PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keijo Lerppa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evan Tannur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tannur is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Desert Rose. 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.

Lerppa
vs
Tannur

210 cm
24
209 lbs
6 - 9 - 1

185 cm
21
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

xXx - iForce Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Keijo Lerppa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Evan Tannur!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tannur throws a head kick that misses.

Lerppa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tannur is trying to control but can't.
Lerppa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lerppa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tannur doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lerppa.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tannur manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Lerppa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tannur avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tannur pulls Lerppa in close to prevent any damage.

Lerppa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lerppa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Lerppa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lerppa postures up.
Lerppa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lerppa really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tannur has control of Lerppa's left arm, preventing Lerppa from doing any damage.

Lerppa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lerppa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tannur is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lerppa throws a big right hand that misses.
Tannur trying to control the position.

Lerppa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lerppa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lerppa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tannur not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tannur pulls Lerppa in close to his closed guard and prevents Lerppa from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tannur is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Evan Tannur.

Lerppa closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tannur's guard.

Lerppa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lerppa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tannur pulls Lerppa in to control the position.
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!
Lerppa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Lerppa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lerppa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tannur is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lerppa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tannur wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Tannur is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Lerppa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lerppa throws a big right hand that misses.
Tannur controls Lerppa momentarily but Lerppa frees himself.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Lerppa being controlled here momentarily.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Evan Tannur wasn't active enough on the ground.
Tannur throws a sloppy head kick and Lerppa moves out of range easily.
Evan Tannur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lerppa with a poor takedown
and Tannur counters with a one-two to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Tannur. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tannur.
Lerppa shoots in looking for a takedown but Tannur manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lerppa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lerppa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tannur as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keijo Lerppa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lerppa is breathing heavily.
Tannur tries a head kick but it misses.

Lerppa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Tannur!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lerppa is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tannur wants to control but Lerppa is having none of it.
Lerppa looking to ground and pound but Tannur is blocking nicely.
Tannur gets back to half guard.
Lerppa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tannur is positioning himself well to prevent Lerppa advancing to mount.
Tannur is trying to control but can't.
Lerppa prevents Tannur from improving his position.

Lerppa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tannur has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tannur has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lerppa is working away from the top position though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Lerppa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Keijo Lerppa will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tannur waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lerppa.
Tannur lands a two punch combo.
Tannur throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tannur pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lerppa shoots in but no luck this time.
Tannur throws a lazy uppercut

and Lerppa counters with a single leg into guard. Tannur didn't expect that.
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!
Lerppa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Keijo Lerppa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tannur looking to control.
Lerppa is looking to work some ground and pound but Tannur has wrist control.
Tannur is controlling Lerppa's posture.
Lerppa throwing strikes from guard but Tannur blocks nicely.
Lerppa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tannur is trying to keep Lerppa in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Evan Tannur has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tannur throws a head kick but Lerppa moves out of range.
Lerppa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lerppa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keijo Lerppa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tannur tries a head kick but it misses.
Tannur throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tannur swings for the body but Lerppa moves out of range.
Lerppa fails with a takedown attempt.
Tannur throws a head kick that misses.
Lerppa with a poor takedown
and Tannur counters with a head kick. That will keep Lerppa thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
No luck for Lerppa with that takedown attempt.
Tannur scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lerppa in his tracks.
Evan Tannur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tannur tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tannur looks to land a combination but Lerppa avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tannur.
Tannur turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tannur lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tannur throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lerppa counters with a single leg into guard. Tannur didn't expect that.

Tannur working for a triangle but Lerppa defends it easily.
Tannur not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Lerppa drops back looking for a leg! Tannur is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tannur manages to kick Lerppa off! Lerppa jumps back into Tannur's guard.
Tannur controls Lerppa momentarily but Lerppa frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lerppa lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lerppa throwing strikes but missing.
Tannur looking to control.
Tannur utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tannur is pulling down on Lerppa's head to control his posture.

Lerppa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Tannur is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lerppa with a nice head shot there.

Lerppa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Lerppa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lerppa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tannur working a defensive guard here.
Tannur has his hands on Lerppa's head, controlling the position.
Tannur controls Lerppa momentarily but Lerppa frees himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tannur is pulling down on Lerppa's head to control his posture.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

OK we're going to have a standup here. Evan Tannur hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Lerppa shoots in for a takedown but Tannur shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Tannur 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. This is the final round!

Tannur slaps away a takedown attempt from Lerppa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Tannur. No joy for Lerppa on that attempt.
Lerppa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keijo Lerppa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lerppa walks into a left hand.
Tannur tries a head kick but it misses.
Tannur slaps away a takedown attempt from Lerppa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tannur misses with a head kick.
Lerppa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Evan Tannur seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lerppa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tannur as he jumps to the side.
Tannur throws a head kick that misses.
That kick from Tannur tenderised Lerppa's leg. Lerppa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tannur fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tannur lands a glancing blow to the side of Lerppa's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tannur misses the shot to the body.
Tannur throws a right hand that Lerppa ducks under and follows up with a left that Lerppa also avoids with ease.
Tannur lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tannur.
A head kick misses from Tannur.
A head kick from Tannur lands but Lerppa takes it in his stride.
Tannur misses with a head kick.
Lerppa blocks a head kick by Tannur.
Some wild striking there from Tannur.
Lerppa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tannur defends it nicely.
Lerppa shoots in for a double leg but Tannur sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tannur.
Lerppa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tannur pinned against the cage. Tannur gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tannur pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lerppa back to the cage. Tannur follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tannur lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Lerppa has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lerppa and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Lerppa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tannur. Tannur obviously looking to wear him down.
Keijo Lerppa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice body kick there by Tannur.
Tannur stuffs the takedown attempt from Lerppa. Lerppa gets slowly back to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Tannur.
Tannur throws a sloppy head kick and Lerppa moves out of range easily.
Tannur pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lerppa is defended easily by Tannur.
Lerppa blocks a head kick by Tannur.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tannur lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lerppa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tannur circles away.
Lerppa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tannur sprawls well. Tannur wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lerppa gets slowly back to his feet.
Tannur pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tannur throws a head kick that misses.
Tannur leaves Lerppa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lerppa blocks a head kick by Tannur.
Lerppa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tannur tries to avoid it but Lerppa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tannur to the ground. Tannur escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Tannur.
Lerppa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tannur sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lerppa somewhat.
Tannur throws a head kick but Lerppa moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tannur misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tannur pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lerppa looks for a takedown but Tannur sprawls well.
Lerppa moves out of range as Tannur throws a body kick.
Tannur cracks the inside of Lerppa's front leg.
Lerppa with a poor takedown
and Tannur counters with a good low kick that Lerppa was not able to check.
Tannur jabs at Lerppa's body.
Tannur goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tannur.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lerppa blocks a head kick by Tannur.
Tannur misses with a head kick.
Lerppa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tannur defends it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Tannur comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tannur 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 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Tannur!
After the big win, Evan Tannur made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors xXx - iForce Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.