PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Tuazon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ulla Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tuazon
vs
Taalasmaa

183 cm
24
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chuck Tuazon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ulla Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tuazon napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Tuazon tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Tuazon regains half guard.
Tuazon is trying to stand up here but Taalasmaa is controlling him well.
Tuazon on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tuazon tries to get out of the position.
Taalasmaa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tuazon is looking to escape.
Taalasmaa prevents Tuazon from improving his position.
Tuazon is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tuazon leaves Taalasmaa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Taalasmaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tuazon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taalasmaa is looking to clinch but Tuazon is avoiding it.
Tuazon tries for a takedown but Taalasmaa circles away easily
and Taalasmaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tuazon is breathing heavily.
Tuazon fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Taalasmaa avoids it really well and circles away.
Taalasmaa scores with a decent looking hook.
Tuazon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Taalasmaa counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Tuazon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tuazon dodges the ground and pound from Taalasmaa.
Tuazon seems a little lost for a moment, as Taalasmaa dominates the positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Taalasmaa has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Taalasmaa decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Tuazon moves forwards but Taalasmaa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Taalasmaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
A nice combination there by Taalasmaa.
Tuazon misses with a takedown attempt
and Tuazon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taalasmaa throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taalasmaa scores with a three punch combo!
Taalasmaa shoots in for a double leg but Tuazon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tuazon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Taalasmaa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tuazon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Taalasmaa gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuazon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Taalasmaa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tuazon prevents Taalasmaa from breaking the clinch.
Tuazon scores with a shot to the side of Taalasmaa's head.
Tuazon pushes Taalasmaa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tuazon blocks a body shot from Taalasmaa.
Tuazon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taalasmaa has Tuazon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tuazon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tuazon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tuazon lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tuazon scores with a shot to the side of Taalasmaa's head.

Tuazon breaks the clinch.
Tuazon leaves Taalasmaa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tuazon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Taalasmaa tries to avoid it but Tuazon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Taalasmaa to the ground. Taalasmaa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tuazon circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch up but Tuazon circles away and keeps his distance.
Tuazon closes this distance looking for a takedown but Taalasmaa circles away.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch there but Tuazon circles away.
Tuazon shoots in but Taalasmaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice sprawl there from Tuazon as Taalasmaa shoots in.
Nice sprawl there from Taalasmaa as Tuazon shoots in.
Taalasmaa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tuazon's waist but Tuazon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Taalasmaa off to one side.
Taalasmaa closes the distance and clinches up with Tuazon, looking for a takedown. Taalasmaa pushes Tuazon against the cage but Tuazon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tuazon tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Taalasmaa swivels and escapes.

Taalasmaa has taken the fight to the clinch.

Tuazon is trying to trip Taalasmaa. He has hold of a leg but Taalasmaa is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tuazon persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Tuazon postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taalasmaa is adopting a defensive guard.
Tuazon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ulla Taalasmaa dominated 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.

Tuazon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Tuazon with that takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Taalasmaa.
Tuazon with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Taalasmaa to score with a decent uppercut.
Tuazon fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Tuazon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tuazon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tuazon tries for a takedown but Taalasmaa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tuazon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice takedown defense from Taalasmaa. No joy for Tuazon on that attempt.
Taalasmaa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taalasmaa stalks Tuazon and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tuazon's face. Tuazon staggers backwards, shaken.
Tuazon misses with a takedown attempt - Taalasmaa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taalasmaa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Taalasmaa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch but Tuazon is having none of it.

Tuazon shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Taalasmaa trying to hold on to Tuazon's head to control him but Tuazon postures up.
Tuazon thows a huge punch but Taalasmaa dodges it nicely.
Tuazon missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tuazon throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tuazon tries to pass the half guard into mount. Taalasmaa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Taalasmaa is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tuazon missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tuazon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tuazon shoots for a double leg takedown but Taalasmaa sprawls well. He's pushed Tuazon's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tuazon with a poor takedown

and Taalasmaa counters by moving into the clinch.
Tuazon lands a nice elbow.
Taalasmaa takes an elbow to the temple.
Taalasmaa tries to pull guard but Tuazon holds him up against the cage and eventually Taalasmaa drops back down to his feet.
Taalasmaa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Taalasmaa blocks the elbow strike.
Taalasmaa takes an elbow to the temple.
Taalasmaa wants to break free but Tuazon has control.
Tuazon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taalasmaas head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Tuazon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tuazon stalling against the cage.
Taalasmaa wants to break the clinch but can't.

Tuazon gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Taalasmaa regains guard.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but Tuazon is controlling the position.
Tuazon trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Tuazon landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tuazon accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tuazon has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tuazon postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Taalasmaa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tuazon. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuazon missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tuazon is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tuazon wants to control from the top but Taalasmaa keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Taalasmaa wants to clinch.
Tuazon has his takedown stuffed
and Taalasmaa counters with a one-two to the body.
Chuck Tuazon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taalasmaa wants to clinch.
Taalasmaa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tuazon.
Tuazon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Taalasmaa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ulla Taalasmaa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tuazon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taalasmaa is fending him off so far but Tuazon persists. Nope, Taalasmaa circles away and we're back to standing.
Tuazon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Taalasmaa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tuazon somewhat.
Taalasmaa lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Taalasmaa shoots in but Tuazon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Taalasmaa fails with a takedown attempt.
Taalasmaa stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Tuazon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tuazon closes the distance and clinches up with Taalasmaa, looking for a takedown. Tuazon pushes Taalasmaa against the cage but Taalasmaa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Taalasmaa takes the fight into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tuazon keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taalasmaa's efforts to push away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tuazon lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tuazon has Taalasmaa pressed against the cage, preventing Taalasmaa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tuazon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A body shot lands from Tuazon.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tuazon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tuazon prevents Taalasmaa from breaking the clinch.
Tuazon throws a head punch that misses.
Taalasmaa fails to pull guard.
Tuazon lands with a light punch inside.
Tuazon lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Taalasmaa or not.

Tuazon works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Tuazon thows a big elbow that misses.
Tuazon throwing strikes from guard but Taalasmaa blocks nicely.
Tuazon postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tuazon being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuazon working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tuazon postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tuazon prevents Taalasmaa from getting back to his feet.
Ulla Taalasmaa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tuazon throwing strikes but missing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Taalasmaa moves in looking to clinch but Tuazon pushes him off.
Tuazon keeps the fight on the outside.
Taalasmaa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Taalasmaa wants it to stay on the feet.
Taalasmaa wants to clinch up but Tuazon keeps it at a distance.
Taalasmaa moves in looking to clinch but Tuazon pushes him off.
Tuazon with a lazy takedown attempt
and Taalasmaa counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa clinches up against the cage.
Taalasmaa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tuazon.
Taalasmaa takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tuazon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tuazon swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Tuazon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Taalasmaa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Chuck Tuazon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Taalasmaa takes the fight into the clinch.
Taalasmaa fails to pull guard.
Taalasmaa can't break the clinch.
Tuazon pressing his opponent against the cage.

Tuazon gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Taalasmaa is in trouble now - Tuazon has advanced to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Tuazon throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Poor strikes thrown by Tuazon there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Chuck Tuazon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tuazon won't let Taalasmaa get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Tuazon raining down shots from the mount!
Tuazon lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Tuazon breaks from Taalasmaa's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ulla Taalasmaa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taalasmaa is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Tuazon showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Taalasmaa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ulla Taalasmaa!