PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Zigrand (ranked 24080 p4p, 629 weight class) and Teddy Toivonen (ranked 4845 p4p, 505 weight class). Zigrand comes to the cage accompanied by Linkin Park - Never back down. Zigrand has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Teddy Toivonen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Zigrand
vs
Toivonen

190 cm
19
200 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

192 cm
26
205 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Daniel Zigrand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Teddy Toivonen!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zigrand misses with a combination
and Toivonen counters with a three punch combo that has Zigrand backing up. Zigrand nods at Toivonen to acknowledge the strikes.
Toivonen lands a jab-cross combination.

Toivonen moves into range and clinches up with Zigrand.

Toivonen decides to pull guard.
Toivonen wants to stand but Zigrand is controlling the position.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Toivonen manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Zigrand is breathing heavily.
Zigrand gets underhooks to prevent Toivonen's takedown attempt.
Toivonen can't get the takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zigrand is trying to pull guard but Toivonen has him pressed against the cage.

Zigrand has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Toivonen uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toivonen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Toivonen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Toivonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Toivonen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Zigrand will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Toivonen gets to his feet. Zigrand looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Toivonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Daniel Zigrand has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teddy Toivonen.

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.
Toivonen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Toivonen pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zigrand back to the cage. Toivonen follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Toivonen works over Zigrand's head and body with a nice combination.

Toivonen pushes Zigrand up against the cage in a clinch.

Toivonen jumps guard.

Toivonen manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Toivonen scores with a one two! Zigrand had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Toivonen lands a jab-cross combination.

Zigrand is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zigrand shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Toivonen counters with a series of strikes that sends Zigrand to the canvas! Toivonen follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!
Oh Zigrand is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Zigrand is working an open guard so Toivonen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Toivonen rushes Zigrand and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Toivonen pulls guard effortlessly.
Zigrand seems to have got his legs back now.

Toivonen uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Zigrand is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Toivonen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Toivonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Toivonen digs a good body shot into Zigrand's ribs.

Toivonen clinches.
Zigrand tries to break the clinch but Toivonen is controlling the position.

Toivonen gets control of Zigrand's arms and successfully pulls guard. Toivonen will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Toivonen pushes Zigrand off and scrambles back to his feet.

Toivonen drives through and clinches with Zigrand against the cage.

Toivonen pulls guard successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Toivonen keeping moving, preventing Zigrand from controlling successfully.

Toivonen wriggles free and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teddy Toivonen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Toivonen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Toivonen clinches up against the cage.
Toivonen wants a takedown but no success here.
Zigrand prevents the takedown attempt.

Toivonen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Toivonen not doing much here.
Toivonen wants to pass the guard but Zigrand is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toivonen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toivonen is pressing down on Zigrand's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zigrand is holding on for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Toivonen stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zigrand has his takedown stuffed
and Toivonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two 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.

Zigrand tries to keep at a distance but Toivonen has taken the fight into the clinch.

Toivonen successfully pulls guard.

Toivonen has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Zigrand off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Toivonen is working the combinations to good effect here.
Zigrand misses with a takedown
and Toivonen counters with a nice uppercut.

Toivonen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zigrand, pushing him back against the cage.
Toivonen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zigrand pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Daniel Zigrand has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teddy Toivonen.

Toivonen breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toivonen lands a jab-cross combination.

Toivonen clinches up against the cage.

Toivonen jumps guard and drags Zigrand to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Toivonen is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Zigrand presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Toivonen wants a takedown but no success here.

Toivonen drags the fight down to the ground.

Toivonen has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Zigrand is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Toivonen jumps into guard, dragging Zigrand to the mat.

Toivonen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zigrand gets tackled into the cage by Toivonen. Toivonen maintains the clinch.

Toivonen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Toivonen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Toivonen uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Toivonen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Zigrand slaps away a takedown attempt from Toivonen, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Toivonen rushes Zigrand and presses him up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teddy Toivonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Toivonen moves into the clinch.

Toivonen successfully pulls guard.

Toivonen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Toivonen successfully pulls guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Toivonen manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Toivonen breaks the clinch.
Daniel Zigrand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Toivonen feints a jab promting Zigrand to slip. Toivonen then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Zigrand slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Toivonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Toivonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Toivonen is trying to trip Zigrand. He has hold of a leg but Zigrand is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Toivonen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Toivonen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Toivonen is continuing to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toivonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Zigrand is retaining full guard.
Teddy Toivonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zigrand being controlled here, momentarily.
Toivonen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zigrand. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Toivonen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Toivonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Toivonen misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
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.

Toivonen has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Toivonen scores with a three punch combo!

Toivonen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zigrand, pushing him back against the cage.
Zigrand jumps guard but Toivonen stands there with Zigrand around his waist. Zigrand gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zigrand tries to pull guard but Toivonen won't allow it.

Toivonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Toivonen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Toivonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Toivonen clinches up with Zigrand and pushes him back against the cage.

Toivonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Teddy Toivonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Toivonen has closed the distance and engaged Zigrand in a clinch.

Toivonen breaks from the clinch.
Toivonen scores with a one two! Zigrand had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Toivonen keeps the fight on the outside.

Toivonen closes the distance and clinches.

Toivonen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Toivonen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Daniel Zigrand has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Teddy Toivonen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zigrand working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teddy Toivonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Toivonen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 24:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 24:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 24:30

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