PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tauno Tasalakki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Korben Dallas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Korben Dallas has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Tauno Tasalakki's chin.

Tasalakki
vs
Dallas

175 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tauno Tasalakki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Korben Dallas!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tasalakki is defended easily by Dallas.
Tasalakki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dallas avoids it really well and circles away.
Tasalakki tries to clinch there but Dallas circles away.
Tasalakki closes the distance and clinches up with Dallas, looking for a takedown. Tasalakki pushes Dallas against the cage but Dallas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tauno Tasalakki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dallas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dallas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tasalakki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tasalakki wants to clinch up but Dallas keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dallas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dallas blocks the body kick.
Tasalakki scores with a kick to the midsection.
Tasalakki dives in and grabs Dallas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dallas pushes down on Tasalakki's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Dallas both land. Nice combination.
Dallas throws a right and a left that Tasalakki avoids nicely.
Dallas stuffs the takedown attempt from Tasalakki. Tasalakki gets slowly back to his feet.
Tasalakki shoots in for a double leg but Dallas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dallas looks to land a combination but Tasalakki avoids it well.
Dallas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tasalakki.
Tasalakki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tasalakki wants to clinch up but Dallas keeps it at a distance.

Tasalakki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tasalakki showed some decent athleticism there.
Dallas wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dallas is staying active underneath Tasalakki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Dallas wants to get back to his feet.

Tasalakki seems to be working for a kimura but Dallas defends the submission attempt.

Tasalakki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dallas doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tasalakki.

Dallas is defending against the submission attempts here by Tasalakki.
Tasalakki is breathing heavily.

Tasalakki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Dallas smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A solid body kick from Tasalakki.
Tasalakki slips a jab and a cross from Dallas.
Tasalakki throws a push kick but Dallas slaps the foot to one side.
Tasalakki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dallas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A swing and a miss from Dallas.
Tasalakki shoots in looking for a takedown. Dallas tries to sprawl out of it but Tasalakki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dallas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Korben Dallas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tasalakki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dallas pinned against the cage. Dallas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tasalakki throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Dallas was covering up waiting for the punch and Tasalakki finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tasalakki prevents Dallas from getting back to his feet.
Tasalakki trying to control the position from guard on top but Dallas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tasalakki is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Dallas is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Dallas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tasalakki controls the pace.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tasalakki sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dallas's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tasalakki dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dallas throws a nice looking combination but Tasalakki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dallas stuffs the takedown.
Tasalakki throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tasalakki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tasalakki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dallas pinned against the cage. Dallas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tasalakki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tasalakki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tauno Tasalakki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tasalakki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dallas defends it nicely.
Dallas stuffs the takedown attempt from Tasalakki. Tasalakki gets slowly back to his feet.
Dallas is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tasalakki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dallas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tasalakki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dallas stuffs the takedown attempt from Tasalakki. Tasalakki gets slowly back to his feet.
Tasalakki fails with the takedown.
Tauno Tasalakki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tasalakki shoots in for a takedown but Dallas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tasalakki swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Tasalakki moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dallas is looking to break free of the clinch but Tasalakki has double underhooks.
Tasalakki avoiding damage.
Tasalakki prevents Dallas from breaking the clinch.
Tasalakki scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tasalakki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Dallas's face.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tasalakki obliges.
Dallas wants to get back to striking at distance but Tasalakki won't allow it.
Dallas has had enough of the clinch but Tasalakki keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki stalling against the cage.
Tasalakki unloads a knee to the mid-section. Dallas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tasalakki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Nice body punch from Tasalakki.
Tasalakki content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tauno Tasalakki.
Tasalakki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki fails to land the takedown.

Tasalakki drives through and clinches with Dallas against the cage.
Dallas wants to break the clinch but can't.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tasalakki takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Dallas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tasalakki has him pressed against the cage.
Tasalakki slowing the pace effectively.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tasalakki obliges.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tasalakki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tasalakki dominated that second 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.

Tasalakki shoots in for a takedown but Dallas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Tasalakki shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Dallas's guard.
Tasalakki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tasalakki wants to control from the top but Dallas keeps moving.
Tasalakki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dallas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dallas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tasalakki is controlling him.
Tasalakki trying to control the position from guard on top but Dallas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dallas is looking to stand up but Tasalakki isn't so interested in that idea.
Tasalakki trying to control but Dallas is working from the bottom.
Tasalakki pushing down on Dallas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tasalakki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Dallas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Dallas is defending against the submission attempts here by Tasalakki.
Tasalakki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dallas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tasalakki controlling the pace.
Dallas tries to kick Tasalakki off but Tasalakki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tasalakki not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Tasalakki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tasalakki trying to control from half guard but Dallas is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tasalakki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dallas swivels and escapes.
Dallas looks to throw the jab but Tasalakki is out of range.
Dallas moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tasalakki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tauno Tasalakki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tasalakki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dallas swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Tasalakki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tasalakki trying to control but Dallas is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tasalakki won't allow Dallas to get back to his feet.
Tasalakki stays in close to Dallas's body and controls the position.
Tasalakki sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dallas's guard.
Tasalakki wants to take a breather but Dallas is having none of it.
Tasalakki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dallas defending well though.
Dallas pushes Tasalakki off looking to stand but Tasalakki dives back in and keeps control.
Tasalakki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dallas pushes Tasalakki off looking to stand but Tasalakki dives back in and keeps control.
Tasalakki moves into full mount! Dallas won't be happy about that!

Tasalakki is working for a guillotine from mount but Dallas frees his head quite easily.

Tasalakki is going olschool here, as he tries to force Dallas to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Dallas shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dallas is squirming around, avoiding Tasalakki's attempts to control the action.

Tasalakki looking for a guillotine from mount but Dallas is having none of it.
Tasalakki is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Tasalakki wants to finish this one by submission but Dallas is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Tasalakki.
Tasalakki with a couple of short strikes.
Dallas is trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tasalakki clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dallas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tasalakki.
Tasalakki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dallas as he avoids it easily.
Dallas throws a combination. Tasalakki tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dallas lands with a nice combination. Tasalakki backs away looking to recover.
Tasalakki shoots for a double leg takedown but Dallas sprawls well. He's pushed Tasalakki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tauno Tasalakki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tasalakki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dallas uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tasalakki has time to react.
Tasalakki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dallas swivels and escapes.
Tasalakki shoots in but Dallas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Dallas tries to bum rush Tasalakki with a series of wild strikes but Tasalakki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tasalakki is defended easily by Dallas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tasalakki throws a front kick that sends Dallas stumbling back into the cage.
Tasalakki shoots in looking for a takedown. Dallas tries to sprawl out of it but Tasalakki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dallas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Good work by Dallas as he checks the leg kick.
Dallas keeps the fight on the outside.
Dallas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Tasalakki counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dallas won't be happy with that.
Tasalakki staying calm.
Tasalakki postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tasalakki tries for a kimura but Dallas is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tasalakki landing strikes.

Tasalakki tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tasalakki has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dallas is pushing Tasalakki's head away, looking to escape. Tasalakki manages to hold on to the position though.
Tasalakki connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Dallas some visible discomfort.
Tasalakki trying to control the position but Dallas is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki landing strikes.
Dallas is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tasalakki asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tasalakki looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Dallas is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Tasalakki trying to control the action but Dallas is working from the bottom.
Tauno Tasalakki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tasalakki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dallas swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tasalakki is struggling to control the position.
Tasalakki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Dallas's face.
Tasalakki stalling against the cage.
Tasalakki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tasalakki is pushing Dallas up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tasalakki had his way with Korben Dallas in 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tasalakki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dallas moves away.
Dallas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dallas wants it to stay on the feet.
Tasalakki closes the distance and clinches up with Dallas, looking for a takedown. Tasalakki pushes Dallas against the cage but Dallas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Tasalakki darts in and clinches Dallas up against the cage.
Tasalakki misses with an elbow strike.
Tasalakki has Dallas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dallas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tauno Tasalakki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tasalakki has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Dallas clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Will Tasalakki go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Tasalakki has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Dallas defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Tasalakki's arms.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dallas is trying to get back to his feet but Tasalakki has full control of the position and if anything, Dallas has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Dallas is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Tasalakki struggling to land strikes to the head as Dallas covers up.

Tasalakki looking for the choke but no joy.
Dallas has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Tauno Tasalakki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Tasalakki is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Dallas defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Dallas is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Tasalakki looking to break Dallas's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Dallas remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Tasalakki will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Tasalakki is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Tasalakki. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Tasalakki working for the choke.
Tasalakki has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Dallas's body.

Tasalakki looking for the RNC.
Tasalakki throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

That's four 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.
Dallas is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Korben Dallas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Dallas won't enjoy being in this position. Tasalakki looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Dallas is tapping - it's over boys! Tasalakki picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tauno Tasalakki!
Tauno Tasalakki retains his welterweight title!