PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Frank Irrozios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niki Toivonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Irrozios kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is L'Algérino - Hasni. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Irrozios
vs
Toivonen

152 cm
24
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

LA's Cheapest Clothing
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Irrozios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niki Toivonen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Toivonen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Toivonen lands with a right hand.
Irrozios lands a jab to the head.

Toivonen tries to keep at a distance but Irrozios has taken the fight into the clinch.
Toivonen prevents a takedown attempt there.
A frustrated look appears on Irrozios's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Toivonen is pressed up against the cage. Irrozios has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Toivonen down to the mat. Toivonen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Irrozios has been working on his boxing with his coaches at World Combat Sports Academy in the buildup to the fight.
Toivonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Irrozios.
Irrozios tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Toivonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Irrozios.
Irrozios looks to score with a jab to the body but Toivonen is just out of range.
Toivonen wants to counter with a clinch but Irrozios pushes him away.
Irrozios thows a left - swing and a miss!
No joy there for Toivonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Toivonen defending well as Irrozios loads up on a big left hand.
Irrozios swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Irrozios misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Toivonen blocks a head kick by Irrozios.
Irrozios fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Toivonen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Toivonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Toivonen manages to break the clinch.
Toivonen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Irrozios connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Toivonen momentarily.
Irrozios dives in for a single leg takedown but Toivonen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Irrozios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Toivonen.
Irrozios is breathing heavily.
Irrozios looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Toivonen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Toivonen showed some decent athleticism there.
Toivonen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Toivonen is trying to control. Irrozios wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Irrozios tries to get to full guard but Toivonen has control of the leg.
Toivonen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Irrozios does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Toivonen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Irrozios sees it coming and defends easily.
Irrozios tries to kick Toivonen off in order to stand up. Toivonen Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Toivonen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Toivonen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Irrozios has escaped the position, nice work there.
Irrozios is trying to control Toivonen's posture but Toivonen avoids it.
Irrozios holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Irrozios manages to work his way to half guard, despite Toivonen's best efforts.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Irrozios tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irrozios tries to roll over but Toivonen keeps him under control.

Irrozios looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Toivonen stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Irrozios to get to his feet.
Toivonen tries to clinch there but Irrozios circles away.
It looked like Irrozios wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Irrozios looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Toivonen has his feet on Irrozios's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Toivonen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Toivonen lands in his opponent's guard.
Irrozios wants to get back to his feet but Toivonen passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Irrozios makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Irrozios.
Irrozios tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Irrozios had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Toivonen defends it easily.
Irrozios might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Irrozios is working an open guard so Toivonen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Irrozios tries for a takedown but Toivonen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Toivonen gets a takedown into half guard.

Toivonen decides to stand and escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Niki Toivonen will probably get the nod.
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.

Irrozios jabs Toivonen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Niki Toivonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Toivonen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Irrozios sprawls well initially but Toivonen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Toivonen decides to stand and escape the position.

Toivonen feints and as Irrozios raises his hands in defense, Toivonen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Irrozios thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Irrozios looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Toivonen has picked Irrozios up and slammed him! Irrozios can't keep hold of the triangle and Toivonen manages to pass to side control!
Toivonen wants to control but Irrozios is keeping him busy.
Irrozios is looking to regain half guard here but Toivonen keeps moving and retains side control.
Toivonen sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Irrozios is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Irrozios is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Toivonen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Irrozios is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Toivonen pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Toivonen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Irrozios does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Irrozios is trying to control but Toivonen passes into side control!
Irrozios is looking to reverse the position.
Toivonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Toivonen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Irrozios, who protects the arm well.
Irrozios is looking to reverse the position.
Toivonen working the body and head with strikes.
Irrozios tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irrozios is not content to let Toivonen control the position.
Irrozios is looking to regain half guard here but Toivonen keeps moving and retains side control.
Irrozios throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Toivonen taking a breather here.
Irrozios is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toivonen is looking to take a break and control but Irrozios is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Irrozios throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Irrozios throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A head kick misses from Irrozios.
Irrozios changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Irrozios blocks a head kick by Toivonen.
Toivonen walks into a left hand.
Frank Irrozios is winning the standup battle so far.
Irrozios lands a lovely overhand right.
Irrozios misses with a head kick.
Toivonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Toivonen blocks a head kick by Irrozios.
Irrozios tries for a takedown but Toivonen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toivonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Irrozios manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Toivonen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Toivonen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Irrozios is trying to improve his position.
Irrozios throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Toivonen wants to control but Irrozios is keeping him busy.
Irrozios tries to bench press Toivonen off him but Toivonen keeps the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Toivonen tries to advance to mount but can't.

Toivonen decides to stand back up. Toivonen steps back and let's Irrozios get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niki Toivonen 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Irrozios throws a head kick that misses.
Irrozios connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Irrozios cracks Toivonen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Irrozios with a nice cross.
Toivonen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Good exchange - Irrozios coming out on top.
Irrozios misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Toivonen.
Irrozios throws out a loose jab but Toivonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Irrozios slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Frank Irrozios seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irrozios throws a lazy right hand but Toivonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Irrozios throws a good cross that connects.

Toivonen is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Toivonen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Irrozios on his heels. He'll look to pass Irrozios's guard now, I'm sure.
Toivonen is still in real trouble! Can Irrozios finish him?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Irrozios throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Toivonen escapes and throws Irrozios's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Toivonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Irrozios keeps working.
Toivonen seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irrozios is looking for a sweep.

Toivonen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Irrozios has escaped the position, nice work there.
You can see the frustration on Irrozios's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Irrozios manages to work his way to half guard, despite Toivonen's best efforts.
Irrozios trying to control from the bottom.
Toivonen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irrozios is looking to get to half guard.
Toivonen dominating with strikes here.
Irrozios working to try and regain half guard.

Toivonen jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Irrozios manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Irrozios is trying to get back to half guard.
Frank Irrozios has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Irrozios is working hard here to advance position.
Irrozios throws a few strikes from the bottom but Toivonen takes advantage and mounts!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Toivonen gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Irrozios throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Toivonen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Toivonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Irrozios closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Toivonen to the mat! Toivonen manages to get full guard.
Toivonen keeping moving, preventing Irrozios from controlling successfully.
Irrozios won't allow Toivonen to get back to his feet.
Irrozios postures up in Toivonen's guard and throws a big left but Toivonen blocks it.
Irrozios sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Irrozios scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toivonen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Irrozios won't allow Toivonen to get back to his feet.
Irrozios showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A big right from Irrozios misses.
Irrozios dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Toivonen gets a clinch.

Irrozios's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Irrozios lands a head shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Toivonen throws a series of punches but Irrozios moves out of range.
Irrozios with a poor takedown
and Toivonen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Toivonen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Irrozios on his heels. He'll look to pass Irrozios's guard now, I'm sure.
Niki Toivonen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Irrozios working for a triangle but Toivonen defends it easily.

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 Frank Irrozios.
I think Toivonen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niki Toivonen!