PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Geoffrey De St Aldemar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Tapio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kari Tapio has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

De St Aldemar
vs
Tapio

208 cm
21
220 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
220 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire
Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Geoffrey De St Aldemar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Tapio!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapio shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts De St Aldemar as he jumps to the side.
De St Aldemar takes a swing at Tapio's ribcage but misses.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Tapio steps to the side to avoid the strikes from De St Aldemar.
Tapio lands with a cross.
Tapio loads up on a big right hand but De St Aldemar slips the punch.
Tapio pivots, looking for a leg kick but De St Aldemar is out of range and Tapio settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapio chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before De St Aldemar can pounce on him.
Tapio takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Geoffrey De St Aldemar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Tapio throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
De St Aldemar tries a head kick but it misses.
De St Aldemar works Tapio's body with a nice hook.
Tapio looks gassed!
De St Aldemar ducks under a wild hook from Tapio.
De St Aldemar throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tapio throws a sloppy head kick and De St Aldemar moves out of range easily.
De St Aldemar pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tapio is out of range and De St Aldemar settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De St Aldemar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tapio manages to avoid it.
Tapio swings widly with a right hand
and De St Aldemar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tapio moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
De St Aldemar misses with a wild body shot.
Tapio throws a solid leg kick but De St Aldemar takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tapio.
De St Aldemar lands with an uppercut that bounces Tapio off the cage and back into rage.
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!
De St Aldemar throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapio turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
De St Aldemar really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice cross by De St Aldemar.

Tapio is rocked!
De St Aldemar moves out of range of the body kick.
De St Aldemar throws a leg kick
enabling Tapio to counter with a crisp jab.
Tapio wants to clinch up but De St Aldemar keeps it at a distance.
De St Aldemar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tapio walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. De St Aldemar checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapio with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tapio uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from De St Aldemar.
Tapio misses with a leg kick.
De St Aldemar throws an overhand right that lands on Tapio's shoulder, as Tapio tries to avoid the shot.
Tapio uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from De St Aldemar.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tapio throws the left hand but De St Aldemar avoids the punch easily.
De St Aldemar avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geoffrey De St Aldemar dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

De St Aldemar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Geoffrey De St Aldemar is winning the standup battle so far.
Tapio scores with a jab. De St Aldemar acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A low kick from De St Aldemar is predictable there
and Tapio counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Tapio blocks a head kick by De St Aldemar.
That kick from De St Aldemar tenderised Tapio's leg. Tapio is trying to keep his angry face on.
Good work by De St Aldemar as he checks the leg kick.
De St Aldemar changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tapio is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De St Aldemar gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Tapio counters with a nice leg kick.
Tapio moves out of range of the body kick.
A big right from De St Aldemar misses.
De St Aldemar tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
De St Aldemar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tapio looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tapio throws a low kick, looking for De St Aldemar's leg but De St Aldemar calmly moves out of range.
De St Aldemar thows a leg kick but Tapio checks it

and Tapio counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De St Aldemar trying to control from the bottom.
De St Aldemar manages to get to full guard.
De St Aldemar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tapio works a leg free and moves into half guard.
De St Aldemar wants to control but Tapio is keeping busy.
Tapio trying to mount his opponent but De St Aldemar defends it.
De St Aldemar is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapio works his way into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tapio is trying to get an arm triangle but De St Aldemar is defending well.

Tapio is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. De St Aldemar knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Tapio tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De St Aldemar manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tapio is staying active underneath De St Aldemar, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tapio won't allow De St Aldemar to pass to mount.

De St Aldemar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tapio has managed to free his arm - good work.
De St Aldemar throwing shots but Tapio is blocking nicely.
Tapio manages to get to full guard.
De St Aldemar won't allow Tapio to sweep him here.
Tapio manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tapio working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kari Tapio will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

De St Aldemar misses the jab.
Good leg kick by Tapio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
De St Aldemar throws a sloppy head kick
and Tapio makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De St Aldemar has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from De St Aldemar there as he acknowledges the shot.
De St Aldemar avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De St Aldemar misses with a leg kick
and Tapio counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
An inside leg kick lands from Tapio.
De St Aldemar chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tapio can pounce on him.
Tapio dives in and grabs De St Aldemar's left leg, looking for a takedown. De St Aldemar pushes down on Tapio's head and hops out.

Tapio shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
De St Aldemar won't allow Tapio to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De St Aldemar works his way to full guard. Good work.
De St Aldemar tries to land a sweep but no joy.

De St Aldemar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tapio looking to pass the guard.
De St Aldemar will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Tapio postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! De St Aldemar is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tapio, into his guard.
Tapio is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tapio is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapio passes to full mount!
De St Aldemar really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Tapio has control of De St Aldemar's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and De St Aldemar regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Tapio looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
De St Aldemar can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De St Aldemar has given up his back here. Will Tapio look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Tapio has got his arm under De St Aldemar's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! De St Aldemar has spun round into Tapio's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Tapio is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tapio is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
De St Aldemar is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kari Tapio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tapio has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

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