PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Valentine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takala has chosen Volga as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Valentine
vs
Takala

185 cm
31
193 lbs
33 - 11 - 0

198 cm
29
194 lbs
24 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
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 33 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Valentine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Ackerman and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takala moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Valentine throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Valentine moves forwards but Takala connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Takala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Valentine gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Valentine lands a nice looking body shot.
Takala lands with a straight right. Valentine didn't see that one coming.
Valentine connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Valentine throws a front kick that sends Takala stumbling back into the cage.
Takala buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentine throws a lazy right hand but Takala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takala takes a swing at Valentine's ribcage but misses.
Valentine finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takala checks the leg kick.
Takala lands with a nice body punch.
Valentine cracks Takala with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Alexander Valentine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jab by Takala.
Takala misses with an attempted mid kick.
Takala lands with a hook. Valentine tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Valentine fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Takala.
Takala lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Valentine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takala manages to avoid it.
Valentine takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Valentine changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Takala tries to avoid it but Valentine manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Takala to the ground. Takala escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Valentine attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Takala is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Valentine throws a leg kick
letting Takala counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takala fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Takala moves out of range of the body kick from Valentine.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala cracks the inside of Valentine's front leg.
Valentine throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Valentine fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takala has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Valentine connects with a good right hand that stumbles Takala. Takala circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Valentine slips a jab from Takala.
Valentine misses the shot to the body.
Takala lands a nice leg kick that just misses Valentine's sensitive parts.
Valentine throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Valentine fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takala has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Valentine missing with a left hand there. Takala was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice cross by Valentine.
Takala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Valentine.
Takala finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Valentine takes a swing at Takala's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Valentine on the side of the head.
Valentine misses the shot to the body.
Valentine misses with a looping left.
Valentine moves out of range as Takala strikes.
Takala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Valentine misses with a body kick.
Takala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Valentine keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A low kick from Valentine is predictable there
and Takala counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takala is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Valentine had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Valentine thows a body shot but no joy.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Valentine.
Takala takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Valentine misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine throws a solid leg kick but Takala takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Valentine.
Valentine throws a leg kick but Takala moved away.
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 attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
The fighters circle momentarily. Takala darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Valentine throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takala gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Takala is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Valentine rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Takala to counter with a crisp jab.
Good exchange - Takala coming out on top.
Takala misses with a few strikes there.
Takala looks to land a right hand but Valentine moved out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takala keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Valentine throws a jab when Takala was well out of range.
Valentine throws a jab when Takala was well out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Valentine checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Valentine.
A solid leg kick lands there for Takala.
A looping hook to the body misses from Valentine. Takala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takala has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The fighters circling - Valentine throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Valentine misses with a body shot
enabling Takala to counter with a crisp jab.
Valentine is looking to slow Takala down with leg kicks.
Takala jabs at Valentine's body.
Valentine moves away from the strike by Takala.
Takala throws a nice inside leg kick.
Valentine finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takala throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Valentine lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valentine wants to slow Takala down by chopping away at his legs.
Sloppy strikes from Takala. Those never looked like landing.
Topi Takala seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Takala if he has to take too many more of those.
The fighters circling - Takala throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takala lands a slapping body shot.
No luck for Valentine with that takedown attempt.
Takala loads up on a big right hand but Valentine slips the punch.
Valentine getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A big right from Takala misses.
A good leg kick by Takala.
Valentine turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Valentine checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Takala just misses with a punch to the body.
A clash of legs there as Takala blocks the low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentine throws a half hearted mid kick.
Takala throws a leg kick but Valentine checks it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Valentine.
Takala defending well as Valentine loads up on a big left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valentine's jab looks to have found its range, popping Takala under the eye.
Valentine throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Takala takes a swing at Valentine's ribcage but misses.
Takala lands a lovely overhand right.
A low kick from Valentine misses
and Takala counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Valentine changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Valentine walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takala checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Takala sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Valentine motions for Takala to come forward. Valentine throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala misses with a low kick.
A big right from Valentine misses.
Takala jabs Valentine right on the nose. Valentine blinks but takes it well.
Valentine throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Valentine is looking to chop away at Takala's legs.
Takala misses with a wild combination.
Valentine finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takala throws a body punch but Valentine moves out of range.
Takala scores with a jab to the body.
Valentine uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takala.
A slow jab from Valentine misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Valentine misses
and Takala counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A lazy left from Takala finds it's target.
A low kick from Valentine misses
and Takala counters with a nice body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A bone on bone clash there as Takala blocks the leg kick.
Takala throws a solid leg kick but Valentine takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Takala.
Valentine fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Takala checks it well.
Takala with a jab.
Valentine just misses with a punch to the body.
Takala displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Valentine.
Takala throws a low kick but it's checked well by Valentine.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valentine ducks right into an uppercut from Takala.
Valentine takes a body punch but keeps moving.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Valentine defending well as Takala loads up on a big left hand.
Valentine fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Takala checks it well.
Takala throws a jab but it's blocked by Valentine.
Takala scores with a jab.
Valentine attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Valentine looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Valentine.
Valentine misses with a jab, cross combination.
Valentine takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Takala scores with a jab to the jaw.
Valentine feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Takalas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Valentine thows a body shot but no joy.
Valentine pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Takala's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Takala keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valentine is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takala.
A low kick from Valentine is predictable there
and Takala counters with an inside leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Takala.
Valentine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valentine just misses with a punch to the body.
Valentine misses with a body shot.
Takala throws a wild body kick that Valentine sees coming a mile off.
A leg kick checked by Valentine.
Valentine throws an overhand right that lands on Takala's shoulder, as Takala tries to avoid the shot.
Valentine punishes Takala's body with a nice straight punch.
Takala misses with an uppercut.
Valentine throws a shot from downtown. Takala moves away and avoids it.
Valentine misses with a right hand
and Takala counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Alexander Valentine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Valentine.
Valentine looks to score with a jab to the body but Takala is just out of range.
Valentine looks to land a body kick but Takala moved away.
Takala connects with a solid leg kick.
Valentine misses with a body shot.
Takala looks to land a left hand but Valentine moved out of range nicely.
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!
Good leg kick by Valentine there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Valentine moves away from the strike by Takala.
Valentine scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Takala doesn't seem bothered though.
An inside leg kick from Takala misses.
Valentine ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A slow jab from Valentine misses its intended target.
Takala connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentine throws a big shot that misses.
Takala thows a body shot but no joy.
Valentine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takala.
Valentine moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Donk. Valentine catches Takala right on the button with a cross.
Takala lands a head kick. Valentine smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Valentine fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takala has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Valentine moves into range and connects with a jab.
Valentine 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.
Valentine has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Takala finds it's way round the side to connect with Valentine's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valentine smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A nice leg kick lands there from Valentine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentine tries to land a body kick
and Takala counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Valentine - that will leave a mark!
Takala blocks a jab.
Valentine tries a low kick but Takala avoids it.
Takala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valentine.
Takala lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jab by Takala.
Takala ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takala thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice shot lands for Takala.
Takala attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Valentine throws a right hand that misses
and Takala counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

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 Alexander Valentine.
Well Takala has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Topi Takala!
After winning the bout, Topi Takala thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.