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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Takeo Toast Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magnus Axelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 168 cm
21
185 lbs
2 - 3 - 0 |
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181 cm
21
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful |
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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
2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Takeo Toast Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Magnus Axelsson!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelsson throws a sloppy head kick and Saunders moves out of range easily.
Axelsson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saunders can pounce on him.
Saunders instigates a clinch.
Saunders gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Saunders trying to control but Axelsson is working from the bottom.
Axelsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saunders preventing the sweep.
Saunders is pushing down on Axelsson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Axelsson is fighting to maintain full guard but Saunders has managed to sneak the leg through.
Axelsson is staying active underneath Saunders, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Saunders wants to free his trapped foot but Axelsson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saunders wants to control but Axelsson is keeping him busy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders throwing shots but Axelsson is blocking nicely.
Saunders wants to lay and pray for a moment but Axelsson keeps working.
Saunders is working for a submission of some sort.
Saunders prevents Axelsson from improving his position.
Saunders seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Axelsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Saunders trying to control the position from guard on top but Axelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saunders has gone for a leg lock! Axelsson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Saunders's guard.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Axelsson from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Axelsson looking to sit in guard and control but Saunders gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Saunders looking to sit in guard and control but Axelsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson advances position into side control!
Axelsson throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Saunders works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Axelsson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Saunders does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Axelsson wants to pass to mount but Saunders is defending the position.
Axelsson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Let's hope that Axelsson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Saunders is trying to get back to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Axelsson in particular looking to stall.
The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Magnus Axelsson.
Axelsson feints and as Saunders raises his hands in defense, Axelsson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saunders keeping full guard, as Axelsson tries to pass.
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!
Saunders is looking for a triangle but Axelsson pushes his legs off easily.
Axelsson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunders working for a triangle but Axelsson defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Magnus Axelsson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Axelsson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saunders pinned against the cage. Saunders gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Axelsson tries to land a front kick but Saunders steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Axelsson takes one to the side of the head.
Axelsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Axelsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Saunders counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Axelsson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Saunders looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Axelsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Saunders trying to control but Axelsson is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Axelsson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Saunders might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Axelsson looking for a guillotine here but Saunders defends easily.
Saunders wants to control from the top but Axelsson keeps moving.
Takeo Toast Saunders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Axelsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Axelsson keeping moving, preventing Saunders from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing that Saunders has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Takeo Toast Saunders wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Saunders cracks Axelsson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd cheers as Saunders lands an impressive looking overhand right. Axelsson doesn't seem phased though.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses.
Axelsson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saunders has time to react.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throws a leg kick which misses Axelsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Axelsson tries to avoid it.
Axelsson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunders scores with a kick to the body.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Axelsson.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Axelsson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Saunders, as that shot connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Axelsson tries a head kick but it misses.
Saunders takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Saunders misses with a two punch combination.
Saunders bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Magnus Axelsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Axelsson keeps Saunders at a distance using the push kick.
Axelsson is looking to land body kicks.
Axelsson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saunders.
Axelsson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Saunders landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Saunders trying to control the action but Axelsson is working from the bottom.
Saunders is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saunders wants to take a breather but Axelsson is having none of it.
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 Takeo Toast Saunders will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!
Saunders misses with an uppercut.
Axelsson throws a head kick that misses
and Saunders counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Saunders.
Axelsson wants to sweep here but Saunders controlling him for the moment.
Saunders stays in close to Axelsson's body and controls the position.
Saunders tries to free his leg and advance position but Axelsson is retaining full guard.
Axelsson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Saunders defends it easily.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Saunders escapes and throws Axelsson's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Saunders throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Saunders swings around for an armbar but Axelsson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Saunders's guard.
Saunders is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Axelsson is aware though and is defending well.
Axelsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saunders is keeping the position for now.
Saunders can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Axelsson controls the pace.
Saunders wants to sweep but no luck.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders looking to control.
Axelsson content to stall in guard here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saunders takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Saunders - that will leave a mark!
Axelsson looks for the body kick but Saunders saw that one coming.
Saunders throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Saunders takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Saunders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saunders lands a glancing blow to the side of Axelsson's head.
A head kick misses from Axelsson.
A big left from Saunders misses.
Saunders closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Axelsson's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Saunders'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.
Saunders won't allow Axelsson to sweep him here.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Takeo Toast Saunders just wasn't active enough.
A left lands for Axelsson.
Magnus Axelsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Axelsson misses with the body kick
and Saunders counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Saunders as Axelsson shoots in.
Saunders connects with a solid leg kick.
Saunders moves into the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders breaks from the clinch.
Saunders with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Axelsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Saunders is fending him off so far but Axelsson persists. Nope, Saunders circles away and we're back to standing.
Axelsson has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Saunders takes the fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders scores with a nice hook to the head.
Axelsson is looking to break free of the clinch but Saunders has double underhooks.
Axelsson is trying to push Saunders away but Saunders has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Saunders lands a left hand that snaps the head of Axelsson backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunders working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saunders stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Saunders is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
And that's the end of the fight!
Takeo Toast Saunders showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saunders has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Magnus Axelsson!
A relieved looking Magnus Axelsson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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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
76% |
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