PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Rogalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Taalasmaa
vs
Rogalski

190 cm
21
220 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
215 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Seppo Taalasmaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Rogalski!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rogalski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taalasmaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rogalski swinging wilding here.
Rogalski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch up
and Rogalski counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Rogalski changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Taalasmaa looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rogalski controlling from side mount.
Rogalski in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Rogalski slows the pace down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rogalski working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Rogalski.
Rogalski throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rogalski is trying to ground and pound but Taalasmaa uses the momentary lack of control by Rogalski to regain half guard.
Taalasmaa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rogalski.
Rogalski slips a nice elbow through Taalasmaa's hands, connecting with Taalasmaa's forehead.
Taalasmaa tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Rogalski manages to move to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rogalski looking to finish with strikes here!
Rogalski throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Taalasmaa wants to try and get back to his feet.
Rogalski looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Rogalski thowing shots but they're missing.

Rogalski moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Taalasmaa has worked his arm free - good work by Taalasmaa!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogalski working the ground and pound but Taalasmaa is defending the strikes.
Rogalski is trying to ground and pound but Taalasmaa uses the momentary lack of control by Rogalski to regain half guard.
Rogalski is nestled in close to Taalasmaa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Taalasmaa is looking to escape.

That's four 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.
Rogalski passes the guard and advances to mount!
Rogalski thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Taalasmaa avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rogalski.
You get the feeling that Taalasmaa really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rogalski looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Taalasmaa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rogalski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Seppo Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rogalski avoids a punch combination nicely.
Taalasmaa throws a wild body kick that Rogalski sees coming a mile off.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch up

and Rogalski counters with a nice double leg into side control. Taalasmaa won't be happy with that.
Rogalski has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Taalasmaa blocking the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rogalski sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Rogalski is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Taalasmaa can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rogalski is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Taalasmaa has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Taalasmaa!
Taalasmaa stopping the sweep attempt from Rogalski.
Rogalski doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Rogalski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rogalski looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Taalasmaa puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Rogalski tries to roll over but Taalasmaa keeps him under control.

Taalasmaa decides to stand up.
Seppo Taalasmaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taalasmaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rogalski misses with a low kick.
Taalasmaa is looking to clinch.
Rogalski tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Taalasmaa swivels and escapes.
Rogalski is breathing heavily.
Rogalski slips under a jab from Taalasmaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rogalski.
Taalasmaa lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Paul Rogalski has been cut.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that misses.

Taalasmaa has closed the distance and engaged Rogalski in a clinch.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but Rogalski blocks it.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but Rogalski blocks it.
Taalasmaa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rogalski has had enough of the clinch but Taalasmaa keeps him there for the moment.
Rogalski is looking to break free of the clinch but Taalasmaa has double underhooks.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Taalasmaa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Taalasmaa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rogalski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Taalasmaa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rogalski dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Rogalski as the two fighters clinch.
Taalasmaa prevents the takedown attempt.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee strike.
Rogalski wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rogalski on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rogalski wants to get back to striking at distance but Taalasmaa won't allow it.
Taalasmaa looking to throw knees to the head but Rogalski is blocking nicely.
A right hook to the body lands for Rogalski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogalski working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rogalski wants to get back to striking at distance but Taalasmaa won't allow it.
Rogalski takes a shot to the head.
Rogalski lands a body punch in the clinch.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Taalasmaa keeps control of Rogalski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rogalski.
Rogalski has Taalasmaa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Taalasmaa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Seppo Taalasmaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Rogalski.
Rogalski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Taalasmaa scores with a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa stops a takedown attempt from Rogalski.
Rogalski scores with a nice hook to the head.
Taalasmaa connects with a knee to the head.
Rogalski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Taalasmaa has him pressed against the cage.
Good body shot from Rogalski.
Taalasmaa is working Rogalski over against the cage.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rogalski is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A head punch on the inside from Taalasmaa fails to land.
Taalasmaa lands with a light punch inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Seppo Taalasmaa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paul Rogalski's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Taalasmaa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rogalski fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taalasmaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rogalski avoids the head kick by Taalasmaa.
Rogalski shoots for a double leg takedown but Taalasmaa sprawls well. He's pushed Rogalski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rogalski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Taalasmaa throws a nice looking combination but Rogalski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rogalski misses with a double jab.
Rogalski finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taalasmaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rogalski is looking to clinch but Taalasmaa is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taalasmaa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rogalski misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Taalasmaa tries to keep at a distance but Rogalski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Taalasmaa lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Taalasmaa landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rogalski lands a right hand that snaps the head of Taalasmaa backwards.
Taalasmaa keeps control of Rogalski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Taalasmaa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rogalski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Taalasmaa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rogalski can't break the clinch.
Rogalski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rogalski tries to score a body lock takedown but Taalasmaa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Taalasmaa landing knees to the head.
Rogalski wants to break free but Taalasmaa has control.
Taalasmaa lands a right hand.
Rogalski is trying to break the clinch but Taalasmaa has him pressed against the cage.
Taalasmaa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rogalski's face.
Taalasmaa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Taalasmaa pushes Rogalski back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rogalski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Taalasmaa has him pressed against the cage.
Rogalski wants to break free but Taalasmaa has control.
Taalasmaa lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Taalasmaa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rogalski is trying to break free.
Taalasmaa scores a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rogalski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taalasmaa looking to throw knees to the head but Rogalski is blocking nicely.
Taalasmaa letting Rogalski take a breather here.
Rogalski can't break the clinch.
Taalasmaa looking to throw knees to the head but Rogalski is blocking nicely.
Rogalski lands with a light punch inside.
Taalasmaa landing knees to the body.
Taalasmaa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Taalasmaa misses with a punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa tries a knee to the head but Rogalski blocks it.
Rogalski wants to break free but Taalasmaa has control.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa prevents Rogalski from breaking the clinch.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee strike.
Rogalski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rogalski is trying to break the clinch but Taalasmaa has him pressed against the cage.
Taalasmaa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rogalski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rogalski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Seppo Taalasmaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Rogalski.
A short uppercut from Taalasmaa.
Rogalski scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee strike.
Rogalski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rogalski is stalling here.
Taalasmaa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rogalski backwards.
Rogalski wants a takedown but no success here.
Taalasmaa looking to throw knees to the head but Rogalski is blocking nicely.
Rogalski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Taalasmaa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Taalasmaa keeps control of Rogalski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Taalasmaa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Taalasmaa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Taalasmaa missing with knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Rogalski.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee to the head.
Rogalski wants to get back to striking at distance but Taalasmaa won't allow it.
Taalasmaa misses with a knee to the head.

Rogalski breaks the clinch.
No luck for Rogalski with that takedown attempt.
Seppo Taalasmaa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A clash of legs there as Taalasmaa blocks the low kick.

Taalasmaa clinches up with Rogalski and pushes him back against the cage.
Taalasmaa lands a knee to the head.
Taalasmaa has a couple of punches blocked by Rogalski.
Rogalski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Taalasmaa keeps control of Rogalski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rogalski is trying to break the clinch but Taalasmaa has him pressed against the cage.
Taalasmaa looking to throw knees to the head but Rogalski is blocking nicely.

Rogalski breaks from the clinch.
Taalasmaa throws a hook but Rogalski avoids it easily.
Rogalski lands a glancing blow to the side of Taalasmaa's head.
Taalasmaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rogalski throws a nice looking combination but Taalasmaa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taalasmaa throws a jab when Rogalski was well out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rogalski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taalasmaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Taalasmaa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rogalski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Taalasmaa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Taalasmaa 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!