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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Richard Hickock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hickock comes to the cage accompanied by Turn me on Mr Deadman. Takala has chosen Volga as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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182 cm
28
193 lbs
20 - 8 - 1 |
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198 cm
28
194 lbs
23 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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
20 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Richard Hickock! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
23 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala! The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Hickock avoids the body shot from Takala.
Crunch! Hickock slams his shin into Takala's torso. Hickock clinches. Hickock can't find room to land a body shot as Takala controls the action.
Hickock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Hickock. Takala is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hickock. Takala lands a nice uppercut. A right handed body shot lands from Hickock.
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 misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hickock creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses. Hickock blocks an uppercut.
Hickock lands a hook that snaps the head of Takala backwards. Takala looking to slow down the pace here. Hickock pushes off an throws an elbow but Takala leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage. Takala blocks an uppercut.
Hickock pushes off an throws an elbow but Takala leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Takala. Hickock makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut. Takala blocks an elbow strike. Takala tries to throw a body punch but Hickock avoids it by throwing Takala back against the cage. Takala lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
That's one minute gone in the round. Takala is trying to break the clinch but Hickock has him pressed against the cage. Takala lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage. Hickock lands an elbow that stopped Takala in his tracks for a moment.
It looks like Topi Takala has been cut. Takala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hickock creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Takala's defenses. With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hickock just misses with a elbow thrown towards Takala's brow. Takala tries to circle away but Hickock has him pinned against the cage. Takala struggles to land a body shot inside as Hickock controls his hands.
Hickock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Takala tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Hickock blocks an uppercut.
Takala tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hickock's elbow. With the fighters up against the cage, Hickock throws an elbow but misses. Hickock's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Takala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hickock.
Hickock goes for a spinning back kick but it misses. A jab from Hickock misses. That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hickock crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Takala - the referee stops the clock and Hickock gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Takala. Hickock manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes. Takala scores with a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Hickock throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hickock, right into the meat.
Hickock throws a big shot that misses. Hickock explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work. Hickock is looking to clinch but Takala is avoiding it.
Hickock gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takala. Hickock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Hickock. Takala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Hickock gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there. Takala wants to slow Hickock down by chopping away at his legs. A looping hook to the body misses from Takala. Hickock does a little dance to reset his feet. Takala throws a leg kick but Hickock sees it coming and checks it nicely. Takala throws out a powerful jab. Hickock jabbing away but nothing is landing. Takala throws a mid kick that lands with a slap. Hickock scores with a kick to the midsection. Takala chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hickock can pounce on him.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Hickock tries to clinch but Takala is having none of it. Hickock lands a jab to Takala's midsection. Takala takes a swing at Hickock's ribcage but misses. Takala is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range. Hickock keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hickock - that will leave a mark!
Takala blocks a leg kick. The fighters circling - Hickock throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Takala lands with a shot to the body. Takala moves out of range of the body kick from Hickock.
A left lands for Takala. Takala attempts a low kick but it misses it's target. Takala lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range. 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. 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 tries to move into range but Hickock moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand. Hickock swings widly with a right hand
and Takala counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena. Hickock takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. Hickock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Takala.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Hickock clinches up against the cage. Hickock lands an uppercut. Hickock works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takala gets underhooks to prevent Hickock's takedown attempt.
Hickock swings wildly with an uppercut but Takala uses good head movement to avoid it. Takala blocks the elbow strike.
Takala struggles to land a body shot inside as Hickock controls his hands.
Hickock lands an elbow that stopped Takala in his tracks for a moment. Hickock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hickock lands with a right hand. Takala cracks the inside of Hickock's front leg. Hickock shoots for a takedown but Takala saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily. Takala lands with a shot to the body. The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action! Takala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. A telegraphed right hand from Hickock misses the target. Takala lands a front kick. Hickock throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Richard Hickock dominated that round. The cut man is working on Topi Takala's cut. That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Takala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takala has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight. Hickock drops his hands momentarily and Takala takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head. Takala scores with a slapping inside leg kick. Hickock feints and then cracks Takala's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Takala down. Takala lands with a thumping leg kick.
Takala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hickock. A jab from Takala does it's job there. Hickock takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him. Takala works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance. Takala checks a low kick from Hickock. Takala scores with a nice head shot. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Takala lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hickock connects with a looping right hand.
Takala lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hickock circles away quickly and effectively. Hickock throws a head kick but Takala moves out of range.
Hickock moves in looking to clinch but Takala pushes him off. Takala misses with a jab, cross combination.
That's one minute gone in the round. Takala takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away. Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hickock.
Hickock throws a head kick that misses. Hickock moves out of range as Takala strikes. Hickock steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takala. Hickock lands a nice looking body shot.
Takala avoids the head kick by Hickock.
Hickock is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takala. Hickock works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance. Takala scores with a nice body kick.
Takala misses with a straight right. Takala dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hickock. That did some damage! Takala leaves Hickock with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt. Takala takes a swing at Hickock's ribcage but misses. Takala swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Hickock throws a nice outside leg kick. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Hickock lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw. Takala thumps Hickock with a low kick. Hickock throws a half hearted mid kick. Hickock shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takala defends it nicely. Takala cracks a nice hook into Hickock's ribs. Topi Takala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. Takala keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hickock. Takala lands a nice shot to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Takala 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. Takala lands a leg kick that knocks Hickock off balance momentarily. A decent looking body kick lands there for Takala. Takala changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Takala scores with a shot to the body.
Takala avoids the body shot from Hickock.
Takala is looking to slow Hickock down with leg kicks.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Hickock misses with a wild body shot. Hickock missing with a left hand there. Takala was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one. Takala feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hickock's calf. Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here. Hickock takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily. Takala throws a leg kick but Hickock moved away. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takala, right into the meat.
Takala lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent. Hickock connects with a solid leg kick. Hickock moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. Hickock shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hickock was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure! The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Hickock is looking to take a break and control but Takala is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Hickock controls the position. Hickock wants to control for a moment but Takala uses the opportunity to move back to half guard. Hickock misses with a head shot. Takala uses the momentum to regain guard. The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action! Takala working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hickock. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Topi Takala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards. The cut man is working on Topi Takala'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. This is the final round!
Takala throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hickock stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly. Hickock needs to keep his hands up - Takala had a free shot at his head there. Hickock thows a left - swing and a miss! Hickock misses with a wild body shot. Hickock throws an overhand right that lands on Takala's shoulder, as Takala tries to avoid the shot. Hickock chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Takala lands a leg kick that knocks Hickock off balance momentarily. Hickock takes a shot right to the bread basket. Takala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hickock moves away. A slow jab from Hickock misses its intended target. Hickock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Hickock. Takala lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hickock takes a step back to recover. Hickock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takala. A looping hook to the body misses from Takala. Hickock does a little dance to reset his feet. Takala lands with a thumping leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Hickock tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Takala swivels and escapes. Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round. Takala throws a quick inside leg kick. Takala throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Takala wants it to stay on the feet. Hickock takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt. Takala scores with a nice strike. Takala thuds a left hand into Hickock's body. Takala throws a good cross that connects.
Hickock attempts a low kick but it misses it's target. Takala throws a low kick, looking for Hickock's leg but Hickock calmly moves out of range. Hickock will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body. Hickock moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body. Hickock on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Takala. Takala obviously looking to wear him down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! No luck for Hickock with that takedown attempt. That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Hickock. That's going to take a lot out of him. Takala scores with a slapping inside leg kick. Hickock takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hickock, right into the meat.
Hickock takes one to the chin there. Takala jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Takala wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Takala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick. Takala throws a nice inside leg kick. Topi Takala seems to be getting the better of the standup. Takala lands a head shot. Takala scores with a jab to the body. Nice body punch from Takala. Hickock looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that. Takala needs to keep his hands up - Hickock had a free shot at his head there. Takala connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hickock. Hickock circles away out of range and recomposes himself. Takala throws a nice inside leg kick. Takala stalks Hickock and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hickock's face. Hickock staggers backwards, shaken. Hickock paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button. Nice defenses there by Takala. Hickock scores with a head kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Takala avoids a lazy jab quite easily. Hickock gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hickock lands with a nice body kick. Hickock throws a big shot that misses. Takala tries to land a front kick but Hickock steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed. Takala feints and then cracks Hickock's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hickock down. Takala lands a really nice looking cross but Hickock seems unphased.
Takala on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hickock. Hickock obviously looking to wear him down.
Hickock misses with an uppercut. Takala saw that one coming. Takala's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down. Takala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick. Hickock with a jab. A clash of legs there as Hickock blocks the low kick. Takala takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A left lands for Hickock. Hickock misses with a leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Takala connects with an inside leg kick. This has been an exciting period of action! Takala stuffs the takedown. Hickock keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hickock lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hickock. Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hickock. Takala avoids the head kick by Hickock.
Hickock on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Takala. Takala obviously looking to wear him down.
Hickock shoots for a takedown but Takala saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily. Takala lands a jab to the nose. Takala throws a nice inside leg kick. Takala lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Takala tries a low kick but Hickock avoids it. The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action! Takala works the jab nicely. Takala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick. Takala misses with a body shot.
And that's the end of the fight! Topi Takala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard. I think Takala has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29 Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29 Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Topi Takala! Topi Takala thanked the fans post fight for their support.
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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