PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tino Takala (ranked 233 p4p, 1261 weight class) and Magnus Gunnarsson (ranked 34 p4p, 184 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Takala
vs
Gunnarsson

180 cm
37
218
18 - 11 - 2

190 cm
37
213
21 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

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 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Tino Takala!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magnus Gunnarsson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Gunnarsson misses with a takedown
and Takala counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Magnus Gunnarsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takala takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gunnarsson scores with a leg kick.

Gunnarsson has closed the distance and engaged Takala in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson cracks Takala with a nice body shot.
Takala is trying to force a seperation but Gunnarsson has the dominant position.
Gunnarsson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Takala after a bit of a struggle.
Takala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson prevents Takala from breaking the clinch.
Takala is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tino Takala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson tries to pull guard but Takala forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gunnarsson scores with a shoulder strike.

Gunnarsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch
and Takala makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gunnarsson moves in looking to clinch but Takala pushes him off.
It looked like Takala wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gunnarsson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Takala makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gunnarsson has his takedown stuffed
and Takala counters with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala staying out of range there.
It looked like Takala wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gunnarsson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takala avoids it really well and circles away.
Takala appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson moves in looking to clinch but Takala pushes him off.

Gunnarsson has Takala up against the cage in a clinch.
Gunnarsson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Takala wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Takala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gunnarsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takala moves away.
It looked like Takala was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Gunnarsson.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gunnarsson or perhaps it was just good defense by Takala, which made it look bad.
Takala is looking for a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gunnarsson.
Takala throwing a counter right hand but Gunnarsson manages to avoid it.
Gunnarsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takala paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takala swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Gunnarsson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Takala counters with a three punch combo that has Gunnarsson backing up. Gunnarsson nods at Takala to acknowledge the strikes.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but Takala moves away
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gunnarsson misses with a wild body shot.
Takala is looking to counter punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tino Takala dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gunnarsson cracks Takala with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gunnarsson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Takala moves out of range as Gunnarsson strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Takala on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Gunnarsson closes the distance and pushes Takala back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson can't get the takedown.
Takala wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gunnarsson has him pressed against the cage.

Takala breaks from the clinch.
Gunnarsson tries for a takedown but Takala circles away easily
enabling Takala to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson wants to clinch but Takala slips to the side
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Takala avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Takala appears to be looking for a big counter.
Gunnarsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Takala counters with a good low kick that Gunnarsson was not able to check.
Tino Takala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Gunnarsson.

Gunnarsson rushes Takala and presses him up against the cage.

Takala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takala looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gunnarsson scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Takala as he avoids it easily.
Takala was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Takala takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Takala slaps away a takedown attempt from Gunnarsson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Takala is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Gunnarsson fails with a takedown attempt.
Takala throwing a counter right hand but Gunnarsson manages to avoid it.
Gunnarsson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson misses with a right hand
and Takala counters with a low kick, right behind Gunnarsson 's knee.
Gunnarsson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Takala tried to counter with a leg kick but Gunnarsson avoided it.
Tino Takala is winning the standup battle so far.
Gunnarsson with the inside leg kick.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Takala as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but Takala moves away
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.

Gunnarsson closes the distance and clinches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gunnarsson.

Gunnarsson has picked Takala up - he's going for a ride! Gunnarsson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Takala regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Gunnarsson.
Takala wants to stand and escape but Gunnarsson is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Takala keeping full guard, as Gunnarsson tries to pass.
Gunnarsson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Magnus Gunnarsson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gunnarsson rushes Takala and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Takala breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gunnarsson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gunnarsson has Takala up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Takala breaks the clinch.

Gunnarsson instigates a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Gunnarsson.
Magnus Gunnarsson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gunnarsson effectively controlling the action here.

Gunnarsson pulls Takala into guard.
Takala wants to stand and escape but instead Gunnarsson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Gunnarsson is looking to work some ground and pound but Takala has wrist control.
Takala wants to stand up but Gunnarsson is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson throws a big elbow that misses.
Gunnarsson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gunnarsson prevents Takala from getting back to his feet.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takala wants to stand and escape but Gunnarsson is having none of it.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but Takala is having none of it.
Gunnarsson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gunnarsson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Takala was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Gunnarsson closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Takala is trying to force a seperation but Gunnarsson has the dominant position.

Takala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gunnarsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takala paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gunnarsson throws a body punch but Takala moves out of range.
Takala fires out a quick counter leg kick but Gunnarsson just manages to avoid it.

Takala tries to keep at a distance but Gunnarsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gunnarsson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Takala smiles and moves away.
Tino Takala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Magnus Gunnarsson really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gunnarsson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takala, pushing him back against the cage.
Gunnarsson wants a takedown but no success here.

Takala manages to break the clinch.
Gunnarsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Takala swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Gunnarsson clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takala tries to break free but Gunnarsson pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson is trying to drag Takala to the mat but Takala just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Takala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gunnarsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Takala circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Takala misses the target.
Gunnarsson wants to clinch.
Takala appears to be looking for a big counter.
Gunnarsson has a takedown stuffed.
As Gunnarsson backs away, Takala returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Tino Takala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Gunnarsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Takala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gunnarsson throws out the jab.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but Takala moves out of range.
It looked like Takala wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gunnarsson has a takedown stuffed.
Takala went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but Takala moves out of range.
Gunnarsson works the jab nicely.
Gunnarsson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tino Takala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch
and Takala counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gunnarsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gunnarsson dives in and grabs Takala's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takala pushes down on Gunnarsson's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala circles away from the clinch attempt.
Takala half committed to a counter leg kick.

Gunnarsson rushes Takala and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Takala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gunnarsson is looking to clinch but Takala is avoiding it.
As Gunnarsson looks to move away, Takala throws a big counter combo but Gunnarsson just gets out of the way.
Gunnarsson shoots in but Takala avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tino Takala had his way with Magnus Gunnarsson in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gunnarsson throws a hook but Takala blocks it.
It looked like Takala wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Takala counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gunnarsson 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.
Gunnarsson has his takedown stuffed
and Takala counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Takala manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Takala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but Takala moves out of range.
Takala thinks about countering with a body kick.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch
and Takala counters with a stiff right hand.

Gunnarsson drives through and clinches with Takala against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala stops a takedown attempt from Gunnarsson.
Tino Takala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Takala's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gunnarsson misses with a lunging right hand
and Takala counters with a left and a right that stings Gunnarsson.
Takala keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gunnarsson swings widly with a right hand
and Takala counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but Takala is having none of it.
Takala is looking for a counter combo.
Gunnarsson tried to score with a low kick but Takala checks it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gunnarsson is defended easily by Takala.
It looked like Takala wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gunnarsson shoots and misses
and Takala counters with a series of strikes. Gunnarsson will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson darts in looking for a takedown but Takala gets double underhooks and turns Gunnarsson into the cage.
Gunnarsson dives in for a single leg takedown but Takala sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch
and Takala counters with a nice uppercut.
Gunnarsson misses with a takedown
and Takala counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tino Takala showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Takala has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 49:45
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tino Takala!
Tino Takala retains his light heavyweight title!
After the big win, Tino Takala made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Champion Apparel and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.