PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kushin Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Vilkastus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikko Vilkastus has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Takahashi
vs
Vilkastus

176 cm
26
166 lbs
11 - 12 - 0

175 cm
27
160 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kushin Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Vilkastus!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Takahashi gets a double leg takedown into Vilkastus's guard.

Takahashi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Takahashi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Takahashi 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.

Takahashi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Takahashi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Vilkastus trying to keep a closed guard but Takahashi is proving a slippery customer.

Vilkastus is looking for a triangle but Takahashi pushes his legs off easily.

Vilkastus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Takahashi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Takahashi drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vilkastus dives on top into guard.
Vilkastus wants to get up but he can't break Takahashi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Takahashi looking for a guillotine here but Vilkastus defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vilkastus wants to pass the guard but Takahashi is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilkastus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Takahashi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vilkastus gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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

Takahashi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vilkastus is aware though and is defending well.

Takahashi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vilkastus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vilkastus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vilkastus accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vilkastus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vilkastus must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vilkastus wants to control from the top but Takahashi keeps moving.
Vilkastus with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi has his foot on Vilkastus's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vilkastus works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vilkastus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Takahashi throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Vilkastus escapes and throws Takahashi's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Takahashi is breathing heavily.
Takahashi gets back to half guard.

Takahashi looking for submissions off his back.
Vilkastus tries to pass the half guard into mount. Takahashi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Vilkastus missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Takahashi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Vilkastus seems to be looking for submissions.
Takahashi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Vilkastus is going to stand back up.

Vilkastus is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Vilkastus seems to be working for a kimura but Takahashi defends the submission attempt.

Takahashi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vilkastus pulls his head out easily.
Takahashi has hold of Vilkastus's hands but Vilkastus slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Vilkastus is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Takahashi defends it well.

Takahashi has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Vilkastus escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Vilkastus!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Vilkastus tries for a kimura but Takahashi is defending well.
Vilkastus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takahashi keeps working.
Takahashi manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Takahashi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Takahashi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kushin Takahashi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Vilkastus throws a sloppy head kick and Takahashi moves out of range easily.
Vilkastus throws a head kick that misses.
Vilkastus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Vilkastus gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Takahashi to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Takahashi 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.
Takahashi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Takahashi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vilkastus is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vilkastus is trying to improve his position.

Takahashi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Vilkastus has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takahashi goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Vilkastus rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Takahashi's guard! Nice work there by Vilkastus!

Takahashi has his foot on Vilkastus's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vilkastus works his way back into a safe position though.
Vilkastus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kushin Takahashi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Takahashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Vilkastus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Takahashi working for a triangle but Vilkastus defends it easily.
Vilkastus throwing strikes but missing.

Vilkastus drops back looking for a leg! Takahashi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Takahashi manages to kick Vilkastus off! Vilkastus jumps back into Takahashi's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Takahashi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vilkastus is aware though and is defending well.

Takahashi looking for a guillotine here but Vilkastus defends easily.
Vilkastus throwing strikes but missing.

Vilkastus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vilkastus trying to stand up but can't free himself from Takahashi's guard.

Takahashi is looking for a triangle but Vilkastus pushes his legs off easily.

Vilkastus decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Vilkastus tries to reverse the position but Takahashi maintains control.
Vilkastus is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Takahashi with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Takahashi is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Vilkastus has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Vilkastus!

Takahashi is looking for a triangle but Vilkastus pushes his legs off easily.
Vilkastus passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Vilkastus throws an elbow but Takahashi slips to the side and avoids it well.
Takahashi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vilkastus is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Takahashi actively working from the bottom here.
Takahashi tries to get to full guard but Vilkastus has control of the leg.
Takahashi gets full guard.
Takahashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vilkastus.

Takahashi is looking for a triangle but Vilkastus pushes his legs off easily.

Vilkastus drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Vilkastus jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Vilkastus working some strikes from top position.

Takahashi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vilkastus gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Vilkastus 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kushin Takahashi dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Takahashi blocks a head kick by Vilkastus.
Vilkastus throws a hook to the side of Takahashi's head but Takahashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Takahashi ducks right into an uppercut from Vilkastus.
Nice takedown defense from Takahashi. No joy for Vilkastus on that attempt.
Takahashi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vilkastus.
Takahashi misses with a takedown attempt
and Vilkastus counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Takahashi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Vilkastus throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Takahashi's head.
Vilkastus throws a head kick that misses.
Takahashi misses with a takedown
and Vilkastus cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kushin Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vilkastus lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vilkastus leaves Takahashi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vilkastus scores with a head kick. Takahashi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Takahashi has his takedown stuffed
and Vilkastus counters with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takahashi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Takahashi lands in his opponent's guard.
Takahashi works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Vilkastus is defending against the submission attempts here by Takahashi.

Takahashi is working for a kimura but Vilkastus is defending it quite comfortably.

Vilkastus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Takahashi seems to be working for a kimura but Vilkastus defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takahashi seems to be working for a kimura but Vilkastus defends the submission attempt.

Takahashi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Takahashi is trying to work for a kimura but Vilkastus is defending well.

Takahashi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vilkastus doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Takahashi.
Vilkastus moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vilkastus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Takahashi is aware though and is defending well.

Takahashi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Vilkastus looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Vilkastus looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Vilkastus!
Takahashi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Takahashi wants to get back to full guard.
Vilkastus seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Takahashi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Vilkastus is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Takahashi looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vilkastus is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Takahashi defends it well.

Takahashi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kushin Takahashi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vilkastus is pressing down on Takahashi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Takahashi is holding on for now.

Vilkastus is working for a submission of some sort.
Takahashi preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Mikko Vilkastus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mikko Vilkastus.
I think Takahashi 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kushin Takahashi!