PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michiko Kawai (ranked 7016 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teevo Talli (ranked 7108 p4p, 628 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kawai
vs
Talli

175 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
23
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Pit Bull Development

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michiko Kawai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Teevo Talli!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Talli has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kawai prevents a body shot from Talli.
Talli misses with a knee strike.
Kawai lands an elbow that stopped Talli in his tracks for a moment.
Talli pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Talli digs a right hand underneath Kawai's ribcage. Kawai let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Talli pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Talli using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kawai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Talli scores a nice knee to the body.
Talli tries to work over Kawai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Talli effectively controlling the action here.
Kawai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kawai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Talli's brow.
Kawai managing to block the knees to the body from Talli.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Talli is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Talli connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Michiko Kawai has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kawai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Talli's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Talli working aggressively here.
Talli takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses.
Talli tries to land a knee to the head but Kawai blocks with his arms.
Talli throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Talli lands a right hand.
Kawai stalling.
Kawai misses with an elbow over the top.
Kawai prevents a body shot from Talli.
Talli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kawai's elbow.
Talli tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kawai avoids it.
Kawai avoids the elbow strike from Talli, against the cage.
Talli doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Talli.
Talli takes an elbow to the forehead.
Talli is stalling here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Talli just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kawai's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Talli lands a damaging elbow.
Talli trying to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kawai throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kawai dodges an elbow strike from Talli.
Talli misses with a knee to the head.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli misses with a knee to the head.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai pushes off an throws an elbow but Talli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Talli misses with an elbow strike.
Talli creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kawai pushes off an throws an elbow but Talli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Talli throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kawai blocks it with crossed arms.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talli is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Talli looking to slow down the pace here.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Talli.
Kawai dodges an elbow strike from Talli.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kawai.
Talli creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Talli lands a good knee to the midsection. Kawai won't want to take too many of those.
Kawai stalling in the clinch but Talli improves position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kawai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Talli's brow.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
Kawai prevents a body shot from Talli.
Kawai pushes off an throws an elbow but Talli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kawai looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kawai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kawai blocks an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kawai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Talli's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kawai throws an elbow but misses.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Talli struggles to land a body shot inside as Kawai controls his hands.
Talli throws a knee to the head but misses.
Talli tries a knee to the head but Kawai blocks it.
Talli looking to throw knees to the head but Kawai is blocking nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Talli throws an elbow but misses.
Kawai lands an elbow inside that Talli shrugs off.
Talli tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Talli looks winded!
Talli scores with a shot to the side of Kawai's head.
Kawai is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Talli is keeping busy.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kawai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Talli's brow.
Talli blocks an elbow strike.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Nice elbow from Kawai.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teevo Talli dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michiko Kawai's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Talli moves out of range of the strikes.
Talli is looking to clinch but Kawai is avoiding it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Kawai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kawai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kawai trying to control the position but instead, Talli has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kawai into the cage.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Talli throws a knee to the head but misses.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kawai is defending well for now.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawai blocks an uppercut.
Kawai trying to stall but Talli improves his position.
Kawai prevents a body shot from Talli.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Talli.
Talli blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawai lands an elbow just above Talli 's eye.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Teevo Talli seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Talli misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kawai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kawai throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Talli tries to throw a body punch but Kawai avoids it by throwing Talli back against the cage.
Talli blocks an elbow strike.
Talli tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli blocks the elbow strike.
Kawai misses with an elbow strike.
Kawai misses with an elbow over the top.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kawai blocks the elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Talli pushes off an throws an elbow but Kawai leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Talli dodges an elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Talli lands an elbow that stopped Kawai in his tracks for a moment.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses.
Talli is looking to control Kawai's arms but Kawai gets an underhook and turns him. Now Talli has his back to the cage.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai misses with an elbow over the top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Talli lands a body punch.
Talli dodges an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kawai's face.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli just leaning against Kawai, taking a breather.
Talli works on Kawai's body with a couple of short punches.
Talli tries to land a knee to the head but Kawai blocks with his arms.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talli pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kawai throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Talli lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kawai backwards.
Kawai looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kawai is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Talli is keeping busy.
Talli misses with a knee to the head.
Talli creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kawai pushes off an throws an elbow but Talli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
Come on Talli - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Talli presses Kawai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses.
Talli is struggling to control the position.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Talli tries to throw a body punch but Kawai avoids it by throwing Talli back against the cage.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
Talli blocks the elbow strike.
Talli trying to stall but Kawai improves his position.
Talli blocks the elbow strike.
Kawai looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Talli scores with a knee to the head.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Talli tries a body shot but Kawai blocks it.
Kawai pushes off an throws an elbow but Talli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Talli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Talli lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kawai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Talli is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kawai is defending well for now.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Michiko Kawai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Michiko Kawai's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Talli ducks under a wild hook from Kawai.
Kawai misses with an uppercut. Talli saw that one coming.

Kawai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kawai is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Talli tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai looking to stall.
Talli digs a right hand into Kawai's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kawai's gas tank.
Talli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kawai's elbow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kawai throws an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Talli doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Talli dodges an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kawai wants to stall.
Talli blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawai pushes off an throws an elbow but Talli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kawai stalling in the clinch but Talli improves position.
Kawai lands an elbow inside that Talli shrugs off.
Talli tries a body shot but Kawai blocks it.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Talli throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kawai blocks it with crossed arms.
Talli dodges an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
Talli lands with a light punch inside.
Kawai lands a nice elbow.
A short uppercut from Talli.
Talli throws a punch but it's blocked by Kawai.
Talli tries to land knees in the clinch but Kawai avoids the damage to the body.
Talli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kawai's elbow.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
Kawai is trying to maintain a safe position but Talli gets an underhook and turns Kawai into the cage.
Kawai lands an elbow just above Talli 's eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli lands with a right to the head.
Talli tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kawai misses with an elbow over the top.
Talli struggles to land a body shot inside as Kawai controls his hands.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli can't find room to land a body shot as Kawai controls the action.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kawai throws an elbow but misses.
Talli throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai misses with an elbow strike.
Talli tries to throw a body punch but Kawai avoids it by throwing Talli back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kawai as Talli tries to tie him up.
Kawai throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kawai has Talli pushed against the cage.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talli blocks an elbow strike.
Kawai misses with an elbow over the top.
Talli takes an elbow to the temple.
Talli with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kawai throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kawai on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Talli tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kawai avoids it.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kawai just misses with a elbow thrown towards Talli's brow.
Talli avoids the elbow strike from Kawai, against the cage.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Talli dodges an elbow strike from Kawai.
Talli tries to land knees in the clinch but Kawai avoids the damage to the body.
Talli has Kawai pushed against the cage.
Talli looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawai lands a damaging elbow.
Talli wants to stall.
Talli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Talli unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kawai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Talli takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kawai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Talli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kawai's elbow.
Talli blocks an elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai misses with an elbow over the top.
Talli tries to land a knee to the head but Kawai blocks with his arms.
Talli avoids a wild elbow strike from Kawai.
Kawai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kawai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai throws an elbow but it misses.
Kawai blocking some punches.
Talli tries to work over Kawai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michiko Kawai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kawai has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michiko Kawai!