PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tapani Kansalainen (ranked 91 p4p, 13 weight class) and Sarfraz Ali (ranked 95 p4p, 14 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.

Kansalainen
vs
Ali

169 cm
29
150 lbs
21 - 7 - 2

165 cm
30
155 lbs
21 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear
Conviction

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 21 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tapani Kansalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sarfraz Ali!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Ali misses.
We've been told by Kansalainen's head coaches at Gangsterdamage that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sarfraz Ali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ali tries to land a body kick
and Kansalainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kansalainen misses with a straight left.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick but Ali checks it.
Kansalainen takes one to the side of the head.
Ali connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kansalainen momentarily.
Kansalainen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ali's calf.
Ali digs a good body shot into Kansalainen's ribs.
Kansalainen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kansalainen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ali throws a jab but it's blocked by Kansalainen.
Ali lands a front kick.
Ali doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kansalainen checks a low kick from Ali.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ali moves out of range as Kansalainen throws a body kick.
Kansalainen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ali. Ali circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali avoids the head kick by Kansalainen.
Ali looks to throw the jab but Kansalainen is out of range.
Kansalainen throwing a counter right hand but Ali manages to avoid it.
Good work by Kansalainen as he checks the leg kick.
Kansalainen misses with a straight right.
Kansalainen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ali.
Kansalainen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ali cracks Kansalainen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen misses with the combination.
Kansalainen slips a straight right by Ali.
Ali misses with a straight right.
Kansalainen slips under a jab from Ali.
Ali attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut. Ali saw that one coming.
Ali shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kansalainen misses with a looping right.
Kansalainen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kansalainen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kansalainen looks to land a left hand but Ali moved out of range nicely.
Kansalainen throws a head kick that Ali semi-blocks.
Kansalainen misses the jab.
Ali connects with a body shot.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Good work by Kansalainen as he checks the leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Kansalainen misses the target.
Ali throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kansalainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ali lunges at Kansalainen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kansalainen's hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice leg kick lands there from Kansalainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ali tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kansalainen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kansalainen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kansalainen misses with a looping right.

Ali pushes Kansalainen up against the cage in a clinch.
Ali lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ali takes a shot to the head.
Kansalainen is trying to break free.
Kansalainen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kansalainen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ali tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Ali.
Kansalainen misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kansalainen.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ali.
Kansalainen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ali goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ali blocks an uppercut.
Ali swings wildly with an uppercut but Kansalainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from Ali.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kansalainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ali pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kansalainen throws a body kick that misses.
Ali slips a jab from Kansalainen.

Ali forces Kansalainen back against the cage and clinches.
Kansalainen blocking some punches.
Ali lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kansalainen misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kansalainen.
Ali misses with a body punch.

Kansalainen manages to break the clinch.
Ali throws an overhand right that lands on Kansalainen's shoulder, as Kansalainen tries to avoid the shot.
Ali tries to work over Kansalainen's front leg with a kick but Kansalainen checks it.
Kansalainen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ali connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kansalainen. Kansalainen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A head kick misses from Kansalainen.
Ali moves forwards but Kansalainen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ali lands a lovely overhand right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kansalainen misses with a head kick.
Kansalainen misses with a wild body shot.
Ali is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Ali.
Ali pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ali counters with a one-two to the body.
Ali wants to slow Kansalainen down by chopping away at his legs.
Kansalainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Ali moves into the clinch.
Ali misses with a punch on the inside.
Kansalainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ali tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kansalainen throws a head punch that misses.
Kansalainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ali swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ali misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kansalainen.
Ali pushes Kansalainen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ali tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kansalainen manages to break the clinch.
Kansalainen looks to throw the jab but Ali is out of range.
Kansalainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ali misses the jab.
Kansalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ali moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sarfraz Ali will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kansalainen tries a low kick but Ali avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Kansalainen.
Ali lands a slapping body shot.
Ali takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ali throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ali keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kansalainen feints and then cracks Ali's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ali down.
Kansalainen scores with a jab to the body.
Kansalainen throws a lazy right hand but Ali sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ali swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kansalainen.
Ali's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kansalainen under the eye.
Kansalainen blocks a low kick nicely.
Kansalainen moves out of range as Ali strikes.
Kansalainen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ali throws a lazy right hand but Kansalainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kansalainen fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ali just manages to avoid it.
Kansalainen takes a swing at Ali's ribcage but misses.
Ali tries to close the distance and clinch but Kansalainen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A big left from Ali misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ali misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kansalainen.
A quick step to the side and Kansalainen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ali connects with a body shot that sends Kansalainen's belly button to the back.
Ali tries to clinch but Kansalainen is having none of it.
Kansalainen misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen moves out of range of the body kick.
A shot to the liver by Ali. Beautiful body shot.
Kansalainen slips under a jab from Ali.
Kansalainen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ali is out of range and Kansalainen settles back down.
Ali shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ali uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kansalainen.
Donk. Ali catches Kansalainen right on the button with a cross.
Ali misses with a low kick.
Ali misses with an uppercut. Kansalainen saw that one coming.
Kansalainen lands a really nice looking cross but Ali seems unphased.
Kansalainen throws a sloppy head kick and Ali moves out of range easily.
Kansalainen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ali misses with a low kick.
Ali checks a low kick from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen looks to land a right hand but Ali moved out of range.
Kansalainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ali.
Kansalainen thuds his right hand into Ali's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ali moves into range and connects with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ali misses with a straight left.
Kansalainen is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen misses the jab.
Kansalainen lands with a good body shot.
Sarfraz Ali seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ali misses the jab.
Kansalainen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ali.
Ali is looking to score with low kicks.
Ali keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kansalainen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kansalainen connects with a single shot there.
Ali lands a leg kick that knocks Kansalainen off balance momentarily.
Kansalainen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Ali if he has to take too many more of those.
Ali displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kansalainen throws out the jab.
Kansalainen lands an overhand right.
Kansalainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ali buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ali. Kansalainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ali uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kansalainen.
Ali connects with a leg kick. Kansalainen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ali lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kansalainen staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ali was well out of range. Poor timing from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen cracks Ali with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ali uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kansalainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ali.
Kansalainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kansalainen moves away from the strike by Ali.
Kansalainen slips under a jab from Ali.
Ali throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kansalainen throwing a counter right hand but Ali manages to avoid it.
Ali throws a body shot but no joy.
Kansalainen walks into a stiff left hand from Ali.
Ali throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ali throws a body punch but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Kansalainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ali moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ali moves out of range as Kansalainen throws a body kick.
Ali steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Ali throws a leg kick but Kansalainen checks it.
Ali thumps Kansalainen with a low kick.
A big left from Ali misses.
Ali needs to keep his hands up - Kansalainen had a free shot at his head there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ali throws a leg kick but Kansalainen checks it.
Ali lands the left hand.
Ali buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ali keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kansalainen misses the shot to the body.
Ali tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kansalainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ali throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kansalainen counters with a low kick, right behind Ali 's knee.
Ali misses with a series of wild punches.
Kansalainen missing with a left hand there. Ali was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kansalainen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Ali moves into range and clinches up with Kansalainen.
Ali has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kansalainen seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ali can turn it around.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kansalainen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sarfraz Ali seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kansalainen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kansalainen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ali smiles and moves away.
Kansalainen throws a solid leg kick but Ali takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kansalainen.
Kansalainen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
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 Tapani Kansalainen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kansalainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kansalainen missing with a left hand there. Ali was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ali with a body punch. A glancing blow.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Kansalainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kansalainen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ali waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kansalainen.
Ali scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kansalainen throws a shot from downtown. Ali moves away and avoids it.
Kansalainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Ali misses.
Kansalainen moves out of range as Ali strikes.
Kansalainen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick but Ali sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kansalainen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kansalainen moves away from the strike by Ali.
Kansalainen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ali takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ali throws a body kick that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ali throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kansalainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Kansalainen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kansalainen moves out of range of the leg kick from Ali.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kansalainen.
Ali staying out of range there.
Ali flicks out a counter leg kick but Kansalainen steps away.
Ali throws out a leg kick but Kansalainen moves out of range and Ali only half commits.
Kansalainen is looking for a counter combo.
Ali thuds his right hand into Kansalainen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A left lands for Kansalainen.
Ali scores with a push kick.
Ali throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kansalainen lands a right hook to the body.
Kansalainen misses with the combination.
A jab from Ali misses.
Nice body punch from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ali scores with a nice head shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ali jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ali throws a combination. Kansalainen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kansalainen. Kansalainen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kansalainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ali! But no joy.
Kansalainen lands a jab.
Kansalainen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ali missing with a left hand there. Kansalainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kansalainen tries to bum rush Ali with a series of wild strikes but Ali uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ali swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ali cracks Kansalainen with a good jab.
Ali throws a nice looking combination but Kansalainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kansalainen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ali scores with a jab. Kansalainen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ali misses with a hook. Kansalainen ducked under it nicely.
Ali slips a straight right by Kansalainen.
Ali will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kansalainen lands with a hook. Ali tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ali takes one to the side of the head.
Kansalainen motions for Ali to come forward. Kansalainen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ali uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kansalainen.
Ali scores with a nice right hand.
A slow jab from Ali misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick but Ali sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ali! But no joy.
Kansalainen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ali tries a low kick but Kansalainen avoids it.
Kansalainen drops his hands momentarily and Ali takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Ali.
Kansalainen moves out of range of the body kick from Ali.
Kansalainen throws a one two combo.
Ali staying out of range there.
Ali drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kansalainen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A swing and a miss from Kansalainen.
Ali digs a good body shot into Kansalainen's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ali is looking to slow Kansalainen down with leg kicks.
Ali connects with a leg kick. Kansalainen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ali throws a lazy right hand but Kansalainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kansalainen moves away from the strike by Ali.
Ali throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali cracks Kansalainen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ali misses with a wild body shot.
Kansalainen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ali. Kansalainen shrugs it off though.
Kansalainen walks into a left hand.
Kansalainen ducks under a wild hook from Ali.
Ali sizes up Kansalainen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kansalainen scores with a three punch combo!
Ali swings for the body but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Kansalainen throws out a loose jab but Ali uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ali stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kansalainen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kansalainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ali attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big left from Ali misses.
Kansalainen digs a good hook to Ali's body.
Ali throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ali on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sarfraz Ali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ali has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sarfraz Ali!
Sarfraz Ali thanked the fans post fight for their support.