PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Peter Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyyrikki Takaraivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Peter Maynard has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Maynard
vs
Takaraivo

195 cm
39
218 lbs
19 - 21 - 0

179 cm
32
220 lbs
15 - 18 - 1

Decent wrestler
World class MT
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 19 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Peter Maynard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maynard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takaraivo throws a sloppy head kick and Maynard moves out of range easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maynard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Takaraivo tries to bum rush Maynard with a series of wild strikes but Maynard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Maynard tries to land a leg kick but Takaraivo saw it coming and moves away.
Takaraivo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Crunch! Maynard slams his shin into Takaraivo's torso.
A head kick misses from Maynard.
Takaraivo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Takaraivo has Maynard up against the cage in a clinch.
Maynard tries a knee to the head but Takaraivo blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Maynard creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaraivo blocks an elbow strike.
Takaraivo takes a knee to the side of the body.
Takaraivo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Takaraivo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maynard missing with knees to the body.
Maynard avoiding damage as Takaraivo throws knees to the body.
Maynard lands a damaging elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maynard just misses with a elbow thrown towards Takaraivo's brow.
Maynard tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Takaraivo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Takaraivo avoids a wild elbow strike from Maynard.
Maynard is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard prevents Takaraivo from breaking the clinch.
The referee calls for Maynard to work.
Maynard tries to land knees in the clinch but Takaraivo avoids the damage to the body.
Takaraivo avoids a wild elbow strike from Maynard.
Maynard misses with a knee strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Maynard - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maynard just misses with a elbow thrown towards Takaraivo's brow.

Takaraivo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maynard wants to slow Takaraivo down by chopping away at his legs.
Takaraivo moves out of range of the body kick from Maynard.
Takaraivo throws a head kick that misses.
As Takaraivo backs away, Maynard returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Maynard
and Takaraivo counters with a slapping leg kick.
Maynard swats away the attempt to clinch by Takaraivo.
Takaraivo misses with a double jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takaraivo.

Takaraivo tries to keep at a distance but Maynard has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maynard throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Maynard looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maynard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takaraivo blocks an elbow strike from Maynard.
Takaraivo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maynard trying to land knees to the body.
Maynard just leaning against Takaraivo, taking a breather.
Takaraivo blocks the elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takaraivo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maynard misses with a knee strike.
Maynard 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 looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Takaraivo is trying to push Maynard away but Maynard has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Maynard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takaraivo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takaraivo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maynard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Takaraivo lands with a kick to the ribs.
Takaraivo misses with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maynard with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takaraivo throws a sloppy head kick and Maynard moves out of range easily.
Maynard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Takaraivo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Peter Maynard has been cut.

Takaraivo darts in and clinches Maynard up against the cage.
Maynard looking to stall.
Maynard throws an elbow but it misses.

Takaraivo breaks from the clinch.
Takaraivo throws the kick towards the body but Maynard avoids it.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Takaraivo in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Maynard misses with a low kick.
Maynard throws a sloppy body shot
and Maynard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maynard blocks a head kick by Takaraivo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takaraivo throws a head kick that misses
and Maynard counters with a three punch combo that has Takaraivo backing up. Takaraivo nods at Maynard to acknowledge the strikes.
Takaraivo delivers a nice body kick.
Maynard misses the shot to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Maynard.
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!
Maynard blocks a head kick by Takaraivo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Takaraivo's sensitive parts.
Takaraivo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Maynard tries a head kick but it misses.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maynard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Takaraivo's head backwards.
Maynard throws a leg kick but Takaraivo moved away.
Maynard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takaraivo tries to land a front kick but Maynard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Maynard throws a front kick aimed at Takaraivo's knee but Takaraivo avoids it well.
Maynard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takaraivo can do to turn this around?
Maynard tries a head kick but it misses.
Maynard misses with a kick to the body.
A head kick by Takaraivo misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Maynard misses with a hook to the body
and Takaraivo counters with a one-two to the body.
Takaraivo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Takaraivo misses with a head kick.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maynard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Maynard throws a series of punches but Takaraivo moves out of range.
Maynard paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Maynard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takaraivo tries to clinch up but Maynard circles away and keeps his distance.
Takaraivo throws a head kick that misses.
Takaraivo throws a sloppy head kick
and Maynard counters with a stiff right hand.
Takaraivo jabs at Maynard's body.
Maynard misses with a body kick.
Takaraivo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maynard moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Takaraivo tries to clinch but Maynard moves out of range.
Maynard throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takaraivo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takaraivo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Maynard swats away the attempt to clinch by Takaraivo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard throws a head kick but Takaraivo moves out of range.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maynard looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Maynard finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takaraivo tries a quick counter leg kick but Maynard is wise to it.
Maynard with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takaraivo tries to clinch up.
Takaraivo scores with a kick to the midsection.
Maynard connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Maynard misses with the combination.
Takaraivo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Maynard throws a sloppy head kick
and Takaraivo counters with a solid body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takaraivo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maynard is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Takaraivo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Takaraivo.
Maynard looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Takaraivo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takaraivo misses with a head kick.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maynard lands a nice looking body shot.
Takaraivo looks to land a combination but Maynard avoids it well.
Maynard darts in trying to clinch
and Takaraivo counters with a solid body kick.
Takaraivo checks the leg kick nicely there.

Takaraivo moves into the clinch successfully.
Maynard lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nyyrikki Takaraivo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Peter Maynard's cut.
That's time! Maynard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Takaraivo darts in and clinches Maynard up against the cage.
Maynard throws an elbow that misses.
Maynard tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Maynard misses with a knee strike.
Takaraivo stalling in the clinch.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takaraivo thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Maynard if he has to take too many more of those.
Takaraivo throws out a loose jab but Maynard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takaraivo throws a push kick but Maynard slaps the foot to one side.
Maynard fires out a quick counter leg kick but Takaraivo just manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Maynard misses.
Takaraivo blocks a head kick by Maynard.
Maynard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takaraivo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maynard moves out of range of the body kick.
Takaraivo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takaraivo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takaraivo blocks a head kick by Maynard.
Takaraivo checks a leg kick nicely.
Maynard misses with a looping left.
A head kick by Takaraivo misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Maynard dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takaraivo. That did some damage!

Maynard forces Takaraivo back against the cage and clinches.
Maynard throws an elbow but it misses.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takaraivo takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Crunch! Takaraivo slams his shin into Maynard's torso.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Takaraivo throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Takaraivo tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaraivo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maynard will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Maynard takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Maynard just misses with a punch to the body.
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!
Takaraivo throws a sloppy head kick and Maynard moves out of range easily.
Nice shot lands for Takaraivo.
Maynard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

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

Maynard is rocked!

Takaraivo darts in and clinches Maynard up against the cage.
Oh Maynard is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Maynard throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takaraivo blocks it with crossed arms.
Maynard misses with an elbow strike.

Takaraivo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takaraivo lands a monster head kick that reverborates around the arena! The crowd goes wild as Maynard crumples to the floor! Takaraivo milks the crowd's applause and if that isn't knockout of the night, I will be very surprised!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
Nyyrikki Takaraivo thanked the fans post fight for their support.