PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsuro Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takala comes to the cage accompanied by Volga. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Takala
vs
Sato

198 cm
33
188 lbs
31 - 11 - 1

187 cm
36
196 lbs
34 - 18 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!

KAISER
Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Katsuro Sato!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sato decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sato looks to land a strike but Takala avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sato postures up.
Sato with a nice head shot there.
Sato stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takala swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takala wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sato seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala is trying to keep Sato in close.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Sato is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sato takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Takala scores with a kick to the midsection.
Takala misses with a looping right.
Topi Takala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sato slips a straight right by Takala.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takala moves away.
Jab by Sato.
Takala walks into a straight right hand from Sato.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Takala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takala tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Takala with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sato lands a jab.
Takala really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Takala throws a leg kick which misses Sato's front leg but catches the back leg as Sato tries to avoid it.
Topi Takala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sato throws a head kick but Takala moves out of range.
Takala looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Takala takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sato tries to score with a low kick but Takala moves his leg out of the way.
Takala ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takala scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sato doesn't seem bothered though.
Sato misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sato throws a leg kick
and Takala counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sato.
Sato misses with an uppercut.
Sato pivots, looking for a leg kick but Takala is out of range and Sato settles back down.
Takala throws an overhand right that lands on Sato's shoulder, as Sato tries to avoid the shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Takala. That snapped Sato's head back.
A punch lands to the side of Sato 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Takala connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sato. Sato circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Takala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sato.
Takala lands with an uppercut that bounces Sato off the cage and back into range.

It looks like Katsuro Sato has been cut.
Takala is looking to score with low kicks.
Sato works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Takala pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sato is out of range and Takala settles back down.
Sato throws a low kick but it's checked well by Takala.
Sato gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sato throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sato throws a nice head kick!
Takala moves out of range of the body kick.
Sato wants to land a leg kick but Takala is out of range.
Takala throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takala moves out of range as Sato throws a body kick.
Sato attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sato pivots, looking for a leg kick but Takala is out of range and Sato settles back down.
Takala misses with a low kick.
Sato throws a leg kick but Takala sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takala moves out of range of the strikes.
A clash of legs there as Takala blocks the low kick.
Sato ducks right into an uppercut from Takala.
Takala is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A nice leg kick lands there from Takala.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Katsuro Sato will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Sato's cut.
That's time! Takala's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sato.
Takala is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Takala attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A clash of legs there as Sato blocks the low kick.
Topi Takala is winning the standup battle so far.
Sato checks a low kick from Takala.
Takala ducks under a wild hook from Sato.
Takala takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sato.
Sato scores with a sloppy right hand. Takala should have avoided that one.
Takala misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takala scores with a nice body kick.
Takala lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sato throws a head kick but Takala moves out of range.
Takala swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takala feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sato's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sato moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sato chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takala can pounce on him.
Takala tried to score with a low kick but Sato checks it.
Sato misses the shot to the body.
Sato plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Takala just misses with a punch to the body.
Takala works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Takala lands a slapping body shot.
Sato lands a nice shot that snaps Takala's head back.
Takala throws a leg kick which misses Sato's front leg but catches the back leg as Sato tries to avoid it.
Takala checks the leg kick nicely there.
Takala looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A slow jab from Sato misses its intended target.
Takala misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala connects with a single shot there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takala throws a lazy right hand but Sato sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takala checks a low kick from Sato.
Sato stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takala.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Takala.
Takala scores with the left hand. Sato knows he should have avoided that one.
Sato looks for the body kick but Takala saw that one coming.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takala moves away.
Some wild striking there from Takala.
Sato throws a nice inside leg kick.
Jab by Takala.
Takala 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.
Sato's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Takala.
Sato throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sato just misses with a punch to the body.
Sato checks the leg kick.
Sato lands a right hook to the body.
Takala avoids a kick to the body.
Takala throws a wild body kick that Sato sees coming a mile off.
A bone on bone clash there as Takala blocks the leg kick.
Sato swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takala throws a front kick that sends Sato stumbling back into the cage.
A telegraphed right hand from Sato misses the target.
Takala ducks under a wild hook from Sato.
Takala looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sato takes a swing at Takala's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala keeps Sato at a distance using the push kick.
Takala clobbers Sato with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Takala throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sato stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sato steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Takala. That one must have hurt.
Sato has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Takala.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Takala pinned against the cage. Takala gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Takala.
Sato is breathing heavily.
Sato loads up on a big right hand but Takala slips the punch.
Sato chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takala can pounce on him.
Sato fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Sato.
Sato throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Sato's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Takala connects with an inside leg kick.
Sato misses with a body kick.
Takala takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Takala dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sato. That did some damage!
Sato thows a leg kick but Takala checks it
and Takala counters with a good, hard body kick but Sato shrugs it off.
Takala throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice shot by Takala.
Takala goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Takala looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sato looks to score with a jab to the body but Takala is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takala scoring well with a low kick there.
Takala misses with a hook

and Sato counters with a nice double leg into side control. Takala won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takala dodges the ground and pound from Sato.
Takala stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala dodges the ground and pound from Sato.
Sato trying to control the action but Takala is working from the bottom.
Sato is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sato lands some shots froms side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Takala avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sato.
Sato working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Takala tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sato wants to control but Takala is keeping him busy.
Takala keeping his opponent close.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato throwing shots but missing, from side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sato.
Sato dodges the punch combination from Takala.
Takala tries to land a leg kick but Sato saw it coming and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sato.
Takala is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takala, as that shot connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sato lands a nice leg kick that just misses Takala's sensitive parts.
Takala scores with a hook to the body. Sato takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sato attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Takala connects with an inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Takala misses its intended target.
Sato tries a low kick but Takala avoids it.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takala is looking to chop away at Sato's legs.
Sato walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Takala checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sato throws a sloppy head kick and Takala moves out of range easily.
Takala moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sato tries to land a body kick
and Takala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Takala throws a body kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Topi Takala did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Sato's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sato takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sato ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takala dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sato. That did some damage!
Takala looks to land a right hand but Sato moved out of range.
Takala throws a looping overhand right but Sato ducks down to avoid it.
Takala misses with a wild combination.
Sato looks to score with a jab to the body but Takala is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Takala sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sato on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Takala misses with a body shot.
Sato throws a solid leg kick but Takala takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sato.
Sato lands with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala throws a push kick but Sato slaps the foot to one side.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takala, right into the meat.
Sato moves out of range of the body kick from Takala.
Takala throws a leg kick that misses.
Sato looks to throw the jab but Takala is out of range.
Sato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Sato.
Takala takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Takala missing with a left hand there. Sato was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takala throws a big shot that misses.
Takala throws a wild body kick that Sato sees coming a mile off.
Good standup being displayed there by Takala as he connects with a hook.
Takala swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sato looks to score with a jab to the body but Takala is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala throws a predictable looking body shot

and Sato counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sato is nestled in close to Takala, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sato thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Takala's head.
Sato is trying to control. Takala wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sato working over Takala with some ground and pound. Takala looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sato looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sato is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala wants to improve his position but Sato is controlling well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Takala misses with a kick to the body.
Takala on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sato fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Takala scores with a nice body kick.
Takala throws a low kick, looking for Sato's leg but Sato calmly moves out of range.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takala moves away.
Takala connects with a leg kick. Sato looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Takala's calf.
Sato takes a jab right on the kisser.
Takala throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sato on the side of the head.
Takala lands a body shot.
Sato moves out of range of the strikes.
Takala just misses with a punch to the body.
Sato fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big left from Sato misses.
Sato looks for the body kick but Takala saw that one coming.
Takala throws a leg kick but Sato sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sato misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takala.
Takala darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Topi Takala will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Sato's cut.
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!

Takala avoids the head kick by Sato.
Sato throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sato walks into a stiff left hand from Takala.
Takala on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Takala tries to land a body kick

and Sato counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Takala!
Sato is looking to take a break and control but Takala is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Sato are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sato working the ground and pound but Takala is defending the strikes.
Sato has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Sato.
Sato throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Takala is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Sato working the strikes but Takala uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Sato is looking for a kimura but Takala is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sato to get the leverage.
Sato not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sato thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Takala's head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Katsuro Sato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sato pivots, looking for a leg kick but Takala is out of range and Sato settles back down.
Sato jabs Takala to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sato throws a jab when Takala was well out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Takala.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sato. Takala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sato takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sato throws a wild body kick that Takala sees coming a mile off.
Takala lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Takala lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sato's sensitive parts.
Takala works Sato's body with a nice hook.

Sato decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sato not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sato.
Sato is pressing down on Takala's thigh, looking to free his foot. Takala is holding on for now.
Takala is trying to stand back up but Sato is controlling him
Takala blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sato.
Takala wants to get back to his feet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Sato is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Takala sees it coming and defends easily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Takala chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sato can pounce on him.
Sato connects with a high kick.
Sato swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Takala counter with a right hand.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Takala.
Sato takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Takala as he connects with a hook.
Takala throws a nice inside leg kick.
Takala pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sato is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takala.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsuro Sato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takala 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Topi Takala!
A victorious Topi Takala thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.