PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sepi Kumpulainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tele Tappi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kumpulainen
vs
Tappi

172 cm
25
143 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

167 cm
23
136 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

:: Happy Pills ::

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sepi Kumpulainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tele Tappi!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tappi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Kumpulainen drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kumpulainen is fighting to break Tappi's control of his arms but Tappi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Tappi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tappi keeping full guard, as Kumpulainen tries to pass.
Kumpulainen is working hard here to advance position.
Tappi is looking to stand up but Kumpulainen isn't so interested in that idea.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tappi can do anything to dispel that myth.

Kumpulainen drops back looking for a leg! Tappi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tappi manages to kick Kumpulainen off! Kumpulainen jumps back into Tappi's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kumpulainen postures up in Tappi's guard and throws a big left but Tappi blocks it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tappi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kumpulainen moves out of range of the strikes.
Kumpulainen tries to clinch but Tappi is having none of it.
Tappi slaps away a takedown attempt from Kumpulainen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kumpulainen has a takedown stuffed.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kumpulainen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sepi Kumpulainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tappi gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kumpulainen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kumpulainen trying to control the pace.

Tappi is defending against the submission attempts here by Kumpulainen.
Tappi holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Tappi is not content to let Kumpulainen control the position.
Kumpulainen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kumpulainen goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Tappi is on top in guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tappi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Kumpulainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tappi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kumpulainen's head.

Kumpulainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tappi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tappi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tappi scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kumpulainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tappi throwing strikes from guard but Kumpulainen blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tappi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tappi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tappi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tappi wants to control from the top but Kumpulainen keeps moving.
Kumpulainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kumpulainen has momentary wrist control but Tappi slips an elbow through the middle.

Kumpulainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tappi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tappi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kumpulainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sepi Kumpulainen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kumpulainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kumpulainen with a poor takedown
and Tappi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kumpulainen closes the distance but Tappi moves to the side

and Tappi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kumpulainen's guard now.

Kumpulainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tappi is working Kumpulainen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tappi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kumpulainen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kumpulainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tappi landing with the ground and pound.
Tappi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kumpulainen's guard.
Kumpulainen is staying active underneath Tappi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tappi connects with a nice short shot to Kumpulainen's temple.
Tappi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kumpulainen taking some punishment here, with Tappi in his half guard.
Tappi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kumpulainen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kumpulainen has his foot on Tappi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tappi works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tappi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tappi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Tappi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kumpulainen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tappi has managed to get both his arms back between Kumpulainen's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tappi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kumpulainen keeping moving, preventing Tappi from controlling successfully.
Tappi landing with the ground and pound.
Tappi throws a big right hand that misses.

Kumpulainen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tappi defends it easily.
Tappi landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kumpulainen is looking for a triangle but Tappi pushes his legs off easily.

Kumpulainen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tappi trying to control but Kumpulainen is working from the bottom.
Tappi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Kumpulainen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tappi is aware though and is defending well.
Tappi stands up over Kumpulainen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Kumpulainen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tappi defends it easily.
Tappi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kumpulainen's head.
Tappi lands a couple of digs.
Kumpulainen keeping moving, preventing Tappi from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tappi connects with a couple of short punches.
Tappi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tappi trying to control the position from guard on top but Kumpulainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kumpulainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kumpulainen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tappi landing with the ground and pound.
Tappi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kumpulainen is trying to control the position but Tappi postures up.
Kumpulainen has momentary wrist control but Tappi slips an elbow through the middle.
Tappi is looking to work some ground and pound but Kumpulainen has wrist control.
Tappi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Tappi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kumpulainen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tappi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tappi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tappi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tappi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tappi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tappi is working Kumpulainen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tappi scoring with some ground and pound.
Tappi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tappi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kumpulainen is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Tappi rolls with it to try and escape but Kumpulainen cranks on the arm and Tappi is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sepi Kumpulainen!