PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Omar Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taalasmaa comes to the cage accompanied by Smurffit - Tunteisiin. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Taalasmaa
vs
Barksdale

172 cm
22
167 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
163 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Seppo Taalasmaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Omar Barksdale!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Columbo Gatti and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.
Barksdale throws a big shot that misses.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barksdale takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Barksdale scores with a punch to the head.
Taalasmaa thows a body shot but no joy.
Taalasmaa takes a swing at Barksdale's ribcage but misses.
Barksdale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barksdale shoots in but Taalasmaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa scores with a hook.
Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barksdale.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barksdale connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Barksdale was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Taalasmaa wants to get back to his feet.

Barksdale working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Taalasmaa can't escape the position.
Barksdale landing shots from mount.
Barksdale unloading with bombs!
Barksdale scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Taalasmaa?
Barksdale looking to land elbow strikes but Taalasmaa uses the position to regain half guard.
Taalasmaa keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Barksdale throwing shots but Taalasmaa is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa pushes Barksdale off looking to stand but Barksdale dives back in and keeps control.
Barksdale has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barksdale landing strikes from the mount.
Taalasmaa tries to reverse the position but Barksdale maintains control.
Barksdale landing strikes from the mount.

Barksdale working for a submission but Taalasmaa is keeping him at bay.
Barksdale looks gassed!
Barksdale landing strikes, looking to finish!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale with good strikes from the mount here!
Barksdale looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Barksdale fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Taalasmaa can't escape the position.

Barksdale swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Taalasmaa is now in Barksdale's guard. A big mistake from Barksdale there, giving up the dominant position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa turns into Barksdale and is now in his guard.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but Barksdale is controlling his posture from full guard.
Barksdale doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Taalasmaa looking to pass the guard.

Barksdale had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Taalasmaa is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Barksdale Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Taalasmaa's back instead.
Taalasmaa is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taalasmaa wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Taalasmaa is in a bad position with Barksdale working for a choke. Taalasmaa manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Taalasmaa tries to stand but Barksdale is controlling from the bottom.

Barksdale has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taalasmaa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Taalasmaa gets to his feet - Barksdale follows without any prompting.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taalasmaa lands a right hook to the body.
Barksdale misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Omar Barksdale dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A cross from Taalasmaa lands.
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taalasmaa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barksdale.
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taalasmaa as he avoids it easily.
Seppo Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barksdale throws a hook to the side of Taalasmaa's head but Taalasmaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taalasmaa.
Barksdale doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Taalasmaa throws a shot to the body.
Taalasmaa connects with a right hand. Barksdale shakes it off.
Taalasmaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Taalasmaa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barksdale.
Barksdale checks the leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taalasmaa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Barksdale looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Barksdale gets caught flat footed, as Taalasmaa shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Taalasmaa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Barksdale's head.
Barksdale wants to hit a switch here but Taalasmaa passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Barksdale there!
Taalasmaa looking to control but Barksdale is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Taalasmaa landing strikes, looking to finish!
Taalasmaa lands with some strikes.
Barksdale is in all sorts of trouble here.
Taalasmaa tries to control but Barksdale wriggling away.
Omar Barksdale has got the better of the ground game so far.
Taalasmaa pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Barksdale gets back to half guard.
Barksdale is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa uses his free foot to push down on Barksdale's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Barksdale.
Taalasmaa scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Barksdale sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Taalasmaa landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Barksdale moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Taalasmaa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barksdale is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taalasmaa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Barksdale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barksdale punching to the body, from the bottom.
Barksdale has a closed guard, preventing Taalasmaa from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Taalasmaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barksdale manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Taalasmaa manages to get himself to full guard.

Barksdale drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barksdale jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Taalasmaa manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Barksdale is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Taalasmaa tries to control but Barksdale wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa looking to secure an arm triangle but Barksdale defends it well.
Barksdale avoids a series of strikes thrown by Taalasmaa.
Barksdale sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Barksdale makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Barksdale.
Barksdale has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Taalasmaa is looking to work some ground and pound but Barksdale has wrist control.
Barksdale tries to strike from the bottom.
Taalasmaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barksdale swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barksdale 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.
Taalasmaa stopping the sweep attempt from Barksdale.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but Barksdale has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
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 Seppo Taalasmaa will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Barksdale shoots and misses
and Taalasmaa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Barksdale scores with the left hand. Taalasmaa knows he should have avoided that one.
Barksdale looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taalasmaa is fending him off so far but Barksdale persists. Nope, Taalasmaa circles away and we're back to standing.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Taalasmaa, as that shot connected.
Taalasmaa throws a hook but Barksdale blocks it.
Taalasmaa throws a series of punches but Barksdale avoids them all with ease.
Barksdale wants to clinch.
Barksdale misses the jab.
Taalasmaa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight left.
Taalasmaa throws out a loose jab but Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taalasmaa is looking to wear down Barksdale with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Taalasmaa throws a right and a left that Barksdale avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taalasmaa misses with a low kick.
A slow jab from Taalasmaa misses its intended target.
Barksdale misses with a combination
enabling Taalasmaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Barksdale lands a right hook to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Taalasmaa as Barksdale shoots in.
Seppo Taalasmaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omar Barksdale.
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown but Taalasmaa shows good takedown defense.
Taalasmaa misses with a few strikes there.
Taalasmaa jabs at Barksdale's body.

Barksdale takes the fight into the clinch.
Barksdale wants to get back to striking at distance but Taalasmaa won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Barksdale.

Barksdale manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Taalasmaa scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Taalasmaa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barksdale's head.
Barksdale doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Taalasmaa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barksdale is keeping the position for now.

Barksdale escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taalasmaa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Taalasmaa preventing the sweep.

Taalasmaa decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Barksdale connects with a nice looking jab.
Barksdale moves forwards but Taalasmaa connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A slow jab from Barksdale misses its intended target.
Barksdale with a lazy takedown attempt
and Taalasmaa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Taalasmaa lunges at Barksdale with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barksdale's hand.
Taalasmaa throws a leg kick that misses.
Taalasmaa throws the left hand but Barksdale avoids the punch easily.
Taalasmaa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Taalasmaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taalasmaa swings away with a body shot that misses
and Taalasmaa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Barksdale fails with the takedown
and Taalasmaa counters with a straight right hand.
Taalasmaa digs a good body shot into Barksdale's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa dips to his left and cracks Barksdale with an uppercut!
Taalasmaa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A slow jab from Taalasmaa misses its intended target.
Taalasmaa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barksdale fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Taalasmaa darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Taalasmaa jabs Barksdale right on the nose. Barksdale blinks but takes it well.
Barksdale defending well as Taalasmaa loads up on a big left hand.
Barksdale lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Taalasmaa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barksdale tries to bum rush Taalasmaa with a series of wild strikes but Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Seppo Taalasmaa.
I think Taalasmaa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Roberts scores the fight for Omar Barksdale!
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight for Omar Barksdale!
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Omar Barksdale!

Omar Barksdale wins by unanimous decision!