PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maki Tantor (ranked 5656 p4p, 0 weight class) and Green Cross (ranked 6408 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tantor
vs
Cross

182 cm
16
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maki Tantor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Green Cross!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cross moves into the clinch successfully.
Tantor struggles to land a body shot inside as Cross controls his hands.
A nice left hand lands by Tantor.
Tantor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cross wants to take the fight to the mat but Tantor manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cross misses with some punches.
Tantor works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tantor lands with a left to the head.
Cross blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tantor lands a right hand.
Cross throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tantor.
Tantor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tantor misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tantor creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tantor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tantor throws a head punch that misses.
Cross misses with the head strike.
Cross blocking some punches.
A shot in the inside from Tantor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantor blocks the elbow strike.

Tantor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cross has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Tantor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cross manages to avoid it.
Tantor misses the jab.
Tantor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cross tries to clinch but Tantor moves out of range.
Tantor throws a good cross that connects.

Cross closes the distance and clinches.
Tantor lands an uppercut.
Tantor misses with a punch on the inside.
Cross wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tantor lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cross.
Cross throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tantor lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cross tries a knee to the head but Tantor blocks it.
Cross throws a punch but it's blocked by Tantor.
Tantor looking to stall.
Tantor has Cross pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cross manages to pull guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tantor advances position into side control!
Cross is trying to buck Tantor off.

Tantor decides to stand back up.

Cross gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Tantor scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cross looking to throw knees to the head but Tantor is blocking nicely.
Cross stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A nice left hand lands by Tantor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cross as Tantor tries to tie him up.
Cross tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cross letting Tantor take a breather here.
Tantor is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tantor misses with a punch to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Tantor.
Tantor struggles to land a body shot inside as Cross controls his hands.
Cross misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tantor.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tantor - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Cross blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tantor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cross misses with some punches.
Tantor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cross.
Cross misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross stalling.
Tantor lands a nice uppercut.
Cross misses with a punch on the inside.
Tantor looking to slow down the pace here.
Tantor trying to control the position but instead, Cross has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tantor into the cage.
Tantor scores with a shoulder strike.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tantor is looking to control Cross's arms but Cross gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tantor has his back to the cage.
Tantor lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tantor lands with a right to the head.
Tantor misses with a punch on the inside.
Tantor misses with the head strike.

Tantor breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tantor throws a hook to the side of Cross's head but Cross sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tantor misses with a lunging right hand
and Cross counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maki Tantor dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cross uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tantor.
Tantor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Cross drives through and clinches with Tantor against the cage.
Cross has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tantor avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cross throws a punch but it's blocked by Tantor.
Tantor can't find room to land a body shot as Cross controls the action.
Tantor has a couple of punches blocked by Cross.
Cross swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tantor wants to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cross.
Tantor trying to stall but Cross improves his position.
Tantor scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tantor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tantor is trying to maintain a safe position but Cross gets an underhook and turns Tantor into the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Tantor lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantor lands a nice uppercut.
Tantor misses with a punch on the inside.
Maki Tantor has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tantor slows down the pace here.

Tantor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cross moves away from the strike by Tantor.

Cross moves into the clinch.
Cross misses with the head strike.
Tantor taking a breather.
Tantor wants to stall.
Cross misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cross looking for a takedown.
Tantor misses with the head strike.
Cross tries to break free but Tantor pushes him back against the cage.
Cross changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tantor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Maki Tantor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Green Cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross doesn't manage to clinch there - Tantor circles away.
Tantor throws a big shot that misses.

Cross closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tantor looking to slow down the pace here.

Tantor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cross closes the distance and clinches.
Tantor throws a head punch that misses.
Cross stalling in the clinch but Tantor improves position.
Cross throws a knee to the head but misses.

Cross turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Tantor tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tantor on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tantor tries to get out of the position.
Cross controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Cross 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.

Cross goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Tantor is on top in guard.
Cross is pulling down on Tantor's head. It's preventing any offense from Tantor, at least for the moment.

Tantor stands and steps away. Cross gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross tries to clinch but Tantor moves out of range.

Cross instigates a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tantor prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tantor has a couple of punches blocked by Cross.
Tantor scores with a shot to the side of Cross's head.
Tantor throws a punch but it's blocked by Cross.
Cross lands a shoulder strike.
Cross misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tantor misses with a punch to the body.

Tantor breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maki Tantor dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tantor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cross.
Cross moves away from the strike by Tantor.
Cross tries to clinch but Tantor moves out of range.

Cross has managed to clinch.
Tantor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tantor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tantor misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cross throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tantors head.
Cross lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tantor backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tantor.
Cross jumps guard but Tantor stands there with Cross around his waist. Cross gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tantor scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tantor is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Tantor lands a shoulder strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Tantor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tantor.
Tantor misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cross.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tantor.
Cross can't break the clinch.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Tantor.
Tantor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tantor pushes Cross back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tantor misses with the head strike.
Tantor lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cross blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tantor softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cross throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Tantor stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tantor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tantor has Cross pressed against the cage, preventing Cross from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tantor looking to stall.
A left hand lands to the body for Tantor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cross has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tantor after a bit of a struggle.
Tantor is trying to maintain a safe position but Cross gets an underhook and turns Tantor into the cage.
Cross prevents a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cross lands a nice uppercut.
Come on Tantor - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cross misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cross wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tantor has him pressed against the cage.
Tantor misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tantor working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tantor lands with a light punch inside.
Tantor throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tantor after a bit of a struggle.
Maki Tantor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Green Cross.
Tantor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cross's elbow.
Tantor misses with a punch to the body.
Tantor misses with a body punch.
Tantor taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Cross swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cross manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Cross blocking some punches.
Tantor misses with a short punch on the inside.

Tantor breaks from the clinch.
Tantor throws a jab but it's blocked by Cross.
A jab from Tantor misses.
Cross on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cross tries to close the distance and clinch but Tantor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tantor takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Green Cross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tantor is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Cross moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tantor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cross tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tantor is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tantor blocking some punches.
Cross goes for a takedown attempt but Tantor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Tantor tries to keep at a distance but Cross has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tantor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tantor is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cross looking to stall.
A short left from Tantor.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A shot in the inside from Cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maki Tantor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tantor has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maki Tantor!