PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tapio Tapsanen (ranked 3604 p4p, 3649 weight class) and Jack Ettridge (ranked 438 p4p, 441 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tapsanen
vs
Ettridge

221 cm
20
277
2 - 6 - 0

198 cm
27
270
3 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tapio Tapsanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jack Ettridge!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ettridge cracks Tapsanen with a good jab.
Ettridge ducks right into an uppercut from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ettridge closes the distance but Tapsanen moves to the side
and Tapsanen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Ettridge changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tapsanen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tapsanen tries to escape but Ettridge is in control.
Tapsanen trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Ettridge decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ettridge swings for the body but Tapsanen moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Tapsanen misses the target.
Jack Ettridge seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ettridge throws a series of punches but Tapsanen moves out of range.
Tapsanen throwing a counter right hand but Ettridge manages to avoid it.
Tapsanen lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Ettridge is predictable there
and Ettridge takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tapsanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
No joy there for Ettridge, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ettridge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ettridge fails with the takedown
and Tapsanen counters with a left to the body.
Ettridge tries to clinch but Tapsanen is having none of it.
Tapsanen throwing a counter right hand but Ettridge manages to avoid it.
A combination from Ettridge does no damage.
A counter left hand to the body from Tapsanen misses its target.

Ettridge has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ettridge looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ettridge lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ettridge blocks a body shot from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen taking a breather.
Ettridge blocks a body shot from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ettridge's elbow.
Tapsanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tapsanen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tapsanen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tapsanen throws a head punch that misses.
Tapsanen stalling in the clinch.
Tapsanen misses with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right handed body shot lands from Tapsanen.
Ettridge looks winded!
Tapsanen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tapsanen struggles to land a body shot inside as Ettridge controls his hands.
Ettridge blocks a body shot from Tapsanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ettridge blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tapsanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tapsanen prevents Ettridge from breaking the clinch.
Tapsanen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tapsanen tries a body shot but Ettridge blocks it.
Tapsanen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tapsanen lands with a right to the head.
Tapsanen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tapsanen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tapsanen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tapsanen works on Ettridge's body with a couple of short punches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tapsanen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapsanen is leaning against Ettridge and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tapsanen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ettridge misses with an elbow over the top.
Tapsanen digs a right hand into Ettridge's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ettridge's gas tank.
Tapsanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tapsanen lands a right hand.
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!
Tapsanen avoiding damage.
Tapsanen stalling.
Tapsanen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ettridges head.
Ettridge is looking to break free of the clinch but Tapsanen has double underhooks.
Tapsanen lands a right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tapio Tapsanen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tapsanen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ettridge gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tapsanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ettridge misses with a takedown attempt
and Tapsanen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ettridge throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tapsanen's waist but Tapsanen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ettridge off to one side.
Ettridge takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tapio Tapsanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Ettridge shoots in for a takedown but Tapsanen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tapio Tapsanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Ettridge.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapsanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tapsanen scores with a jab to the body.
Ettridge moves to clinch but Tapsanen breaks away
and Tapsanen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ettridge thinking.
Ettridge is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapsanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ettridge throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tapsanen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ettridge shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tapsanen counters with a stiff right hand.
Ettridge shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ettridge takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Ettridge tries to keep at a distance but Tapsanen has taken the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tapio Tapsanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tapsanen working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapsanen stalling in the clinch.
Ettridge missing with knees to the body.
Tapsanen misses with a punch to the body.

Ettridge successfully pulls guard.
Tapsanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ettridge swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tapsanen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Tapsanen stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapsanen lands a jab.
Tapsanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Ettridge is just out of range.
Tapsanen throws a right and a left that Ettridge avoids nicely.

Ettridge closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tapsanen's guard.
Tapsanen trying to control the position here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ettridge wants to stand and escape but instead Tapsanen has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Tapsanen stands and steps away. Ettridge gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Jab from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ettridge gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Tapsanen counter with a right hand.
Jack Ettridge is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tapsanen catches Ettridge with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
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!
Tapsanen cracks Ettridge with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ettridge has his takedown stuffed
and Ettridge takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tapsanen connects with a nice looking jab.
Tapsanen connects with a nice looking jab.
Ettridge tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tapio Tapsanen dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Tapsanen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tapsanen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Tapsanen circles away from the clinch attempt
and Tapsanen counters with a nice body shot.
Tapsanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ettridge looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ettridge gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tapsanen counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapsanen misses with a body shot.

Ettridge pushes Tapsanen up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapsanen avoiding damage.
Tapsanen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A short left from Tapsanen.
A left hand lands to the body for Tapsanen.
Ettridge takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tapsanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tapsanen stalls.
Ettridge is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ettridge jumps guard but Tapsanen stands there with Ettridge around his waist. Ettridge gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ettridge is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tapsanen to keep the fight standing.
Tapio Tapsanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Ettridge.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tapsanen.
Tapsanen lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tapsanen.
Tapsanen has Ettridge pushed against the cage.
Tapsanen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tapsanen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Tapsanen can't find room to land a body shot as Ettridge controls the action.
Tapsanen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tapsanen leaning against his opponent.
Tapsanen slowing the pace effectively.
Tapsanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapsanen is leaning against Ettridge and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tapsanen leaning his opponent against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tapsanen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tapio Tapsanen.
Ettridge shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tapsanen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tapio Tapsanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tapsanen digs a good hook to Ettridge's body.
Ettridge uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tapsanen.
Ettridge takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jab from Tapsanen.
Tapio Tapsanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ettridge on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ettridge doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tapsanen counters with a three punch combo that has Ettridge backing up. Ettridge nods at Tapsanen to acknowledge the strikes.
Ettridge has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tapsanen finds it's way round the side to connect with Ettridge's head.
Ettridge fails with the takedown
and Tapsanen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tapsanen scores with a jab to the head.
Tapsanen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ettridge.
Tapsanen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Jack Ettridge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tapsanen keeps Ettridge at a distance using the push kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tapio Tapsanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tapsanen, 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:26
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tapio Tapsanen!