PBP Commentary

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

Reyes
vs
Taalasmaa

179 cm
22
213 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
215 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nelson Reyes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Seppo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reyes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Taalasmaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reyes tries to close the distance and clinch but Taalasmaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Taalasmaa lands a nice looking kick to the body. Reyes takes a step back to recover.
Taalasmaa lands an overhand right.
Reyes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Taalasmaa.
Reyes throws a head kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Taalasmaa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Taalasmaa avoids a kick to the body.
Taalasmaa blocks a head kick by Reyes.
Reyes avoids the head kick by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Reyes.
Reyes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws the left hand but Reyes avoids the punch easily.
Reyes throws a head kick that Taalasmaa semi-blocks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice uppercut there from Taalasmaa.
A head kick misses from Taalasmaa.
Reyes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Reyes tries a head kick but it misses.
Taalasmaa blocks a head kick by Reyes.
Reyes blocks a head kick by Taalasmaa.
Seppo Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taalasmaa throws a sloppy head kick and Reyes moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws a sloppy head kick and Reyes moves out of range easily.
Taalasmaa throws a sloppy head kick

and Reyes counters with a shoot takedown. Taalasmaa fights it but they end up in guard.
Reyes looking to pass the guard.
Reyes won't allow Taalasmaa to get back to his feet.
Reyes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Reyes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Reyes sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Taalasmaa's guard.
Taalasmaa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Reyes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Reyes prevents Taalasmaa from standing back up.
Reyes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Taalasmaa's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Taalasmaa avoids the head kick by Reyes.
Taalasmaa connects with a nice looking jab.
Taalasmaa avoids the head kick by Reyes.
Reyes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Taalasmaa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Taalasmaa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Taalasmaa is looking to chop away at Reyes's legs.
Reyes throws a sloppy head kick and Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.
Taalasmaa avoids the head kick by Reyes.
Reyes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Taalasmaa keeps the fight on the outside.
Taalasmaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Taalasmaa slips a jab and a cross from Reyes.
Reyes blocks a head kick by Taalasmaa.
Reyes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick but Reyes moves out of range.

Reyes feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Reyes is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reyes drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Reyes jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Taalasmaa wants to stand and escape but Reyes is having none of it.
Reyes wants to pass the guard but Taalasmaa is keeping the position.
Reyes is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Reyes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Taalasmaa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Reyes has Taalasmaa in his guard.
Taalasmaa wanted to stand there but Reyes had control of the position.
Reyes wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reyes trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nelson Reyes will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Reyes tries to move into range but Taalasmaa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Reyes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Taalasmaa swivels and escapes.
Reyes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Reyes.
Taalasmaa throws a sloppy head kick
and Reyes counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Reyes tries to bum rush Taalasmaa with a series of wild strikes but Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Taalasmaa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Reyes looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Reyes throws a head kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Reyes fails to land with a series of punches.
Taalasmaa cracks Reyes with a good jab.
Taalasmaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Donk. Taalasmaa catches Reyes right on the button with a cross.
Taalasmaa lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
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!
Reyes slips a jab and a cross from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Reyes shoots in but Taalasmaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Reyes tries for a takedown but Taalasmaa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nelson Reyes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reyes avoids the head kick by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws a hook but Reyes avoids it easily.
Reyes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taalasmaa keeps the fight on the outside.
Reyes lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Reyes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes blocks a head kick by Taalasmaa.
Reyes tries to bum rush Taalasmaa with a series of wild strikes but Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Taalasmaa stuns Reyes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nelson Reyes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reyes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Reyes throws a head kick that Taalasmaa semi-blocks.
Reyes misses with a few strikes there.
Taalasmaa avoids the head kick by Reyes.
Seppo Taalasmaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taalasmaa tries to land a body kick
and Reyes counters with a head kick. That will keep Taalasmaa thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Seppo Taalasmaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Reyes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Reyes tries a head kick but it misses.
Reyes misses with a head kick.
Taalasmaa has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Taalasmaa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taalasmaa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Reyes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taalasmaa throws a chopping leg kick but Reyes manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Reyes throws a sloppy head kick and Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.
Reyes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy head kick
and Reyes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes shoots in but Taalasmaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Reyes throws a sloppy head kick and Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.
Reyes throws a hook but Taalasmaa blocks it.
Reyes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that misses
and Reyes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Taalasmaa lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Reyes throws a right hand that Taalasmaa ducks under and follows up with a left that Taalasmaa also avoids with ease.
Reyes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taalasmaa bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Taalasmaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Reyes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Reyes misses with a wild combination.
Taalasmaa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taalasmaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A head kick misses from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Reyes.
Taalasmaa lands a head kick. Reyes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes misses with a wild combination.
Taalasmaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy head kick
and Reyes counters with a nice uppercut.
Taalasmaa lands a head kick. Reyes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Reyes tries to bum rush Taalasmaa with a series of wild strikes but Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that half lands.
Reyes avoids the body shot from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa scores with a head kick.
Reyes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reyes moves in looking to clinch but Taalasmaa pushes him off.
Taalasmaa scores with a jab. Reyes acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Reyes throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Reyes.
Reyes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy head kick
and Reyes counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taalasmaa slow jab from Reyes misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Taalasmaa.
Reyes misses with a two punch combination.
Reyes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Reyes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy head kick

and Reyes counters with a takedown into side control.

Reyes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Taalasmaa knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Reyes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Taalasmaa, who protects the arm well.
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.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Reyes wants to clinch.
Taalasmaa lands a head shot.
Reyes throws a head kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Taalasmaa throws a sloppy head kick
and Reyes counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taalasmaa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reyes lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Taalasmaa stuffs the takedown attempt from Reyes. Reyes gets slowly back to his feet.
Reyes stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Taalasmaa looks to land a combination but Reyes avoids it well.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reyes gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Taalasmaa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Horrible takedown by Reyes or perhaps it was just good defense by Taalasmaa which made him look bad.
A solid body kick from Taalasmaa.
Reyes tries to clinch but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Reyes ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa feints and then cracks Reyes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reyes down.
Reyes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Taalasmaa as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nelson Reyes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taalasmaa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Reyes.
Reyes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that misses.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy head kick
and Reyes counters with a straight right hand.

Reyes closes the distance and clinches.
Reyes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Taalasmaa missing with knees to the body.
Reyes has Taalasmaa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Taalasmaa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Taalasmaa lands a body punch.
A knee to the head by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Taalasmaa tries to land knees in the clinch but Reyes avoids the damage to the body.
Taalasmaa lands a body shot in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa lands a knee to the head.
Reyes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Taalasmaa landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taalasmaa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Reyes.
Knees to the body from Taalasmaa.
Reyes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Taalasmaa lands a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reyes avoiding damage as Taalasmaa throws knees to the body.
Taalasmaa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Taalasmaa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reyes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Taalasmaa has him pressed against the cage.
Reyes has Taalasmaa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Taalasmaa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Reyes wants a takedown.
Taalasmaa landing knees to the head.
Taalasmaa throws a head punch that misses.
Taalasmaa with a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Taalasmaa.
Reyes tries a knee to the head but Taalasmaa blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Taalasmaa as the two fighters clinch.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee strike.
Reyes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Taalasmaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Reyes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Taalasmaa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Reyes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Taalasmaa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Reyes blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes is working for takedown but Taalasmaa is calmly controlling the position for now.
Reyes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Taalasmaa prevents it.
Reyes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Taalasmaa avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee strike.
Taalasmaa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Taalasmaa keeps control of Reyes as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee to the head.
Reyes tries to score a body lock takedown but Taalasmaa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Taalasmaa tries to land a knee to the head but Reyes blocks with his arms.
Reyes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Taalasmaa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee strike.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa lands a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa landing knees to the head.
Taalasmaa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Taalasmaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Reyes wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes goes for a takedown attempt but Taalasmaa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Reyes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reyes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reyes connects with a single shot there.
Taalasmaa blocks a head kick by Reyes.
Reyes cracks Taalasmaa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Reyes cracks Taalasmaa with an open hand slap.
Taalasmaa is looking to chop away at Reyes's legs.
Taalasmaa takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Reyes throws a nice head kick!
Reyes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Reyes shoots in for a takedown but Taalasmaa shows good takedown defense.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reyes throws a head kick that misses.
Reyes throws a head kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Reyes misses with a head kick.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Taalasmaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.

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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

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