PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Huey Freeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Freeman comes to the cage accompanied by Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Seppo Taalasmaa was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Freeman
vs
Taalasmaa

177 cm
27
184 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

170 cm
27
160 lbs
24 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Huey Freeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seppo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freeman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Freeman on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Taalasmaa checks the leg kick nicely there.

Freeman moves into the clinch successfully.

Taalasmaa tightens his grip and picks Freeman up, before dumping him to the ground. Freeman manages to land in guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Freeman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taalasmaa postures up.
Freeman is adopting a defensive guard.
Taalasmaa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Freeman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Freeman wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.

Freeman looking for a guillotine here but Taalasmaa defends easily.
Freeman is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Freeman trying to control the position.

Freeman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taalasmaa wants to control from the top but Freeman keeps moving.
Freeman keeping full guard, as Taalasmaa tries to pass.
Taalasmaa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taalasmaa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Freeman is looking for a triangle but Taalasmaa pushes his legs off easily.
Taalasmaa pushing down on Freeman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Freeman defending well though.
Freeman has his hands clasped together around Taalasmaa's back. He's all about the action.
Freeman is trying to stand back up but Taalasmaa is controlling him
Freeman is trying to control but can't.
Freeman wants to get back to full guard.
Taalasmaa is nestled in close to Freeman, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taalasmaa working the head and body with strikes.

Taalasmaa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Freeman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Freeman does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa slips a nice elbow through Freeman's hands, connecting with Freeman's forehead.
Freeman is trying to get back to full guard.
Freeman is working hard here to advance position.
Taalasmaa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Freeman's head.
Taalasmaa prevents Freeman from improving his position.
Taalasmaa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Taalasmaa prevents Freeman from improving his position.
Taalasmaa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Taalasmaa working over Freeman with some ground and pound. Freeman looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Freeman wants to improve his position but Taalasmaa is controlling well.
Taalasmaa is thwarting Freeman's attempts to control the position.
Freeman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taalasmaa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Taalasmaa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taalasmaa is thwarting Freeman's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Freeman tries to roll over but Taalasmaa keeps him under control.
Freeman is trying to maintain the position but Taalasmaa is very close to passing his half guard.
Taalasmaa looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Freeman with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Taalasmaa is keen to just control but Freeman is a slippery customer.
Taalasmaa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Freeman is trying to maintain the position but Taalasmaa is very close to passing his half guard.
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 interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Taalasmaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Freeman misses with a low kick.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Danga de danga de dang - Freeman scores with a four punch combination!
That kick from Taalasmaa tenderised Freeman's leg. Freeman is trying to keep his angry face on.
Freeman drops his hands momentarily and Taalasmaa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Freeman lands a jab.

Taalasmaa gets caught flat footed, as Freeman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Taalasmaa wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Freeman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taalasmaa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa is trying to control the position but Freeman postures up.
Taalasmaa keeping full guard, as Freeman tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa looking for a sweep. Not yet Taalasmaa, not yet.
Taalasmaa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Freeman trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.

Taalasmaa looking for a guillotine here but Freeman defends easily.
Seppo Taalasmaa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Freeman tries to free his leg and advance position but Taalasmaa is retaining full guard.
Freeman advances position into side control!
Freeman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taalasmaa keeps working.
Taalasmaa is looking to regain half guard here but Freeman keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa sneaks back into half guard.
Freeman wants to pass to mount but Taalasmaa is defending the position.
Taalasmaa works his way to full guard. Good work.

Taalasmaa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Freeman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Taalasmaa is adopting a defensive guard.
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 looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Freeman passes into half guard.
Taalasmaa has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Freeman is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is looking to improve his position.
Freeman lands with a punch from half guard.

Freeman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Taalasmaa has managed to free his arm - good work.
Freeman prevents Taalasmaa from improving his position.
Freeman works his way into full mount!
Freeman content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Taalasmaa wants to control but Freeman is keeping busy.
Ground and pound from Freeman.
Taalasmaa keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Taalasmaa looking for submissions off his back.
Taalasmaa is pressing down on Freeman's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa is trying to control the position but Freeman postures up.

Taalasmaa has his foot on Freeman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Freeman works his way back into a safe position though.
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 Huey Freeman will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Freeman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Taalasmaa to the ground. Freeman is now in Taalasmaa's guard.
Freeman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Taalasmaa can't keep his opponent in guard - Freeman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Freeman is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Taalasmaa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Freeman.
Taalasmaa wants to get back to full guard.
Freeman trying to control the action but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Freeman prevents Taalasmaa from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is not content to let Freeman control the position.
Freeman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Taalasmaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Freeman drops an elbow to the side of Taalasmaa's head.
Taalasmaa works his way to full guard. Good work.
Taalasmaa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Freeman is one step ahead there.
Taalasmaa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Freeman's guard.
Freeman managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freeman 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.
Taalasmaa is pushing down on Freeman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Freeman is fighting to maintain full guard but Taalasmaa has managed to sneak the leg through.
Freeman is trying to get back to full guard.
Taalasmaa trying to control the pace.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Freeman is trying to get back to full guard.
Taalasmaa scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman moves into full guard.
Taalasmaa wants to control from the top but Freeman keeps moving.
Taalasmaa advances to half guard.
Taalasmaa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Taalasmaa prevents Freeman from improving his position.
Taalasmaa working Freeman over with strikes.
Taalasmaa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Freeman's head.
Freeman taking some punishment here, with Taalasmaa in his half guard.
Freeman wants to get back to full guard.
Freeman has hold of Taalasmaa's hands but Taalasmaa slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Taalasmaa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Freeman controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is taking a breather. Freeman says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taalasmaa wants to take a breather but Freeman is having none of it.
Taalasmaa thows a huge punch but Freeman dodges it nicely.
Freeman is looking to escape.
Taalasmaa is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Freeman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taalasmaa scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Freeman's head.
Freeman is looking to control Taalasmaa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Freeman avoid being mounted?

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Taalasmaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Taalasmaa 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

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