PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luke Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Taistelija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Cage
vs
Taistelija

198 cm
22
300 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

225 cm
21
299 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Hellbent, Inc.
Lightning Fight Gear

South Side Swagger

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luke Cage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Teppo Taistelija!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taistelija shoots for a takedown but Cage saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Taistelija walks into a left hand.
Cage cracks Taistelija with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cage lands an overhand right.
Taistelija misses with a takedown attempt - Cage sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taistelija takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Taistelija looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Taistelija gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cage.
Cage steps into range and cracks Taistelija with a monster punch that buckles his knees! Taistelija flops backwards and Cage dives into his guard looking to finish!

Taistelija is rocked!
Taistelija is trying to control the position but Cage postures up.
Taistelija is still in real trouble! Can Cage finish him?
Taistelija looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taistelija seems to have recovered his senses.
Cage wants to get up but he can't break Taistelija's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taistelija trying to control the position.

Taistelija has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cage can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cage looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taistelija tries to strike from the bottom.
Cage sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Taistelija's guard.
Taistelija trying to control here.
Cage prevents Taistelija from improving his position.
Cage wants to get back to his feet.

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.
Cage looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Taistelija gets full guard.
Cage showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cage throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taistelija had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Cage is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Taistelija Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Cage's back instead.
Cage tries to escape the position.
Cage knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taistelija on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cage biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
Cage wants to escape the position.
Cage controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Taistelija has the hooks in. Cage is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Taistelija working for a choke but Cage is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Cage's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Cage is working hard here to advance position.
Cage manages to reverse the position and now he's in Taistelija's guard. Nice work there by Cage.
Cage sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Taistelija isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Cage stacks Taistelija on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Cage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Cage dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A jab from Cage does it's job there.
Cage takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Taistelija throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cage's waist but Cage gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Taistelija off to one side.
Luke Cage is winning the standup battle so far.
Cage works Taistelija's body with a nice hook.
Taistelija takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cage keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Left hook, right uppercut from Cage.
Cage looks to throw the jab but Taistelija is out of range.
Cage connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt Taistelija! He's out on his feet! Cage rushes in and drops Taistelija with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Luke Cage!