PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Esko Takanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lance Templeton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takanen comes to the cage accompanied by Krayzie Bone - Murda Mo. Templeton has chosen Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go 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.

Takanen
vs
Templeton

175 cm
41
153 lbs
47 - 23 - 2

175 cm
27
164 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 47 - 23 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Esko Takanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lance Templeton!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takanen moves out of range as Templeton strikes.
Takanen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Takanen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Takanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Templeton misses with an uppercut. Takanen saw that one coming.
Templeton tried to score with a low kick but Takanen checks it.
Templeton lands with a shot to the body.
Templeton shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Takanen takes one to the side of the head.
Templeton wants to land a leg kick but Takanen is out of range.
Takanen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takanen.
Templeton throws a body punch but Takanen moves out of range.
Templeton misses with a left hand
and Takanen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takanen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen throws out a loose jab but Templeton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Templeton missing with a left hand there. Takanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Templeton blocks a head kick by Takanen.
Templeton throws out a leg kick but Takanen moves out of range and Templeton only half commits.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Templeton.
Takanen throws a leg kick which misses Templeton's front leg but catches the back leg as Templeton tries to avoid it.
Takanen cracks Templeton with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Templeton lands with a hook. Takanen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Templeton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jab from Takanen.
Takanen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Templeton misses with the body kick

and Takanen moves into the clinch.
Takanen lands a nice uppercut.
Templeton has Takanen pressed against the cage, preventing Takanen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Templeton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Templeton dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Takanen lands an uppercut.
Takanen lands a nice uppercut.
Templeton misses with a hook from the clinch.
Takanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Takanen tries a body shot but Templeton blocks it.
Templeton swings wildly with an uppercut but Takanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Templeton.
Templeton working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Templeton.
Templeton swings wildly with an uppercut but Takanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Templeton lands a right hand.
Templeton misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Takanen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takanen lands with a short shot to the head.
Templeton avoids a wild elbow strike from Takanen.
Templeton lands with a left to the head.
Templeton blocks an uppercut.
Takanen lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Templeton.
Takanen misses with a punch on the inside.
Templeton prevents a body shot from Takanen.
Templeton throws an elbow that misses.
Takanen misses with a punch on the inside.
Templeton tries to work over Takanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Takanen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Templeton.
Templeton misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Takanen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Takanen is working Templeton over against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Templeton swings wildly with an uppercut but Takanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Templeton gets through Takanen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Templeton pushes Takanen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Templeton misses with some punches.
Takanen misses with a punch on the inside.
Takanen misses with a body punch.
Takanen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Templeton avoids the elbow strike from Takanen, against the cage.
Takanen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Takanen lands a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takanen blocks a body shot from Templeton.
Templeton lands a nice uppercut.

Templeton breaks from the clinch.
Takanen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Templeton explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Templeton stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A jab from Takanen finds it's way through Templeton's defenses.
Templeton misses with an uppercut.
A leg kick checked by Templeton.
Templeton misses with a hook. Takanen ducked under it nicely.
Takanen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Templeton is able to avoid easily.
Templeton lands a nice shot that snaps Takanen's head back.
Takanen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Templeton looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Takanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takanen moves out of range as Templeton throws a body kick.
Takanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Templeton moves out of range as Takanen throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Templeton throws a leg kick that is checked
and Takanen counters with a body kick that stops Templeton in his tracks momentarily.
Templeton pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Templeton throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Templeton misses with a leg kick
letting Takanen counter with a right hand.
Templeton looks to land a left hand but Takanen moved out of range nicely.
Takanen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Takanen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Templeton looks to throw the jab but Takanen is out of range.
Takanen tries to move into range but Templeton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good exchange - Takanen coming out on top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Templeton misses with a wild body shot.
A slapping body kick lands there for Takanen.
Takanen throws a sloppy head kick
and Templeton counters with a leg kick.
Lance Templeton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen scores with a body shot.
Takanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Templeton at a distance.
Templeton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Takanen checks a leg kick.
Templeton blocks a head kick by Takanen.
Takanen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Templeton scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Takanen looks to throw the jab but Templeton is out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Templeton throws a chopping leg kick but Takanen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Templeton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takanen.
Templeton on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Takanen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Templeton.
Templeton lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Templeton moves out of range of the leg kick from Takanen.
Takanen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Templeton blocks a jab.
Templeton ducks under a wild hook from Takanen.
Templeton shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Templeton looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Templeton scoring well with a low kick there.
Lance Templeton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Templeton will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Templeton misses with a low kick.
Templeton lands an overhand right.
Takanen jabs at Templeton's body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Templeton lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Takanen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Takanen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen moves out of range as Templeton throws a body kick.
Takanen looks to land a right hand but Templeton moved out of range.
Templeton throws a body punch but Takanen moves out of range.
Takanen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Templeton has time to react.
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!
Templeton stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Takanen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Templeton.

Takanen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Takanen has a couple of punches blocked by Templeton.
A short uppercut from Takanen.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takanen tries to work over Templeton's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Templeton misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Templeton.
Templeton has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Takanen seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Templeton can turn it around.
Esko Takanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Templeton manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Templeton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Templeton buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takanen lands a head shot.
Templeton slips under a jab.
Templeton takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A big right from Templeton misses.
Takanen blocks a leg kick.
Templeton on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Takanen throws a lazy body kick
and Templeton counters with a stiff right hand.
Takanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Templeton as he connects with a hook.
Takanen checks the leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Templeton fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takanen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Templeton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takanen manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Templeton throws a leg kick
and Takanen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Takanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Takanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Templeton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Templeton swings away with a body shot that misses
and Takanen counters with a straight right hand.
Takanen lands a nice shot that snaps Templeton's head back.
Templeton takes one to the side of the head.
Takanen moves out of range as Templeton throws a body kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Templeton.
Templeton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takanen lands with a straight right. Templeton didn't see that one coming.
Takanen moves out of range of the body kick from Templeton.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Templeton throws a jab when Takanen was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Templeton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Takanen throws out a leg kick but Templeton moves out of range and Takanen only half commits.
Templeton avoids a kick to the body.
Templeton looks for the body kick but Takanen saw that one coming.
Templeton slips under a jab.
Takanen tests Templeton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Takanen misses with an uppercut
and Templeton counters with a low kick, right behind Takanen 's knee.
Takanen moves out of range of the body kick.
Templeton misses with a low kick as Takanen jumps back.
Templeton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takanen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Takanen thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Takanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Takanen throws a hook to the side of Templeton's head but Templeton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Takanen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Templeton misses with a hook
letting Takanen counter with a right hand.
Takanen checks a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Takanen. Templeton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takanen looks to land a body kick but Templeton moved away.
Templeton ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Takanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Templeton throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Takanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Templeton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takanen moves out of range as Templeton strikes.
Templeton takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Takanen lands an overhand right.
Takanen misses the shot to the body.
Templeton's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Templeton throws a low kick, looking for Takanen's leg but Takanen calmly moves out of range.
Takanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Templeton moves away.
Templeton chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takanen can pounce on him.
Takanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Templeton.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Templeton looks to score with a jab to the body but Takanen is just out of range.
Takanen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Templeton. Templeton obviously looking to wear him down.
A bone on bone clash there as Takanen blocks the leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Esko Takanen did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Takanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Templeton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Templeton looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Takanen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Templeton - the referee stops the clock and Takanen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Templeton. Takanen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Takanen. Templeton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takanen throws a good cross that connects.
Templeton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takanen.
Templeton finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Templeton looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Takanen ducks under a wild hook from Templeton.
Takanen defending well as Templeton loads up on a big left hand.
Templeton with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A jab lands there for Takanen.
Takanen lunges at Templeton with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Templeton's hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen checks a leg kick.
Takanen cracks Templeton with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Takanen misses with a combination
and Templeton counters with a nice leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Templeton, right into the meat.
Templeton lands a nice leg kick that just misses Takanen's sensitive parts.
Takanen clobbers Templeton with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Takanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Templeton takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Takanen throws a jab when Templeton was well out of range.
Takanen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Templeton on the side of the head.
A shot to the liver by Templeton. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Templeton moves away from the strike by Takanen.
Templeton scores with a nice body kick.
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!
Takanen's corner calls for a 1-2. Takanen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A shot to the liver by Templeton. Beautiful body shot.
Templeton cracks a nice hook into Takanen's ribs.
Templeton misses with a body shot.
Takanen throws a good cross that connects.
Takanen avoids a kick to the body.
A jab lands there for Takanen.
Templeton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Templeton is looking to score with low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Templeton takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Templeton fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Takanen misses the jab.
Takanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Templeton moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Takanen misses the target.
Takanen throws a right hand that misses
and Templeton counters with a nice low kick that buckles Takanen's knee momentarily.
A good leg kick by Templeton.
Takanen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Takanen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Templeton.
Templeton misses with a looping left.
Templeton lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Templeton fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Takanen is out of range.
Templeton attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Takanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takanen slips a jab from Templeton.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takanen slips under a jab.
Templeton lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
That kick from Takanen tenderised Templeton's leg. Templeton is trying to keep his angry face on.
Templeton has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Templeton checks a leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Templeton throws a jab when Takanen was well out of range.
Templeton is looking to slow Takanen down with leg kicks.
Takanen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Lance Templeton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Takanen moves out of range as Templeton throws a body kick.
Takanen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Takanen connects with a leg kick. Templeton looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Templeton throws a low kick, looking for Takanen's leg but Takanen calmly moves out of range.
Templeton walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takanen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Takanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Templeton manages to avoid it.
Templeton throws a half hearted mid kick.
Templeton swings widly with a right hand
letting Takanen counter with a right hand.
Takanen misses with a few strikes there.
Templeton throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Takanen counters with a nice uppercut.
Takanen lands a really nice looking cross but Templeton seems unphased.
Takanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Templeton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takanen ducks under a wild hook from Templeton.
Templeton misses the shot to the body.
Templeton misses with a body shot.
Takanen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Templeton's calf.
Takanen misses with a low kick.
Good leg kick by Templeton there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Takanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Templeton.
Good standup being displayed there by Takanen as he connects with a hook.
A jab from Templeton misses.
Takanen checks the leg kick.
Templeton gets off balance looking for a body kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Templeton fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Takanen checks it well.
Takanen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Templeton tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Takanen throws a sloppy head kick and Templeton moves out of range easily.
Takanen lands a slapping body shot.
Takanen tries a low kick but Templeton avoids it.
Templeton jabs Takanen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Templeton throws a leg kick
and Takanen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Templeton looks to score with a jab to the body but Takanen is just out of range.
Takanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Templeton misses with a low kick as Takanen jumps back.
Templeton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Templeton throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takanen.
A nice leg kick lands there from Templeton.
Templeton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Templeton throws a predictable looking body shot
and Takanen counters with a right hand to the body.
Templeton moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Takanen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Templeton is able to avoid easily.
Templeton misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takanen drops his hands momentarily and Templeton takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Templeton avoids a kick to the body.
Takanen scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Templeton.
Templeton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Takanen.
Templeton lands a nice looking body shot.
Templeton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takanen.
Templeton works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Templeton swings for the body but Takanen moves out of range.
Templeton feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Takanen's calf.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takanen scoring well with a low kick there.
Takanen throws a leg kick that misses.
Templeton throws a sloppy head kick
and Takanen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

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 Esko Takanen.
I think Takanen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 47:48
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Lance Templeton!
Lance Templeton decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.