PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Madsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ismo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Taalasmaa's choice of entrance music: Duran Duran - The Wild Boys. The key to victory for Gunnar Madsen has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Madsen
vs
Taalasmaa

188 cm
23
269 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

199 cm
24
265 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]
•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gunnar Madsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ismo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Madsen misses with a two punch combination.
Madsen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Taalasmaa's hands.
Taalasmaa ducks under a wild hook from Madsen.
Taalasmaa staying out of range there.

Taalasmaa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Madsen tries to improve position but can't.

Taalasmaa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Madsen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Madsen wants to control but Taalasmaa postures up.

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

Taalasmaa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Madsen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Taalasmaa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taalasmaa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Taalasmaa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Madsen is looking to regain half guard here but Taalasmaa keeps moving and retains side control.
Taalasmaa controlling the position.
Madsen controls the position for a moment.

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.

Taalasmaa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Madsen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Madsen is trying to control. Taalasmaa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Madsen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Madsen prevents Taalasmaa from improving his position.
Madsen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Madsen is controlling the pace.
Taalasmaa is looking to control Madsen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taalasmaa avoid being mounted?
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.
Taalasmaa manages to get to full guard.
Madsen trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Madsen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Madsen tries to free his leg and advance position but Taalasmaa is retaining full guard.
Madsen is pushing down on Taalasmaa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Taalasmaa is fighting to maintain full guard but Madsen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Madsen is trying to control. Taalasmaa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Madsen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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.
Taalasmaa won't allow Madsen to pass to mount.
Taalasmaa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Madsen chips away with some ground and pound.
Taalasmaa keeping moving, preventing Madsen from controlling successfully.
Madsen won't allow Taalasmaa to sweep him here.
Madsen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Taalasmaa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Madsen wants to control from the top but Taalasmaa keeps moving.
Taalasmaa trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Taalasmaa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Madsen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Madsen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Madsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ismo Taalasmaa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Madsen dodges the punch combination from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Madsen.
Taalasmaa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gunnar Madsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Madsen.

Madsen waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Taalasmaa. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Taalasmaa to the canvas! Can he finish him!?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taalasmaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Madsen throwing strikes from guard but Taalasmaa blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa wants to sweep but no luck.
Madsen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Taalasmaa pulls Madsen in close to prevent any damage.
Taalasmaa lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Madsen!
Madsen is desperately trying to improve his position but Taalasmaa has a good base and remains in mount.
Madsen is working hard here to advance position.
Taalasmaa tries to control but Madsen wriggling away.
Madsen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Madsen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Madsen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Taalasmaa controlling the pace for now.

Taalasmaa working for a guillotine from mount but Madsen is in no mood to give up.
Madsen is looking to improve his position but Taalasmaa isn't that keen on the idea.
Taalasmaa looking to ground and pound but Madsen is blocking nicely.
Madsen is trying desperately to improve position.
Taalasmaa looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

It looks like Gunnar Madsen has been cut.
Madsen is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madsen is squirming around, avoiding Taalasmaa's attempts to control the action.

Taalasmaa looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Madsen is in all sorts of trouble here.

Taalasmaa is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Madsen is surviving well by controlling Taalasmaa's body position as best he can.
Taalasmaa content just to control the position here.
Taalasmaa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Madsen is desperately trying to improve his position but Taalasmaa has a good base and remains in mount.
Taalasmaa trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Madsen is looking to get to half guard.
Madsen gets back to half guard.
Madsen tries to roll over but Taalasmaa keeps him under control.
Madsen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Madsen.
Taalasmaa wants to control from the top but Madsen keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Madsen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gunnar Madsen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Madsen loads up on a big right hand but Taalasmaa slips the punch.
Taalasmaa dives in and grabs Madsen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Madsen pushes down on Taalasmaa's head and hops out.

Taalasmaa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Madsen is trying to defend but Taalasmaa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Madsen is positioning himself well to prevent Taalasmaa advancing to mount.
Taalasmaa is thwarting Madsen's attempts to control the position.
Taalasmaa prevents Madsen from improving his position.
Madsen is trying to maintain the position but Taalasmaa is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madsen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa trying to control the action but Madsen is working from the bottom.
Madsen tries to get to full guard but Taalasmaa has control of the leg.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Madsen thows a body shot but no joy.
Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Madsen as he avoids it easily.
Madsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Taalasmaa has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Taalasmaa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Madsen throws out the jab.
Taalasmaa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Madsen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madsen leaves Taalasmaa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gunnar Madsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ismo Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Madsen.
Madsen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Taalasmaa.
Madsen lands a nice shot that snaps Taalasmaa's head back.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Madsen.
Madsen avoids the body shot from Taalasmaa.
Madsen misses with a straight right.
Taalasmaa slips a jab from Madsen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Taalasmaa showed some decent athleticism there.

Taalasmaa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Taalasmaa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Madsen defending well though.

Taalasmaa is working for a kimura but Madsen is defending it quite comfortably.
Taalasmaa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Madsen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Taalasmaa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Madsen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Madsen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Madsen kicks Taalasmaa off and gets to his feet.
Taalasmaa takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Taalasmaa misses with a low kick as Madsen jumps back.
Taalasmaa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Madsen throws a right and a left that Taalasmaa avoids nicely.
Madsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taalasmaa manages to avoid it.
Taalasmaa misses with a takedown attempt - Madsen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Madsen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Madsen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Madsen!