PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Grim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tahkojuusto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tahkojuusto has chosen AC/DC : T.N.T as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Steve Grim had a look across the ring there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Grim
vs
Tahkojuusto

190 cm
21
185 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

185 cm
23
186 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Grim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Tahkojuusto!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tahkojuusto scores a takedown into full mount!
Grim looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Tahkojuusto content just to control the position here.
Grim knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tahkojuusto on the ground.
Tahkojuusto wants to take Grim's back but he can't do it this time.
Tahkojuusto putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Tahkojuusto controlling the position easily from mount.
Tahkojuusto putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Tahkojuusto stands up from mount. Strange move.

Tahkojuusto gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tahkojuusto has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Grim uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tahkojuusto wants to work for an arm triangle but Grim is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Tahkojuusto stands up and beckons Grim to join him on the feet.

Tahkojuusto moves into range and clinches up with Grim.
Tahkojuusto misses with a knee to the head.

Tahkojuusto has Grim pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Tahkojuusto pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Grim tumbling to the mat - Tahkojuusto dives into Grim's guard.
Tahkojuusto passes into half guard.

Tahkojuusto stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tahkojuusto.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Grim being controlled for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tahkojuusto decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Tahkojuusto rushes Grim and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Tahkojuusto turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto advances to full mount.
Tahkojuusto controlling from mount.
Tahkojuusto punishing his opponent with strikes.

Tahkojuusto working for a guillotine from mount but Grim is in no mood to give up.
Grim is working to get back to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Tahkojuusto jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Grim manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grim is trying to buck Tahkojuusto off.
Tahkojuusto lands an elbow.
Grim throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Grim trying to control but Tahkojuusto flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tahkojuusto looking for the RNC.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grim tries to roll but Tahkojuusto sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tahkojuusto dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tahkojuusto throws a sloppy head kick and Grim moves out of range easily.
Tahkojuusto shoots in and drives through. Grim sprawls well.
Tahkojuusto misses with a takedown attempt - Grim sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tahkojuusto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grim pinned against the cage. Grim gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Steve Grim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tahkojuusto.

Grim clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grim is looking to break free of the clinch but Tahkojuusto has double underhooks.
Tahkojuusto keeps control of Grim as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Tahkojuusto manages to break the clinch.

Tahkojuusto drives through and clinches with Grim against the ropes.
Tahkojuusto jumps guard but Grim stands there with Tahkojuusto around his waist. Tahkojuusto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto fails to pull guard.
Grim stalling in the clinch but Tahkojuusto improves position.
Tahkojuusto tries to pull guard but Grim holds him up against the ropes and eventually Tahkojuusto drops back down to his feet.
Tahkojuusto jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Grim walks away with a smile on his face. Tahkojuusto gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tahkojuusto connects with a high kick.

Tahkojuusto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tahkojuusto showed some decent athleticism there.

Tahkojuusto stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Tahkojuusto closes the distance looking to clinch

and Grim counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tahkojuusto won't be happy with that.

That's two 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!

Grim tries for a kimura but Tahkojuusto is defending well.
Grim tries to stand but Tahkojuusto is controlling his head.
Grim throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Tahkojuusto manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Grim is trying to control but can't.
Grim is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tahkojuusto is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tahkojuusto working over Grim with some ground and pound. Grim looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tahkojuusto wants to work for an arm triangle but Grim is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tahkojuusto is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
BOOM! Tahkojuusto connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Tahkojuusto wants to take his opponent's back but Grim doesn't allow it.
Grim wants to control but Tahkojuusto is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A nice elbow there by Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto landing shots from mount.
Teppo Tahkojuusto has got the better of the ground game so far.

Tahkojuusto gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Tahkojuusto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Grim throws a leg kick that is checked

and Tahkojuusto counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Grim controls Tahkojuusto momentarily but Tahkojuusto frees himself.
Tahkojuusto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tahkojuusto advances to half guard.

Grim looking for submissions off his back.
Grim wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tahkojuusto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tahkojuusto.

Tahkojuusto working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Grim is trying to improve his position.
Tahkojuusto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grim keeps working.
Tahkojuusto works to advance to full mount. Grim defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto tries to control but Grim wriggling away.
Grim is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Tahkojuusto jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Grim is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Grim and Tahkojuusto has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Tahkojuusto stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Tahkojuusto scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Grim stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tahkojuusto.
Grim takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahkojuusto stuffs the takedown attempt from Grim. Grim gets slowly back to his feet.
Tahkojuusto tries to clinch but Grim moves away

and Grim moves into the clinch.
Grim jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tahkojuusto walks away with a smile on his face. Grim gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tahkojuusto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tahkojuusto wants to clinch.
Steve Grim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grim is looking to clinch but Tahkojuusto is avoiding it.
Tahkojuusto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grim circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tahkojuusto.
Grim is not content to let Tahkojuusto control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grim is trying to control Tahkojuusto's posture but Tahkojuusto avoids it.

Tahkojuusto working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Grim wants to get back to his feet but Tahkojuusto drags him back down.
Grim is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Tahkojuusto wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Grim, who protects the arm well.
Tahkojuusto wants to take a breather but Grim manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Tahkojuusto.
Tahkojuusto trying to control but Grim is working from the bottom.
Tahkojuusto throwing strikes from guard but Grim blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teppo Tahkojuusto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tahkojuusto has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Teppo Tahkojuusto!