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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sami Salama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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| 170 cm
24
167 lbs
17 - 5 - 0 |
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180 cm
24
165 lbs
9 - 3 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seppo Taalasmaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Salama!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taalasmaa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Taalasmaa throws a jab but it's blocked by Salama.
Taalasmaa looks to throw the jab but Salama is out of range.
Taalasmaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Salama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Salama ducks right into an uppercut from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa misses with a looping right.
Salama on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Salama.
Taalasmaa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Salama avoids it really well and circles away.
Salama moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Salama.
Salama takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Taalasmaa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Salama is trying to defend but Taalasmaa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nice strikes from Taalasmaa there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa trying to control from half guard but Salama is working away.
Taalasmaa working over Salama with some ground and pound. Salama looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Taalasmaa is looking to advance position but Salama won't allow it.
Salama is trying to maintain the position but Taalasmaa is very close to passing his half guard.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but Salama is blocking nicely.
Salama trying to control here.
Taalasmaa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Taalasmaa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Salama's head.
Taalasmaa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Taalasmaa drops an elbow to the side of Salama's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but Salama is blocking nicely.
Taalasmaa throws a strike but Salama avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Salama bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Taalasmaa's guard.
Salama is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Taalasmaa lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Salama!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Taalasmaa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Salama is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Taalasmaa pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Taalasmaa is landing with some decent strikes but Salama is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Taalasmaa trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Taalasmaa dominating with strikes here.
Salama tries to reverse the position but Taalasmaa maintains control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Taalasmaa punishing his opponent with strikes.
A nice elbow there by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa thowing shots but they're missing.
Salama is squirming around, avoiding Taalasmaa's attempts to control the action.
Taalasmaa looking to finish Salama with some ground and pound. This is bad for Salama!
Taalasmaa dominating with strikes here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taalasmaa controlling the pace for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa landing punches.
Salama working to try and regain half guard.
Taalasmaa swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Salama is now in Taalasmaa's guard. A big mistake from Taalasmaa there, giving up the dominant position!
Taalasmaa 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.
Salama got a little sloppy there for a moment and Taalasmaa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Salama has managed to get both his arms back between Taalasmaa's legs - danger averted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salama preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Seppo Taalasmaa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Taalasmaa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Taalasmaa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Salama throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Salama throws out a leg kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range and Salama only half commits.
Salama throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Taalasmaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taalasmaa shoots for a takedown but Salama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch but Salama moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Taalasmaa.
Salama lands with a thumping leg kick.
Salama throws a leg kick
and Taalasmaa counters with a low kick, right behind Salama 's knee.
A nice leg kick lands there from Salama.
Seppo Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by Taalasmaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Salama which made him look bad.
Horrible takedown by Taalasmaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Salama which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seppo Taalasmaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Salama plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Salama throws a head kick that Taalasmaa semi-blocks.
Taalasmaa scores with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws a looping overhand right but Salama ducks down to avoid it.
Taalasmaa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Salama displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Taalasmaa.
Salama pivots, looking for a leg kick but Taalasmaa is out of range and Salama settles back down.
Salama feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Taalasmaa's calf.
Salama fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Taalasmaa is out of range.
Salama keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Taalasmaa tries a low kick but Salama avoids it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salama takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Salama scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Taalasmaa doesn't seem bothered though.
Salama throws a body kick that misses.
Both fighters circling a little - Salama finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Taalasmaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Salama sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa avoids the head kick by Salama.
Salama misses with a straight left.
Taalasmaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Salama.
Taalasmaa motions for Salama to come forward. Taalasmaa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sami Salama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.
Salama drops his hands momentarily and Taalasmaa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Taalasmaa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Salama pinned against the cage. Salama gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Taalasmaa throws a jab when Salama was well out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Salama has managed to clinch.
A short right from Taalasmaa on the inside.
Taalasmaa has a couple of punches blocked by Salama.
A right handed body shot lands from Taalasmaa.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Taalasmaa shrugs off.
Salama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Taalasmaa misses with a punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa throws a punch but it's blocked by Salama.
Salama prevents the takedown attempt.
The referee is keeping an eye on Salama - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Taalasmaa shrugs off.
Taalasmaa working aggressively here.
Taalasmaa misses with the head strike.
Salama trying to stall but Taalasmaa improves his position.
Salama missing with knees to the body.
Taalasmaa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Taalasmaa being controlled against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salama blocks a body shot from Taalasmaa.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Taalasmaa shrugs off.
Taalasmaa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Salama being controlled against the cage.
Taalasmaa taking a breather.
Salama trying to land knees to the body.
Taalasmaa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salama gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Salama looking to stall.
Taalasmaa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Salama.
Salama scores with a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa misses with a punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Salama trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Taalasmaa fails to land.
Salama is trying to maintain a safe position but Taalasmaa gets an underhook and turns Salama into the cage.
Taalasmaa tries to throw a body punch but Salama avoids it by throwing Taalasmaa back against the cage.
Salama lands a body shot.
Taalasmaa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Taalasmaa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sami Salama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Salama leaves Taalasmaa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Salama throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Taalasmaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Salama lands with a kick to the temple. Taalasmaa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Salama with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Taalasmaa to score with a decent uppercut.
The fighters circling - Taalasmaa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Taalasmaa swings for the body but Salama moves out of range.
Salama throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Taalasmaa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Taalasmaa misses with a body punch
and Salama counters with a good low kick that Taalasmaa was not able to check.
An inside leg kick from Taalasmaa misses.
Taalasmaa misses with an attempted mid kick.
A slow jab from Taalasmaa misses its intended target.
Salama ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Taalasmaa takes a shot right to the bread basket.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa looks to land a left hand but Salama moved out of range nicely.
Taalasmaa closes the distance looking to clinch
and Salama counters with a slapping leg kick.
Taalasmaa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Salama avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Salama drives through and clinches with Taalasmaa against the cage.
Salama dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Salama trying to land knees to the body.
Taalasmaa avoiding damage as Salama throws knees to the body.
Salama blocks an uppercut.
Salama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Salama gets underhooks to prevent Taalasmaa's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seppo Taalasmaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A shot in the inside from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salama displaying some good clinch control by pressing Taalasmaa up against the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Taalasmaa struggles to land a body shot inside as Salama controls his hands.
Salama taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Knees to the body from Salama.
Taalasmaa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Salama misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but Salama blocks it.
Taalasmaa is trying to stall.
Salama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Salama landing knees to the body.
Salama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Taalasmaa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Salama is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Salama holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Taalasmaa tries for a takedown but Salama manages to get underhooks.
Taalasmaa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Salama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Salama stalling against the cage.
Salama unloads a knee to the mid-section. Taalasmaa lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salama unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Salama content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Salama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Taalasmaa's defenses.
Taalasmaa tries to work over Salama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taalasmaa jumps guard but Salama stands there with Taalasmaa around his waist. Taalasmaa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salama.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Salama putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Taalasmaa in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The referee calls for Salama to work.
Nice elbow from Salama.
Taalasmaa looking to slow down the pace here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Salama.
Taalasmaa misses with a punch on the inside.
Salama is trying to stall.
Salama tries a knee to the head but Taalasmaa blocks it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salama blocks a body shot from Taalasmaa.
Salama missing with knees to the body.
Salama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taalasmaa is defending well for now.
Taalasmaa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Salama gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Taalasmaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The referee calls for Taalasmaa to work.
Salama tries to land knees in the clinch but Taalasmaa avoids the damage to the body.
Taalasmaa is looking to control Salama's arms but Salama gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taalasmaa has his back to the cage.
Taalasmaa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salama gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Salama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taalasmaa is defending well for now.
Salama has Taalasmaa pushed against the cage.
Taalasmaa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Salama tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Salama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Salama avoiding damage.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Salama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Salama has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Salama!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
68% |
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