PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Miika Liukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalepo Tasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Tasi's choice of entrance music: Sonne. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Liukkonen
vs
Tasi

190 cm
20
192 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Garra Suplementos [Q150 only $15]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Miika Liukkonen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kalepo Tasi!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liukkonen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tasi circles away.

Tasi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Liukkonen was covering up waiting for the punch and Tasi finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Liukkonen is looking for a triangle but Tasi pushes his legs off easily.

Tasi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Liukkonen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tasi has passed into side control.
Liukkonen defending against the ground and pound.

Tasi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Tasi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Liukkonen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tasi advances nicely into full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tasi jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Liukkonen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Liukkonen is trying to improve his position.
Liukkonen is working hard here to advance position.
Tasi tries to move to mount but Liukkonen blocks the move with his legs.

Tasi is trying to get an arm triangle but Liukkonen is defending well.

Tasi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Liukkonen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tasi looks gassed!

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

Tasi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Liukkonen, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Tasi moves into full mount!
Tasi wants to control the pace but Liukkonen is squirming around nicely.

Tasi is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Liukkonen to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Liukkonen shrugs it off.
Liukkonen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Liukkonen sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Liukkonen manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Liukkonen shoots in and bounces Tasi off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

Tasi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Liukkonen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liukkonen pushing down on Tasi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tasi is refusing to be controlled, as Liukkonen sits in half guard.
Liukkonen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Liukkonen trying to pass the guard but Tasi defending well.
Tasi is doing well to control the position and prevent Liukkonen from advancing to side control.
Tasi wants to control but Liukkonen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Liukkonen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tasi regains full guard. Nicely done.

Liukkonen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Liukkonen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tasi looking for a sweep. Not yet Tasi, not yet.
Liukkonen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Liukkonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Tasi working for a triangle but Liukkonen defends it easily.
Liukkonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Liukkonen postures up in Tasi's guard and throws a big left but Tasi blocks it.
Liukkonen postures up in Tasi's guard and throws a big left but Tasi blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalepo Tasi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tasi feints and as Liukkonen raises his hands in defense, Tasi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Liukkonen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tasi defends it easily.
Liukkonen keeping moving, preventing Tasi from controlling successfully.

Liukkonen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tasi defends well.
Liukkonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tasi is one step ahead there.
Tasi trying to control but Liukkonen is working from the bottom.
Tasi lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tasi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Tasi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tasi is breathing heavily.
Liukkonen trying to control the position.
Liukkonen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Liukkonen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tasi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Tasi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Liukkonen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tasi has managed to get both his arms back between Liukkonen's legs - danger averted.

Liukkonen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tasi defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Tasi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Liukkonen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Tasi!
Tasi tries to reverse the position but Liukkonen maintains control.
Tasi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Liukkonen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Liukkonen thows a huge punch but Tasi dodges it nicely.

Tasi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Liukkonen pulls his head out easily.
Tasi wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Liukkonen.
Tasi is trying to control but Liukkonen manages to pass to mount!
Tasi is in a horrible position here. Liukkonen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Liukkonen throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Tasi because Liukkonen loaded up on that one.
Tasi is working to get back to half guard.
Tasi tries to hold on but Liukkonen postures up.
Tasi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Liukkonen kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tasi is wriggling around trying to escape.
Poor strikes thrown by Liukkonen there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Tasi wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Liukkonen.
Liukkonen tries to control but Tasi wriggling away.
Tasi is working to get back to half guard.
Liukkonen punching from mount but Tasi doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tasi avoids a series of strikes thrown by Liukkonen.

Liukkonen working for a guillotine from mount but Tasi is in no mood to give up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Miika Liukkonen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tasi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Liukkonen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Tasi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Liukkonen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tasi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Tasi has gone for a leg lock! Liukkonen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tasi's guard.
Liukkonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tasi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Liukkonen controlling from the top position.
Liukkonen throwing strikes but missing.

Liukkonen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tasi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Liukkonen has managed to get both his arms back between Tasi's legs - danger averted.
Liukkonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tasi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Tasi working for submissions but it's allowed Liukkonen to get to half guard.
Liukkonen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Tasi!

Liukkonen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Kalepo Tasi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tasi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Poor strikes thrown by Liukkonen there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Liukkonen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Tasi wants to hold on but Liukkonen pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liukkonen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Liukkonen throwing strikes here but Tasi is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Liukkonen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tasi bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Tasi advances position into side control!
Liukkonen is looking for a sweep.
Tasi tries to advance to mount but can't.
Liukkonen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tasi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Tasi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Liukkonen defends it well.
Tasi is trying to control. Liukkonen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liukkonen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tasi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tasi moves into full mount! Liukkonen won't be happy about that!

Tasi is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Liukkonen to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Liukkonen shrugs it off.
Liukkonen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Tasi.
Liukkonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Liukkonen wants to hold on but Tasi pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Miika Liukkonen did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tasi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Tasi trying to control but Liukkonen is working from the bottom.
Liukkonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tasi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Liukkonen is keeping the position for now.
Liukkonen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tasi's guard.

Liukkonen drops back looking for a leg! Tasi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tasi manages to kick Liukkonen off! Liukkonen jumps back into Tasi's guard.
Tasi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Liukkonen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liukkonen passes into half guard.
Tasi is looking to improve his position.
Tasi preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Liukkonen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tasi is looking to control Liukkonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tasi avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Liukkonen wants to pass the guard but Tasi is defending well.
Tasi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Liukkonen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Liukkonen's back!

Liukkonen defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Tasi's arms.
Liukkonen rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Tasi is working for a kimura but Liukkonen is defending it quite comfortably.
Liukkonen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Liukkonen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasi trying to control the position from guard on top but Liukkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liukkonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tasi is one step ahead there.

Liukkonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tasi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tasi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Liukkonen keeping moving, preventing Tasi from controlling successfully.

Liukkonen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Tasi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Liukkonen trying to control the position.

Liukkonen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Liukkonen is trying to keep Tasi in close.
Tasi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tasi trying to control but Liukkonen is working from the bottom.
Tasi tries to free his leg and advance position but Liukkonen is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kalepo Tasi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tasi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Liukkonen!
Tasi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Liukkonen tries to reverse the position but Tasi maintains control.

Tasi working for a submission but Liukkonen is keeping him at bay.
Tasi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Liukkonen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Tasi goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Liukkonen is on top in guard.
Liukkonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tasi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Liukkonen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Liukkonen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tasi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Liukkonen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tasi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Liukkonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tasi is trying to control the position but Liukkonen postures up.
Liukkonen wants to control from the top but Tasi keeps moving.
Liukkonen throwing strikes from guard but Tasi blocks nicely.
Tasi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Tasi working for a triangle but Liukkonen defends it easily.

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.
Tasi can't keep his opponent in guard - Liukkonen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Tasi looking for a kimura from the bottom but Liukkonen passes into side control!
Tasi can't do much from the bottom here.
Liukkonen gets to mount! Tasi was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

Liukkonen is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Tasi is surviving well by controlling Liukkonen's body position as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasi is squirming around, avoiding Liukkonen's attempts to control the action.
Tasi tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Liukkonen jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tasi is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tasi and Liukkonen has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Tasi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Liukkonen off and has taken his back!
Liukkonen manages to reverse the position and now he's in Tasi's guard. Nice work there by Liukkonen.

Tasi is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Liukkonen frees his head nicely. Oh but Tasi has switched to an armbar! Liukkonen is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Kalepo Tasi!
Kalepo Tasi is the new middleweight champion!