PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pasi Ruohonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tauno Tasalakki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ruohonen
vs
Tasalakki

190 cm
24
183 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

175 cm
21
170 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pasi Ruohonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tauno Tasalakki!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruohonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruohonen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tasalakki misses with a two punch combination.
Ruohonen cracks Tasalakki with a good jab.
Tasalakki tries to clinch up but Ruohonen circles away and keeps his distance.

Ruohonen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tasalakki, pushing him back against the cage.
Ruohonen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Ruohonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tasalakki looks to throw the jab but Ruohonen is out of range.
Tasalakki closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ruohonen counters with a nice uppercut.
Ruohonen throws a nice head kick!
Tasalakki takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tasalakki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruohonen moves away.
Tasalakki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An inside leg kick from Tasalakki misses.
Ruohonen slips a straight right by Tasalakki.
Tasalakki misses with a double jab.
Ruohonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ruohonen scores with a three punch combo!
Ruohonen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Tasalakki tries to close the distance and clinch but Ruohonen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ruohonen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Ruohonen.
Good shot there by Ruohonen.
Tasalakki tries to bum rush Ruohonen with a series of wild strikes but Ruohonen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Tasalakki shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Tasalakki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ruohonen is just riding it out for now. Tasalakki eventually gives up the hold.
Tasalakki is keen to just control but Ruohonen is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruohonen wants to improve his position but Tasalakki is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruohonen is controlling Tasalakki's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Tasalakki wants to work for an arm triangle but Ruohonen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ruohonen is looking to escape.
Ruohonen is not content to let Tasalakki control the position.
Tasalakki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ruohonen defending well though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tasalakki shoots for a double leg takedown but Ruohonen sprawls well. He's pushed Tasalakki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tasalakki swats away the attempt to clinch by Ruohonen.
Ruohonen darts in trying to clinch
and Tasalakki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruohonen scores with a body shot.
Tasalakki tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ruohonen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Tasalakki is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tasalakki. Ruohonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tasalakki misses with a jab to the body
and Ruohonen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ruohonen tries to clinch up

and Tasalakki counters by clinching up.
Ruohonen tries to stall but Tasalakki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Ruohonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ruohonen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tasalakki's head backwards.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A leg kick checked by Ruohonen.
Tasalakki throws a looping overhand right but Ruohonen ducks down to avoid it.
Ruohonen cracks Tasalakki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Tasalakki swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ruohonen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ruohonen thuds a left hand into Tasalakki's body.
Ruohonen misses with a combination
and Tasalakki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ruohonen thinking.
Ruohonen is breathing heavily.
Tasalakki doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruohonen circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ruohonen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tasalakki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tasalakki throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Ruohonen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ruohonen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tasalakki throws a leg kick but Ruohonen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A low kick from Tasalakki misses
and Ruohonen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Tasalakki has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tasalakki lands a left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Tasalakki.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ruohonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tasalakki has him pressed against the cage.
Tasalakki lands a shoulder strike.
Tasalakki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ruohonen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pasi Ruohonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tauno Tasalakki.
Ruohonen tries to break the clinch but Tasalakki is controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ruohonen managing to block the knees to the body from Tasalakki.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ruohonen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tasalakki.
Ruohonen has had enough of the clinch but Tasalakki keeps him there for the moment.
Ruohonen blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pasi Ruohonen dominated that round.
That's time! Ruohonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ruohonen misses with a double jab

and Tasalakki counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ruohonen!

Ruohonen defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Tasalakki.
Tasalakki trying to control but Ruohonen is having none of it.
Ruohonen wants to hold on but Tasalakki pushes him away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tasalakki scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ruohonen?
Ruohonen trying desperately to get to his feet.
Tasalakki throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tasalakki goes for an armbar but Ruohonen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ruohonen.

Ruohonen gets to his feet. Tasalakki looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ruohonen ducks under a wild hook from Tasalakki.
Tasalakki swings for the body but Ruohonen moves out of range.
Ruohonen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tasalakki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruohonen moves away.
Tasalakki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruohonen digs a good body shot into Tasalakki's ribs.
Ruohonen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Tasalakki punishes Ruohonen's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruohonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tasalakki moves away.
Ruohonen tries to clinch

and Tasalakki moves into the clinch.
Ruohonen prevents a takedown attempt there.

Tasalakki manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tasalakki working a defensive guard here.
Ruohonen tries to stand but Tasalakki is controlling from the bottom.
Tasalakki controlling the position.
Tasalakki looking for a sweep. Not yet Tasalakki, not yet.
Tasalakki is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ruohonen!
Tasalakki with the ground and pound from mount.
A nice elbow there by Tasalakki.

Tasalakki jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ruohonen is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ruohonen and Tasalakki has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ruohonen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ruohonen tries to get out of the position.

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!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruohonen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Tasalakki.
Tasalakki working the ground and pound but Ruohonen is defending the strikes.

Tasalakki is trying to get an arm triangle but Ruohonen is defending well.

Tasalakki is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ruohonen has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tasalakki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ruohonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Tasalakki.
Ruohonen cracks the inside of Tasalakki's front leg.
Tasalakki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick by Tasalakki misses
and Ruohonen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tasalakki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ruohonen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ruohonen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tasalakki.
Tasalakki tries to clinch
and Ruohonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ruohonen lunges at Tasalakki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tasalakki's hand.
Ruohonen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tasalakki misses with a hook. Ruohonen ducked under it nicely.
Tasalakki swats away the attempt to clinch by Ruohonen.
Ruohonen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tasalakki's head.
Ruohonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tasalakki.
Tasalakki shoots for a takedown but Ruohonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tasalakki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Ruohonen does no damage.
Ruohonen pushes Tasalakki away with a front kick.

Ruohonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tasalakki trying to land knees to the body.
Ruohonen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tasalakki trying to control the position but instead, Ruohonen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tasalakki into the cage.
Tasalakki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ruohonen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ruohonen landing knees to the body.

Ruohonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pasi Ruohonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Tasalakki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ruohonen sprawls well. Ruohonen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tasalakki gets slowly back to his feet.
Pasi Ruohonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tauno Tasalakki.

Ruohonen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tasalakki is looking to control Ruohonen's arms but Ruohonen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tasalakki has his back to the cage.
Ruohonen lands a damaging elbow.
Ruohonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tasalakki has him pressed against the cage.
Tasalakki lands a shot to the body.
Ruohonen stalling the fight.
Ruohonen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tasalakki or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruohonen landing knees to the body.

Ruohonen breaks from the clinch.
Tasalakki misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ruohonen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Ruohonen as he connects with a hook.
Tasalakki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tasalakki shoots in but Ruohonen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ruohonen lands a really nice looking cross but Tasalakki seems unphased.

Ruohonen moves into the clinch successfully.

Ruohonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tasalakki circles away from the clinch attempt

and Tasalakki moves into the clinch.

Ruohonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tasalakki misses with a takedown attempt - Ruohonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pasi Ruohonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tasalakki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ruohonen keeps Tasalakki at a distance using the push kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ruohonen.
Tasalakki throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Ruohonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ruohonen.
Ruohonen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tasalakki blocks it with crossed arms.
Ruohonen misses with a punch on the inside.
Tasalakki is trying to maintain a safe position but Ruohonen gets an underhook and turns Tasalakki into the cage.
Tasalakki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ruohonen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tasalakki wants to clinch
and Ruohonen counters with a big head kick but Tasalakki shrugs it off.
Tasalakki lands with an overhand left.
Ruohonen tries to clinch but Tasalakki is having none of it.
Ruohonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A punch combination from Ruohonen misses.
Tasalakki just misses with a punch to the body.
Tasalakki fails with the takedown.
Ruohonen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tasalakki wants to clinch up but Ruohonen keeps it at a distance.
Tasalakki looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
No joy there for Tasalakki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ruohonen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tasalakki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ruohonen lands a right hook to the body.
Pasi Ruohonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ruohonen darts in and clinches Tasalakki up against the cage.

Ruohonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ruohonen throws a leg kick which misses Tasalakki's front leg but catches the back leg as Tasalakki tries to avoid it.
Tasalakki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ruohonen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tasalakki somewhat.
Tasalakki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ruohonen rather than just go for the knockout.
Ruohonen misses with the combination.
Tasalakki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tasalakki misses with a hook to the body

and Ruohonen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ruohonen taking a breather.
Tasalakki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ruohonen is keeping busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pasi Ruohonen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ruohonen 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pasi Ruohonen!