PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Engelbreckt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tahkojuusto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Engelbreckt comes to the cage accompanied by If I had a heart. Tahkojuusto comes into a darkened arena with his song building. AC/DC : T.N.T kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Teppo Tahkojuusto was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Engelbreckt
vs
Tahkojuusto

180 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
40
174 lbs
19 - 24 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Engelbreckt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Teppo Tahkojuusto!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tahkojuusto throws a nice looking combination but Engelbreckt bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tahkojuusto swats away the attempt to clinch by Engelbreckt.

Engelbreckt drives through and clinches with Tahkojuusto against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tahkojuusto is trying to push Engelbreckt away but Engelbreckt has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tahkojuusto goes for a takedown in the clinch but Engelbreckt prevents it.

Engelbreckt has Tahkojuusto pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Engelbreckt pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Tahkojuusto tumbling to the mat - Engelbreckt dives into Tahkojuusto's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tahkojuusto manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Engelbreckt manages to get himself to full guard.
Tahkojuusto trying to control the position from guard on top but Engelbreckt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tahkojuusto tries to free his leg and advance position but Engelbreckt is retaining full guard.
Tahkojuusto is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engelbreckt wants to sweep here but Tahkojuusto controlling him for the moment.

Tahkojuusto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Tahkojuusto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Engelbreckt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Engelbreckt wants to sweep here but Tahkojuusto controlling him for the moment.
Tahkojuusto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Engelbreckt swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tahkojuusto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Tahkojuusto drops back, looking for a kneebar! Engelbreckt looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Engelbreckt looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Engelbreckt!
Tahkojuusto tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Engelbreckt wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've been hearing that Engelbreckt has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto wants to get back to his feet but Engelbreckt drags him back down.
Tahkojuusto manages to get back to half guard.
Tahkojuusto tries to get to full guard but Engelbreckt has control of the leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Engelbreckt connects with a nice short shot to Tahkojuusto's temple.

Tahkojuusto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Engelbreckt is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tahkojuusto has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tahkojuusto is trying to stand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tahkojuusto wants to control but Engelbreckt is keeping busy.
Tahkojuusto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto trying to control from the bottom.

Tahkojuusto actively working from the bottom here.

Tahkojuusto kicks Engelbreckt off and gets back to his feet.

Engelbreckt gets the takedown into side control.
Tahkojuusto is looking to reverse the position.
Engelbreckt in side control lands a decent elbow.
Tahkojuusto manages to work his way to half guard, despite Engelbreckt's best efforts.
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!
Engelbreckt trying to control the action but Tahkojuusto is working from the bottom.

Tahkojuusto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tahkojuusto is staying active underneath Engelbreckt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tahkojuusto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Engelbreckt pulls his head out easily.
Engelbreckt scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tahkojuusto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Engelbreckt sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Tahkojuusto is controlling Engelbreckt's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Engelbreckt wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Engelbreckt is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tahkojuusto sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Teppo Tahkojuusto will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Engelbreckt darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Engelbreckt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tahkojuusto's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tahkojuusto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tahkojuusto trying to keep a closed guard but Engelbreckt is proving a slippery customer.
Tahkojuusto wants to get back to his feet but Engelbreckt passes into half guard.

Tahkojuusto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Engelbreckt is looking to stall here but Tahkojuusto recovers full guard.

Tahkojuusto looking for a guillotine here but Engelbreckt defends easily.

Tahkojuusto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto working a defensive guard here.
Tahkojuusto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tahkojuusto throws a strike but Engelbreckt avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Engelbreckt working a defensive guard here.
Tahkojuusto throwing strikes from guard but Engelbreckt blocks nicely.
Tahkojuusto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Engelbreckt swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Engelbreckt trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tahkojuusto drops back, looking for a kneebar! Engelbreckt looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Engelbreckt looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Engelbreckt!
Engelbreckt working away.
Tahkojuusto taking punishment in the form of punches.
The ground and pound from Engelbreckt seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
A lull in the action here.
Tahkojuusto is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Engelbreckt's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tahkojuusto wants to improve his position but Engelbreckt is controlling well.

Tahkojuusto pushes Engelbreckt off and gets back to his feet.

Tahkojuusto tries to keep at a distance but Engelbreckt has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Engelbreckt wants the takedown. Tahkojuusto is fighting it off but Engelbreckt persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Tahkojuusto's guard against the cage.

Tahkojuusto working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Engelbreckt has passed into half guard!
Tahkojuusto gets full guard.

Tahkojuusto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Engelbreckt trying to control but Tahkojuusto is working from the bottom.
Tahkojuusto has control of Engelbreckt's left arm, preventing Engelbreckt from doing any damage.

Tahkojuusto is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Engelbreckt defends well.
Engelbreckt passes Tahkojuusto's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tahkojuusto looking for submissions off his back.
Tahkojuusto is refusing to be controlled, as Engelbreckt sits in half guard.
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!
Tahkojuusto wants to get back to his feet.
Engelbreckt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tahkojuusto keeps working.
Engelbreckt content to control rather than advance.
Engelbreckt working the head and body with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tahkojuusto is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Engelbreckt will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Engelbreckt but Engelbreckt pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tahkojuusto has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Engelbreckt is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Tahkojuusto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Engelbreckt sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tahkojuusto somewhat.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Engelbreckt as he jumps to the side.
Alexander Engelbreckt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto fails with the takedown
and Engelbreckt counters with a nice body shot.
Tahkojuusto shoots in but no luck this time.
Tahkojuusto shoots in for a takedown but Engelbreckt shows good takedown defense.

Engelbreckt closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Engelbreckt lands a takedown into guard.
Tahkojuusto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Engelbreckt trying to control the position from guard on top but Tahkojuusto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Engelbreckt's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engelbreckt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Engelbreckt wants to control from the top but Tahkojuusto keeps moving.
Engelbreckt is looking to stand up but Tahkojuusto won't let him.
Tahkojuusto keeping moving, preventing Engelbreckt from controlling successfully.
Engelbreckt cracks Tahkojuusto with a solid left hand.
Tahkojuusto is trying to control the position but Engelbreckt postures up.
Engelbreckt wants to control from the top but Tahkojuusto keeps moving.

Tahkojuusto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Engelbreckt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tahkojuusto controls Engelbreckt momentarily but Engelbreckt frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Engelbreckt got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tahkojuusto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Engelbreckt has managed to get both his arms back between Tahkojuusto's legs - danger averted.
Tahkojuusto wants to sweep but no luck.
Engelbreckt cracks Tahkojuusto with a solid left hand.
Tahkojuusto trying to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tahkojuusto is on top in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Engelbreckt looking for a sweep. Not yet Engelbreckt, not yet.
Engelbreckt is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Alexander Engelbreckt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tahkojuusto is fighting to break Engelbreckt's control of his arms but Engelbreckt is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Engelbreckt is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tahkojuusto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tahkojuusto has hold of Engelbreckt's hands but Engelbreckt slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Tahkojuusto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Engelbreckt pulls his head out easily.

Tahkojuusto looking for submissions off his back.
Engelbreckt prevents Tahkojuusto from improving his position.
Tahkojuusto wants to get back to his feet.
Engelbreckt is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Tahkojuusto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Engelbreckt pulls his head out easily.
Tahkojuusto wants to get back to full guard.

Tahkojuusto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Engelbreckt pulls his head out easily.

Engelbreckt seems to be looking for submissions.
Tahkojuusto is staying active underneath Engelbreckt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Engelbreckt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tahkojuusto is just riding it out for now. Engelbreckt eventually gives up the hold.
Tahkojuusto is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Engelbreckt showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Engelbreckt has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aken scores the fight 30:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Teppo Tahkojuusto!
Teppo Tahkojuusto spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.