PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sly Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Fox
vs
Taalasmaa

167 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

160 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Kobra Clothing Inc.

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sly Fox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Seppo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fox has a takedown stuffed.
Fox shoots and misses

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Taalasmaa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Seppo Taalasmaa wasn't active enough on the ground.
Taalasmaa closes the distance and clinches up with Fox, looking for a takedown. Taalasmaa pushes Fox against the cage but Fox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sly Fox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taalasmaa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Taalasmaa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fox manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Fox seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Fox is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Seppo Taalasmaa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fox shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sly Fox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fox with a lazy takedown attempt

so Taalasmaa counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fox wants to stand and escape but Taalasmaa is having none of it.
Taalasmaa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taalasmaa controlling from the top position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Seppo Taalasmaa was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fox has his takedown stuffed

and Taalasmaa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Fox's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taalasmaa postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox controlling Taalasmaa's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sly Fox.
Fox with a poor takedown

and Taalasmaa counters with a single leg into guard. Fox didn't expect that.
Fox trying to keep a closed guard but Taalasmaa is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Taalasmaa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sly Fox wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Taalasmaa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fox circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fox is looking to control Taalasmaa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fox avoid being mounted?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Still in half guard, Taalasmaa seems content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Taalasmaa dominated that round.
That's time! Fox's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Taalasmaa looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Taalasmaa wants to pass the guard but Fox is defending well.
Fox is trying to control but can't.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fox lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fox displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Taalasmaa.
Fox shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Taalasmaa pinned against the cage. Taalasmaa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fox sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fox shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Taalasmaa defends it nicely.
Taalasmaa lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Taalasmaa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fox's waist but Fox gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Taalasmaa off to one side.
Sly Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seppo Taalasmaa.

Taalasmaa has closed the distance and engaged Fox in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa missing with knees to the body.
Taalasmaa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Taalasmaa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fox tries to pull guard but Taalasmaa holds him up against the cage and eventually Fox drops back down to his feet.

Taalasmaa has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Fox regains guard immediately.

Fox is looking for a triangle but Taalasmaa pushes his legs off easily.
Taalasmaa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Fox is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Fox is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Seppo Taalasmaa was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fox tries to score a power double leg takedown but Taalasmaa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fox somewhat.

Taalasmaa scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox trying to remain calm as Taalasmaa controls from the top position.
Fox struggling a bit here.
Taalasmaa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fox. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
You can see the frustration on Fox's face as Taalasmaa controls the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fox shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fox has his takedown stuffed
and Taalasmaa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Taalasmaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Taalasmaa gets a takedown into half guard.
Fox is trying to control but can't.
Taalasmaa is controlling the pace.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Seppo Taalasmaa.
Fox fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox shoots and misses

and Taalasmaa counters with a single leg into guard. Fox didn't expect that.
Taalasmaa showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Seppo Taalasmaa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Fox with a poor takedown

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sly Fox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taalasmaa seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Fox wants to control but Taalasmaa is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Seppo Taalasmaa wasn't active enough on the ground.
Taalasmaa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fox circles away.
Fox shoots for a double leg takedown but Taalasmaa sprawls well. He's pushed Fox's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fox misses with a takedown

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taalasmaa content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Seppo Taalasmaa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Taalasmaa tries to land a front kick but Fox steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Taalasmaa scores a takedown into full mount!
Taalasmaa looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Seppo Taalasmaa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fox trying to control but Taalasmaa postures up.
Sly Fox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Taalasmaa seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Taalasmaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taalasmaa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seppo Taalasmaa!