PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ted Dibiase (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taalasmaa has chosen Jore Marjaranta - Tunteisiin as his entrance music. Kari Taalasmaa told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Dibiase
vs
Taalasmaa

190 cm
25
192 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

184 cm
27
194 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs

Nordic Nutrition 160!
NFC War Gear

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 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ted Dibiase!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Taalasmaa.
Dibiase throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dibiase misses with a straight left.
Taalasmaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dibiase.
Taalasmaa wants to clinch up but Dibiase keeps it at a distance.
Dibiase uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa with a hook.
Dibiase moves forwards but Taalasmaa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Taalasmaa swings away with a body shot that misses
and Dibiase counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dibiase pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dibiase misses with a jab to the body
and Taalasmaa counters with a right hand to the body.
Dibiase blocks a jab.
Dibiase uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taalasmaa.
Dibiase on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Taalasmaa loads up on a big right hand but Dibiase slips the punch.
Taalasmaa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Dibiase tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dibiase loads up on a big right hand but Taalasmaa slips the punch.
Dibiase misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Dibiase throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Taalasmaa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dibiase throws a head kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Taalasmaa cracks a nice hook into Dibiase's ribs.
Taalasmaa scores with a hook to the body. Dibiase takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the side of Dibiase's head but Dibiase sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Taalasmaa lands a jab to the head.
Taalasmaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dibiase uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Taalasmaa.

Taalasmaa has Dibiase up against the cage in a clinch.
Taalasmaa scores with a hook to the body.
Taalasmaa working aggressively here.
Taalasmaa pushes Dibiase back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dibiase avoids a wild elbow strike from Taalasmaa.
Dibiase creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Taalasmaa's defenses.
Dibiase misses with a punch on the inside.
Knees to the body from Taalasmaa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dibiase fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dibiase.
Taalasmaa has Dibiase pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dibiase manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taalasmaa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dibiase throws a head punch that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Taalasmaa.
Dibiase taking a breather.
Dibiase swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dibiase is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taalasmaa is keeping busy.
Dibiase throws a head punch that misses.
Taalasmaa digs a right hand into Dibiase's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dibiase's gas tank.
Taalasmaa scores with a shoulder strike.
Nice elbow from Taalasmaa.

It looks like Ted Dibiase has been cut.
Taalasmaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dibiase tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dibiase lands a left hand.
Dibiase throws a punch but it's blocked by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dibiase pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dibiase stalling.
Dibiase looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Taalasmaa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dibiase backwards.
Taalasmaa takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dibiase has had enough of the clinch but Taalasmaa keeps him there for the moment.
Dibiase can't break the clinch.
Taalasmaa lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Dibiase misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa lands a hook that snaps the head of Dibiase backwards.
Taalasmaa scores with a hook to the body.
Taalasmaa missing with knees to the body.
Taalasmaa lands with a right to the head.
Taalasmaa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dibiase is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dibiase fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dibiase wants to get back to striking at distance but Taalasmaa won't allow it.

Dibiase's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No joy there for Dibiase, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Dibiase misses the jab.
Dibiase motions for Taalasmaa to come forward. Dibiase throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Taalasmaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Dibiase misses with a body shot.
Dibiase misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dibiase takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Taalasmaa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dibiase throws out the jab.
Dibiase lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Taalasmaa blocks a low kick nicely.
Taalasmaa connects with a body shot.
Ted Dibiase seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Dibiase misses.
Taalasmaa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dibiase.
Dibiase swings for the body but Taalasmaa moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Taalasmaa works on Dibiase's body with a couple of short punches.
Dibiase misses with the head strike.
Taalasmaa tries to work over Dibiase's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taalasmaa lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Taalasmaa.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dibiase gets through Taalasmaa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dibiase tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dibiase is breathing heavily.
A short right from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa lands a body shot in the clinch.
Dibiase working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Taalasmaa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ted Dibiase's cut.
That's time! Dibiase's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Taalasmaa lands a nice shot to the body.
Taalasmaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dibiase throws a head kick that misses.
Taalasmaa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Dibiase misses with a looping left.

Taalasmaa 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.
Taalasmaa passes Dibiase's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Taalasmaa works his foot free and advances to mount.
Taalasmaa has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Dibiase's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa looking to finish with strikes here!
Taalasmaa punishing his opponent with strikes.
Taalasmaa misses with a head shot.
Dibiase slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Taalasmaa tries to pass to full mount but Dibiase defends it.
Taalasmaa looks to land a strike but Dibiase avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dibiase swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dibiase looking to control.
Taalasmaa tries to free his leg and advance position but Dibiase is retaining full guard.
Taalasmaa thows a big elbow that misses.

Taalasmaa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Dibiase is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Taalasmaa, into his guard.
Dibiase tries to free his leg and advance position but Taalasmaa is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa being controlled here, momentarily.

Taalasmaa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dibiase working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dibiase trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dibiase looking to pass the guard.

Taalasmaa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dibiase defends well.
Dibiase trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dibiase wants to control from the top but Taalasmaa keeps moving.

We're going to have a standup here because Ted Dibiase wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Taalasmaa throws a body punch but Dibiase moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Taalasmaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ted Dibiase's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taalasmaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taalasmaa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like Kari Taalasmaa has been cut.
Taalasmaa works the jab nicely.
Dibiase throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Taalasmaa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dibiase with a nice cross.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Dibiase is just out of range.
Taalasmaa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dibiase avoids the body shot from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws a hook but Dibiase avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa slips under a jab from Dibiase.
Dibiase misses with a hook to the body
and Dibiase takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dibiase takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Taalasmaa has closed the distance and engaged Dibiase in a clinch.
Taalasmaa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Taalasmaa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dibiase in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Dibiase pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taalasmaa throws a body punch but Dibiase moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dibiase misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taalasmaa.
Dibiase pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Taalasmaa throws a predictable looking body shot
and Dibiase connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dibiase throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Taalasmaa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ted Dibiase is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice straight punches there by Taalasmaa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Taalasmaa.
Dibiase tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taalasmaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Dibiase.
Taalasmaa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Taalasmaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Dibiase throws a sloppy head kick and Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.

Taalasmaa gets a takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taalasmaa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa moves nicely into side control.
Taalasmaa works to advance to full mount. Dibiase defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Taalasmaa is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Dibiase can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taalasmaa throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Taalasmaa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dibiase slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Taalasmaa passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Dibiase!

Taalasmaa goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Dibiase is on top in guard.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dibiase manages to get himself to full guard.
Taalasmaa looking to pass the guard.
Dibiase tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dibiase keeping full guard, as Taalasmaa tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kari Taalasmaa just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dibiase drops his hands momentarily and Taalasmaa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Dibiase circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dibiase takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Taalasmaa throws out a loose jab but Dibiase uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dibiase lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Dibiase pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dibiase takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy right hand but Dibiase sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dibiase lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Dibiase fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taalasmaa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dibiase cracks Taalasmaa with an open hand slap.

Taalasmaa scores a takedown into full mount!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Taalasmaa jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Dibiase is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Dibiase and Taalasmaa has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dibiase tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Taalasmaa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Taalasmaa in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Taalasmaa advances to full mount.
Dibiase is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Taalasmaa unloads with some shots from mount but Dibiase bucks and avoids them well.
Taalasmaa with good strikes from the mount here!
Taalasmaa unloads with some shots from mount but Dibiase bucks and avoids them well.
Taalasmaa with a couple of short strikes.
Taalasmaa prevents Dibiase from getting the reversal.
Taalasmaa thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa looking to ground and pound but Dibiase is blocking nicely.
Dibiase is wriggling around trying to escape.
Taalasmaa thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Taalasmaa thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Taalasmaa looking to ground and pound but Dibiase is blocking nicely.

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 scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kari Taalasmaa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Taalasmaa misses with a head shot.
Dibiase is in a horrible position here. Taalasmaa smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Dibiase is rocked!

Ted Dibiase's cut is getting worse.

Taalasmaa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Dibiase turns into him and now he's in Taalasmaa's guard.
Dibiase trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taalasmaa's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Taalasmaa dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A big right from Taalasmaa misses.
A swing and a miss from Dibiase.
Taalasmaa slips under a jab.
Dibiase misses with a body punch
and Taalasmaa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Dibiase misses with a wild body shot.
Dibiase misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taalasmaa tests Dibiase's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Taalasmaa closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dibiase quickly recovers to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but Dibiase is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Taalasmaa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taalasmaa pushes down on Dibiase's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Taalasmaa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Taalasmaa with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa with a couple of short strikes.
Oh Dibiase is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Dibiase wants to control but Taalasmaa is having none of it.
Dibiase seems to have got his legs back now.
Taalasmaa throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Dibiase because Taalasmaa loaded up on that one.
Dibiase keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Taalasmaa with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Dibiase has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Dibiase!
Kari Taalasmaa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dibiase trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.

Taalasmaa working for a triangle but Dibiase defends it easily.
Dibiase controlling from the top position.
Ted Dibiase has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dibiase wants to control from the top but Taalasmaa keeps moving.
Dibiase looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ted Dibiase.
Taalasmaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taalasmaa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dibiase sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taalasmaa somewhat.
Dibiase misses with a body punch

and Taalasmaa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Taalasmaa is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Dibiase!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kari Taalasmaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Taalasmaa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 45:50
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 45:50
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kari Taalasmaa!
Kari Taalasmaa is the new middleweight champion!