PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Teppo Taavitsainen (ranked 4439 p4p, 4921 weight class) and Mickey Molton (ranked 461 p4p, 479 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Taavitsainen
vs
Molton

185 cm
18
160
3 - 0 - 0

165 cm
23
160
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Taavitsainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mickey Molton!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taavitsainen scores with a nice head shot.

Molton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Molton blocks a body shot from Taavitsainen.

Molton gets control of Taavitsainen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Molton will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Molton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Molton is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Molton is looking to take a break and control but Taavitsainen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Molton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taavitsainen wants to get back to his feet.
Molton takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Taavitsainen is staying active underneath Molton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Molton misses with a head shot. Taavitsainen uses the momentum to regain guard.
Molton has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Molton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Taavitsainen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Taavitsainen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Molton works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Molton slips a nice elbow through Taavitsainen's hands, connecting with Taavitsainen's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Molton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Taavitsainen is just riding it out for now. Molton eventually gives up the hold.
Molton throws a strike but Taavitsainen avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Taavitsainen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Molton trying to control the position from guard on top but Taavitsainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Molton is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Taavitsainen looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molton postures up in Taavitsainen's guard and throws a big left but Taavitsainen blocks it.
Molton wants to control from the top but Taavitsainen keeps moving.

Molton drops back looking for a leg! Taavitsainen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Taavitsainen manages to kick Molton off! Molton jumps back into Taavitsainen's guard.

Molton stands up from Taavitsainen's guard - Molton perhaps looking for a knockout.

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.
Taavitsainen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Taavitsainen lands a right hook to the body.
Taavitsainen lands the left hand.
Taavitsainen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taavitsainen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Taavitsainen looking to score a takedown here. Molton is defending well but Taavitsainen drives through and ends up in Molton's guard.
Molton keeping moving, preventing Taavitsainen from controlling successfully.
Molton wants to stand and escape but Taavitsainen is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Taavitsainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taavitsainen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mickey Molton will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Molton moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice body punch from Taavitsainen.
Taavitsainen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The fight stays on the outside here - Molton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Molton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Taavitsainen's waist but Taavitsainen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Molton off to one side.
Teppo Taavitsainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taavitsainen jabs at Molton's body.
Taavitsainen lands the left hand.
Teppo Taavitsainen is winning the standup battle so far.

Molton rushes Taavitsainen and presses him up against the cage.
Molton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taavitsainen's efforts to push away.

Taavitsainen tightens his grip and picks Molton up, before dumping him to the ground. Molton manages to land in guard.
Taavitsainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Molton on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taavitsainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Molton is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Molton working for a triangle but Taavitsainen defends it easily.

Molton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Taavitsainen defends well.
Taavitsainen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taavitsainen advances position into side control!
Molton defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taavitsainen wants to control but Molton is keeping him busy.
Taavitsainen in side control, throwing shots but Molton defends.
Molton is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Taavitsainen off and has taken his back!

Molton has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Taavitsainen is defending well but eventually Molton manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Taavitsainen has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mickey Molton!