PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Hovimaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommi Talentti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Talentti is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Metallica - Ecstasy Of Gold. 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.

Hovimaki
vs
Talentti

178 cm
23
163 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

167 cm
26
164 lbs
9 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Hovimaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tommi Talentti!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Talentti looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Talentti shoots in for a double leg but Hovimaki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Talentti looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hovimaki is fending him off so far but Talentti persists. Nope, Hovimaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Mikko Hovimaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommi Talentti.
Talentti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hovimaki.
Talentti slips a jab from Hovimaki.
Talentti shoots in for a takedown but Hovimaki shows good takedown defense.
Talentti shoots in but Hovimaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Talentti shoots in looking for a takedown. Hovimaki tries to sprawl out of it but Talentti keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hovimaki manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hovimaki missing with a left hand there. Talentti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Talentti is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hovimaki sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hovimaki misses with a looping right.
Hovimaki defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Talentti.
Talentti shoots in for a takedown but Hovimaki shows good takedown defense.
Hovimaki lands the left hand.

Talentti closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hovimaki to the mat! Hovimaki manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Talentti drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hovimaki looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hovimaki looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hovimaki!
Talentti is looking to reverse the position.
Talentti sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hovimaki is thwarting Talentti's attempts to control the position.

Talentti is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hovimaki pulls his head out easily.
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!

Talentti looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Talentti has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Hovimaki escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Hovimaki!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talentti is trying to get back to half guard.
Hovimaki avoids the strikes from the bottom by Talentti.
Talentti is trying to get back to half guard.
Talentti misses with a strike from the bottom.

Hovimaki has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

and Talentti counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hovimaki's guard now.

Talentti drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hovimaki dives on top into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Talentti is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Talentti working for submissions but it's allowed Hovimaki to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommi Talentti dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hovimaki throws a shot from downtown. Talentti moves away and avoids it.
Talentti fails to land the takedown.
Talentti changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hovimaki tries to avoid it but Talentti manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hovimaki to the ground. Hovimaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hovimaki throws a jab when Talentti was well out of range.
Talentti changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hovimaki tries to avoid it but Talentti manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hovimaki to the ground. Hovimaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mikko Hovimaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommi Talentti.
Hovimaki slaps away a takedown attempt from Talentti, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hovimaki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hovimaki wants it to stay on the feet.
Talentti fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Talentti will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tommi Talentti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Talentti fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hovimaki avoids it really well and circles away.
Talentti shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hovimaki sprawls well. Hovimaki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Talentti gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Talentti slips a straight right by Hovimaki.
Talentti shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hovimaki sprawls well. Hovimaki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Talentti gets slowly back to his feet.
Talentti shoots in but Hovimaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Talentti looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hovimaki is fending him off so far but Talentti persists. Nope, Hovimaki circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talentti takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Talentti is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hovimaki sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Talentti goes for a double leg but Hovimaki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hovimaki continues to drive forward.
Talentti keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hovimaki's efforts to push away.

Hovimaki manages to break the clinch.
Talentti closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hovimaki circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Talentti shoots in looking for a takedown but Hovimaki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Talentti's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hovimaki slaps away a takedown attempt from Talentti, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Talentti closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Talentti shoots in looking for a takedown but Hovimaki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Talentti's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hovimaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Talentti looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hovimaki is fending him off so far but Talentti persists. Nope, Hovimaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Talentti with a poor takedown
and Hovimaki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Talentti thinking.
Talentti is breathing heavily.
Talentti shoots for a double leg takedown but Hovimaki sprawls well. He's pushed Talentti's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Hovimaki dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Talentti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hovimaki.
Hovimaki is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hovimaki throws a big shot that misses.
Hovimaki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Talentti.
Tommi Talentti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Talentti fails with a takedown attempt.
Talentti goes for a double leg but Hovimaki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hovimaki continues to drive forward.
Mikko Hovimaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommi Talentti.
Hovimaki wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Talentti has Hovimaki pressed against the cage, preventing Hovimaki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hovimaki has had enough of the clinch but Talentti keeps him there for the moment.
Hovimaki is trying to force a seperation but Talentti has the dominant position.

Hovimaki breaks the clinch.
Hovimaki throws a hook but Talentti avoids it easily.
Talentti shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hovimaki but Hovimaki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mikko Hovimaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Talentti darts in looking for a takedown but Hovimaki gets double underhooks and turns Talentti into the cage.
Hovimaki prevents the takedown attempt.
Hovimaki stops a takedown attempt from Talentti.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hovimaki working hard to break the clinch.
Talentti is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Talentti takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hovimaki breaks from the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hovimaki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hovimaki bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Talentti's head backwards.
Hovimaki throws out a powerful jab.
Talentti changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hovimaki tries to avoid it but Talentti manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hovimaki to the ground. Hovimaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hovimaki.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Talentti looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Hovimaki. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hovimaki.
Talentti shoots in for a takedown but Hovimaki shows good takedown defense.
Hovimaki lands a glancing blow to the side of Talentti's head.
Hovimaki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Talentti shoots in for a takedown but Hovimaki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hovimaki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hovimaki thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Talentti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hovimaki lands with a nice body punch.
Mikko Hovimaki is winning the standup battle so far.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Talentti.
Hovimaki misses with an uppercut. Talentti saw that one coming.
Hovimaki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Talentti.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Talentti changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hovimaki looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Talentti goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hovimaki rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Talentti's guard! Nice work there by Hovimaki!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikko Hovimaki showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hovimaki has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikko Hovimaki!
Mikko Hovimaki bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.