PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Jedard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tauno Taputtaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jedard kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Creeping Death by Metallica. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jedard
vs
Taputtaja

196 cm
30
270 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

185 cm
21
285 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Jedard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tauno Taputtaja!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Jedard tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Jedard has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Taputtaja is looking for a sweep.

Jedard tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Jedard has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Jedard is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Taputtaja has escaped the position, nice work there.
Jedard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taputtaja is looking to reverse the position.
Taputtaja prevents Jedard from improving position.

Jedard is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Taputtaja knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jedard is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Taputtaja is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Taputtaja manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Jedard is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Taputtaja as he works his way to full guard.

Jedard drops back, looking for a kneebar! Taputtaja looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Taputtaja looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Taputtaja!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taputtaja tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jedard regains half guard.
Taputtaja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jedard does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jedard wants to improve his position but Taputtaja is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taputtaja throwing shots but Jedard is blocking nicely.

Taputtaja is trying to work for a kimura but Jedard is defending well.
Jedard trying to hold on to Taputtaja's head to control him but Taputtaja postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Jedard dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taputtaja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jedard as he jumps to the side.
Taputtaja keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jedard jabs at Taputtaja's body.
Taputtaja has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jedard finds it's way round the side to connect with Taputtaja's head.

It looks like Tauno Taputtaja has been cut.
Taputtaja looks to land a right hand but Jedard moved out of range.
Taputtaja slips under a jab from Jedard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jedard misses with a looping right.
Taputtaja throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jedard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jedard fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Jedard, as that shot connected.
Taputtaja throws out a loose jab but Jedard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jedard throws out a powerful jab.
Jedard is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Jedard misses with a looping right.
Jedard misses with an uppercut. Taputtaja saw that one coming.
Jedard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Taputtaja moves out of range as Jedard strikes.

Taputtaja gets the takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jedard is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Taputtaja off and has taken his back!

Jedard is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Taputtaja defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jedard is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Taputtaja has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Taputtaja defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taputtaja rolls, trying to escape but Jedard keeps control of the position.
Taputtaja is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Jedard off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jedard is trying to stick to Taputtaja's back but Taputtaja is turning into Jedard. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Jedard's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Taputtaja.
Taputtaja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taputtaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Jedard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taputtaja looking to sit in guard and control but Jedard gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jedard is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Taputtaja is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Taputtaja has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taputtaja looking to pass the guard.

Jedard working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taputtaja doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taputtaja manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Taputtaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Jedard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Steve Jedard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Taputtaja sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Jedard doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Taputtaja paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Jedard - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Steve Jedard!