PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Liban Afalal (ranked 4477 p4p, 4408 weight class) and Erkki Tumminen (ranked 508 p4p, 501 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Afalal
vs
Tumminen

179 cm
22
180
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Liban Afalal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Erkki Tumminen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tumminen tries to keep at a distance but Afalal has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tumminen jumps guard but Afalal stands there with Tumminen around his waist. Tumminen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tumminen fails to pull guard.
Afalal gets underhooks to prevent Tumminen's takedown attempt.
Liban Afalal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erkki Tumminen.
Afalal keeps control of Tumminen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tumminen takes a shot to the head.
Afalal lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tumminen backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tumminen has had enough of the clinch but Afalal keeps him there for the moment.
Tumminen jumps guard but Afalal turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tumminen blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Afalal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tumminen throws a head punch that misses.
Tumminen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Afalal pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tumminen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tumminen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Afalal prevents it.
Afalal misses with an elbow strike.
Afalal gets underhooks to prevent Tumminen's takedown attempt.
Tumminen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A head punch on the inside from Afalal fails to land.
We've been hearing reports that Afalal has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Afalal misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tumminen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Afalal just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Afalal pushes Tumminen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Afalal swings wildly with an uppercut but Tumminen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Afalal lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Afalal throws a head punch that misses.
Afalal misses with a punch on the inside.
Tumminen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Afalal pushes Tumminen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tumminen looking to stall.
Tumminen missing with knees to the body.
Tumminen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Afalal is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Afalal misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tumminen.
Tumminen is trying to break the clinch but Afalal is controlling him.
Tumminen working hard to break the clinch.
Tumminen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Afalal misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tumminen goes for a takedown attempt but Afalal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Afalal throws a jab when Tumminen was well out of range.
Despite the aggression on Tumminen's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Afalal forces Tumminen back against the cage and clinches.
Tumminen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Afalal throws a head punch that misses.
Afalal misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Afalal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Afalal has a couple of punches blocked by Tumminen.
Tumminen can't get the takedown.
Tumminen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tumminen wants to get back to striking at distance but Afalal won't allow it.
Tumminen tries to break free but Afalal pushes him back against the cage.
Tumminen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tumminen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tumminen can't break the clinch.
Tumminen is trying to pull guard but Afalal turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Tumminen jumps guard but Afalal turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tumminen tries to pull guard but Afalal forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Afalal misses with a punch on the inside.
Tumminen tries to score a body lock takedown but Afalal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Afalal has a couple of punches blocked by Tumminen.
Afalal lands with a light punch inside.

Tumminen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Afalal uses from the top position.
Afalal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tumminen pulls Afalal in close to his closed guard and prevents Afalal from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tumminen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Afalal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Afalal with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tumminen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Afalal throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Tumminen escapes and throws Afalal's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Afalal knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tumminen on the ground.
Tumminen working away.
Afalal tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Tumminen tries to keep control of the position but Afalal is staying busy.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tumminen throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Afalal looking very determined here, making life difficult for Tumminen.

Tumminen is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Afalal has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Tumminen has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Afalal taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Tumminen doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Erkki Tumminen!