PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between KJ Kesler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kesler
vs
Taalasmaa

185 cm
22
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Boondock Fightwear
Boondock Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, KJ Kesler!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kari Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kesler keeps the fight on the outside.

Taalasmaa closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kesler tries to improve position but can't.
Taalasmaa looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kesler is avoiding damage well.
Taalasmaa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kesler sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kesler struggling a bit here.
Kesler is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Taalasmaa tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Taalasmaa decides to stand back up.
Taalasmaa fails to land with a series of punches.
Horrible takedown by Taalasmaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Kesler which made him look bad.
Kesler shoots in and drives through. Taalasmaa sprawls well.

Kesler scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Taalasmaa looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to kick Kesler off but Kesler keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kesler prevents Taalasmaa from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taalasmaa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kesler prevents Taalasmaa from standing back up.
Kesler wants to take a breather but Taalasmaa is having none of it.
Taalasmaa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kesler. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taalasmaa throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taalasmaa lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kesler slips a jab and a cross from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Taalasmaa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kesler fails with the takedown

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taalasmaa prevents Kesler from improving his position.
Kesler is trying to stand up here but Taalasmaa is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Taalasmaa is going to stand back up.
Kesler is trying to maintain the position but Taalasmaa is very close to passing his half guard.
Kesler gets full guard.
Taalasmaa postures up.
Taalasmaa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kesler's guard.

Kesler stands up out of the half guard.
Kari Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kesler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Taalasmaa counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for KJ Kesler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taalasmaa stalling against the cage.
Taalasmaa lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kesler is trying to stall.
Kesler is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Taalasmaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kesler has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Taalasmaa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kesler has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Taalasmaa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kesler is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Taalasmaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kesler tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kesler is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Taalasmaa goes for a takedown attempt but Kesler pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kesler shoots in but Taalasmaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Taalasmaa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kesler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Taalasmaa as he jumps to the side.
Kesler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kesler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kesler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Taalasmaa looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kesler with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Taalasmaa working the head and body with strikes.
Taalasmaa wants to free his trapped foot but Kesler is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kesler trying to control but Taalasmaa postures up.
Kesler gets full guard.
Taalasmaa thows a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kesler manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kesler unloading with bombs!
Taalasmaa tries to hold on but Kesler pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kesler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Taalasmaa looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Kesler stands up.
Taalasmaa works over Kesler's head and body with a nice combination.

Taalasmaa clinches.

Taalasmaa breaks the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Kesler as Taalasmaa shoots in.

Taalasmaa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
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!
Taalasmaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kesler lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taalasmaa!
Taalasmaa takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Taalasmaa is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Taalasmaa regains half guard.
Kesler moves into full mount! Taalasmaa won't be happy about that!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to buck Kesler off but he can't manage it.
Taalasmaa is breathing heavily.
Taalasmaa is looking to improve his position but Kesler isn't that keen on the idea.
Kesler tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Taalasmaa is trying desperately to improve position.
Taalasmaa really wants to buck Kesler off and get back to his feet.

Kesler is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Taalasmaa has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Taalasmaa is working to get back to half guard.
Kesler working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Taalasmaa is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa wants to try and get back to his feet.
Kesler putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Taalasmaa is wriggling around trying to escape.
Taalasmaa has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Kesler has the hooks in. Taalasmaa is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Kesler is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Taalasmaa has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kesler missing with strikes.
Kesler tries to get the hooks in deep but Taalasmaa pushed the leg off.
Kesler landing with strikes.
Kesler lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Kesler is looking for the choke from the back position but Taalasmaa is controlling his hands well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Taalasmaa is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Taalasmaa breaks Kesler's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kesler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kesler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kesler manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kesler manages to capitalize on a mistake by Taalasmaa to take his back!
Taalasmaa has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Will Kesler go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Taalasmaa wants to escape the position.
Taalasmaa looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
KJ Kesler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taalasmaa breaks Kesler's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Taalasmaa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kesler's guard.
Kesler trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A nice combination there by Taalasmaa.
Kesler doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Taalasmaa counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kesler!
Taalasmaa prevents Kesler from getting the reversal.
Kesler slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kesler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kesler working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taalasmaa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taalasmaa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Taalasmaa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taalasmaa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Taalasmaa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kesler is keeping the position for now.
Taalasmaa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taalasmaa passes Kesler's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Taalasmaa is thwarting Kesler's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KJ Kesler dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Taalasmaa shoots in and bounces Kesler off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kesler looking for a sweep. Not yet Kesler, not yet.
Taalasmaa postures up in Kesler's guard and throws a big left but Kesler blocks it.
Taalasmaa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Kesler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but Kesler has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Kesler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taalasmaa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Taalasmaa wanted to stand there but Kesler had control of the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kesler looking to control.
Taalasmaa works over Kesler with some ground and pound from guard.
Taalasmaa lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
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!
Taalasmaa lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa postures up.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but Kesler is controlling his posture from full guard.
Taalasmaa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kesler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taalasmaa wants to control from the top but Kesler keeps moving.

Kesler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taalasmaa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Taalasmaa decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Taalasmaa drives through with a takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kesler is on top in guard.
Taalasmaa wants to stand up but Kesler is controlling him.
Taalasmaa throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Kesler has gone for a leg lock! Taalasmaa slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kesler's guard.
Kesler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Taalasmaa has Kesler up against the cage in a clinch.
Kesler looking for a takedown.
Kesler fails to pull guard.
Kesler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Taalasmaa avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for KJ Kesler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kesler tries for a takedown but Taalasmaa manages to get underhooks.
Kesler drops down looking for an ankle pick but Taalasmaa pulls his leg out and moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taalasmaa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Taalasmaa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kesler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Taalasmaa counters by moving into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kesler tries to pull guard but Taalasmaa won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kesler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Taalasmaa.

Kesler closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Taalasmaa to the mat! Taalasmaa manages to get full guard.
Kesler trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Kesler tries to free his leg and advance position but Taalasmaa is retaining full guard.
Taalasmaa tries to strike from the bottom.
Kesler trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.
Kesler stands and throws Taalasmaa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kesler wants to control but Taalasmaa is keeping him busy.
Kesler prevents Taalasmaa from escaping the position.

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

Taalasmaa gets a clinch.
Kesler jumps guard but Taalasmaa stands there with Kesler around his waist. Kesler gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kesler goes for a takedown attempt but Taalasmaa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Taalasmaa fails with the takedown

and Kesler counters by clinching up.
Kesler is working for takedown but Taalasmaa is calmly controlling the position for now.

Taalasmaa breaks from the clinch.
Taalasmaa misses with a two punch combination.
Kesler has a takedown stuffed.

Taalasmaa gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kesler forces his way into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Taalasmaa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kari Taalasmaa.
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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!
Oh dear, what a disastrous situation! The belt remains unclaimed and both fighters go home unhappy!