PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tuhkasaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spencer comes to the cage accompanied by Ride Of The Valkyries - Richard Wagner. Tuhkasaari has chosen Proteus - Full Metal Jacket as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Teppo Tuhkasaari is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Spencer
vs
Tuhkasaari

170 cm
24
157 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

164 cm
26
147 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bushido Clothing
Gilop®

Perkele!
M/S Paint Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Spencer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Tuhkasaari!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tuhkasaari defends it nicely.
Tuhkasaari cracks a nice hook into Spencer's ribs.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
Spencer moves out of range as Tuhkasaari strikes.
Teppo Tuhkasaari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Spencer gets caught napping as Tuhkasaari dives in and scores a takedown. Spencer manages to retain guard.
Spencer keeping full guard, as Tuhkasaari tries to pass.

Spencer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tuhkasaari is aware though and is defending well.
Tuhkasaari throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Spencer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tuhkasaari tries to free his leg and advance position but Spencer is retaining full guard.
Spencer trying to keep a closed guard but Tuhkasaari is proving a slippery customer.
Spencer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tuhkasaari is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Tuhkasaari wants to pass the guard but Spencer is keeping the position.
Tuhkasaari is looking to work some ground and pound but Spencer has wrist control.
Tuhkasaari preventing the sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tuhkasaari moves out of range of the strikes.
A lazy body kick from Tuhkasaari
and Spencer counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Spencer looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Spencer is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tuhkasaari wants to control but Spencer is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari is trying to get back to full guard.
Tuhkasaari is staying active underneath Spencer, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tuhkasaari on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tuhkasaari preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuhkasaari is not content to let Spencer control the position.
Tuhkasaari manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer thows a big elbow that misses.
Spencer wants to control from the top but Tuhkasaari keeps moving.

Tuhkasaari is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Spencer defends well.
Spencer trying to control the position from guard on top but Tuhkasaari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spencer throwing strikes from guard but Tuhkasaari blocks nicely.
Tuhkasaari 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.

Tuhkasaari is looking for a triangle but Spencer pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tuhkasaari working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Spencer doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Spencer manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tuhkasaari wants to sweep but no luck.
Tuhkasaari seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer looking to pass the guard.
Tuhkasaari tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tuhkasaari 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.

Tuhkasaari throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spencer's waist but Spencer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tuhkasaari off to one side.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tuhkasaari lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Spencer has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Spencer and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tuhkasaari throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Spencer swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Spencer lands with an overhand left.
Spencer slips a jab and a cross from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Spencer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tuhkasaari moves away.
Spencer needs to keep his hands up - Tuhkasaari had a free shot at his head there.
Spencer slips under a jab.
Nice body punch from Spencer.
Tuhkasaari lands a leg kick that knocks Spencer off balance momentarily.
Spencer is looking to wear down Tuhkasaari with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tuhkasaari will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer shoots in for a double leg but Tuhkasaari sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Spencer moves out of range of the body kick.

Spencer closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tuhkasaari to the mat! Tuhkasaari manages to get full guard.

Tuhkasaari looking for a guillotine here but Spencer defends easily.
Tuhkasaari is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Spencer controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Tuhkasaari has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spencer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari working a defensive guard here.
Spencer is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tuhkasaari manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Spencer manages to get himself to full guard.
Tuhkasaari slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
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!
Tuhkasaari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spencer is keeping the position for now.
Tuhkasaari stopping the sweep attempt from Spencer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tuhkasaari wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Spencer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tuhkasaari defends it nicely.
Spencer misses with a combination
and Tuhkasaari counters with a nice kick to the body.
Tuhkasaari takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Spencer takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Spencer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tuhkasaari avoids the body shot from Spencer.
Tuhkasaari attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari thuds his shin into the meat of Spencer's side.

Spencer darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Spencer is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tuhkasaari doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Spencer.
Tuhkasaari works his way to full guard. Good work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tuhkasaari has his foot on Spencer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Spencer works his way back into a safe position though.
Teppo Tuhkasaari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Spencer wants to pass the guard but Tuhkasaari is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Teppo Tuhkasaari will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Spencer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Jab, jab by Tuhkasaari - just one landing.
Tuhkasaari explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Spencer looks to score with a jab to the body but Tuhkasaari is just out of range.
Spencer fails with a takedown attempt.
Tuhkasaari is looking to slow Spencer down with leg kicks.
Spencer avoids a kick to the body.
Spencer scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tuhkasaari doesn't seem bothered though.
Tuhkasaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Tuhkasaari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Spencer.

Tuhkasaari closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Spencer to the mat! Spencer manages to get full guard.
Tuhkasaari stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Spencer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tuhkasaari preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari pushes down on Spencer's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Spencer tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Spencer moves into full guard.
Tuhkasaari trying to move into half guard but instead Spencer has managed to sweep!
Spencer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tuhkasaari works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Tuhkasaari has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spencer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Spencer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Teppo Tuhkasaari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer is in close to Tuhkasaari's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Spencer looking to pass the guard.
Tuhkasaari is trying to keep Spencer in close.

Tuhkasaari looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Spencer lands a couple of digs.
Spencer postures up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Spencer's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tuhkasaari wants to sweep here but Spencer controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Spencer tries to free his leg and advance position but Tuhkasaari is retaining full guard.
Spencer postures up in Tuhkasaari's guard and throws a big left but Tuhkasaari blocks it.
Spencer scoring with punches to the head and body.
Spencer wants to control from the top but Tuhkasaari keeps moving.
Spencer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tuhkasaari is keeping the position for now.
Tuhkasaari is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Spencer is looking to work some ground and pound but Tuhkasaari has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Spencer tries to advance to mount but Tuhkasaari denies him.
Tuhkasaari regains half guard.
Spencer moves nicely into side control.
Spencer lands a nice forearm strike.
Spencer cracks Tuhkasaari with a big right hand but Tuhkasaari just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A lull in the action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer scores with a couple of short elbows.

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 Mark Spencer.
I think Tuhkasaari 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Teppo Tuhkasaari!