PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nyyrikki Takaraivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruben Ortega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Nyyrikki Takaraivo has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Takaraivo
vs
Ortega

179 cm
30
220 lbs
15 - 14 - 1

182 cm
23
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ruben Ortega!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takaraivo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ortega's coach down at Grappling Pro Helsinki was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ortega's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Takaraivo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Takaraivo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ortega keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ortega tries to counter by closing the distance.
Ortega scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Takaraivo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ortega, pushing him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Ortega.
Takaraivo blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ortega.
Takaraivo tries to stall but Ortega uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ortega throws an elbow but it's blocked.
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!
Takaraivo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ortega stalling in the clinch.
Takaraivo blocks an elbow strike.
Takaraivo leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortega struggles to land a body shot inside as Takaraivo controls his hands.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice jab there from Takaraivo.

It looks like Ruben Ortega has been cut.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Takaraivo.
Ortega is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ortega keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Takaraivo.
Takaraivo connects with a high kick.
Takaraivo throws a sloppy head kick and Ortega moves out of range easily.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takaraivo misses with a body punch
and Ortega counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takaraivo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takaraivo throws a push kick but Ortega slaps the foot to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortega tries to clinch but Takaraivo moves out of range.

Takaraivo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ortega, pushing him back against the cage.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Takaraivo pushes Ortega up against the cage in a clinch.
Ortega misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ortega tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Takaraivo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ortega drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Takaraivo defends it well.
Takaraivo moves out of range as Ortega strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ortega swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Takaraivo counters with a head kick that drops Ortega to the mat! Ortega scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Ortega is rocked!
Takaraivo throws a head kick that misses.
Ortega is still on wobbly legs! Can Takaraivo finish him?
Takaraivo lands with a good body shot.
Ortega seems to have recovered his senses.

Ortega shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Takaraivo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ortega looking to pass the guard.
Ortega is stalling in the full guard.
Takaraivo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ortega lands a couple of elbows.
Ortega trying to control but Takaraivo is working from the bottom.
Takaraivo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takaraivo wants to stand up but Ortega is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Takaraivo tries to keep at a distance but Ortega has taken the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ortega softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ruben Ortega will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ruben Ortega's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Takaraivo moves out of range of the strikes.

Takaraivo moves into range and clinches up with Ortega.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ortega.
Ortega goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ortega tries to work over Takaraivo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ortega has a couple of punches blocked by Takaraivo.
Ortega scores with a shot to the side of Takaraivo's head.
Takaraivo can't break the clinch.

Ortega gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Takaraivo regains guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ortega accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ortega wants to control from the top but Takaraivo keeps moving.
Takaraivo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Takaraivo tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaraivo is looking to stand up but Ortega isn't so interested in that idea.
Takaraivo keeping moving, preventing Ortega from controlling successfully.
Ortega is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ortega avoids the head kick by Takaraivo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Takaraivo clinches with his opponent.
Ortega has Takaraivo pressed against the cage, preventing Takaraivo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Takaraivo avoids the elbow strike from Ortega, against the cage.
Ortega throws an elbow but it misses.
Takaraivo blocks the elbow strike.
Ortega throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Ortega misses.
Takaraivo tries to move into range but Ortega moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Ortega closes the distance and clinches.
Ortega has Takaraivo pressed against the cage, preventing Takaraivo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ortega throws an elbow but it misses.

Takaraivo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ortega tries to clinch up but Takaraivo circles away and keeps his distance.
Ortega darts in looking for a takedown but Takaraivo gets double underhooks and turns Ortega into the cage.
Ortega just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromTakaraivo.
Ortega moves out of range as Takaraivo throws a body kick.
Ortega looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Takaraivo ducks under a wild hook from Ortega.
Ortega tries to bum rush Takaraivo with a series of wild strikes but Takaraivo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Takaraivo scores with a head kick.
Takaraivo throws a head kick that half lands.
Ortega misses with a hook

and Takaraivo counters with a crisp one two that drops Ortega! Takaraivo thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Ortega to his feet! Ortega is in big trouble!

Takaraivo clinches with his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ortega swings wildly with an uppercut but Takaraivo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Takaraivo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ortega as Takaraivo tries to tie him up.
Takaraivo avoids a wild elbow strike from Ortega.
Takaraivo avoids a wild elbow strike from Ortega.
Ortega prevents Takaraivo from breaking the clinch.
Ruben Ortega seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ortega tries to throw a body punch but Takaraivo avoids it by throwing Ortega back against the cage.
Ortega drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ortega misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruben Ortega showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ruben Ortega's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Takaraivo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ortega takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Takaraivo ducks under a wild hook from Ortega.
Ortega throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Takaraivo cracks Ortega with a good jab.

Takaraivo lands a big head kick that sends Ortega tumbling to the mat! Takaraivo takes a step backwards and waves Ortega back to his feet - he wants the finish!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ortega avoids the head kick by Takaraivo.
Takaraivo throws a sloppy head kick
and Ortega counters with a straight right hand.
Takaraivo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Takaraivo.
Ortega shoots in for a takedown but Takaraivo shows good takedown defense.
Ortega blocks a head kick by Takaraivo.
Ortega looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Takaraivo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takaraivo throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Takaraivo misses with a head kick.
Takaraivo misses with a low kick.
Ortega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takaraivo.
Takaraivo throws a lazy head kick
and Ortega counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takaraivo throws a head kick but Ortega moves out of range.
Takaraivo thows a leg kick but Ortega checks it
and Ortega counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ortega throws a series of punches but Takaraivo moves out of range.
Ortega throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Takaraivo counters with a solid body kick.
Takaraivo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ortega tries to counter with a clinch but Takaraivo shakes him off and moves away.
A head kick misses from Takaraivo.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takaraivo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ortega.

Ortega clinches up with Takaraivo and pushes him back against the cage.
A short right from Ortega on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ortega tries to work over Takaraivo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ortega misses with the head strike.
Takaraivo takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Nyyrikki Takaraivo has been cut.
Ortega throws a punch but it's blocked by Takaraivo.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Takaraivo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Takaraivo gets underhooks to prevent Ortega's takedown attempt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ortega creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takaraivo gets underhooks to prevent Ortega's takedown attempt.
Nyyrikki Takaraivo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruben Ortega.
Takaraivo working hard to break the clinch.
Ortega lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Takaraivo avoids a wild elbow strike from Ortega.
Ortega misses with an elbow over the top.
Ortega throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ruben Ortega is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ortega keeps control of Takaraivo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ortega drops down looking for an ankle pick but Takaraivo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takaraivo throws a head kick but Ortega moves out of range.
Takaraivo throws the kick towards the body but Ortega avoids it.
Ortega lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ortega lands with a straight right. Takaraivo didn't see that one coming.
Takaraivo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Takaraivo throws a chopping leg kick but Ortega manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ortega tries to counter with a clinch but Takaraivo shakes him off and moves away.
Takaraivo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takaraivo throws a lazy head kick

and Ortega holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ortega lands an elbow that stopped Takaraivo in his tracks for a moment.
Ortega throws an elbow that misses.
Takaraivo is trying to break the clinch but Ortega is controlling him.
Ortega using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Takaraivo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

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 Nyyrikki Takaraivo.
I think Ortega 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ruben Ortega!