PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olli Tarkiainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tarkiainen has chosen Children of Bodom - Needled 24/7 as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Reynolds
vs
Tarkiainen

185 cm
22
183 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

183 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Attliction - NEWS: badass on sale for $2

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dennis Reynolds!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olli Tarkiainen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reynolds is looking to clinch.

Reynolds has managed to clinch.
Reynolds is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tarkiainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Reynolds ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Reynolds no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Tarkiainen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Tarkiainen advances to half guard.
Reynolds is trying to stand up here but Tarkiainen is controlling him well.
Tarkiainen is tying to control. Reynolds wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tarkiainen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Reynolds is looking to improve his position.
Reynolds pushes Tarkiainen off looking to stand but Tarkiainen dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reynolds tries to roll over but Tarkiainen keeps him under control.
Tarkiainen controlling the pace.
Reynolds is looking to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Reynolds 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.
Tarkiainen fails with an attempt to clinch.

Reynolds rushes Tarkiainen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Reynolds is trying to stall.
Reynolds tries to land knees in the clinch but Tarkiainen avoids the damage to the body.
Tarkiainen tries to score a body lock takedown but Reynolds shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Reynolds wants to get back to striking at distance but Tarkiainen won't allow it.
Reynolds tries to break the clinch but Tarkiainen is controlling the position.
Reynolds stops a takedown attempt from Tarkiainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A short left from Reynolds.
Reynolds is looking to control Tarkiainen's arms but Tarkiainen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Reynolds has his back to the cage.
Reynolds prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dennis Reynolds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Olli Tarkiainen.
A hook to the body from Tarkiainen.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Reynolds just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tarkiainen's brow.
Tarkiainen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Reynolds fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Reynolds slips a straight right by Tarkiainen.
Tarkiainen tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Reynolds counters with a takedown into side control.

Reynolds stands up and beckons Tarkiainen to his feet.
Reynolds is breathing heavily.
Tarkiainen stuffs the takedown.
Reynolds shoots in looking for a takedown. Tarkiainen tries to sprawl out of it but Reynolds keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tarkiainen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Reynolds wants to clinch up but Tarkiainen keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarkiainen moves out of range of the body kick.
Reynolds shoots in for a double leg but Tarkiainen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Tarkiainen clinches up with Reynolds and pushes him back against the cage.

Tarkiainen has Reynolds pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Tarkiainen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Reynolds tumbling to the mat - Tarkiainen dives into Reynolds's guard.

Reynolds is working an open guard so Tarkiainen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Tarkiainen shoots in and bounces Reynolds off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Tarkiainen stands and steps away. Reynolds gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Nice sprawl there from Tarkiainen as Reynolds shoots in.
Reynolds darts in trying to clinch
and Tarkiainen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tarkiainen instigates a clinch.

Reynolds lands a takedown into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Reynolds looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Reynolds throwing strikes but missing.
Tarkiainen wants to sweep but no luck.

Tarkiainen scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tarkiainen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Reynolds prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Olli Tarkiainen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Reynolds has Tarkiainen up against the cage in a clinch.
Reynolds landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Reynolds lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tarkiainen.
Reynolds will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tarkiainen up against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Tarkiainen.
Tarkiainen is pressed up against the cage. Reynolds has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tarkiainen down to the mat. Tarkiainen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tarkiainen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Reynolds shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tarkiainen but Tarkiainen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Reynolds is looking to clinch but Tarkiainen is avoiding it.
Reynolds shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Reynolds. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reynolds shoots for a double leg takedown but Tarkiainen sprawls well. He's pushed Reynolds's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Tarkiainen moves into the clinch successfully.
Tarkiainen wants a takedown but no success here.
Reynolds using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Tarkiainen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Reynolds regains guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarkiainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Reynolds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reynolds manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Reynolds thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Tarkiainen tries to hold on but Reynolds pushes him away.
Reynolds misses with a head shot.
Tarkiainen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Reynolds lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Tarkiainen hang on?
Tarkiainen wants to hold on but Reynolds pushes him away.
Reynolds throws a sloppy strike and Tarkiainen uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Tarkiainen has ended up in Reynolds's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tarkiainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tarkiainen postures up.

Reynolds is working an open guard so Tarkiainen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Tarkiainen tries to clinch up

and Reynolds counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tarkiainen won't be happy with that.
You can see the frustration on Tarkiainen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tarkiainen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Reynolds's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarkiainen manages to get to full guard.
Tarkiainen pulls Reynolds in close to prevent any damage.
Tarkiainen is trying to keep Reynolds in close.
Reynolds trying to control but Tarkiainen is working from the bottom.
Reynolds with a flurry of punches that miss.

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.
Tarkiainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Reynolds.
Reynolds wants to control from the top but Tarkiainen keeps moving.
Tarkiainen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Reynolds moves into the clinch.

Reynolds has picked Tarkiainen up - he's going for a ride! Reynolds dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Tarkiainen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Reynolds is working away from the top position though.
Reynolds works his way into full mount!
Tarkiainen tries to lock up and control but Reynolds gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Reynolds controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Reynolds dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Reynolds keeps the fight on the outside.
Tarkiainen tries to clinch up
and Reynolds counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Reynolds tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tarkiainen swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Tarkiainen tries to keep at a distance but Reynolds has taken the fight into the clinch.
Reynolds misses with the head strike.

Reynolds is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tarkiainen can't fight it off and eventually Reynolds manages to take the fight to the floor. Tarkiainen looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Reynolds looking to pass the guard.
Reynolds is looking to stand up but Tarkiainen won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tarkiainen manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Tarkiainen darts in and clinches Reynolds up against the cage.
Reynolds throws an elbow but it misses.
Tarkiainen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Reynolds prevents it.
Tarkiainen can't get the takedown.
Tarkiainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Reynolds scores with a knee to the head.
Reynolds wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tarkiainen has him pressed against the cage.
The referee calls for Tarkiainen to work.
Tarkiainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Reynolds avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dennis Reynolds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Olli Tarkiainen.

Reynolds breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Reynolds closes the distance looking to clinch

and Tarkiainen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tarkiainen.
Reynolds tries to land a knee to the head but Tarkiainen blocks with his arms.
Tarkiainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tarkiainen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Reynolds is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Reynolds is looking to control Tarkiainen's arms but Tarkiainen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Reynolds has his back to the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Tarkiainen.
Tarkiainen pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds wants to break free but Tarkiainen has control.
Tarkiainen wants a takedown but no success here.
Tarkiainen wants a takedown.
Reynolds prevents the takedown attempt.
Reynolds is trying to stall.
Tarkiainen looking for a takedown.
Tarkiainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Reynolds gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Reynolds tries a knee to the head but Tarkiainen blocks it.
Tarkiainen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Reynolds trying to land knees to the body.
Tarkiainen goes for a takedown attempt but Reynolds pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tarkiainen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Reynolds circles away.
A big left from Reynolds misses.
Horrible takedown by Tarkiainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Reynolds which made him look bad.
Reynolds tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tarkiainen swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarkiainen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Reynolds moves in looking to clinch but Tarkiainen pushes him off.
Dennis Reynolds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tarkiainen lands a nice uppercut.

Tarkiainen successfully pulls guard.
Tarkiainen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Reynolds!
Reynolds is looking to improve his position but Tarkiainen isn't that keen on the idea.
Reynolds throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Tarkiainen can't control as he wanted to and Reynolds manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Reynolds looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tarkiainen is keen to just control but Reynolds is a slippery customer.
Reynolds is trying to control but can't.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Reynolds fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tarkiainen sprawls well initially but Reynolds persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tarkiainen wants to get back to full guard.

Reynolds decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Tarkiainen tries to clinch but Reynolds moves out of range.
Tarkiainen tries to clinch up.

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

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dennis Reynolds!