PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyyrikki Takaraivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Armstrong
vs
Takaraivo

185 cm
36
248 lbs
19 - 12 - 1

179 cm
35
220 lbs
20 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Eddie Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Armstrong finds it's way through Takaraivo's defenses.
Takaraivo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Armstrong changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Takaraivo tries to avoid it but Armstrong manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Takaraivo to the ground. Takaraivo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Armstrong forces Takaraivo back against the cage and clinches.
Armstrong prevents Takaraivo from breaking the clinch.
Takaraivo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Takaraivo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Armstrong.
Takaraivo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Armstrong can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armstrong working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armstrong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Takaraivo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Takaraivo breaks from the clinch.
Takaraivo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Armstrong to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice straight punches there by Armstrong. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Armstrong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong cracks Takaraivo with a good jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Armstrong.
Takaraivo swats away the attempt to clinch by Armstrong.

Armstrong moves into the clinch.
Armstrong tries for a takedown but Takaraivo manages to get underhooks.
Armstrong misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Armstrong on the inside.

Armstrong has Takaraivo pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Armstrong pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Takaraivo tumbling to the mat - Armstrong dives into Takaraivo's guard.
Armstrong makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong throws a big right hand that misses.
Armstrong seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Armstrong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Armstrong engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Armstrong stays in close to Takaraivo's body and controls the position.
Armstrong tries to free his leg and advance position but Takaraivo is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Armstrong fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takaraivo, pushing him back against the cage.
Armstrong wants a takedown but no success here.
Armstrong drops down looking for an ankle pick but Takaraivo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Armstrong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takaraivo has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Armstrong fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Armstrong backs off Takaraivo throws a huge counter combo but Armstrong manages to avoid it all.
Takaraivo swats away the attempt to clinch by Armstrong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong 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.
Armstrong connects with a looping right hand.

Takaraivo takes the fight into the clinch.
Armstrong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Armstrong lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Armstrong wants to take the fight to the mat but Takaraivo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Armstrong is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Takaraivo is defending well.
Armstrong wants a takedown.
Takaraivo blocking some punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Armstrong lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Armstrong is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Takaraivo pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Armstrong tightens his grip and picks Takaraivo up, before dumping him to the ground. Takaraivo manages to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Armstrong will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Armstrong scores with a takedown into Takaraivo's guard.
Takaraivo keeping moving, preventing Armstrong from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing good reports from Armstrong's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Armstrong throwing strikes from guard but Takaraivo blocks nicely.
Armstrong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Takaraivo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armstrong working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Armstrong passes into half guard.
Armstrong stalling.
Takaraivo is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Armstrong working Takaraivo over with strikes.
Armstrong prevents Takaraivo from standing back up.
Armstrong content to control rather than advance.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Takaraivo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Armstrong's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Armstrong lands strikes from half guard.
Takaraivo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Armstrong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Eddie Armstrong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Armstrong missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Takaraivo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Armstrong.
Armstrong lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Armstrong stalks Takaraivo and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Takaraivo's face. Takaraivo staggers backwards, shaken.
Takaraivo tries a head kick but it misses.
Armstrong attempts a counter takedown but Takaraivo avoids it well and moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Takaraivo. No joy for Armstrong on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong tries to clinch but Takaraivo moves away
and Takaraivo counters with a three punch combo that has Armstrong backing up. Armstrong nods at Takaraivo to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice jab there from Armstrong.
Donk. Armstrong catches Takaraivo right on the button with a cross.
Armstrong scores with the left hand. Takaraivo knows he should have avoided that one.
Eddie Armstrong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Takaraivo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Armstrong tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Takaraivo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takaraivo.
Takaraivo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Armstrong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Armstrong tries to clinch there but Takaraivo circles away.
Armstrong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Takaraivo is fending him off so far but Armstrong persists. Nope, Takaraivo circles away and we're back to standing.
Takaraivo looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takaraivo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takaraivo throws a leg kick that is checked

and Armstrong counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Armstrong 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.
Armstrong pushes down on Takaraivo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Armstrong dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Takaraivo blocks a jab.
Armstrong goes for a double leg but Takaraivo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Takaraivo continues to drive forward.

Armstrong has closed the distance and engaged Takaraivo in a clinch.
Armstrong scores with a shot to the side of Takaraivo's head.
Armstrong has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Takaraivo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Armstrong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Takaraivo can do to turn this around?
Takaraivo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Armstrong.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armstrong is trying to drag Takaraivo to the mat but Takaraivo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armstrong tries for a takedown. No joy.

Takaraivo manages to break the clinch.
Armstrong scores with a hook.
Takaraivo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaraivo lands a two punch combo.
Armstrong dives in and grabs Takaraivo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takaraivo pushes down on Armstrong's head and hops out.

Armstrong scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Armstrong fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Armstrong throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Armstrong controlling the position.
Armstrong working the ground and pound.

Takaraivo is rocked!
Armstrong taking a breather here.
Eddie Armstrong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Armstrong working the ground and pound but Takaraivo is defending the strikes.
Armstrong throws an elbow but Takaraivo slips to the side and avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Takaraivo's face as Armstrong controls the position.
Armstrong has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Armstrong scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Takaraivo to see if he's OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Armstrong is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Takaraivo's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaraivo on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Armstrong working the body and head with strikes.
Takaraivo is still in real trouble! Can Armstrong finish him?
Armstrong lands a strong strike to the head of Takaraivo. That's dazed him! Armstrong looking to finish here. Takaraivo is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Armstrong lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eddie Armstrong!
During a confident post fight interview, Eddie Armstrong thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.