PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aslambek Saidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tero Taikina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saidov comes to the cage accompanied by kavkaz eta sila . Taikina has chosen Cookie song as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Saidov
vs
Taikina

176 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

166 cm
23
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aslambek Saidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tero Taikina!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saidov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Taikina circles away.

Taikina drives through with a takedown into guard.

Saidov is looking for a triangle but Taikina pushes his legs off easily.
Taikina stopping the sweep attempt from Saidov.
Taikina tries to stand but Saidov is controlling from the bottom.
Taikina must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Taikina stays in close to Saidov's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taikina's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Saidov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taikina is one step ahead there.

Saidov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saidov controls Taikina momentarily but Taikina frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taikina trying to control but Saidov is working from the bottom.
Taikina trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saidov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taikina can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Saidov keeping moving, preventing Taikina from controlling successfully.

Taikina avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Saidov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Taikina is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saidov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taikina tries to stand but Saidov is controlling from the bottom.
Saidov keeping moving, preventing Taikina from controlling successfully.
Saidov is trying to keep Taikina in close.
Taikina wants to get up but he can't break Saidov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Saidov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taikina doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taikina manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tero Taikina will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taikina scores a takedown into full mount!
Taikina takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Saidov working to try and regain half guard.

Taikina stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Taikina misses with a takedown attempt

and Saidov counters with a takedown into side control.
Taikina sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov is stalling here. Taikina is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Saidov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Taikina has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saidov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Taikina.
Saidov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Saidov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saidov is trying to control. Taikina wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Taikina really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saidov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Saidov is trying to work for a kimura but Taikina is defending well.
Taikina is trying to maintain the position but Saidov is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Taikina keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Taikina trying to control here.
Saidov trying to control the pace.
Taikina is trying to stand back up but Saidov is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saidov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Taikina is just riding it out for now. Saidov eventually gives up the hold.

Saidov is working for a kimura but Taikina is defending it quite comfortably.
Taikina keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Taikina is looking for a sweep. Saidov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taikina pushes Saidov off looking to stand but Saidov dives back in and keeps control.
Taikina manages to get to full guard.
Saidov trying to control but Taikina is working from the bottom.
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 Aslambek Saidov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Saidov misses with a takedown attempt

and Taikina counters by moving into the clinch.

Saidov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Taikina clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Taikina is trying to stand back up.

Saidov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Taikina defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Will Saidov go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Aslambek Saidov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Saidov has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Taikina has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov controlling well, preventing Taikina from escaping the position.
Taikina just trying to survive but Saidov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Saidov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Taikina manages to reverse the position and now he's in Saidov's guard. Nice work there by Taikina.

Saidov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Taikina is aware though and is defending well.
Taikina controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Saidov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Taikina landing some decent shots from guard.
Saidov controls Taikina momentarily but Taikina frees himself.

Saidov is working an open guard so Taikina takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taikina bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saidov is trying to control Taikina's posture but Taikina avoids it.
Taikina is looking to take a break and control but Saidov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Saidov prevents Taikina from moving into mount.
Saidov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Taikina wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saidov is trying to control Taikina's posture but Taikina avoids it.
A lull in the action here as Taikina stalls from top position.
Taikina is looking to take a break and control but Saidov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
You can see the frustration on Saidov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tero Taikina.
I think Taikina 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Tero Taikina!