PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Takeru Toyokawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fakhri El Batal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Toyokawa
vs
El Batal

200 cm
25
300 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

205 cm
25
279 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

物干し竿
CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loan

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takeru Toyokawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fakhri El Batal!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
El Batal lands a jab to Toyokawa's midsection.
A big right from El Batal misses.
El Batal takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

It looks like Fakhri El Batal has been cut.
El Batal scores with a body shot.
El Batal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Toyokawa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
El Batal lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Takeru Toyokawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Toyokawa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but El Batal manages to avoid it.
El Batal fails to land with a series of punches.
Toyokawa punishes El Batal's body with a nice straight punch.
Toyokawa thows a body shot but no joy.
Toyokawa misses with a double jab.
El Batal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Toyokawa.
Toyokawa misses with a hook
enabling El Batal to counter with a crisp jab.
El Batal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Toyokawa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toyokawa misses with a wild body shot.
Toyokawa misses with a looping right.
Toyokawa throws a poor cross that misses
and El Batal counters with a nice body shot.
Toyokawa scores with a crisp jab that stopped El Batal in his tracks.
El Batal has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Toyokawa finds it's way round the side to connect with El Batal's head.

That has opened up Fakhri El Batal's cut even more.
Toyokawa misses with a telegraphed body shot
and El Batal counters with a straight right hand.
Toyokawa misses the shot to the body.
El Batal takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
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!
Toyokawa misses with a body shot
enabling El Batal to counter with a crisp jab.
El Batal waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Toyokawa.
El Batal takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Toyokawa misses with a right hand
and El Batal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Toyokawa is breathing heavily.
A left lands for Toyokawa.

The cut above Fakhri El Batal's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toyokawa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from El Batal.
Toyokawa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from El Batal.
El Batal throws the left hand but Toyokawa avoids the punch easily.
El Batal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Toyokawa manages to avoid it.
El Batal shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Toyokawa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but El Batal manages to avoid it.
El Batal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Toyokawa staying out of range there.
Toyokawa throws a right hand that misses
and El Batal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
El Batal ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Toyokawa misses with a left hand
and El Batal counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
El Batal bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Toyokawa's head.
El Batal lands with a nice body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toyokawa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
El Batal scores with a hook.
El Batal lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
El Batal misses with the combination.
El Batal throws a shot to the body.
El Batal is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Toyokawa had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
El Batal connects with the punch.
Toyokawa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Toyokawa just misses with a punch to the body.
El Batal cracks Toyokawa with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Toyokawa walks into a stiff left hand from El Batal.
Toyokawa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Toyokawa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Batal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Toyokawa manages to avoid it.
Toyokawa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Toyokawa throws a lazy uppercut
and El Batal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Toyokawa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
El Batal connects with the punch.
El Batal lands a nice looking body shot.
Toyokawa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from El Batal.
Toyokawa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Toyokawa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
El Batal throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Toyokawa takes a shot right to the bread basket.
El Batal throws out a powerful jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fakhri El Batal will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Fakhri El Batal's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Toyokawa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Toyokawa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Toyokawa throws a hook but El Batal avoids it easily.
Toyokawa throws a poor cross that misses
letting El Batal counter with a right hand.
Toyokawa throws a poor cross that misses
enabling El Batal to counter with a crisp jab.
A slow jab from Toyokawa misses its intended target.
Toyokawa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Toyokawa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Toyokawa swings for the body but El Batal moves out of range.
El Batal with a nice cross.
Toyokawa takes a shot right to the bread basket.
El Batal scores with a punch to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Toyokawa misses the shot to the body.
El Batal with a jab.
Fakhri El Batal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
El Batal scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toyokawa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
El Batal connects with a good right hand that stumbles Toyokawa. Toyokawa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Toyokawa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
El Batal jabs Toyokawa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Toyokawa takes one to the side of the head.
Toyokawa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and El Batal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Toyokawa scrambles back to his feet.
Toyokawa tries to move into range but El Batal moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Toyokawa blocks a low kick nicely.
El Batal lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
El Batal throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Toyokawa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
El Batal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
El Batal throws a good cross that connects.
Toyokawa throws the left hand but El Batal avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Batal lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Toyokawa is rocked!
El Batal connects with a body shot that sends Toyokawa's belly button to the back.
Toyokawa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Toyokawa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Toyokawa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Good exchange - El Batal coming out on top.
El Batal bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Toyokawa's head backwards.
El Batal scores with a punch to the head.
Oh Toyokawa is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
El Batal ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Toyokawa seems to have got his legs back now.
El Batal lands a slapping body shot.
El Batal cracks Toyokawa with a good jab.
Toyokawa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Toyokawa takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toyokawa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
El Batal catches Toyokawa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Toyokawa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
El Batal connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
El Batal scores with a decent looking hook.
El Batal connects with the punch.
El Batal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice shot by El Batal.
El Batal lands a nice shot to the body.
El Batal swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
El Batal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Toyokawa is out of range and El Batal settles back down.
Toyokawa throws a jab but it's blocked by El Batal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Batal lands with a straight right. Toyokawa didn't see that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Toyokawa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
El Batal lands a nice hook to Toyokawa's body. Toyokawa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Toyokawa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
El Batal cracks a nice hook into Toyokawa's ribs.
Jab, jab by El Batal - just one landing.
El Batal misses with a body shot.
Toyokawa misses with a body shot.
El Batal uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Toyokawa has time to react.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
El Batal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
El Batal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
El Batal lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Toyokawa misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fakhri El Batal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fakhri El Batal'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!

Toyokawa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jab from El Batal.
Toyokawa tries to clinch but El Batal moves away
letting El Batal counter with a right hand.
Toyokawa lands with a right hand.
Toyokawa misses with an uppercut
letting El Batal counter with a right hand.
Toyokawa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
El Batal takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Toyokawa misses with a wild body shot.
Toyokawa throws an off balance right hand
letting El Batal counter with a right hand.
El Batal cracks Toyokawa with a good jab.
Nice defenses there by El Batal.
El Batal uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Toyokawa.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Toyokawa swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Batal scores with a nice strike.
El Batal looks to land a body kick but Toyokawa moved away.
El Batal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
El Batal scores with a jab. Toyokawa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Toyokawa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Toyokawa walks into a stiff left hand from El Batal.
Toyokawa just misses with a punch to the body.
El Batal cracks a nice hook into Toyokawa's ribs.
Toyokawa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
El Batal misses with a wild body shot.
Nice jab there from El Batal.
El Batal lands a jab.
El Batal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Batal will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Toyokawa misses with a hook to the body
and El Batal counters with a nice uppercut.
Toyokawa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Toyokawa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
El Batal connects with a body shot that sends Toyokawa's belly button to the back.
El Batal lands a slapping body shot.
El Batal misses with a low kick.
El Batal tests Toyokawa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
El Batal throws out a powerful jab.
El Batal stalks Toyokawa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Toyokawa's face. Toyokawa staggers backwards, shaken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Batal jabs Toyokawa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Toyokawa might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Toyokawa checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
El Batal lands with a nice body punch.
Toyokawa takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
El Batal lands a right hook to the body.
El Batal throws the kick towards the body but Toyokawa avoids it.
El Batal slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
El Batal lands a jab to Toyokawa's midsection.
El Batal just misses with a punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by El Batal. Beautiful body shot.
Toyokawa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
El Batal lands with a nice body punch.
Fakhri El Batal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toyokawa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Toyokawa takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
El Batal catches Toyokawa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Takeru Toyokawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice shot lands for El Batal.
Toyokawa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Toyokawa throws a poor cross that misses
and El Batal counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Toyokawa thinking.
El Batal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice body punch from El Batal.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Toyokawa misses the shot to the body.
El Batal lands with a shot to the body.
Nice cross by El Batal.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fakhri El Batal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well El Batal has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight for Fakhri El Batal!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Fakhri El Batal!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Fakhri El Batal!

Fakhri El Batal wins by unanimous decision!