PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tapani Kansalainen (ranked 104 p4p, 11 weight class) and Bobo Nielsen (ranked 710 p4p, 80 weight class). Bobo Nielsen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kansalainen
vs
Nielsen

169 cm
25
150 lbs
14 - 3 - 2

170 cm
26
150 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tapani Kansalainen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Bobo Nielsen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nielsen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kansalainen's head.

Nielsen closes the distance and clinches.
Nielsen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nielsen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kansalainen misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen lands with a right to the head.
Kansalainen misses with a punch to the body.
Kansalainen lands an uppercut.
Nielsen blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nielsen.
Kansalainen working aggressively here.
Nielsen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kansalainen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kansalainen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kansalainen swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Nielsen tightens his grip and picks Kansalainen up, before dumping him to the ground. Kansalainen manages to land in guard.
Nielsen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kansalainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nielsen.
Kansalainen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nielsen's guard.

Kansalainen stands up from Nielsen's guard - Kansalainen perhaps looking for a knockout.
An inside leg kick lands from Kansalainen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nielsen has his takedown stuffed
and Kansalainen counters with an outside leg kick.
Nielsen needs to keep his hands up - Kansalainen had a free shot at his head there.
Nielsen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kansalainen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kansalainen scores with a jab to the body.
Kansalainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kansalainen throws a hook but Nielsen avoids it easily.
Kansalainen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kansalainen avoids the head kick by Nielsen.
Kansalainen is looking to counter with head kicks.
The crowd cheers as Kansalainen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nielsen doesn't seem phased though.
Kansalainen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nielsen tries to clinch up.
Kansalainen slips a jab from Nielsen.
Nielsen throws a hook but Kansalainen avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Kansalainen misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nielsen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nielsen moves out of range of the body kick.
Nielsen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kansalainen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kansalainen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kansalainen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nielsens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kansalainen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kansalainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Nielsen has Kansalainen up against the cage in a clinch.
Nielsen lands a nice uppercut.
Kansalainen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kansalainen.
Nielsen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kansalainen.
Nielsen tries to throw a body punch but Kansalainen avoids it by throwing Nielsen back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nielsen.
Kansalainen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nielsen backwards.
Nielsen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kansalainen lands with a left to the head.
Kansalainen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nielsen lands a body shot.
Kansalainen lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Nielsen fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kansalainen.
Nielsen is struggling to control the position.
Kansalainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kansalainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nielsen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kansalainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kansalainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Nielsen.
Nielsen stalling.
Kansalainen letting Nielsen take a breather here.
Kansalainen pushes Nielsen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kansalainen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kansalainen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nielsen walks into a jab.
Kansalainen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tapani Kansalainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nielsen misses with a straight left.
Nielsen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kansalainen.
Nielsen throws out a counter right but Kansalainen avoids it with no problem.
Nielsen ducks right into an uppercut from Kansalainen.
Tapani Kansalainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kansalainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kansalainen lands a jab to the nose.
Nielsen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kansalainen lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice shot by Kansalainen.
Nielsen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kansalainen. Nielsen does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nielsen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kansalainen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Nielsen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nielsen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nielsen is in close to Kansalainen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kansalainen trying to control the position.
Nielsen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kansalainen's head.
Kansalainen controlling the position.
Kansalainen can't keep his opponent in guard - Nielsen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kansalainen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nielsen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nielsen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nielsen stopping the sweep attempt from Kansalainen.

Kansalainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nielsen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nielsen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kansalainen wants to sweep but no luck.
Kansalainen is working hard here to advance position.
Nielsen wants to pass the guard but Kansalainen is keeping the position.
Kansalainen wants to stand up but Nielsen is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kansalainen keeping moving, preventing Nielsen from controlling successfully.
Nielsen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kansalainen's head.
Nielsen won't allow Kansalainen to sweep him here.
Nielsen landing with the ground and pound.
Nielsen works over Kansalainen with some ground and pound from guard.
Kansalainen keeping moving, preventing Nielsen from controlling successfully.
Kansalainen wants to stand and escape but Nielsen is having none of it.
Kansalainen 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.

Kansalainen has his feet on Nielsen's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kansalainen avoids the head kick by Nielsen.
Nielsen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Kansalainen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kansalainen kicks Nielsen off and gets to his feet.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen tests Nielsen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kansalainen scores with a hook to the body. Nielsen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kansalainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nielsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Kansalainen.
A jab from Kansalainen misses.
Decent striking displayed by Kansalainen there.
Kansalainen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kansalainen with a jab.
Kansalainen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kansalainen slips under a jab from Nielsen.
Nielsen shoots for a takedown but Kansalainen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nielsen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kansalainen defends it nicely.
Nielsen throws a hook but Kansalainen avoids it easily.
Nielsen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nielsen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kansalainen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nielsen finds it's way round the side to connect with Kansalainen's head.

Kansalainen rushes Nielsen and presses him up against the cage.
Kansalainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nielsen blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice sprawl there from Kansalainen as Nielsen shoots in.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut.
Nielsen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nielsen throws a jab but it's blocked by Kansalainen.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nielsen.
Tapani Kansalainen is winning the standup battle so far.

Kansalainen rushes Nielsen and presses him up against the cage.
Kansalainen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A right hand to the body from Kansalainen.
Nielsen wants a takedown.
Tapani Kansalainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobo Nielsen.
Nielsen misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kansalainen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nielsen struggles to land a body shot inside as Kansalainen controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kansalainen.
Good body shot from Kansalainen.
Nielsen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A body shot lands from Nielsen.
Nielsen has a couple of punches blocked by Kansalainen.
Nielsen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kansalainen's elbow.
Kansalainen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kansalainen scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nielsen's elbow.
Kansalainen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Kansalainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nielsen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kansalainen counters with a right hand to the body.
Kansalainen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A slow jab from Nielsen misses its intended target.
And Kansalainen counters with a quick kick to the body but Nielsen blocks it.
Kansalainen blocks a head kick by Nielsen.
Nielsen walks into a left hand.
Nielsen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Nielsen is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kansalainen lands a nice shot that snaps Nielsen's head back.
Nielsen is still on wobbly legs! Can Kansalainen finish him?
Kansalainen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nielsen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kansalainen.
Nielsen scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Kansalainen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kansalainen.

Kansalainen clinches up with Nielsen and pushes him back against the cage.
Kansalainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kansalainen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen misses with a punch to the body.
Kansalainen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nielsen can do to turn this around?
Kansalainen misses with the head strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Kansalainen.
Kansalainen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen scores with a shoulder strike.
Kansalainen lands a nice uppercut.
Kansalainen tries a body shot but Nielsen blocks it.
Nielsen tries to throw a body punch but Kansalainen avoids it by throwing Nielsen back against the cage.
Nielsen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nielsen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Kansalainen breaks the clinch.

Kansalainen rushes Nielsen and presses him up against the cage.
Kansalainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nielsen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kansalainen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nielsen backwards.
Tapani Kansalainen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kansalainen scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen throws a big uppercut that drops Nielsen! More strikes from Kansalainen and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Nielsen lies dazed against the cage as Kansalainen celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tapani Kansalainen!
Tapani Kansalainen retains his featherweight title!
Tapani Kansalainen decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.