PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsuro Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takala is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Volga. 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.

Sato
vs
Takala

187 cm
38
196 lbs
38 - 20 - 0

198 cm
35
188 lbs
35 - 13 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KAISER
Kemists ↑™ 5x160Q - $149-199

Hellbent
Perkele!

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 38 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Katsuro Sato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takala throws an overhand right that lands on Sato's shoulder, as Sato tries to avoid the shot.
Takala bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Takala lands a leg kick that knocks Sato off balance momentarily.
Sato misses with a takedown
and Takala counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sato's knee momentarily.
Takala attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A lazy body kick from Sato
and Takala counters with a right hand to the body.
Takala connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Takala checks a leg kick.
Sato looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sato tries for a takedown but Takala sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Takala scores with a body shot.
Sato throws a body shot but no joy.
Takala throws a low kick but Sato moves out of range easily.
Sato throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A good leg kick by Takala.
Takala with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Takala throws a leg kick but Sato checks it.
Sato appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A swing and a miss from Takala.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sato.
Sato throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takala bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sato's head backwards.
Takala lands a jab to the head.
Sato blocks a jab.
Jab from Takala.
Sato waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takala.
A bone on bone clash there as Sato blocks the leg kick.
Takala misses with a kick to the body.
Sato misses with a low kick.
Sato throws a sloppy head kick and Takala moves out of range easily.
Sato on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Takala. Takala obviously looking to wear him down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sato. Takala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sato tries for a takedown but Takala sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsuro Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sato was well out of range. Poor timing from Takala.
Sato appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sato misses the jab.
Sato throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Takala blocks the low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takala jabs at Sato's body.
Takala tries to work over Sato's front leg with a kick but Sato checks it.
Sato uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takala.
Takala swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slow jab from Sato misses its intended target.
Takala drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Takala has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sato misses with an uppercut. Takala saw that one coming.
Takala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sato. Takala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takala looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sato slips under a jab from Takala.
Sato ducks under a wild hook from Takala.
Takala throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sato tries to counter with a takedown but Takala is quick to defend against it.
Takala looks to land a left hand but Sato moved out of range nicely.
Sato lands a lovely overhand right.
Topi Takala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takala lands a nice shot that snaps Sato's head back.
Takala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Sato slams his shin into Takala's torso.
Sato throws a front kick aimed at Takala's knee but Takala avoids it well.
Sato shoots in but no luck this time.
Takala has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Takala fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sato looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Takala is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sato looks to throw the jab but Takala is out of range.
Takala throws out a counter right but Sato avoids it with no problem.
Takala lands a jab to the head.
Sato slips a jab from Takala.
Sato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sato scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sato throws a nice head kick!
Takala throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sato.
Takala misses with a straight right.
A slow jab from Sato misses its intended target.
Takala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sato moves away.
Sato was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sato blocks a low kick nicely.
Takala misses with a hook.
Sato drops down looking for a counter takedown but Takala sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sato misses with a looping left.
Takala slips under a jab from Sato.
Sato lands a glancing blow to the side of Takala's head.
Takala lands with a right hand.
Takala wants to slow Sato down by chopping away at his legs.
Sato feints and then cracks Takala's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Takala down.
Sato lands a leg kick that knocks Takala off balance momentarily.
Sato works Takala's body with a nice hook.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takala, right into the meat.
Takala is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sato.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sato takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Takala keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sato.
Takala pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Takala scores with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sato is looking to chop away at Takala's legs.
Sato throws a body shot but no joy.
Sato throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Takala throws a front kick aimed at Sato's knee but Sato avoids it well.
Sato thinks about countering with a body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Sato 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sato looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Takala throws out a counter right but Sato avoids it with no problem.
Takala lands a nice shot to the body.
Sato uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takala.
Sato tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Takala throws a counter combo.
Takala is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sato throws a leg kick but Takala moved away.
Topi Takala seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Sato.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sato.
Sato lands a leg kick that knocks Takala off balance momentarily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Takala.
Takala with a nice cross.

It looks like Katsuro Sato has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Takala is looking to chop away at Sato's legs.
Takala looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sato.
Sato connects with a crisp jab.
Sato is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sato misses the shot to the body.
Takala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takala loads up on a big right hand but Sato slips the punch.
Nice shot by Takala.
Sato throws a body shot but no joy.
Takala's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sato under the eye.
Takala blocks a low kick nicely.
Takala moves out of range as Sato strikes.
Takala throws a lazy right hand but Sato sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Takala throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sato misses with a body shot.
Takala buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takala avoids a kick to the body.
Sato shoots and misses
and Takala counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsuro Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takala looks to land a combination but Sato avoids it well.
Sato walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Takala slips under a jab from Sato.
Sato misses with a lunging right hand
and Takala counters with a big head kick but Sato shrugs it off.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Sato might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Sato slips a jab and a cross from Takala.
Nice body kick from Takala.
Takala throws a chopping leg kick but Sato manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Takala misses with a wild body shot.
Takala blocks a head kick by Sato.
Takala has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sato throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Takala.
A head kick misses from Takala.
A shot to the liver by Takala. Beautiful body shot.
Takala avoids the body shot from Sato.
Sato misses with a hook to the body
and Takala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sato avoids the body shot from Takala.
Sato checks a leg kick.
Sato throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Takala counters with a straight right hand.
Takala connects with a jab.
Sato scores with a leg kick.
Sato misses with a straight left.
Takala connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sato misses with a looping left.
Takala stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sato.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takala throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala moves away from the strike by Sato.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sato.
Takala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sato manages to avoid it.
Sato blocks a low kick nicely.
Takala swings for the body but Sato moves out of range.
Sato throws an overhand right that lands on Takala's shoulder, as Takala tries to avoid the shot.
Takala takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sato throws the kick towards the body but Takala avoids it.
Takala looks to score with a jab to the body but Sato is just out of range.
Sato swings for the body but Takala moves out of range.
Sato fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Takala.
Takala lands the left hand.
Takala takes a swing at Sato's ribcage but misses.
Sato throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takala with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Sato's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sato misses the shot to the body.
Takala ducks under a wild hook from Sato.
Sato takes one to the chin there.
Sato walks into a jab.
Sato checks a low kick from Takala.
A chopping leg kick lands by Takala.
Sato misses with a hook to the body
and Takala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sato misses with an attempted mid kick.
Takala jabs Sato right on the nose. Sato blinks but takes it well.
Takala moves out of range of the body kick.
Takala is looking to score with low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato lands a nice shot to the body.
Sato misses with a hook. Takala ducked under it nicely.
Takala wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sato avoids a kick to the body.
Sato drops down looking for a counter takedown but Takala sprawls and moves away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takala scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato takes a swing at Takala's ribcage but misses.
Sato connects with a leg kick. Takala looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Takala misses the jab.
Sato blocks a low kick nicely.
Takala cracks Sato with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sato uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Takala scores with a decent looking hook.
Sato chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takala can pounce on him.
Sato shoots in and drives through. Takala sprawls well.
Takala tries to land a leg kick but Sato saw it coming and moves away.
It looked like Sato wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Takala.
Sato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sato throws a looping overhand right but Takala ducks down to avoid it.
Takala just misses with a punch to the body.
Takala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sato manages to avoid it.
Sato takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sato moves out of range as Takala throws a body kick.
Sato moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sato throws a head kick but Takala moves out of range.
Takala misses with a wild combination.
Takala scores with the left hand. Sato knows he should have avoided that one.
Takala scores with a jab to the body.
Sato keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Takala.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takala moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Takala! But no joy.
Takala avoids the body shot from Sato.
Takala throws out a counter right but Sato avoids it with no problem.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Takala.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sato thows a leg kick but Takala checks it
and Takala counters with a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sato.
Sato ducks right into an uppercut from Takala.
Sato looks to throw a body kick
and Takala makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Takala lands a jab to the head.
Sato throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takala moves out of range of the body kick from Sato.
Takala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takala defending well as Sato loads up on a big left hand.
Sato takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sato cracks Takala with a right hand to the side of the head.
Takala plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Takala misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takala jabs Sato right on the nose. Sato blinks but takes it well.
Sato misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takala.
Sato jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Takala uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sato.
Sato is looking to chop away at Takala's legs.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Takala! But no joy.
Takala just misses with a punch to the body.
Takala's corner calls for a 1-2. Takala obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sato is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Takala tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Sato. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Sato throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sato takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sato throws a jab but it's blocked by Takala.
An inside leg kick lands from Takala.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sato shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Takala as he avoids it easily.
Sato misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Sato's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takala, as that shot connected.
Sato lands with a shot to the body.

Takala gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sato might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sato with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sato working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Takala's head.
Sato trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takala wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sato tries to free his leg and advance position but Takala is retaining full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato trying to control but Takala is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Takala throws a leg kick

and Sato counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sato trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Takala utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sato trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sato has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sato postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Takala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala keeping full guard, as Sato tries to pass.
Takala not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sato is looking to land body kicks.
Takala blocks a head kick by Sato.
Takala tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Takala moves out of range of the strikes.
Sato shoots in for a takedown but Takala shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sato - that will leave a mark!
Sato looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Takala is fending him off so far but Sato persists. Nope, Takala circles away and we're back to standing.
Sato looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sato moves out of range of the leg kick from Takala.
Sato takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Takala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sato.
Sato throws an off balance right hand
and Takala counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sato's knee momentarily.
Sato is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Takala's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Sato on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Takala dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sato. That did some damage!
Takala avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Despite the aggression on Takala's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Takala fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sato looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Takala slips a jab from Sato.
Takala dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sato. That did some damage!

Sato manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Takala on his heels. He'll look to pass Takala's guard now, I'm sure.
Takala is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Takala seems keen to control Sato's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a big right hand that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sato trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sato throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Takala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sato trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sato stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsuro Sato had his way with Topi Takala in that round.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Sato's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Sato.
Sato throws a leg kick but Takala checks it.
Takala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sato.
Takala feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sato's calf.
Takala blocks a leg kick.
Takala takes a swing at Sato's ribcage but misses.
Takala moves away from the strike by Sato.
Sato scores with a jab.
Takala lands a body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Sato blocks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takala throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takala, right into the meat.
Takala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sato moves away.
Sato ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Sato.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala missing with a left hand there. Sato was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sato lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sato with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sato throws a low kick but Takala avoids it.
A good leg kick by Takala.
Takala takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sato walks into a straight right hand from Takala.
Sato throws a jab but it's blocked by Takala.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sato.
Takala misses with a low kick.
Sato keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like Sato wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sato throws a leg kick but Takala moved away.
Takala connects with a right hand. Sato shakes it off.
Nice body kick there by Sato.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sato. Takala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Katsuro Sato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato misses with a shot to the body
and Takala counters with a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Takala tries a quick counter leg kick but Sato is wise to it.
Sato on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sato moves out of range as Takala strikes.
Takala throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sato on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sato connects with a high kick.
Takala connects with a body shot.
Sato uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takala.
Sato takes a swing at Takala's ribcage but misses.
Takala throws out a counter right but Sato avoids it with no problem.
Takala walks into a straight right hand from Sato.
Takala's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sato under the eye.
Sato smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Takala ducks under a wild hook from Sato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sato there as he acknowledges the shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Takala blocks the leg kick.
Sato fails to land the takedown.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sato throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Sato looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Takala is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sato with a body shot.
Takala chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sato on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sato throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sato misses with an uppercut
and Sato takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Takala throws a nice inside leg kick.
Takala scores with a shot to the body.
Takala jabs Sato to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takala lands a nice hook to Sato's body. Sato takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Takala scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sato in his tracks.
Takala lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sato throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Takala throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sato tries to work over Takala's front leg with a kick but Takala checks it.

Sato decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sato throws a strike but Takala avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Sato's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Takala is trying to control the position but Sato postures up.
Sato throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Takala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Topi Takala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Takala has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Topi Takala!
Our winner, Topi Takala, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Katsuro Sato was interviewed post fight and said 'Good fight!'.