PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yuta Takama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pekka Paniikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Takama
vs
Paniikki

175 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuta Takama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pekka Paniikki!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takama tries to bum rush Paniikki with a series of wild strikes but Paniikki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Yuta Takama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takama lands with a cross.
Takama throws a series of punches but Paniikki moves out of range.
Takama tries to clinch but Paniikki moves out of range.
Paniikki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Takama rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paniikki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paniikki looks to land a body kick but Takama moved away.
Takama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Paniikki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Takama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A choreographed right hand from Takama misses the target.
A punch combination from Paniikki misses.
Takama wants to clinch

and Paniikki moves into the clinch.
Takama managing to block the knees to the body from Paniikki.
Paniikki throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takama blocks the elbow strike.
Paniikki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paniikki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Takama is breathing heavily.
Paniikki misses with an elbow over the top.
Takama wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Paniikki has him pressed against the cage.
Paniikki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Paniikki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takama blocks it with crossed arms.
Takama missing with knees to the body.
Paniikki keeps control of Takama as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Takama is trying to stall.
Takama takes a knee right on the jaw!
Paniikki landing knees to the body.
Paniikki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Paniikki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takama.
Takama throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Paniikkis head.
Paniikki tries a knee to the head but Takama blocks it.
Takama is trying to stall.
Takama wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Paniikki missing with knees to the body.
Takama is trying to break free.
Paniikki keeps control of Takama as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Paniikki throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Paniikki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Takama avoiding damage as Paniikki throws knees to the body.
Paniikki tries to land knees in the clinch but Takama avoids the damage to the body.
Takama tries to break the clinch but Paniikki is controlling the position.
Paniikki is pressed up against the cage. Takama has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paniikki down to the mat. Paniikki avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Takama clinches with his opponent.

Takama pulls guard successfully.
Takama trying to control the position.
Paniikki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Takama. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Takama wants to get back to his feet but Paniikki is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Paniikki wanted to stand there but Takama had control of the position.
Paniikki preventing the sweep.
Takama working a defensive guard here.

Paniikki gets to his feet - Takama follows without any prompting.
Takama connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paniikki dodges the punch combination from Takama.
Takama throws a series of punches but Paniikki moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takama lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Takama doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Paniikki counters by moving into the clinch.
Paniikki missing with knees to the body.
Paniikki with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paniikki looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Takama tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Paniikki smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuta Takama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takama lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Paniikki backs up against the cage.
Takama doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Paniikki holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Paniikki lands a knee to the head.
Takama lands a body punch.
Takama wants to break free but Paniikki has control.
Takama wants to get back to striking at distance but Paniikki won't allow it.
Paniikki misses with an elbow over the top.
Takama wants to get back to striking at distance but Paniikki won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki connects with a knee to the head.
Takama tries to break the clinch but Paniikki is controlling the position.
Takama tries to pull guard but Paniikki holds him up against the cage and eventually Takama drops back down to his feet.
Paniikki lands an elbow inside that Takama shrugs off.
Takama struggles to land a body shot inside as Paniikki controls his hands.
Paniikki crunches a lovely knee into Takama's ribcage.
Paniikki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Paniikki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paniikki looking to throw knees to the head but Takama is blocking nicely.
Paniikki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Takama can't break the clinch.
Paniikki with a knee to the head.

Takama is rocked!
Takama managing to block the knees to the body from Paniikki.
Oh Takama is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A right hook to the body lands for Takama.
Takama seems to have got his legs back now.
Takama lands with a light punch inside.
Paniikki lands an elbow that stopped Takama in his tracks for a moment.
Takama lands a shot to the body.
Paniikki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Paniikki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Paniikki throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Takama wants to get back to striking at distance but Paniikki won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takama avoiding damage as Paniikki throws knees to the body.
Paniikki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takama.
Takama managing to block the knees to the body from Paniikki.
Paniikki throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Paniikki lands a knee to the head.
Takama wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Takama dodges an elbow strike from Paniikki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pekka Paniikki 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.

Paniikki misses with a right hand
and Takama makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Takama misses with a wild combination.
Takama misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Takama misses with a low kick.

Takama drives through and clinches with Paniikki against the cage.
Takama blocks the elbow strike.
Paniikki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paniikki tries to land a knee to the head but Takama blocks with his arms.
Takama tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Takama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Paniikki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paniikki with a knee to the head.
Paniikki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paniikki scores with a knee to the head.
Paniikki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takama blocks it with crossed arms.
Nice body punch from Takama.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takama takes an elbow to the temple.
Paniikki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takama.
Takama wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Paniikki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees to the body from Paniikki.
Paniikki with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paniikki prevents Takama from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paniikki looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Takama breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takama tries for a takedown but Paniikki circles away easily

and Paniikki counters by clinching up.
Paniikki trying to land knees to the body.

Takama successfully pulls guard.
Takama looking for a sweep. Not yet Takama, not yet.
Takama is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Paniikki makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Takama fails with the takedown

and Paniikki counters with a nice double leg into side control. Takama won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuta Takama. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Paniikki decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Takama throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takama fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki moves into range and clinches up with Takama.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paniikki looking to throw knees to the head but Takama is blocking nicely.
Takama blocks the elbow strike.
Paniikki prevents Takama from breaking the clinch.
Paniikki with a knee to the head.
Paniikki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paniikki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paniikki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Paniikki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Takama tries to break the clinch but Paniikki is controlling the position.
Paniikki tries a knee to the head but Takama blocks it.
Takama can't find room to land a body shot as Paniikki controls the action.
Paniikki with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paniikki landing knees to the body.
Paniikki crunches a lovely knee into Takama's ribcage.
Takama avoiding damage as Paniikki throws knees to the body.
Takama wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Takama tries to break the clinch but Paniikki is controlling the position.
Takama is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Paniikki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Paniikki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paniikki lands an elbow that stopped Takama in his tracks for a moment.
Takama blocks the elbow strike.
Takama fails to pull guard.

Takama drags the fight down to the ground.
Takama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Paniikki stands up and waves to Takama to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takama drives through with a takedown into guard.
Takama prevents Paniikki from getting back to his feet.
Takama is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Takama pushes down on Paniikki's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Takama wants to work for an arm triangle but Paniikki is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Takama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Paniikki tries to kick Takama off but Takama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takama is tying to control. Paniikki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Paniikki won't allow Takama to pass to mount.
Paniikki is trying to stand.
Takama is just content to waste time from the top position. Paniikki takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Takama trying to control but Paniikki is working from the bottom.
Takama looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Paniikki moves out of range as Takama strikes.
Paniikki throws a leg kick but Takama sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takama misses with a takedown

and Paniikki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Paniikki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pekka Paniikki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Paniikki doesn't manage to clinch there - Takama circles away.

Paniikki moves into range and clinches up with Takama.
Takama struggles to land a body shot inside as Paniikki controls his hands.
Paniikki landing knees to the body.
Paniikki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Yuta Takama has been cut.
Takama avoiding damage as Paniikki throws knees to the body.
Takama managing to block the knees to the body from Paniikki.
Paniikki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Takama's face.
Paniikki scores a nice knee to the body.
Paniikki misses with a knee to the head.
Takama managing to block the knees to the body from Paniikki.
Paniikki lands an elbow inside that Takama shrugs off.
Takama lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Paniikki or not.
Takama wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Paniikki has him pressed against the cage.
Paniikki lands an elbow that stopped Takama in his tracks for a moment.
Paniikki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Takama avoiding damage as Paniikki throws knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Paniikki.
Paniikki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pekka Paniikki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A hook to the body from Takama.
Takama wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Paniikki lands a knee to the body.
Paniikki prevents a body shot from Takama.
Takama wants to break free but Paniikki has control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Takama jumps guard but Paniikki stands there with Takama around his waist. Takama gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Paniikki missing with knees to the body.
Takama wants to get back to striking at distance but Paniikki won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paniikki looking to throw knees to the head but Takama is blocking nicely.
With the fighters up against the cage, Paniikki throws an elbow but misses.
Takama has had enough of the clinch but Paniikki keeps him there for the moment.
Paniikki lands an elbow inside.
Takama wants to get back to striking at distance but Paniikki won't allow it.
Paniikki lands a damaging elbow.
Paniikki scores with a knee to the head.
Paniikki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Takama.
Takama managing to block the knees to the body from Paniikki.
Takama wants to break free but Paniikki has control.
Paniikki with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paniikki tries a knee to the head but Takama blocks it.
Takama wants to break the clinch but can't.
Paniikki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takama blocks it with crossed arms.
Paniikki landing knees to the body.
Takama wants to stall.
Takama lands a left hand.
Takama avoiding damage as Paniikki throws knees to the body.
Takama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Takama is trying to break free.
Paniikki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Takama lands a body shot.
Paniikki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Paniikki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Takama avoiding damage as Paniikki throws knees to the body.
Takama tries to break the clinch but Paniikki is controlling the position.
Paniikki keeps control of Takama as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Takama avoids the elbow strike from Paniikki, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takama wants to break free but Paniikki has control.
Takama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Takama.
Nice elbow from Paniikki.

Takama manages to break the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Takama!
Takama keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Takama darts in trying to clinch

and Paniikki counters by moving into the clinch.
Takama fails to pull guard.
Paniikki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Takama wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Paniikki prevents Takama from breaking the clinch.
Paniikki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Takama looking to throw knees to the head but Paniikki is blocking nicely.
Paniikki with a knee to the head.
Takama wants to break free but Paniikki has control.
Takama wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuta Takama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paniikki misses with a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Takama.
Takama has had enough of the clinch but Paniikki keeps him there for the moment.
Paniikki misses with a knee to the head.
Paniikki tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Paniikki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki throws an elbow that misses.
Paniikki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Takama blocks it with crossed arms.
Takama blocks an elbow strike from Paniikki.
Nice elbow from Paniikki.
Takama has had enough of the clinch but Paniikki keeps him there for the moment.
Paniikki managing to block the knees to the body from Takama.
Takama is trying to break free.
Paniikki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Paniikki prevents Takama from breaking the clinch.
Takama is trying to break free.
Paniikki blocks a body shot from Takama.
Paniikki misses with a knee to the head.
Takama managing to block the knees to the body from Paniikki.
Paniikki tries to land knees in the clinch but Takama avoids the damage to the body.
Paniikki avoiding damage as Takama throws knees to the body.
Takama wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Takama wants to break free but Paniikki has control.
Paniikki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Takama lands a body shot in the clinch.
Takama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Paniikki connects with a knee to the head.
Paniikki lands an elbow just above Takama 's eye.
Paniikki looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Paniikki looking to throw knees to the head but Takama is blocking nicely.
Takama is trying to break free.
Takama takes a knee right on the jaw!
Paniikki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Paniikki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paniikki has the Thai clinch. He lands a big knee to the head that stumbles Takama - he's in trouble! Another big knee to the head from Paniikki, and another! Takama is out on his feet - the ref jumps in to save him and ends the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:08 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Pekka Paniikki!