PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tapio Tapsanen (ranked 3115 p4p, 2491 weight class) and Dustin Mcfaul (ranked 394 p4p, 332 weight class). Mcfaul has chosen What's Poppin? as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tapsanen
vs
Mcfaul

221 cm
19
277
2 - 5 - 0

190 cm
25
260
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tapio Tapsanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dustin Mcfaul!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Santiago Holmes and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Tapsanen as he connects with a hook.
Tapsanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mcfaul circles away quickly and effectively.
Mcfaul lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Mcfaul misses with a hook. Tapsanen ducked under it nicely.
Mcfaul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tapsanen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tapsanen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Mcfaul throws a jab when Tapsanen was well out of range.
Tapsanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Despite the aggression on Mcfaul's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Tapsanen tried to score with a low kick but Mcfaul checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcfaul swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tapsanen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Tapsanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Tapsanen fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcfaul throws a hook to the side of Tapsanen's head but Tapsanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tapsanen swinging wildly here.
Mcfaul swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Mcfaul clinches with his opponent.
Mcfaul lands an uppercut.
Tapsanen takes a shot to the head.
Mcfaul lands a right hand.
Mcfaul scores with a nice hook to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mcfaul.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mcfaul.
A head punch on the inside from Tapsanen fails to land.
Tapsanen looking to stall.
Tapsanen tries to circle away but Mcfaul has him pinned against the ropes.
Tapsanen is trying to stall.
Tapsanen tries a body shot but Mcfaul blocks it.
Tapsanen looking to stall.
Mcfaul blocks an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mcfaul blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mcfaul has Tapsanen pressed against the ropes, preventing Tapsanen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapsanen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mcfaul has him pressed against the ropes.
Mcfaul lands a nice shot to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Mcfaul.
Mcfaul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tapsanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from Mcfaul.
Tapsanen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Mcfaul lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mcfaul lands a left hand.
Mcfaul lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mcfaul working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mcfaul lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tapsanen backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcfaul wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tapsanen looking to slow down the pace here.
Mcfaul blocking some punches.
Tapsanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Mcfaul.
A head punch on the inside from Tapsanen fails to land.
Tapsanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tapsanen tries to stall but Mcfaul uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Tapsanen breaks the clinch.
Tapsanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mcfaul was well out of range. Poor timing from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mcfaul looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mcfaul tries to bum rush Tapsanen with a series of wild strikes but Tapsanen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mcfaul scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dustin Mcfaul dominated that round.
That's time! Tapsanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mcfaul instigates a clinch.
Mcfaul blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mcfaul throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tapsanens head.
Mcfaul lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mcfaul.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mcfaul.
Tapsanen can't find room to land a body shot as Mcfaul controls the action.
Mcfaul makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mcfaul working some nice short punches in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Mcfaul creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short right from Mcfaul.
Tapsanen tries to stall but Mcfaul uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short right from Mcfaul.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mcfaul softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Mcfaul throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mcfaul has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tapsanen trying to control the position but instead, Mcfaul has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tapsanen into the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcfaul lands a shot to the body.
Tapsanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mcfaul's elbow.
Mcfaul lands with a short shot to the head.
Mcfaul wants to get back to striking at distance but Tapsanen won't allow it.
Tapsanen misses with the head strike.
Mcfaul working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mcfaul lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tapsanen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tapsanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Mcfaul uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dustin Mcfaul seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tapsanen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Maybe Tapsanen would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.

Tapsanen breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapsanen lunges at Mcfaul with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mcfaul's hand.
A lazy body kick from Mcfaul
and Tapsanen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mcfaul lands a head shot.
Tapsanen moves out of range as Mcfaul strikes.
Tapsanen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A jab from Tapsanen misses.
Tapsanen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A telegraphed right hand from Mcfaul misses the target.
A quick step to the side and Tapsanen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Mcfaul moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mcfaul lands with a right to the head.
Mcfaul lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mcfaul scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapsanen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mcfaul's efforts to push away.
Mcfaul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tapsanen working aggressively here.
Tapsanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Mcfaul.
Tapsanen is looking to control Mcfaul's arms but Mcfaul gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tapsanen has his back to the ropes.
Still in the clinch, Mcfaul scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mcfaul lands a left hand.
A short right from Mcfaul.
Tapsanen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A shot in the inside from Mcfaul.
Mcfaul wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tapsanen has him pressed against the ropes.
Tapsanen is trying to stall.
Tapsanen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcfaul misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
A short right from Mcfaul on the inside.
Tapsanen looking to stall.
Tapsanen wants to take the fight to the mat but Mcfaul manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Tapsanen throws a head punch that misses.
Tapsanen trying to stall but Mcfaul improves his position.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tapsanen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The referee is keeping an eye on Mcfaul - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nice body punch from Mcfaul.
Tapsanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Mcfaul won't allow it.
Mcfaul lands a body punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dustin Mcfaul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mcfaul closes the distance and clinches.
A short body shot lands from Mcfaul as the two fighters clinch.
Mcfaul slows down the pace here.
Tapsanen taking a breather.
Tapsanen tries a body shot but Mcfaul blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Mcfaul lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tapsanen backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mcfaul.
A short right from Mcfaul on the inside.
Tapsanen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mcfaul has him pressed against the ropes.
Tapsanen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Mcfaul.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcfaul blocks an uppercut.
Tapsanen tries to stall but Mcfaul uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mcfaul lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tapsanen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Mcfaul lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mcfaul avoiding damage.
Mcfaul is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Mcfaul lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tapsanen is trying to maintain a safe position but Mcfaul gets an underhook and turns Tapsanen into the ropes.
Mcfaul lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tapsanen backwards.
Tapsanen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mcfaul is keeping busy.
Mcfaul lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mcfaul lands an uppercut.
Mcfaul wants to break free but Tapsanen has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tapsanen.
Mcfaul is stalling here.
Tapsanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mcfaul avoids it.
Mcfaul effectively controlling the action here.
Mcfaul looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tapsanen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tapsanen.
A bit of stalling here from Mcfaul.
Mcfaul lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mcfaul lands a hook that snaps the head of Tapsanen backwards.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mcfaul blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tapsanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Mcfaul.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcfaul holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Mcfaul has had enough of the clinch but Tapsanen keeps him there for the moment.
Tapsanen throws a head punch that misses.
Mcfaul lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tapsanen.
Dustin Mcfaul is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tapsanen looking to slow down the pace here.
Tapsanen is trying to maintain a safe position but Mcfaul gets an underhook and turns Tapsanen into the ropes.
Tapsanen seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Mcfaul is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Tapsanen throws a head punch that misses.
Mcfaul lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mcfaul lands a body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tapsanen tries to break free but Mcfaul pushes him back against the ropes.
Mcfaul lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tapsanen backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcfaul blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tapio Tapsanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mcfaul lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tapsanen misses with a punch to the body.
Mcfaul lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tapsanen or not.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mcfaul.
Mcfaul lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mcfaul prevents Tapsanen from breaking the clinch.
Mcfaul stalls.
Mcfaul blocks an elbow strike from Tapsanen.
Mcfaul stalling the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mcfaul working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mcfaul blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mcfaul has Tapsanen pressed against the ropes.
Mcfaul throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tapsanens head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dustin Mcfaul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mcfaul 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dustin Mcfaul!
Dustin Mcfaul looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Get Dunked on Kid'.