PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Red Forman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taavi Liisteri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Forman comes into the arena with Ultimate blaring out of the sound system. Liisteri has chosen Solid Base - I like it as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Forman
vs
Liisteri

176 cm
24
160 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

170 cm
31
162 lbs
18 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Red Forman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taavi Liisteri!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Forman takes the fight into the clinch.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Forman to keep the fight standing.
A right hand to the body from Forman.
A short right from Forman.

Liisteri pulls Forman into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Forman with a nice head shot there.
Liisteri keeping moving, preventing Forman from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Forman looking to pass the guard.
Liisteri keeping moving, preventing Forman from controlling successfully.
Forman controls from within his opponent's guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Red Forman wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Forman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liisteri moves away.
Liisteri has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Liisteri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Forman.
Forman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Liisteri shoots in but no luck this time.
Red Forman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taavi Liisteri.

Forman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Forman turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Liisteri jumps into guard, dragging Forman to the mat.

Liisteri looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Forman passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Forman is trying to get an arm triangle but Liisteri is defending well.
Forman happy to just control the position for now.
Liisteri tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Forman trying to control the action but Liisteri is working from the bottom.
Forman lands a few punches from side control.
Liisteri is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Liisteri is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Forman trying to control the action but Liisteri is working from the bottom.

Liisteri actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Liisteri is staying active underneath Forman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Liisteri wants to improve his position but Forman is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forman trying to control the action but Liisteri is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Red Forman has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A big left from Forman misses.
Red Forman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Liisteri with that takedown attempt.
Forman moves in looking to clinch but Liisteri pushes him off.
Liisteri misses the shot to the body.
Forman cracks Liisteri with an open hand slap.
Nice shot by Forman.

Forman rushes Liisteri and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Liisteri's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forman is working Liisteri over against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Forman.
Liisteri jumps guard but Forman turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Forman stalling against the cage.
Liisteri jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Forman walks away with a smile on his face. Liisteri gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Forman tries to clinch but Liisteri moves away

and Liisteri counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Liisteri.

Forman is looking for a triangle but Liisteri pushes his legs off easily.
Liisteri wants to control from the top but Forman keeps moving.
Liisteri is pushing down on Forman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Forman is fighting to maintain full guard but Liisteri has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Forman is trying to stand.
Liisteri is keen to just control but Forman is a slippery customer.
Liisteri might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Forman kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Forman is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Red Forman dominated that round.
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.

Forman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Liisteri, pushing him back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Forman.
Liisteri fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Forman misses with a punch to the body.
Forman lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Liisteri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Forman smiles and moves away.
Forman moves in looking to clinch but Liisteri pushes him off.
Liisteri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Forman.
Forman stuffs the takedown attempt from Liisteri. Liisteri gets slowly back to his feet.
Red Forman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taavi Liisteri.
Forman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Forman connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Liisteri's hands.
Forman lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman lands a nice looking body shot.
Liisteri is breathing heavily.
Forman misses with the combination.

Liisteri drives through with a takedown into guard.
Forman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Liisteri is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Forman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liisteri in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Forman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Liisteri is one step ahead there.
Liisteri throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Forman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri lands a couple of elbows.
Liisteri preventing the sweep.
Forman can't keep his opponent in guard - Liisteri advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Forman missing with punches from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Forman is trying to control but can't.
Liisteri missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Forman is refusing to be controlled, as Liisteri sits in half guard.

Liisteri is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Forman has managed to free his arm - good work.

Liisteri is looking for a kimura here.
Forman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Liisteri.
Liisteri wants to pass the guard but Forman is keeping the position.

Forman working for a triangle but Liisteri defends it easily.
Liisteri pushes down on Forman's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Liisteri seems to be working for a kimura but Forman defends the submission attempt.
Forman trying to get back to full guard but Liisteri takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Liisteri moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Forman has worked his arm free - good work by Forman!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forman is looking for a sweep.

Liisteri working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Liisteri prevents Forman from escaping the position.

Liisteri wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Forman, who protects the arm well.

Liisteri is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Forman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Liisteri tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Forman is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Liisteri's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Red Forman will probably get the nod.
That's time! Forman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Forman fails to land with a series of punches.
Liisteri is trying hard to land a takedown here. Forman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Liisteri slips a straight right by Forman.
Liisteri has his takedown stuffed

and Forman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Forman lands a hook to the side of the head.
Forman tries to throw a body punch but Liisteri avoids it by throwing Forman back against the cage.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Forman has him pressed against the cage.
Red Forman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taavi Liisteri.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Forman to keep the fight standing.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but Forman holds him up against the cage and eventually Liisteri drops back down to his feet.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Forman turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Forman has him pressed against the cage.
Liisteri takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liisteri fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Forman tries to work over Liisteri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Liisteri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman lands a shoulder strike.
Forman lands a shot to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Forman.
Forman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Good body shot from Forman.
Forman lands a body shot.
Forman lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Forman stalling against the cage.
A short right from Forman.
Forman presses Liisteri against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A body shot lands from Forman.
Forman dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Forman turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Forman taking a breather.
Forman lands a shot to the body.
A shot in the inside from Forman.
Forman throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Forman takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Forman working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Forman lands a right hand.

Liisteri decides to pull guard.
Forman trying to control but Liisteri is working from the bottom.
Forman tries to free his leg and advance position but Liisteri is retaining full guard.
Liisteri utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Forman stands and steps away. Liisteri gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Forman paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Forman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liisteri moves away.
Forman just misses with a punch to the body.
Forman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A slow jab from Liisteri misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri slips a straight right by Forman.
Forman takes a swing at Liisteri's ribcage but misses.
Forman tries to clinch but Liisteri is having none of it.
Forman closes the distance but Liisteri moves to the side

and Liisteri counters with a shoot takedown. Forman fights it but they end up in guard.

Liisteri got a little sloppy there for a moment and Forman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Liisteri has managed to get both his arms back between Forman's legs - danger averted.
Liisteri pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Forman is keeping the position for now.
Liisteri in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Liisteri pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Forman is keeping the position for now.
Forman looking for a sweep. Not yet Forman, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Forman working for a triangle but Liisteri defends it easily.
Forman looking for a sweep. Not yet Forman, not yet.
Liisteri postures up.

Forman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Forman looking for a guillotine here but Liisteri defends easily.
Liisteri wants to control from the top but Forman keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taavi Liisteri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Forman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Liisteri.

And that's the end of the fight!
Red Forman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Forman, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Red Forman!
During a confident post fight interview, Red Forman thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.