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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Richard Hickock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hickock comes to the cage accompanied by Turn me on Mr Deadman. Takala is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Volga. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 182 cm
27
193 lbs
17 - 7 - 1 |
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198 cm
27
194 lbs
20 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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
17 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Richard Hickock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
20 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takala works the jab nicely.
Hickock throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hickock misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Takala is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hickock swinging wildly here.
Hickock gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takala.
Topi Takala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good work by Takala as he checks the leg kick.
Takala with a hook.
Hickock moves away from the strike by Takala.
Hickock stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takala.
Nice shot by Takala.
Takala scores with a jab. Hickock acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Takala has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Takala.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No joy there for Hickock, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Takala connects with a looping right hand.
Hickock fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hickock swings for the body but Takala moves out of range.
Takala is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Takala uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hickock has time to react.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hickock.
Takala with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Takala is looking to land body kicks.
Takala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hickock.
Takala with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice jab there from Takala.
Hickock checks a low kick from Takala.
Hickock misses the shot to the body.
Takala cracks the inside of Hickock's front leg.
The fighters circle momentarily. Takala darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Takala is looking to slow Hickock down with leg kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hickock misses with a looping right.
A bone on bone clash there as Hickock blocks the leg kick.
Takala misses with a few strikes there.
Takala lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hickock circles away quickly and effectively.
Takala missing with a left hand there. Hickock was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Takala checks the leg kick.
Hickock connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Takala momentarily.
Takala cracks Hickock with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Takala scores with a jab to the head.
Takala lands a nice looking body kick.
A lazy body kick from Takala
and Hickock counters with a stiff right hand.
Takala with a jab.
Takala lands a front kick.
Hickock misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hickock has Takala up against the cage in a clinch.
Hickock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hickock takes a shot to the head.
Hickock lands with a right to the head.
Takala lands a hook to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Still in the clinch, Takala scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takala managing to block the knees to the body from Hickock.
Hickock misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hickock managing to block the knees to the body from Takala.
Takala tries to throw a body punch but Hickock avoids it by throwing Takala back against the cage.
Takala misses with a punch on the inside.
Takala has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Takala is stalling here.
Takala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hickock lands a really nice looking cross but Takala seems unphased.
Takala is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hickock had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A bone on bone clash there as Hickock blocks the leg kick.
Takala lands a nice shot to the body.
Takala misses with a leg kick
and Hickock counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A nice leg kick lands there from Takala.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hickock moves out of range as Takala throws a body kick.
Hickock thumps Takala with a low kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Takala.
Some bone on bone action there as Hickock checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Takala tries to land a body kick
and Hickock cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A slapping leg kick lands for Takala.
Takala with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hickock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Hickock.
Takala throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hickock takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
That kick from Takala tenderised Hickock's leg. Hickock is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takala moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hickock tries to clinch up but Takala circles away and keeps his distance.
Takala lunges at Hickock with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hickock's hand.
Hickock is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hickock takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Topi Takala dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Takala misses with a low kick as Hickock jumps back.
Takala misses with a kick to the body.
Takala avoids the body shot from Hickock.
Hickock does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Takala lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hickock at a distance.
Nice body kick there by Takala.
Topi Takala seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takala goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hickock dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takala. That did some damage!
Takala shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hickock checks a leg kick.
Hickock throws a wild body kick that Takala sees coming a mile off.
Takala throws a nice inside leg kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Takala in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Takala tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A punch lands to the side of Takala 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hickock checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Takala connects with a high kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala misses the shot to the body.
Takala lands with a nice body kick.
Hickock keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hickock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Hickock.
Hickock takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hickock throws a head kick but Takala moves out of range.
Takala looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Takala.
Takala scores with a punch to the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Takala darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hickock moves forwards but Takala connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Takala takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hickock misses with a shot to the body
and Takala counters with a right hand to the body.
Takala has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takala fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hickock on the side of the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hickock. Hickock circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Takala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hickock swings away with a body shot that misses
and Takala counters with an inside leg kick.
Takala lands with an overhand left.
Hickock takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Takala lands with a nice body punch.
Takala connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Takala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hickock moves away.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hickock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Takala is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hickock lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takala is trying to stall.
Takala blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takala avoids the elbow strike from Hickock, against the cage.
Takala blocks an elbow strike from Hickock.
Takala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takala ducks under a wild hook from Hickock.
Hickock lands with a nice body punch.
Takala's corner calls for a 1-2. Takala obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Takala connects with a nice looking jab.
Hickock tries to close the distance and clinch up but Takala swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A jab from Hickock misses.
Hickock looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hickock throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takala.
Takala lands with an uppercut that bounces Hickock off the cage and back into range.
Takala misses with a leg kick.
Hickock looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Takala is predictable there
and Hickock makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takala fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hickock on the side of the head.
Takala is looking to slow Hickock down with leg kicks.
Hickock loads up on a big right hand but Takala slips the punch.
Takala keeps Hickock at a distance using the push kick.
Hickock pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Takala misses with a body shot.
Hickock tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Takala is able to avoid easily.
Hickock takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Takala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hickock manages to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takala is looking to clinch.
Takala feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hickock's calf.
Hickock takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Hickock throws a right and a left that Takala avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Topi Takala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Hickock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takala manages to avoid it.
Takala connects with a right hand. Hickock shakes it off.
Hickock tries to close the distance and clinch but Takala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takala, as that shot connected.
Hickock on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Takala throws a low kick, looking for Hickock's leg but Hickock calmly moves out of range.
Takala avoids a kick to the body.
Takala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takala checks a low kick from Hickock.
Takala moves out of range as Hickock throws a body kick.
Takala moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Takala on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hickock misses with a straight left.
Takala takes a swing at Hickock's ribcage but misses.
Takala closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala with a hook.
Takala lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Takala tries a low kick but Hickock avoids it.
Nice defenses there by Takala.
An inside leg kick lands from Takala.
Hickock fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hickock is looking to wear down Takala with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Takala thows a body kick. Hickock tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Takala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big left from Hickock misses.
Takala finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hickock takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Takala attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Richard Hickock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takala cracks Hickock with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hickock finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hickock.
Hickock tries to clinch but Takala is having none of it.
Hickock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takala fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hickock has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hickock looks to throw the jab but Takala is out of range.
Takala feints and then cracks Hickock's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hickock down.
Hickock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hickock takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Takala fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hickock.
Hickock throws a body punch but Takala moves out of range.
Takala lands a slapping body shot.
Hickock takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Takala throws a nice head kick!
Takala swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hickock.
Takala thumps Hickock with a low kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Takala does it's job there.
Hickock misses with an uppercut. Takala saw that one coming.
Nice jab there from Takala.
Takala walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hickock checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hickock lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Takala listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hickock slips a jab and a cross from Takala.
Hickock does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hickock misses with an uppercut
and Takala counters with a leg kick.
Hickock connects with a nice looking jab.
Takala just misses with a punch to the body.
Hickock throws a shot from downtown. Takala moves away and avoids it.
Takala lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hickock's sensitive parts.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala lands with a thumping leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hickock misses with a hook
and Takala counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A slow jab from Hickock misses its intended target.
Hickock tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Takala manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hickock misses with a straight right.
Takala clobbers Hickock with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hickock throws a sloppy head kick and Takala moves out of range easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Takala.
Hickock rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Takala moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Takala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hickock throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takala lands a leg kick that knocks Hickock off balance momentarily.
Hickock on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Takala dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that's the end of the fight!
Topi Takala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Takala 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Topi Takala!
Topi Takala seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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