PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dick Destruction (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taavi Liisteri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Destruction comes to the cage accompanied by Earth Sized Microwave by Japanese Torture Comedy Hour. Liisteri is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Solid Base - I like it. 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.

Destruction
vs
Liisteri

179 cm
30
165 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

170 cm
34
162 lbs
21 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dick Destruction!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taavi Liisteri!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Destruction tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liisteri was well out of range. Poor timing from Destruction.
Nice defenses there by Liisteri.
Destruction tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No joy there for Destruction, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Destruction throws a shot from downtown. Liisteri moves away and avoids it.
Liisteri shoots in for a double leg but Destruction sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Destruction tries to clinch there but Liisteri circles away.
Liisteri fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Liisteri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Liisteri has his takedown stuffed
and Destruction makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Dick Destruction has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taavi Liisteri.
Destruction goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Destruction. Liisteri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Liisteri looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Destruction is fending him off so far but Liisteri persists. Nope, Destruction circles away and we're back to standing.
Liisteri keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice takedown defense from Destruction. No joy for Liisteri on that attempt.
Liisteri misses with a takedown attempt - Destruction sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Liisteri fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Destruction. No joy for Liisteri on that attempt.

Liisteri feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Liisteri looking to pass the guard.
Destruction trying to control the position here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Destruction is on top in guard.
Destruction has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Destruction wants to control from the top but Liisteri keeps moving.
Destruction slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dick Destruction.
Destruction dips to his left and cracks Liisteri with an uppercut!
Dick Destruction seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liisteri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Liisteri.
Liisteri shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Destruction as he jumps to the side.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liisteri dives in and grabs Destruction's left leg, looking for a takedown. Destruction pushes down on Liisteri's head and hops out.
Liisteri tries to score a power double leg takedown but Destruction sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Liisteri somewhat.
Destruction doesn't manage to clinch there - Liisteri circles away.
Liisteri on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destruction misses with the combination.
Liisteri fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Destruction avoids it really well and circles away.

Liisteri shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Destruction wants to stand and escape but Liisteri is having none of it.
Liisteri trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Destruction manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Destruction trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Liisteri is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Liisteri is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Destruction is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liisteri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Destruction doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Destruction manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Destruction engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Destruction wants to control from the top but Liisteri keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dick Destruction.
Liisteri misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Liisteri shoots for a double leg takedown but Destruction sprawls well. He's pushed Liisteri's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Destruction dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Liisteri moves out of range of the leg kick from Destruction.
Destruction misses with a head kick.
Destruction connects with a looping right hand.

Liisteri closes the distance and pushes Destruction back into the cage.
Liisteri jumps guard but Destruction turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Liisteri gets control of Destruction's arms and successfully pulls guard. Liisteri will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Liisteri working for a triangle but Destruction defends it easily.
Destruction chips away with some ground and pound.

Liisteri throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Destruction escapes and throws Liisteri's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Liisteri is looking for a sweep.
Destruction working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destruction controls the position.
Destruction wants to lay and pray for a moment but Liisteri keeps working.
Liisteri is looking to reverse the position.
Liisteri is not content to let Destruction control the position.
Destruction advances nicely into full mount.
Liisteri can't escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Destruction with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Liisteri is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Destruction avoids the attempt from Liisteri to control.
Liisteri can't escape the position.
Liisteri is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Destruction controlling from mount.
Liisteri tries to reverse the position but Destruction maintains control.
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!
Destruction controlling from the full mount.
Dick Destruction overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Liisteri is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destruction looking to control but Liisteri is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Destruction takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liisteri swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Liisteri is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Destruction lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Liisteri hang on?
Destruction lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Destruction landing strikes from the mount.
Liisteri is in all sorts of trouble here.
Destruction tries to control but Liisteri wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri is wriggling around trying to escape.
Destruction breaks from Liisteri's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Destruction looking to control but Liisteri is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liisteri tries to hold on but Destruction pushes him away.
Destruction can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Liisteri is looking to escape.
Liisteri bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Destruction is trying to control the position but Liisteri postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liisteri with a flurry of punches that miss.
Liisteri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Destruction dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Destruction is looking to slow Liisteri down with leg kicks.
Destruction throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Liisteri changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Destruction tries to avoid it but Liisteri manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Destruction to the ground. Destruction escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Destruction looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Liisteri fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Liisteri looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Destruction is fending him off so far but Liisteri persists. Nope, Destruction circles away and we're back to standing.
Dick Destruction has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taavi Liisteri.
Destruction keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dick Destruction is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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

Destruction pushes Liisteri off and gets back to his feet.
Destruction fails to land with a series of punches.
Liisteri steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Destruction.
Destruction tries to clinch up but Liisteri circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destruction changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Destruction lands a jab to the head.
Liisteri with a poor takedown

and Destruction counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Destruction.
Destruction lands an elbow just above Liisteri 's eye.

Liisteri has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Destruction uses from the top position.

Liisteri looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Destruction has picked Liisteri up and slammed him! Liisteri can't keep hold of the triangle and Destruction manages to pass to side control!
Liisteri takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Destruction taking a breather here.
Liisteri is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Destruction off and has taken his back!

Liisteri is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Destruction has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Liisteri is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Destruction is defending well though. Liisteri let's go of the attempt for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri is trying to stick to Destruction's back but Destruction is turning into Liisteri. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Liisteri's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Destruction.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Liisteri working for submissions but it's allowed Destruction to get to half guard.
Destruction sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Liisteri gets back to full guard.
Liisteri keeping moving, preventing Destruction from controlling successfully.
Destruction throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destruction engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Liisteri has his foot on Destruction's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Destruction works his way back into a safe position though.
Destruction's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Liisteri keeping moving, preventing Destruction from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dick Destruction just wasn't active enough.
Liisteri moves out of range of the body kick from Destruction.
Liisteri tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Destruction swivels and escapes.
Destruction thows a left - swing and a miss!
Destruction looks to score with a jab to the body but Liisteri is just out of range.
A head kick from Destruction lands but Liisteri takes it in his stride.
Liisteri shoots in for a double leg but Destruction sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Liisteri gets a double leg takedown into Destruction's guard.
Destruction wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liisteri drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Destruction manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Liisteri has Destruction in his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Liisteri has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Destruction can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Destruction trying to control but Liisteri is working from the bottom.

Liisteri escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Destruction gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Liisteri is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Destruction is aware though and is defending well.

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 Dick Destruction.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Destruction, 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dick Destruction!