PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taisto Anttila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hartman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hartman has chosen Fuel-Metallica as his entrance music. James Hartman has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Anttila
vs
Hartman

163 cm
26
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

167 cm
26
148 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Taisto Anttila!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, James Hartman!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Taro Takaoka and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hartman moves in looking to clinch but Anttila pushes him off.
It looked like Anttila wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Hartman darts in and clinches Anttila up against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hartman has Anttila pressed against the cage, preventing Anttila from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hartman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A bit of stalling here from Hartman.
Hartman slowing the pace effectively.
Hartman is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hartman receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hartman swings wildly with an uppercut but Anttila uses good head movement to avoid it.

Anttila breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartman tries to clinch but Anttila is having none of it.
Hartman doesn't manage to clinch there - Anttila circles away.
Hartman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Anttila.
Anttila throws a body shot but no joy.
Hartman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Anttila feinted with a counter takedown.

Anttila shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Anttila is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Anttila engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Anttila advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anttila tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Anttila taking a breather here.

Anttila is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hartman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Anttila looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anttila works to advance to full mount. Hartman defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Anttila moves to take his opponent's back.

Anttila has managed to slip his arm under Hartman's chin. This could be all over... yep, Hartman is tapping out! Submission win for Anttila.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Taisto Anttila!
Taisto Anttila retains his featherweight title!
An out of breath Taisto Anttila thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.