PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dick Dennison (ranked 179 p4p, 789 weight class) and Tino Takala (ranked 31 p4p, 129 weight class). Dick Dennison had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dennison
vs
Takala

192 cm
30
225
18 - 9 - 0

180 cm
36
218
17 - 11 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer
Brooklyn Apothecary

30th Century Beer Store
Champion Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dick Dennison!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Tino Takala!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dennison dips to his left and cracks Takala with an uppercut!
Dennison lands with an uppercut that bounces Takala off the cage and back into range.
Dennison works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Dennison misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takala is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dennison tries to clinch but Takala is having none of it.
Takala is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Dennison with a body shot.
Dennison misses with a left hand
and Takala counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dennison has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Rubber Guard Emporium in the buildup to the fight.
Dennison shoots in but no luck this time.
It seemed like Takala was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Takala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dennison has his takedown stuffed
and Takala counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dick Dennison. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dennison shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dennison showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dennison landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dennison misses with a head shot. Takala uses the momentum to regain guard.
Dennison has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Dennison throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dennison throws a strike but Takala rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Dennison pulls Takala in close to his closed guard and prevents Takala from doing any damage or advancing position.
Dennison wants to sweep here but Takala controlling him for the moment.
Dennison seems keen to control Takala's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dennison tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dennison is pulling down on Takala's head. It's preventing any offense from Takala, at least for the moment.
Dennison wants to sweep here but Takala controlling him for the moment.
Dennison pulls Takala in close to prevent any damage.
Dennison continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala tries to stand but Dennison is controlling from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dennison fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dennison misses with a takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Takala swats away the attempt to clinch by Dennison.
Takala lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dennison tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takala was well out of range. Poor timing from Dennison.
Dennison has his takedown stuffed
and Takala counters with a straight right hand.

Dennison clinches with his opponent.
Dennison tries to throw a body punch but Takala avoids it by throwing Dennison back against the cage.

Takala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dennison has his takedown stuffed
and Takala counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dennison misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takala swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dennison bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Takala's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tino Takala will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dennison closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Dennison lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Takala is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dennison scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dennison scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Takala wants to get back to his feet.
Dennison is looking to stall here but Takala recovers full guard.
Dennison trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dennison working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala wants to stand up but Dennison is controlling him.
Dennison wants to control from the top but Takala keeps moving.
Dennison is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Takala is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Dennison stops Takala from standing up.
Dennison missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dennison trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dennison accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dennison trying to control but Takala is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dennison is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Dennison shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Takala counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dennison shoots in and drives through. Takala sprawls well.
Dennison comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tino Takala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dennison throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dennison throws a jab when Takala was well out of range.
A nice side step and Takala releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Takala moves out of range of the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Takala! But no joy.
Dennison looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dick Dennison. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dennison dives in for a single leg takedown but Takala sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Dennison is leaning against Takala and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala can't break the clinch.
Takala can't break the clinch.

Takala breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Takala avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takala is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dennison misses with a lunging right hand
and Takala counters with a stiff right hand.
Takala takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Takala slaps away a takedown attempt from Dennison, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Takala walks into a left hand.
Takala looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Dennison tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Takala counters with an outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dennison gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Dick Dennison seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takala leaves Dennison with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Takala slaps away a takedown attempt from Dennison, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dennison throws a jab but it's blocked by Takala.
As Dennison backs off Takala throws a huge counter combo but Dennison manages to avoid it all.
Takala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takala is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dennison doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Takala counters with a straight right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dick Dennison will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dennison swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takala doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Takala gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Dennison throws a lazy uppercut
and Takala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dennison misses with a takedown
and Takala counters with a stiff right hand.
Tino Takala seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dennison scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dennison keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dennison swings away with a body shot that misses
and Takala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dennison.
Takala looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Dennison fails with the takedown

and Takala counters with a right hand that sends Dennison tumbling to the canvas! Can Takala finish him? He dives into Dennison's guard looking to do just that!

Dennison is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Oh Dennison is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Dennison is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Dennison thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dennison seems to have got his legs back now.
Dennison lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Dennison is nestled in close to Takala, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Takala is looking to escape.
Takala is staying active underneath Dennison, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Takala keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dennison trying to control from half guard but Takala is working away.
Dennison stops Takala from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dennison is working for a kimura but Takala is defending it quite comfortably.
Dennison content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Takala taking some punishment here, with Dennison in his half guard.
Dennison looks to land a strike but Takala avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Dennison is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dennison postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dennison is looking to work some ground and pound but Takala has wrist control.
Dennison in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Takala is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dennison shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takala defends it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Takala on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dick Dennison. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takala avoids the body shot from Dennison.
Dennison tries to score a power double leg takedown but Takala sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dennison somewhat.
Takala throws a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dennison misses with a takedown attempt
and Takala counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Dennison thinking.
Dennison misses with a takedown attempt
and Takala counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dennison misses with a takedown
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Dennison closes the distance and clinches up with Takala, looking for a takedown. Dennison pushes Takala against the cage but Takala circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Takala has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Dennison fails with a takedown attempt.
Takala counters with a body kick.
Takala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Takala wants it to stay on the feet.
Dennison looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Takala is fending him off so far but Dennison persists. Nope, Takala circles away and we're back to standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tino Takala really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dennison darts in looking for a takedown but Takala gets double underhooks and turns Dennison into the cage.
A countering left hand to the body from Takala misses.

Dennison has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Takala is trying to keep an underhook but Dennison manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Takala looks like he's trying to stand up.
Dennison sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Takala defending well though.
Dennison throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Takala to regain full guard.
Dennison chips away with some ground and pound.
Dennison throws an elbow that misses. Takala uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dennison's guard. Nice move by Takala!

Dennison looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Takala puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dennison slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dennison wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dennison is proving hard to escape from.
Dennison wants to sweep but no luck.
Takala has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dennison is proving hard to escape from.
Dennison is pulling down on Takala's head. It's preventing any offense from Takala, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Takala wants to stand but Dennison is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dennison has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Takala has passed into side control.
Takala tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Dennison is looking to regain half guard here but Takala keeps moving and retains side control.
Takala wants to stand but Dennison is controlling his arm.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dennison throws a shot to the body.
Dennison tries to clinch up but Takala circles away and keeps his distance.
A countering left hand to the body from Takala misses.
Dennison lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Dennison shoots in looking for a takedown but Takala manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dennison's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dennison misses with a takedown
and Takala counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dick Dennison. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dennison doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Takala counters with a two punch combo.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Dennison shoots in for a takedown but Takala shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Takala throws a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dennison misses the jab.
Takala unleashes a big counter combination but Dennison bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Takala ducks under a wild hook from Dennison.
Dennison fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Takala is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Dennison with a body shot.
Dennison misses with a takedown
and Takala counters with a stiff right hand.
Dennison misses with a hook
and Takala counters with a good low kick that Dennison was not able to check.
Dennison with a lazy takedown attempt
and Takala counters with a straight that turns Dennison's legs to rubber! Takala pushes forward with more strikes and Dennison goes down, battered and bloody! That's a wrap folks!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tino Takala!
Tino Takala is the new light heavyweight champion!
Tino Takala managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Champion Apparel, into his post fight interview.