PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Saguro Takada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taalasmaa has chosen Smurffit - Tunteisiin as his entrance music. Saguro Takada is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Takada
vs
Taalasmaa

165 cm
23
150 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

172 cm
21
167 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

TFP Graphics

Blueprint Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Saguro Takada!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Seppo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Columbo Gatti and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takada throws the kick towards the body but Taalasmaa avoids it.
Takada moves into range and connects with a jab.
Saguro Takada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takada throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Taalasmaa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Takada's head backwards.
Taalasmaa moves in looking to clinch but Takada pushes him off.
Taalasmaa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Takada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takada rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taalasmaa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taalasmaa lands a big shot that drops Takada! Can he finish him?

Takada is rocked!
Takada doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Oh Takada is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Takada looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taalasmaa is one step ahead there.
Takada trying to strike off his back.
Takada seems to have got his legs back now.

Takada throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Taalasmaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takada swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Taalasmaa wants to control from the top but Takada keeps moving.
Takada tries to strike from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taalasmaa throws an overhand right that lands on Takada's shoulder, as Takada tries to avoid the shot.
Takada scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Taalasmaa has closed the distance and engaged Takada in a clinch.
Takada is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Takada breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Takada closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taalasmaa is trying to get back to half guard.
Takada working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada gets to mount! Taalasmaa was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Takada is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Takada blocks Taalasmaa's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Takada with the ground and pound from mount.
Takada with a couple of short strikes.
Taalasmaa bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takada utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Takada wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.
Taalasmaa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Takada looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takada bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Taalasmaa's guard.
Takada scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Takada wants to control from the top but Taalasmaa keeps moving.
Takada works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Taalasmaa is refusing to be controlled, as Takada sits in half guard.
Taalasmaa is looking to improve his position.
Takada working the head and body with strikes.
Taalasmaa manages to get to full guard.
Takada stopping the sweep attempt from Taalasmaa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takada is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taalasmaa trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Takada slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The referee asks Takada politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Takada prefers to stall for the moment though.
Taalasmaa is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Takada looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Taalasmaa throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
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 Saguro Takada will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Takada wants to clinch.

Taalasmaa takes the fight into the clinch.
Taalasmaa has Takada pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Takada manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taalasmaa swings wildly with an uppercut but Takada uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takada lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Takada tries to stall but Taalasmaa uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Takada cracks Taalasmaa with a nice body shot.
Taalasmaa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Taalasmaa wants to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takada lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Taalasmaa backwards.
Taalasmaa letting Takada take a breather here.

Takada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taalasmaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Takada moves in looking to clinch but Taalasmaa pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada throws a head kick that misses.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight right.
Takada misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taalasmaa.

Takada rushes Taalasmaa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Taalasmaa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takada is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Takada seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Taalasmaa is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Takada pushes Taalasmaa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Takada stalling in the clinch but Taalasmaa improves position.
Takada scores with a hook to the body.
Taalasmaa is breathing heavily.

Taalasmaa wants the takedown. Takada is fighting it off but Taalasmaa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Takada's guard against the cage.
Taalasmaa throws a big right hand that misses.
Takada is controlling Taalasmaa's posture.
Takada striking off his back but it's not causing Taalasmaa any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taalasmaa!
Takada controlling the pace for now.
Takada prevents Taalasmaa from getting the reversal.
Takada cracks Taalasmaa with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Takada working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Taalasmaa sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Takada is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Taalasmaa is staying active underneath Takada, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Takada lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Taalasmaa is not content to let Takada control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Taalasmaa throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Takada wants to control but Taalasmaa is keeping him busy.
Taalasmaa is looking for a sweep. Takada is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Takada is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Taalasmaa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Takada.
Takada trying to control from Taalasmaa's half guard. Taalasmaa has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taalasmaa doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Takada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takada tries to clinch there but Taalasmaa circles away.
Taalasmaa drops his hands momentarily and Takada takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Takada looks to score with a jab to the body but Taalasmaa is just out of range.
Takada throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Takada scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Takada sizes up Taalasmaa with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Takada moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takada lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Taalasmaa or not.
Takada will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Taalasmaa up against the cage.

Takada breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saguro Takada is winning the standup battle so far.
Takada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Taalasmaa doesn't seem bothered though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saguro Takada dominated that second 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.

Taalasmaa throws a hook but Takada avoids it easily.
Takada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taalasmaa manages to avoid it.
Taalasmaa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Takada throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Takada lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Takada lands with a hook. Taalasmaa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Takada moves in looking to clinch but Taalasmaa pushes him off.
Taalasmaa tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Takada tries to close the distance and clinch but Taalasmaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Takada gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Taalasmaa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takada working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Takada breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takada lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Takada, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takada tries to close the distance and clinch but Taalasmaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Takada is looking to clinch.

Takada scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Taalasmaa stops Takada from passing to mount.
Takada lands an elbow.
Taalasmaa can't do much from the bottom here.
Takada cracks Taalasmaa with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Takada lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Taalasmaa is trying to get back to half guard.
Takada in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Saguro Takada overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Takada tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takada is looking to take a break and control but Taalasmaa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Takada lands a nice forearm strike.
Takada wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taalasmaa keeps working.
Taalasmaa manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Takada wants to control but Taalasmaa is keeping busy.
Takada is pressing down on Taalasmaa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Takada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Takada looking for a guillotine here but Taalasmaa defends easily.
Taalasmaa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Takada's head.
Takada is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Takada working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taalasmaa.
Takada wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.
Takada looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taalasmaa throws a strike but Takada rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Taalasmaa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Takada content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Taalasmaa keeping full guard, as Takada tries to pass.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Taalasmaa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Taalasmaa showed some decent athleticism there.
Taalasmaa stalling away here and it's allowed Takada to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takada is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Taalasmaa is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saguro Takada clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taalasmaa misses with a hook to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Takada is looking to clinch but Taalasmaa is avoiding it.
Takada swinging wilding here.
Takada throws a front kick that sends Taalasmaa stumbling back into the cage.
Takada scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Takada tries to clinch but Taalasmaa moves out of range.

Takada decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Takada there.
Takada seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Takada works his way into full mount!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Takada lands a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takada quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Takada but it's paid off an Taalasmaa is forced to tap! Nice work by Takada.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Saguro Takada!
Saguro Takada retains his lightweight title!