PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josef Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Knight
vs
Taalasmaa

183 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
201 lbs
6 - 4 - 1

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josef Knight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kari Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knight shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Taalasmaa pinned against the cage. Taalasmaa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Knight shoots for a takedown but Taalasmaa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A lazy left from Taalasmaa finds it's target.
Knight slips a jab and a cross from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa tries for a takedown but Knight circles away easily

and Knight counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Taalasmaa's guard now.

Knight decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taalasmaa misses with a takedown attempt

so Knight counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Knight trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taalasmaa's guard.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but Knight is controlling the position.
Knight is looking to work some ground and pound but Taalasmaa has wrist control.
Knight is looking to stand up but Taalasmaa won't let him.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taalasmaa striking off his back but it's not causing Knight any problems.
Knight would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Knight is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Knight scores with a takedown into Taalasmaa's guard.
Knight won't allow Taalasmaa to get back to his feet.

Taalasmaa pushes Knight off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
No luck for Taalasmaa with that takedown attempt.
Josef Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Knight counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Knight.

Knight stands up from Taalasmaa's guard - Knight perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kari Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taalasmaa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Knight counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Knight.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Knight preventing the sweep.
Knight trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taalasmaa doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Knight tries to stand but Taalasmaa is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa keeping moving, preventing Knight from controlling successfully.
Knight would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Taalasmaa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Knight manages to get himself to full guard.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taalasmaa won't allow Knight to get back to his feet.

Taalasmaa stands up from Knight's guard - Taalasmaa perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Knight pinned against the cage. Knight gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Taalasmaa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Knight tries to avoid it but Taalasmaa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Knight to the ground. Knight escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Taalasmaa shoots in and drives through. Knight sprawls well.
Knight shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taalasmaa as he avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa ducks under a wild hook from Knight.
Taalasmaa staying out of range there.
Knight fails with a takedown attempt.
Knight stuffs the takedown attempt from Taalasmaa. Taalasmaa gets slowly back to his feet.
Taalasmaa shoots in looking for a takedown. Knight tries to sprawl out of it but Taalasmaa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knight manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Knight stuffs the takedown attempt from Taalasmaa. Taalasmaa gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Taalasmaa stuffs the takedown.

Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Knight on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Knight tries to get out of the position.
Knight throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Knight wants to get back to his feet but Taalasmaa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Taalasmaa stands up and waves to Knight to follow him.

Knight drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Taalasmaa managing to control the position.
Taalasmaa has momentary wrist control but Knight slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taalasmaa working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josef Knight dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taalasmaa tries for a takedown but Knight sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Knight fails with the takedown.

Taalasmaa gets caught flat footed, as Knight shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Knight throws a big right hand that misses.
Knight trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taalasmaa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Taalasmaa wants to take a breather but Knight is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knight is trying to get back to full guard.
Taalasmaa controlling the action here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taalasmaa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Knight defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight is not content to let Taalasmaa control the position.
Taalasmaa wants to pass the guard but Knight is defending well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Taalasmaa connects with a nice short shot to Knight's temple.
Taalasmaa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Knight feints and as Taalasmaa raises his hands in defense, Knight changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Taalasmaa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Taalasmaa decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Knight fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Taalasmaa sprawls well initially but Knight persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Josef Knight overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Knight stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Taalasmaa with a poor takedown

and Knight counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Knight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taalasmaa striking off his back but it's not causing Knight any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Knight accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Knight wanted to stand there but Taalasmaa had control of the position.

Knight gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Taalasmaa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Some wild striking there from Knight.

Taalasmaa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Knight wants to get back to his feet.
Knight has hold of Taalasmaa's hands but Taalasmaa slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but Knight has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Knight tries to kick Taalasmaa off but Taalasmaa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Knight wants to get back to full guard.
Knight is trying to escape back to his feet but Taalasmaa uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Taalasmaa is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taalasmaa with a poor takedown

and Knight counters with a single leg into guard. Taalasmaa didn't expect that.
Josef Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Taalasmaa.

Knight decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Taalasmaa moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Taalasmaa misses with a takedown attempt - Knight sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taalasmaa is keen to just control but Knight is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa prevents Knight from standing back up.
Knight is not content to let Taalasmaa control the position.

Knight makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Taalasmaa fails to land the takedown.
Knight fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Taalasmaa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Knight!
Knight in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa punishing his opponent with strikes.
Knight is trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josef Knight dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Taalasmaa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Knight is fending him off so far but Taalasmaa persists. Nope, Knight circles away and we're back to standing.
Knight shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taalasmaa as he avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa has his takedown stuffed

and Knight counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Knight.

Taalasmaa pushes Knight off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Taalasmaa shoots in but Knight avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Josef Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Taalasmaa.
Nice takedown defense from Knight. No joy for Taalasmaa on that attempt.

Knight drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taalasmaa lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Knight preventing the sweep.
Knight wants to stand and escape but instead Taalasmaa has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Knight looking for a sweep. Not yet Knight, not yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knight is looking to stand up but Taalasmaa isn't so interested in that idea.
Taalasmaa lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to free his leg and advance position but Knight is retaining full guard.

Taalasmaa stands up and waves to Knight to follow him.
Taalasmaa throws a series of punches but Knight avoids them all with ease.
Taalasmaa scores with the left hand. Knight knows he should have avoided that one.
Taalasmaa misses with a takedown
and Knight counters with a straight right hand.
Josef Knight is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Knight shoots in and drives through. Taalasmaa sprawls well.
Knight misses with a straight right.
Taalasmaa tries for a takedown but Knight sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Knight drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Taalasmaa is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knight stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taalasmaa.
A combination from Taalasmaa does no damage.

Knight closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Taalasmaa to the mat! Taalasmaa manages to get full guard.
Taalasmaa throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Knight stops Taalasmaa from standing up.
Taalasmaa working a defensive guard here.
Knight throws a big right hand that misses.
Taalasmaa wants to sweep here but Knight controlling him for the moment.

Knight gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Taalasmaa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Knight.
Knight takes a swing at Taalasmaa's ribcage but misses.

Taalasmaa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Knight sprawls well initially but Taalasmaa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Taalasmaa passes the guard and advances to mount!
Knight tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Knight tries to hold on but Taalasmaa pushes him away.

Taalasmaa working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Knight trying desperately to get to his feet.
Knight tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa landing shots from mount.
Knight is in a horrible position here. Taalasmaa smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Knight can't escape the position.
Taalasmaa tries to control but Knight wriggling away.
Taalasmaa landing punches.
Kari Taalasmaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Taalasmaa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Knight turns into him and now he's in Taalasmaa's guard.
Taalasmaa will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Josef Knight is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Taalasmaa is looking for a triangle but Knight pushes his legs off easily.

Knight gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josef Knight showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Knight, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josef Knight!