PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Santeri Norzu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Norzu comes to the cage accompanied by Anekdoten - Karelia. Seppo Taalasmaa has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Santeri Norzu's chin.

Norzu
vs
Taalasmaa

185 cm
23
163 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

170 cm
25
167 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Balco Boys - Hilo
Fire Nutrition (Muscle Bulk 157)

Kobra Clothing Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Santeri Norzu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seppo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taalasmaa takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Taalasmaa scores with a takedown into Norzu's guard.
Norzu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Norzu is working from the bottom.
Norzu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Norzu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Norzu controlling the position.
Norzu keeping moving, preventing Taalasmaa from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Taalasmaa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Taalasmaa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Norzu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws a big right hand that misses.
Norzu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Norzu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Norzu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Norzu wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.
Taalasmaa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Taalasmaa throws and elbow that misses. Norzu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Taalasmaa's guard. Nice move by Norzu!
Norzu trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Norzu preventing the sweep.

Taalasmaa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Taalasmaa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Norzu trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Norzu content to stall in guard here.
Taalasmaa is pulling down on Norzu's head to control his posture.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Santeri Norzu.
Taalasmaa moves out of range of the leg kick from Norzu.
Norzu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Norzu throws a leg kick that misses.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Norzu.
Taalasmaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Norzu.
Norzu misses with a wild combination.
Taalasmaa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Norzu slips a straight right by Taalasmaa.
Norzu throws a hook but Taalasmaa blocks it.
Norzu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taalasmaa walks into a stiff left hand from Norzu.
Taalasmaa shoots in and drives through. Norzu sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy right hand but Norzu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Norzu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Norzu lands with a nice body kick.
Norzu swings for the body but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Norzu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taalasmaa looks gassed!
Norzu misses with a body shot
and Taalasmaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Taalasmaa lands a body shot.
Taalasmaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Norzu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Norzu throws a head kick that half lands.
Norzu pushes Taalasmaa away with a front kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Norzu lands a leg kick that knocks Taalasmaa off balance momentarily.
Norzu lands a lovely overhand right.
Norzu throws a nice inside leg kick.
Taalasmaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Norzu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Norzu throws a half hearted mid kick.
Norzu chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Norzu scores with a head kick.
Taalasmaa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Norzu pinned against the cage. Norzu gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Taalasmaa slips under a jab from Norzu.
Taalasmaa keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Taalasmaa swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Norzu counter with a right hand.
Norzu throws a wild body kick that Taalasmaa sees coming a mile off.
A jab from Taalasmaa does it's job there.
Norzu displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Seppo Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Norzu misses with a low kick.
Santeri Norzu is winning the standup battle so far.
Taalasmaa throws out a loose jab but Norzu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taalasmaa walks forward, straight into a front kick from Norzu.
Taalasmaa is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norzu throws a leg kick but Taalasmaa checks it.
A big left from Taalasmaa misses.
Norzu misses with an uppercut.
Norzu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Norzu but Norzu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Norzu moves into range and connects with a jab.
Norzu throws a big shot that misses.
Norzu looks to land a right hand but Taalasmaa moved out of range.
Norzu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Taalasmaa checks it well.
Taalasmaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Norzu ducks under a wild hook from Taalasmaa.
Norzu moves out of range as Taalasmaa strikes.
Norzu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Norzu gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norzu fails to land with a series of punches.
Norzu misses with a low kick as Taalasmaa jumps back.
Taalasmaa connects with an inside leg kick.
Taalasmaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Norzu was well out of range. Poor timing from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Norzu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Santeri Norzu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seppo Taalasmaa.
Norzu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taalasmaa circles away quickly and effectively.
Taalasmaa shoots in and drives through. Norzu sprawls well.
Norzu checks a leg kick.
Norzu throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Norzu misses with a straight right.
Norzu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taalasmaa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Santeri Norzu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taalasmaa throws the left hand but Norzu avoids the punch easily.
Taalasmaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Norzu was well out of range. Poor timing from Taalasmaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norzu lands a lovely overhand right.
Norzu throws a right and a left that Taalasmaa avoids nicely.
Norzu throws the left hand but Taalasmaa avoids the punch easily.
Norzu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut. Norzu saw that one coming.
Norzu scoring well with a low kick there.
Taalasmaa throws a shot from downtown. Norzu moves away and avoids it.
Taalasmaa is looking to score with low kicks.
Taalasmaa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Norzu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa moves forwards but Norzu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the side of Norzu's head but Norzu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Taalasmaa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Norzu lands with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa takes a swing at Norzu's ribcage but misses.
Norzu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taalasmaa looks to land a right hand but Norzu moved out of range.
Norzu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Taalasmaa misses with a double jab.
Norzu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taalasmaa can do to turn this around?
Norzu throws a low kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.
Norzu thows a leg kick but Taalasmaa checks it

and Taalasmaa counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Norzu manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Taalasmaa trying to control here.
Taalasmaa is looking for a sweep. Norzu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Norzu trying to mount his opponent but Taalasmaa defends it.
Norzu frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santeri Norzu dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A low kick from Norzu is predictable there
and Taalasmaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Norzu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Taalasmaa lands with a good body shot.
Taalasmaa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Taalasmaa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Norzu avoids it really well and circles away.
Norzu has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Norzu there as he acknowledges the shot.
Taalasmaa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norzu misses with a straight left.
Norzu is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Taalasmaa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Norzu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Norzu is looking to chop away at Taalasmaa's legs.
Taalasmaa takes a swing at Norzu's ribcage but misses.
Norzu misses with an uppercut. Taalasmaa saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Norzu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa tried to score with a low kick but Norzu checks it.
Taalasmaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight right.
Norzu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Taalasmaa's calf.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Norzu is just out of range.
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa lands with a good body shot.
Norzu misses with a wild body shot.
Norzu cracks Taalasmaa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Taalasmaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Norzu.
Norzu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Taalasmaa.
Norzu misses with a wild body shot.
Taalasmaa avoids the head kick by Norzu.

That's two 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.
Taalasmaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Taalasmaa avoids a kick to the body.

Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Taalasmaa is looking to work some ground and pound but Norzu has wrist control.
Taalasmaa is looking to work some ground and pound but Norzu has wrist control.
Taalasmaa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Norzu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Taalasmaa throwing strikes but missing.
Norzu pulls Taalasmaa in close to his closed guard and prevents Taalasmaa from doing any damage or advancing position.
Norzu looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norzu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Norzu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taalasmaa throwing strikes from guard but Norzu blocks nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Norzu is working from the bottom.
Taalasmaa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Norzu's head.
Taalasmaa with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Taalasmaa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Norzu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Taalasmaa is working Norzu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Taalasmaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Taalasmaa drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Norzu dives on top into guard.
Taalasmaa working a defensive guard here.
Norzu trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position here.
Taalasmaa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Norzu's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Taalasmaa really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Taalasmaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Norzu enables Taalasmaa to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Norzu manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Taalasmaa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taalasmaa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Taalasmaa looking to sit in guard and control but Norzu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Taalasmaa is trying to control the position but Norzu postures up.
Taalasmaa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Seppo Taalasmaa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Norzu trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Norzu is really struggling to control Taalasmaa but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norzu stopping the sweep attempt from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Santeri Norzu has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Norzu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taalasmaa fails with a takedown attempt.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight right.
Jab by Norzu.
Taalasmaa misses the body punch
and Norzu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
No luck for Taalasmaa with that takedown attempt.
Taalasmaa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Norzu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Norzu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Norzu connects with a leg kick. Taalasmaa looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Norzu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Taalasmaa. Taalasmaa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A combination from Norzu does no damage.
Taalasmaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Horrible takedown by Taalasmaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Norzu which made him look bad.
Santeri Norzu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seppo Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa staying out of range there.
Norzu lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Norzu thuds his right hand into Taalasmaa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Norzu throws a leg kick but Taalasmaa checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa missing with a left hand there. Norzu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Norzu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Norzu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taalasmaa.
Norzu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Taalasmaa is out of range.
Taalasmaa misses with a combination
and Norzu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Taalasmaa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Norzu circles away quickly and effectively.
Norzu is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Norzu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Taalasmaa connects with a body shot that sends Norzu's belly button to the back.
Norzu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Taalasmaa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Norzu wants to land a leg kick but Taalasmaa is out of range.
A big right from Taalasmaa misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Norzu, right into the meat.
Nice body kick there by Norzu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norzu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Norzu stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Norzu ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Taalasmaa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Norzu misses with a low kick.

Taalasmaa closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Taalasmaa throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Norzu works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
The fighters are battling for position here. Norzu manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taalasmaa postures up in Norzu's guard and throws a big left but Norzu blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santeri Norzu had his way with Seppo Taalasmaa in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Norzu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Norzu cracks a nice hook into Taalasmaa's ribs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taalasmaa is defended easily by Norzu.
Taalasmaa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Norzu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Taalasmaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taalasmaa goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Norzu throws a head kick that misses.
Norzu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Norzu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Taalasmaa. Taalasmaa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Taalasmaa is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Norzu, right into the meat.
Taalasmaa slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa moves in looking to clinch but Norzu pushes him off.
Norzu throws a head kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Norzu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taalasmaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Norzu was well out of range. Poor timing from Taalasmaa.
A clash of legs there as Taalasmaa blocks the low kick.
Norzu staying out of range there.
Norzu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taalasmaa.
Norzu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Taalasmaa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Taalasmaa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Norzu to counter with a crisp jab.
Santeri Norzu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seppo Taalasmaa.
Norzu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Taalasmaa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Taalasmaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Norzu.
Norzu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taalasmaa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Taalasmaa ducks under a wild hook from Norzu.
Norzu connects with a jab.
Norzu misses with an uppercut. Taalasmaa saw that one coming.
Taalasmaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taalasmaa checks the leg kick.
Norzu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Norzu tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Norzu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Taalasmaa has a takedown stuffed.
Norzu throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Taalasmaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Norzu.
Taalasmaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A low kick from Norzu misses

and Taalasmaa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Norzu's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norzu wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.
Norzu is working hard here to advance position.
Norzu trying to keep a closed guard but Taalasmaa is proving a slippery customer.
Taalasmaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Seppo Taalasmaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taalasmaa trying to control but Norzu is working from the bottom.
Norzu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Taalasmaa preventing the sweep.
Taalasmaa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taalasmaa scoring with punches to the head and body.
Norzu wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.
Taalasmaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Santeri Norzu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taalasmaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Norzu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taalasmaa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Norzu manages to get to full guard.
Taalasmaa throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Santeri Norzu.
I think Norzu has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santeri Norzu!
Santeri Norzu retains his lightweight title!