PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Anastasio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Takala might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 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.

Takala
vs
Anastasio

198 cm
36
188 lbs
38 - 13 - 2

181 cm
29
190 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pearson Specter Litt
Perkele!

Conquer
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Anastasio!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anastasio scores with a shot to the body.
Anastasio throws a wild body kick that Takala sees coming a mile off.
Anastasio misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Takala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anastasio moves away.
Takala seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Anastasio takes a jab right on the kisser.
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 blocks a head kick by Anastasio.
Takala swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Anastasio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takala.
Takala tries to land a leg kick but Anastasio saw it coming and moves away.
Anastasio flicks out a counter leg kick but Takala steps away.
Takala blocks the body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Anastasio.
Anastasio attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Anastasio scores with a decent looking hook.
Takala checks the leg kick.
Anastasio avoids the head kick by Takala.
Takala throws a head kick that Anastasio semi-blocks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A decent looking cross lands there for Takala.
Takala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala lands a nice shot that snaps Anastasio's head back.
Takala lands with a thumping leg kick.
Takala misses with an uppercut. Anastasio saw that one coming.
Anastasio is looking to land body kicks.
Takala misses the shot to the body.
Anastasio connects with an inside leg kick.
Takala lands a head shot.
Anastasio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Good leg kick by Takala there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Anastasio throws a sloppy head kick and Takala moves out of range easily.
Anastasio misses with an uppercut.
Anastasio feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Takala's calf.
A low kick from Anastasio misses
and Takala counters with a nice low kick that buckles Anastasio's knee momentarily.
Anastasio throws a body kick that misses
and Takala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anastasio walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Anastasio misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Takala checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Anastasio misses the shot to the body.
Anastasio scoring well with a low kick there.
Anastasio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Anastasio.
Anastasio checks a low kick from Takala.
Anastasio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anastasio moves forwards but Takala connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Anastasio misses with a head kick.
Anastasio misses with an uppercut
and Takala counters with a good low kick that Anastasio was not able to check.
Anastasio doesn't manage to clinch there - Takala circles away.
Anastasio thumps Takala with a low kick.
Takala misses with a kick to the body.
Anastasio misses with a right hand
and Takala counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Anastasio throws a hook but Takala avoids it easily.
Anastasio closes the distance looking to clinch
and Takala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala misses with a two punch combination.
Nice body punch from Takala.
Anastasio lands a glancing blow to the side of Takala's head.
Takala throws a lazy right hand but Anastasio sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Anastasio blocks a leg kick.
Takala is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Anastasio ducks under a wild hook from Takala.
Anastasio ducks right into an uppercut from Takala.
Takala walks into a left hand.
Takala throws a chopping leg kick but Anastasio manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Anastasio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Anastasio throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Takala fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Anastasio checks it well.
Anastasio only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Anastasio connects with a right hand. Takala shakes it off.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Takala throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio tries to score with a low kick but Takala moves his leg out of the way.
Anastasio thuds a left hand into Takala's body.
Takala throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Anastasio will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Takala looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Takala scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Takala misses with an uppercut.
Anastasio throws a shot to the body.
Anastasio takes one to the chin there.
Takala is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Anastasio swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A head kick from Takala lands but Anastasio takes it in his stride.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takala misses with a looping left.
Anastasio wants to clinch but Takala slips to the side
and Takala counters with a nice low kick that buckles Anastasio's knee momentarily.
A leg kick checked by Anastasio.
Takala is looking to slow Anastasio down with leg kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Anastasio blocks a jab.
Anastasio's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Takala avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Takala avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Anastasio throws a combination. Takala tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Anastasio might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Takala has got the better of the exchanges.
Anastasio is looking to score with low kicks.
Takala misses with a low kick as Anastasio jumps back.
Anastasio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Takala blocks a head kick by Anastasio.
Anastasio throws a head kick that misses.
Takala tried to counter with a leg kick but Anastasio avoided it.
Anastasio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takala motions for Anastasio to come forward. Takala throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takala moves out of range of the body kick.
A jab from Takala does it's job there.
A clash of legs there as Takala blocks the low kick.
Takala gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Anastasio takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anastasio tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Takala is able to avoid easily.
Anastasio throws a lazy right hand but Takala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Takala cracks a nice hook into Anastasio's ribs.
Takala keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Anastasio misses with a shot to the body
and Takala counters with a left to the body.
Takala lands a nice shot that snaps Anastasio's head back.
A slapping leg kick lands for Takala.
Takala feints and then cracks Anastasio's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Anastasio down.
Takala throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Takala is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Anastasio can do to turn this around?
Takala scores with a kick to the midsection.
Anastasio misses with a head kick.
Takala defending well as Anastasio loads up on a big left hand.
Takala connects with a nice looking jab.
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!
Takala connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio takes one to the chin there.
Takala connects with a solid leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Anastasio blocks the low kick.
Nice body kick from Takala.
A jab from Takala misses.
Takala swings for the body but Anastasio moves out of range.
Anastasio misses with a wild body shot.
Anastasio throws a sloppy head kick and Takala moves out of range easily.
Takala scores with a leg kick.
Anastasio shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Takala with a jab.
A head kick by Takala misses
and Anastasio counters with a stiff right hand.
Anastasio connects with a high kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takala, right into the meat.
Anastasio takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Topi Takala is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Takala. Beautiful body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Takala.
Takala tries to work over Anastasio's front leg with a kick but Anastasio checks it.
Takala throws a head kick that misses
and Anastasio counters with an inside leg kick.
Anastasio chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takala can pounce on him.
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.
Takala avoids a kick to the body.
Takala has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Anastasio.
Anastasio takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Takala jabs at Anastasio's body.
Takala moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Takala thuds a left hand into Anastasio's body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takala, as that shot connected.
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!
Takala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Anastasio.
Takala throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Anastasio.
Anastasio misses with a kick to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Takala throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Anastasio.
Takala fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Anastasio.
Takala throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Anastasio throws a push kick but Takala slaps the foot to one side.
Takala pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Anastasio tries a head kick but it misses.
Anastasio misses with a body kick.
Takala scores with a punch to the head.
Takala shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Anastasio has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anastasio missing with a left hand there. Takala was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An attempted straight right counter from Takala misses the target.
Takala throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Takala misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Anastasio avoids the head kick by Takala.
Takala takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Anastasio wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Takala cracks Anastasio with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Takala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Anastasio.
Takala pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Anastasio waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takala.
Takala throws a body shot but no joy.
Takala thumps Anastasio with a low kick.
Anastasio throws a head kick but Takala moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Takala.
Anastasio misses with an uppercut.
Takala smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Takala has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Anastasio.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Anastasio 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 Takala has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Takala and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
An attempted straight right counter from Takala misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anastasio tries to land a leg kick but Takala saw it coming and moves away.
Takala is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Takala misses with a low kick as Anastasio jumps back.
Anastasio tries a quick counter leg kick but Takala is wise to it.
Anastasio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Takala misses the target.
Takala lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Takala chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Anastasio can pounce on him.
Anastasio is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Takala is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Takala connects with a solid leg kick.
Anastasio misses with a wild body shot.
Takala throwing a counter right hand but Anastasio manages to avoid it.
Anastasio scoring well with a low kick there.
A low kick from Anastasio misses
and Takala counters with a thumping low kick.
Takala slips a jab from Anastasio.
Anastasio scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala missing with a left hand there. Anastasio was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takala moves out of range of the strikes.
Takala lands a glancing blow to the side of Anastasio's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takala feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Anastasios jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takala.
Takala uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Anastasio.
Takala swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Anastasio.
Takala digs a good body shot into Anastasio's ribs.
Takala scoring well with a low kick there.
Takala lands with a good body shot.
Anastasio throws a sloppy head kick and Takala moves out of range easily.
Anastasio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice shot lands for Takala.
Takala with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala takes a swing at Anastasio's ribcage but misses.
Anastasio only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Anastasio defending well as Takala loads up on a big left hand.
Anastasio throws a body kick that misses.
Anastasio lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A low kick from Takala misses
and Anastasio counters with a nice uppercut.
Takala tries to land a leg kick but Anastasio saw it coming and moves away.
Takala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Takala moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Takala fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Takala misses with a wild body shot.
Takala works Anastasio's body with a nice hook.
Anastasio scores with a kick to the body.
Anastasio throws a push kick but Takala slaps the foot to one side.
Takala staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anastasio.
A lazy left from Takala finds it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takala is looking to chop away at Anastasio's legs.
Anastasio takes a swing at Takala's ribcage but misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Anastasio.
Anastasio tries a head kick but it misses.
Takala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Anastasio throws a nice inside leg kick.
Takala keeps the fight on the outside.
Good shot there by Anastasio.
Anastasio ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd cheers as Anastasio lands an impressive looking overhand right. Takala doesn't seem phased though.
Takala scores with a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Topi Takala clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Takala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Anastasio.
Takala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Anastasio throws out the jab.
Anastasio has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Takala finds it's way round the side to connect with Anastasio's head.
Anastasio misses the shot to the body.
Anastasio checks a low kick from Takala.
A low kick from Anastasio misses
enabling Takala to counter with a crisp jab.
Anastasio throws a nice inside leg kick.
Anastasio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Anastasio throws a head kick that misses.
Anastasio digs a good body shot into Takala's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anastasio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takala moves away.
Takala thinks about countering with a head kick.
Anastasio misses with a head kick.
Anastasio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Anastasio stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takala.
Takala lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anastasio takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice shot by Takala.
Takala fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Anastasio cracks a nice hook into Takala's ribs.
Anastasio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anastasio throws a head kick that misses.
A right-left combo lands from Takala.
Takala scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Anastasio checks the leg kick.
Anastasio only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Anastasio on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Takala. Takala obviously looking to wear him down.
Anastasio throws a body punch but Takala moves out of range.
Takala dodges the punch combination from Anastasio.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anastasio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala connects with a leg kick. Anastasio looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Anastasio misses with an uppercut.
Anastasio plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Takala goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Anastasio lands with a nice body kick.
Takala swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Anastasio misses with a hook.
Anastasio lands a jab to the nose.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Takala swings wildly with an uppercut but Anastasio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Anastasio working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Anastasio blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Anastasio holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Takala throws a head punch that misses.
Takala misses with a hook to the ribs.
Takala misses with a hook from the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Anastasio - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Takala breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takala avoids the head kick by Anastasio.
Takala moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Takala misses the body punch
and Anastasio counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takala blocks a head kick by Anastasio.
Anastasio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Anastasio looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala connects with a leg kick. Anastasio looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
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.
A good leg kick by Takala.
Takala avoids the body shot from Anastasio.
Takala looks for the body kick but Anastasio saw that one coming.
Anastasio misses with a straight right.
Takala comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anastasio throws a head kick but Takala moves out of range.
Anastasio slips a jab from Takala.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Takala.
Takala throws a nice inside leg kick.
Takala pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A solid leg kick lands there for Takala.
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 fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Anastasio throws a sloppy head kick and Takala moves out of range easily.
Takala takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Anastasio has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Takala finds it's way round the side to connect with Anastasio's head.
Takala misses with a low kick.
Anastasio looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Takala swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Anastasio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Anastasio jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Takala on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Anastasio. Anastasio obviously looking to wear him down.
Anastasio bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anastasio lands with a hook. Takala tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Takala cracks a nice hook into Anastasio's ribs.
Anastasio motions for Takala to come forward. Anastasio throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Takala on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala cracks the inside of Anastasio's front leg.
Anastasio misses with a hook
and Takala counters with a slapping leg kick.
Anastasio avoids the body shot from Takala.
Anastasio steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Anastasio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takala moves away.
Anastasio looks to land a left hand but Takala moved out of range nicely.
Takala tries to land a front kick but Anastasio steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Anastasio swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Takala as he connects with a hook.
Anastasio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A lazy left from Takala finds it's target.
Anastasio is looking to score with low kicks.
Takala is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Takala lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Anastasio backs up against the cage.
Takala wants to land a leg kick but Anastasio is out of range.
Anastasio throws a low kick but Takala avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Takala on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anastasio moves away.
A jab from Takala finds it's way through Anastasio's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takala blocks a jab.
Anastasio takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Takala with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Anastasio.
Takala throws a lazy right hand but Anastasio sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Anastasio is looking to clinch.
Takala takes a kick to the side of the head.
Takala takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Anastasio fails to land with a series of punches.
Anastasio tries to score with a low kick but Takala moves his leg out of the way.
Anastasio drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Takala throws out a loose jab but Anastasio uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
You can see that Anastasio has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Anastasio on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Some bone on bone action there as Anastasio checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Takala takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Anastasio has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Anastasio there as he acknowledges the shot.
Anastasio misses with a hook. Takala ducked under it nicely.
Anastasio lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Takala takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Anastasio goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Anastasio chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Takala can pounce on him.
Anthony Anastasio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takala moves forwards but Anastasio connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Takala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takala defending well as Anastasio loads up on a big left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Anastasio 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 Takala has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Takala and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio pivots, looking for a leg kick but Takala is out of range and Anastasio settles back down.
Takala checks a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Takala on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Takala throws a half hearted mid kick.
Takala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takala misses with a low kick as Anastasio jumps back.
A nice leg kick lands there from Takala.
A nice leg kick lands there from Takala.
Takala lands with a nice body punch.
Anastasio throws a good cross that connects.
Anastasio checks a leg kick.
Takala cracks Anastasio with a right hand to the side of the head.
Anastasio tries a head kick but it misses.
Anastasio swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Anastasio 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.

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 Topi Takala.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Takala, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Glass scores the fight 50:45
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 50:45
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Topi Takala!
Topi Takala retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, Topi Takala thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.