PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edward McLauglin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyyrikki Takaraivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edward McLauglin could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nyyrikki Takaraivo's chin.

McLauglin
vs
Takaraivo

190 cm
28
210 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

179 cm
31
220 lbs
15 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Edward McLauglin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McLauglin throws a head kick but Takaraivo moves out of range.
Takaraivo tries a head kick but it misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takaraivo.
McLauglin throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Takaraivo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McLauglin.
Takaraivo scores with a crisp jab that stopped McLauglin in his tracks.
Takaraivo misses with a leg kick.
McLauglin is looking for a counter combo.
McLauglin misses with a jab, cross combination.
McLauglin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Takaraivo avoids a kick to the body.

McLauglin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takaraivo, pushing him back against the cage.
Takaraivo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLauglin misses with a short punch on the inside.
McLauglin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Takaraivo is defending well for now.
Takaraivo blocking some punches.
McLauglin manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
McLauglin throws an elbow but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaraivo blocks an elbow strike from McLauglin.
McLauglin has Takaraivo pressed against the cage, preventing Takaraivo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McLauglin leaning against his opponent.
Come on McLauglin - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
McLauglin seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
A bit of stalling here from McLauglin.
McLauglin lands an elbow that stopped Takaraivo in his tracks for a moment.
McLauglin stalling against the cage.
McLauglin prevents Takaraivo from breaking the clinch.
Takaraivo avoiding damage as McLauglin throws knees to the body.
McLauglin is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
McLauglin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takaraivo blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLauglin lands a body punch.
McLauglin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A nice left hand lands by McLauglin.
Takaraivo is trying to break the clinch but McLauglin has him pressed against the cage.
McLauglin scores with a hook to the body.
Takaraivo is trying to stall.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Takaraivo blocking some punches.
McLauglin landing some nice looking knees to the body.
McLauglin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takaraivo wants to break free but McLauglin has control.
McLauglin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takaraivo backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLauglin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLauglin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takaraivo.
McLauglin pushes Takaraivo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, McLauglin scores with a nice short uppercut.
McLauglin misses with a punch to the body.
McLauglin tries to throw a body punch but Takaraivo avoids it by throwing McLauglin back against the cage.
McLauglin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Takaraivo or not.
A frustrated look appears on Takaraivo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Takaraivo dodges an elbow strike from McLauglin.
McLauglin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Takaraivo's efforts to push away.
Takaraivo managing to block the knees to the body from McLauglin.
Takaraivo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McLauglin misses with a hook to the ribs.
McLauglin wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLauglin struggles to land a body shot inside as Takaraivo controls his hands.
McLauglin stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Takaraivo being controlled against the cage.
Knees to the body from McLauglin.
Takaraivo has had enough of the clinch but McLauglin keeps him there for the moment.
McLauglin tries to work over Takaraivo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McLauglin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McLauglin has Takaraivo pressed against the cage.

Takaraivo breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Takaraivo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takaraivo misses with a low kick.

McLauglin gets a clinch.
McLauglin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takaraivo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takaraivo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McLauglin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
McLauglin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Takaraivo avoids it.
Takaraivo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McLauglin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Takaraivo takes a knee right on the jaw!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLauglin trying to land knees to the body.
McLauglin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
McLauglin lands a left hand.
Takaraivo is breathing heavily.
Takaraivo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLauglin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McLauglin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McLauglin.
Takaraivo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McLauglin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Edward McLauglin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McLauglin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takaraivo backwards.
Takaraivo has had enough of the clinch but McLauglin keeps him there for the moment.
Takaraivo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McLauglin has him pressed against the cage.
McLauglin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McLauglin throws a head punch that misses.
McLauglin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takaraivo's elbow.
McLauglin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takaraivo can do to turn this around?
Takaraivo stalling in the clinch but McLauglin improves position.
McLauglin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaraivo managing to block the knees to the body from McLauglin.
McLauglin has Takaraivo pressed against the cage.
McLauglin lands a body punch.
McLauglin landing some nice looking knees to the body.
McLauglin tries a body shot but Takaraivo blocks it.
McLauglin working aggressively here.
McLauglin lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takaraivo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McLauglin has him pressed against the cage.
McLauglin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Takaraivo working hard to break the clinch.
McLauglin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Takaraivo avoids it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
McLauglin misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaraivo blocks a body shot from McLauglin.
McLauglin missing with knees to the body.
Takaraivo managing to block the knees to the body from McLauglin.
McLauglin is leaning against Takaraivo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
McLauglin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McLauglin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Takaraivo manages to break the clinch.
Takaraivo misses with a head kick.
Takaraivo tries to clinch up but McLauglin circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Takaraivo.
McLauglin is looking to clinch.
McLauglin moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromTakaraivo.

McLauglin closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLauglin is stalling here.
McLauglin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Takaraivo's efforts to push away.
McLauglin can't find room to land a body shot as Takaraivo controls the action.
McLauglin throws a head punch that misses.
McLauglin struggles to land a body shot inside as Takaraivo controls his hands.
Takaraivo taking a breather.
McLauglin scores with a knee to the head.
Takaraivo tries to circle away but McLauglin has him pinned against the cage.
McLauglin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Takaraivo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McLauglin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Takaraivo backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edward McLauglin dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

McLauglin thuds his right hand into Takaraivo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
McLauglin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Takaraivo's calf.
McLauglin dodges the punch combination from Takaraivo.
Takaraivo throws a right and a left that McLauglin avoids nicely.
McLauglin lands a slapping body shot.
McLauglin lands with an overhand left.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takaraivo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McLauglin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McLauglin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takaraivo throws a half hearted mid kick.
McLauglin avoids the head kick by Takaraivo.
Takaraivo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McLauglin.
McLauglin lands with a hook. Takaraivo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takaraivo throws a nice looking combination but McLauglin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaraivo keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A head kick by Takaraivo misses
and McLauglin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Takaraivo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

McLauglin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Takaraivo takes a shot to the head.
McLauglin unloads a knee to the mid-section. Takaraivo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
McLauglin scores with a nice hook to the head.
McLauglin stalling in the clinch.
Takaraivo being controlled against the cage.
McLauglin tries to throw a body punch but Takaraivo avoids it by throwing McLauglin back against the cage.
McLauglin misses with a hook from the clinch.

McLauglin drops Takaraivo onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Takaraivo is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!

Takaraivo is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McLauglin dips a shoulder and cracks Takaraivo with a mighty uppercut! Takaraivo falls back against the cage and McLauglin unloads with a barrage of strikes! Takaraivo is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - McLauglin screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Edward McLauglin!
An out of breath Edward McLauglin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.