets double underhooks and turns Hirvonen into the cage.
Takala softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Takala tries a body shot but Hirvonen blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Takala breaks the clinch.
Hirvonen digs a good hook to Takala's body.
Takala uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hirvonen has time to react.
Takala misses with an uppercut.
Hirvonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takala.
Takala connects with a nice looking jab.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Takala as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pentti Hirvonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takala uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hirvonen.
A big right from Hirvonen misses.
Hirvonen pushes Takala away with a front kick.
Hirvonen thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen swings for the body but Takala moves out of range.
Hirvonen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takala.
A leg kick checked by Takala.
Takala scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hirvonen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Takala explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takala misses with a two punch combination.
Takala thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takala scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Takala throws a body punch but Hirvonen moves out of range.
Takala moves out of range as Hirvonen strikes.
Takala loads up on a big right hand but Hirvonen slips the punch.
Hirvonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen misses with a looping left.
Hirvonen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Takala tries to avoid it but Hirvonen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Takala to the ground. Takala escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hirvonen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Takala counters with a straight right hand.
Takala cracks Hirvonen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hirvonen. Takala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hirvonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hirvonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Takala sprawls well. He's pushed Hirvonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Takala looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Takala throws an overhand right that lands on Hirvonen's shoulder, as Hirvonen tries to avoid the shot.
A left and a right from Takala both land. Nice combination.
Hirvonen dodges the punch combination from Takala.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Takala blocks a leg kick.

Hirvonen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hirvonen throws a strike aimed at the side of Takala's head but Takala avoids it well.
Hirvonen trying to control the position but Takala is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes there by Hirvonen.
Pentti Hirvonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takala managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Hirvonen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Topi Takala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takala 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49

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