PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sean VonFoster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sean VonFoster has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

VonFoster
vs
Taalasmaa

225 cm
27
185 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

155 cm
26
190 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sean VonFoster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Taalasmaa misses.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but VonFoster is just out of range.
VonFoster tries to land a front kick but Taalasmaa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut
and VonFoster counters with a left to the body.
VonFoster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Taalasmaa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Taalasmaa.

Taalasmaa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Taalasmaa jabs at VonFoster's body.
VonFoster misses with a takedown attempt

and Taalasmaa counters with a single leg into guard. VonFoster didn't expect that.

VonFoster has his foot on Taalasmaa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taalasmaa works his way back into a safe position though.

VonFoster working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taalasmaa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taalasmaa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
VonFoster controls Taalasmaa momentarily but Taalasmaa frees himself.
VonFoster being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taalasmaa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Taalasmaa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with VonFoster. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
VonFoster is looking to stand up but Taalasmaa isn't so interested in that idea.
Taalasmaa's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Kari Taalasmaa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
VonFoster uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws the left hand but VonFoster avoids the punch easily.
Taalasmaa looks to land a left hand but VonFoster moved out of range nicely.
Taalasmaa misses the shot to the body.
VonFoster with a lazy takedown attempt
and Taalasmaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean VonFoster. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. VonFoster is trying to defend but Taalasmaa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Taalasmaa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
VonFoster pushes Taalasmaa off looking to stand but Taalasmaa dives back in and keeps control.
Taalasmaa looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
VonFoster is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Taalasmaa jumps into side control!
Taalasmaa cracks VonFoster with a big right hand but VonFoster just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
VonFoster struggling a bit here.
Taalasmaa in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Taalasmaa decides to stand up, so the ref orders VonFoster to his feet.
VonFoster really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with a looping right.
Taalasmaa throws a body punch but VonFoster moves out of range.
VonFoster shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Taalasmaa to counter with a crisp jab.
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.
VonFoster misses with a double jab

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
VonFoster will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

VonFoster looking for a guillotine here but Taalasmaa defends easily.
VonFoster is trying to control the position but Taalasmaa postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
VonFoster has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Taalasmaa has passed into side control.

Taalasmaa stands up and beckons VonFoster to his feet.
Taalasmaa lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Taalasmaa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Taalasmaa showed some decent athleticism there.
VonFoster is looking to control Taalasmaa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can VonFoster avoid being mounted?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Taalasmaa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

VonFoster with a poor takedown
and Taalasmaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook.
VonFoster misses with a double jab
and Taalasmaa counters with a nice body shot.
VonFoster takes one to the side of the head.

Taalasmaa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Taalasmaa lands an elbow.
Taalasmaa lands a decent elbow from side control.
VonFoster takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taalasmaa controls the position from side control.
Kari Taalasmaa has got the better of the ground game so far.

Taalasmaa decides to stand up, so the ref orders VonFoster to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut. VonFoster saw that one coming.
VonFoster uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight left.

Taalasmaa scores with a takedown into VonFoster's guard.
VonFoster doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
VonFoster controls Taalasmaa momentarily but Taalasmaa frees himself.
Taalasmaa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

VonFoster had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Taalasmaa defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kari Taalasmaa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Taalasmaa misses the shot to the body.
Sean VonFoster is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slow jab from Taalasmaa misses its intended target.
Taalasmaa swings widly with a right hand

and VonFoster counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

VonFoster has an active guard here but Taalasmaa has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Taalasmaa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. VonFoster defending well though.
Taalasmaa not doing much here.
VonFoster wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kari Taalasmaa.
A big left from Taalasmaa misses.
Taalasmaa lands a slapping body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
VonFoster uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taalasmaa.
VonFoster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and VonFoster takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taalasmaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but VonFoster manages to avoid it.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

VonFoster tries to clinch up.
VonFoster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Taalasmaa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
VonFoster blocks a jab.
VonFoster shoots and misses
and Taalasmaa counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy right hand but VonFoster sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Taalasmaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
VonFoster goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
VonFoster motions for Taalasmaa to come forward. VonFoster throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
VonFoster doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean VonFoster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
VonFoster trying to control here.
Still in half guard, Taalasmaa seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa moves into full mount! VonFoster won't be happy about that!
Taalasmaa controlling the position easily from mount.
VonFoster tries to lock up and control but Taalasmaa gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Taalasmaa content just to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
VonFoster trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa lands with some strikes.
Taalasmaa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Taalasmaa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
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 landing strikes from the mount.
Taalasmaa looking to control and managing it successfully.
Let's hope that Taalasmaa has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VonFoster regains half guard.
Taalasmaa has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Taalasmaa lands a big shot there that rocks VonFoster but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sean VonFoster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa controlling his opponent.
Taalasmaa punishing his opponent with strikes.

VonFoster is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taalasmaa controlling from the full mount.
Taalasmaa blocks VonFoster's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa working VonFoster over with strikes here.
Kari Taalasmaa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Oh VonFoster is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Taalasmaa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kari 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kari Taalasmaa!
Kari Taalasmaa took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.