PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Takahiro Tamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rauta Nilkka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tamura's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, TaikOz. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tamura
vs
Nilkka

190 cm
23
200 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

190 cm
24
194 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takahiro Tamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rauta Nilkka!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tamura connects with a body shot.
Tamura looks to score with a jab to the body but Nilkka is just out of range.
Nilkka fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tamura.
Tamura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nilkka was well out of range. Poor timing from Tamura.
That kick from Nilkka tenderised Tamura's leg. Tamura is trying to keep his angry face on.
That kick from Nilkka tenderised Tamura's leg. Tamura is trying to keep his angry face on.
Decent striking displayed by Tamura there.
Nilkka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Takahiro Tamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tamura lands with a shot to the body.
Tamura moves out of range of the body kick from Nilkka.
Nilkka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nilkka throws a head kick but Tamura moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nilkka throws out a powerful jab.
Tamura avoids the head kick by Nilkka.
Nilkka throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilkka throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nilkka tries to land a front kick but Tamura steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nilkka pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tamura is out of range and Nilkka settles back down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nilkka.
Nilkka throws a low kick, looking for Tamura's leg but Tamura calmly moves out of range.
Tamura throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nilkka on the side of the head.
Tamura misses with a straight right.
Tamura swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tamura moves out of range as Nilkka throws a body kick.
Tamura throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slow jab from Tamura misses its intended target.
Tamura fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nilkka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tamura.
Nilkka throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nilkka throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tamura.
Nilkka throws a nice head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nilkka misses with a head kick.
Tamura ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nilkka moves away.
Nilkka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nilkka wants to land a leg kick but Tamura is out of range.
Nilkka throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nilkka looks to land a body kick but Tamura moved away.
Nilkka thows a body kick. Tamura tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tamura lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nilkka tried to score with a low kick but Tamura checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamura changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tamura fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nilkka manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Tamura misses the target.
Nilkka gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tamura.
Tamura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nilkka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tamura avoids a kick to the body.
Nilkka looks for the body kick but Tamura saw that one coming.
Tamura uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nilkka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tamura checks a leg kick.
Nilkka thows a body shot but no joy.
Tamura blocks a head kick by Nilkka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamura scores with a body shot.
Tamura checks a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Tamura.
Tamura lands a lovely overhand right.
Tamura misses with a jab to the body
and Nilkka counters with a slapping leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nilkka misses with a head kick.
Tamura ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nilkka moves away.
Nilkka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tamura blocks a head kick by Nilkka.
Tamura is looking to wear down Nilkka with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nilkka throws a leg kick but Tamura sees it coming and moves out of range.
Tamura dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nilkka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tamura checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Takahiro Tamura will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tamura lands with a straight right. Nilkka didn't see that one coming.
Tamura misses with a wild body shot.
A left lands for Tamura.
Nilkka moves out of range as Tamura strikes.
Nilkka throws a leg kick but Tamura sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nilkka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tamura throws a hook but Nilkka avoids it easily.
Tamura scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circling - Tamura throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tamura avoids a kick to the body.
Nilkka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tamura checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tamura jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nilkka lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamura throws a hook but Nilkka blocks it.
Tamura thuds a left hand into Nilkka's body.
Nilkka avoids the body shot from Tamura.
Nilkka lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nilkka scores with a spinning back kick!
Tamura lands a really nice looking cross but Nilkka seems unphased.
Tamura takes a swing at Nilkka's ribcage but misses.
Tamura on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nilkka. Nilkka obviously looking to wear him down.
Nilkka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tamura.
Nilkka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nilkka tries to land a front kick but Tamura steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nilkka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tamura.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamura scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tamura lands with a good body shot.
Tamura jabs Nilkka right on the nose. Nilkka blinks but takes it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tamura throws a looping overhand right but Nilkka ducks down to avoid it.
Tamura thuds his right hand into Nilkka's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

It looks like Rauta Nilkka has been cut.
Nilkka thuds his shin into the meat of Tamura's side.
Nilkka looks to land a body kick but Tamura moved away.
Tamura lands a body shot.
Nilkka looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
An inside leg kick from Nilkka misses.
Tamura throws an overhand right that lands on Nilkka's shoulder, as Nilkka tries to avoid the shot.
Tamura throws an overhand right that lands on Nilkka's shoulder, as Nilkka tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nilkka throws a leg kick but Tamura sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tamura misses with a hook. Nilkka ducked under it nicely.
Tamura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nilkka tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nilkka looks to land a body kick but Tamura moved away.
Tamura walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nilkka.
Tamura catches Nilkka with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tamura misses with a right hand
and Nilkka counters with a body kick that stops Tamura in his tracks momentarily.
Nilkka is looking to land body kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nilkka.
Nilkka looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nilkka throws a body kick that misses.
Tamura will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamura lands with a cross.
Nilkka looks to land a body kick but Tamura moved away.
Tamura throws a nice looking combination but Nilkka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nilkka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tamura throws out the jab.
Tamura cracks Nilkka with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tamura throws a hook to the side of Nilkka's head but Nilkka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tamura scores with a shot to the body.
Donk. Tamura catches Nilkka right on the button with a cross.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tamura rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nilkka counters with a low kick, right behind Tamura 's knee.
Nilkka throws a sloppy head kick and Tamura moves out of range easily.
Tamura scores with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takahiro Tamura dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rauta Nilkka's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nilkka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nilkka misses with a body kick.
A jab from Tamura does it's job there.
Nilkka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tamura throws a hook but Nilkka blocks it.
Takahiro Tamura is winning the standup battle so far.
Nilkka tries to move into range but Tamura moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nilkka has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tamura. Nilkka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tamura blocks a leg kick.
Nilkka tried to score with a low kick but Tamura checks it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nilkka.
Tamura connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nilkka's hands.
Nilkka lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilkka wants to land a leg kick but Tamura is out of range.
Nilkka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nilkka goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nilkka misses with a body kick.
Tamura throws a right hand that misses
and Nilkka counters with a leg kick.
Tamura scores with a jab to the body.
Tamura throws a hook but Nilkka avoids it easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Tamura as he connects with a hook.
Tamura misses with an uppercut.
Nilkka takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tamura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nilkka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tamura lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rauta Nilkka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamura jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nilkka.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nilkka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tamura throws out the jab.
Nilkka takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A big left from Tamura misses.
Tamura tests Nilkka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tamura listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tamura tests Nilkka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tamura thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nilkka misses with a body kick.
Nilkka throws the kick towards the body but Tamura avoids it.
Nilkka tries to land a front kick but Tamura steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A swing and a miss from Tamura.
Tamura checks a leg kick.
Tamura connects with a jab.
Nilkka misses with a leg kick.
Nilkka scores with a nice body kick.
A jab from Tamura finds it's way through Nilkka's defenses.
Tamura misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nilkka.
Rauta Nilkka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jab from Tamura.
Nilkka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamura checks the leg kick.
Nilkka turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Nilkka.
Nilkka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nilkka scores with a push kick.
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!
Nilkka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nilkka walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice straight punches there by Tamura. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tamura.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nilkka misses with a body kick.
Nilkka throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nilkka tries to land a front kick but Tamura steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Takahiro Tamura.
Well Tamura has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takahiro Tamura!