PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nearly Failing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyyrikki Takaraivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Failing
vs
Takaraivo

187 cm
21
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
29
220 lbs
13 - 13 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nearly Failing!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Failing fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takaraivo keeps the fight on the outside.
Failing fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Takaraivo takes the fight into the clinch.
Failing tries to throw a body punch but Takaraivo avoids it by throwing Failing back against the cage.
Failing tries for a takedown. No joy.
Failing is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Takaraivo is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nearly Failing. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Failing tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takaraivo can't break the clinch.

Failing pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Failing pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takaraivo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Failing was well out of range. Poor timing from Takaraivo.
Takaraivo tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Takaraivo.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Failing.
Failing misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Failing tries to clinch there but Takaraivo circles away.
Failing blocks a head kick by Takaraivo.
Failing shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Takaraivo but Takaraivo pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Takaraivo clinches with his opponent.
Failing is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Failing misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Failing keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Takaraivo's efforts to push away.
Takaraivo prevents the takedown attempt.
Takaraivo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Failing up against the cage.
Failing tries for a takedown but Takaraivo manages to get underhooks.
Takaraivo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Takaraivo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Takaraivo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Failing doesn't manage to clinch there - Takaraivo circles away.
Takaraivo thuds his shin into the meat of Failing's side.
Takaraivo throws a push kick but Failing slaps the foot to one side.
Takaraivo tries to land a leg kick but Failing saw it coming and moves away.
A head kick misses from Takaraivo.

Oooooh!!! Takaraivo has knocked Failing down with a huge combo! Takaraivo steps away and waves a wobbly Failing back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Nearly Failing has been cut.
Failing tries to close the distance and clinch but Takaraivo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takaraivo stuffs the takedown attempt from Failing. Failing gets slowly back to his feet.
Takaraivo throws a head kick but Failing moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Takaraivo lands a big head kick that sends Failing tumbling to the mat! Takaraivo takes a step backwards and waves Failing back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Failing is rocked!
Takaraivo and Failing are patiently standing in front of each other looking for an opening. Takaraivo throws a head kick. It's landed, knocking Failing into next week! Ooooh that was huge! Takaraivo knows it - he's on the cage flexing is biceps. That's a bit weird considering he won by kick but whatever.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
A relieved looking Nyyrikki Takaraivo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.