PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Protagonist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiro Protagonist will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Taalasmaa
vs
Protagonist

170 cm
27
160 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

183 cm
30
195 lbs
17 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 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 17 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Hiro Protagonist!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Protagonist misses with a hook
and Taalasmaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Protagonist stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Protagonist wants it to stay on the feet.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut. Protagonist saw that one coming.
A punch lands to the side of Protagonist 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Taalasmaa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Taalasmaa fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Protagonist has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Taalasmaa just misses with a punch to the body.

Taalasmaa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Taalasmaa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taalasmaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Protagonist swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taalasmaa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Protagonist avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taalasmaa stops Protagonist from standing up.
Taalasmaa postures up in Protagonist's guard and throws a big left but Protagonist blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Protagonist avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Protagonist avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa connects with a couple of short punches.
Taalasmaa makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Protagonist is working from the bottom.
Protagonist utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa is working Protagonist over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taalasmaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taalasmaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taalasmaa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Taalasmaa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Protagonist works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taalasmaa working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Protagonist keeping full guard, as Taalasmaa tries to pass.
Taalasmaa thows a big elbow that misses.
Taalasmaa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Protagonist works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taalasmaa won't allow Protagonist to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taalasmaa thows a big elbow that misses.
Taalasmaa postures up in Protagonist's guard and throws a big left but Protagonist blocks it.
Protagonist preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taalasmaa wants to control from the top but Protagonist keeps moving.
Protagonist is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Taalasmaa dives into side control.
Protagonist looks gassed!
Taalasmaa misses with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Taalasmaa working the ground and pound.
Sloppy strikes there by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa is looking to take a break and control but Protagonist is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taalasmaa working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Protagonist is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Taalasmaa is controlling him well.
Taalasmaa trying to control the action but Protagonist is working from the bottom.
Taalasmaa lands a few punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Protagonist works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Protagonist keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Taalasmaa slows the pace down in half guard.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but Protagonist is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Protagonist avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Protagonist is trying to stand back up but Taalasmaa is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Taalasmaa dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Protagonist lands with a nice combination. Taalasmaa backs away looking to recover.
Taalasmaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Taalasmaa throws a leg kick which misses Protagonist's front leg but catches the back leg as Protagonist tries to avoid it.
Taalasmaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Protagonist.
Taalasmaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Protagonist.
Protagonist misses with a looping left.

Taalasmaa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Protagonist manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Taalasmaa prevents Protagonist from getting back to his feet.
Taalasmaa working some strikes from top position.
Taalasmaa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Taalasmaa distracts Protagonist with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Protagonist is breathing heavily.
Protagonist utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
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 thows a big elbow that misses.
Seppo Taalasmaa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taalasmaa wants to pass the guard but Protagonist is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Protagonist keeping moving, preventing Taalasmaa from controlling successfully.
Protagonist preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Protagonist is working from the bottom.
Taalasmaa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Protagonist is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Protagonist working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Protagonist utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Protagonist is working from the bottom.
Taalasmaa throws a strike but Protagonist rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Protagonist is looking to stand up but Taalasmaa won't let him.
Protagonist stopping the sweep attempt from Taalasmaa.

Taalasmaa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taalasmaa looking to control.

Taalasmaa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Protagonist defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
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 three minutes gone in the round.

Protagonist stands up from Taalasmaa's guard - Protagonist perhaps looking for a knockout.
Taalasmaa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Protagonist.
Taalasmaa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Protagonist on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Taalasmaa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Protagonist manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Protagonist preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Protagonist keeping moving, preventing Taalasmaa from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Taalasmaa looking to sit in guard and control but Protagonist gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Taalasmaa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Protagonist has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Taalasmaa is proving hard to escape from.
Taalasmaa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Protagonist's guard.
Taalasmaa throwing strikes from guard but Protagonist blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Protagonist keeping moving, preventing Taalasmaa from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Taalasmaa dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Taalasmaa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taalasmaa.
Protagonist takes one to the chin there.
Taalasmaa looks to land a right hand but Protagonist moved out of range.
Protagonist fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Taalasmaa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Protagonist.
Protagonist throws a hook but Taalasmaa avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa lands with a kick to the ribs.
Taalasmaa tests Protagonist's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Taalasmaa shoots for a takedown but Protagonist saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Taalasmaa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Protagonist swings for the body but Taalasmaa moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Protagonist walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Protagonist takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Taalasmaa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seppo Taalasmaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taalasmaa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Protagonist. That did some damage!
Taalasmaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Taalasmaa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Protagonist can do to turn this around?
Taalasmaa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Protagonist swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taalasmaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hiro Protagonist is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taalasmaa lands a lovely overhand right.
Protagonist missing with a left hand there. Taalasmaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Taalasmaa shoots for a double leg takedown but Protagonist sprawls well. He's pushed Taalasmaa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Taalasmaa looks for a takedown but Protagonist sprawls well.

Taalasmaa drives through with a takedown into Protagonist's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hiro Protagonist has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Protagonist works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Protagonist wants to get back to his feet but Taalasmaa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Taalasmaa throws a strike but Protagonist rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Taalasmaa is looking to sinch up a triangle. Protagonist throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Taalasmaa's body to avoid the submission. Taalasmaa has instead reached around Protagonist's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Taalasmaa arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Seppo Taalasmaa!