PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Taavi Liisteri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xuan Binh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liisteri's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Solid Base - I like it. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Liisteri
vs
Binh

170 cm
31
162 lbs
18 - 16 - 0

180 cm
24
168 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taavi Liisteri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Xuan Binh!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Binh connects with a jab.
Binh lands a nice looking body kick.
Binh scoring well with a low kick there.
Liisteri takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Xuan Binh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liisteri takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A big right from Binh misses.
Binh throws a wild body kick that Liisteri sees coming a mile off.
Liisteri slips a jab from Binh.
Liisteri tries to score a power double leg takedown but Binh sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Liisteri somewhat.
Binh stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Binh wants it to stay on the feet.
Liisteri takes one to the side of the head.
Liisteri misses with a takedown attempt
and Binh counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taavi Liisteri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Binh scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Binh lands a nice looking kick to the body. Liisteri takes a step back to recover.
Liisteri misses with a takedown

and Binh holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Binh just stands there and leans against the cage.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Binh has him pressed against the cage.
Binh working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Binh unloads a knee to the mid-section. Liisteri lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Binh comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Taavi Liisteri has been cut.
Nice body punch from Binh - that landed with a thud.
Binh lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Binh turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Liisteri is breathing heavily.
Binh lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Binh lands a good knee to the midsection. Liisteri won't want to take too many of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Binh gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Binh lands a good knee to the midsection. Liisteri won't want to take too many of those.
Binh lands an elbow inside that Liisteri shrugs off.
Binh lands an elbow inside that Liisteri shrugs off.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but Binh holds him up against the cage and eventually Liisteri drops back down to his feet.
Binh landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Binh unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Binh lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Binh lands a nice elbow.
Binh using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Liisteri takes a knee right on the jaw!
Binh scores with a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Binh.
Binh lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Binh lands an elbow just above Liisteri 's eye.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Binh has him pressed against the cage.
Liisteri jumps guard but Binh turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Binh lands a good knee to the midsection. Liisteri won't want to take too many of those.
Liisteri takes an elbow to the forehead.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Binh just stands there and leans against the cage.
Binh with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Binh obliges.
Binh lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Binh creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Binh gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Liisteri is rocked!
Binh utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Liisteri takes a knee to the side of the body.
A nice left hand lands by Binh.
Binh gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Binh lands an elbow inside that Liisteri shrugs off.
Knees to the body from Binh.
Binh gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Oh Liisteri is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Liisteri takes an elbow to the forehead.
Binh scores a nice knee to the body.
Liisteri seems to have got his legs back now.
A right hook to the body lands for Binh.
Binh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Liisteri backwards.
Liisteri fails to pull guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Binh scores with a knee to the head.
Binh lands a hook that snaps the head of Liisteri backwards.
Binh lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Binh is leaning against Liisteri and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Binh creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Liisteri's defenses.
Liisteri takes a knee to the side of the body.
Binh makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Binh is leaning against Liisteri and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Binh lands an elbow inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Binh.
Binh lands a body punch in the clinch.
Binh lands an elbow that stopped Liisteri in his tracks for a moment.

Taavi Liisteri's cut is getting worse.
Binh utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Liisteri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Binh smiles and moves away.
Binh throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Binh scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xuan Binh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Taavi Liisteri's cut.
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.

Liisteri shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Binh counters with a head kick. That will keep Liisteri thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Binh is looking to slow Liisteri down with leg kicks.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Liisteri.
Liisteri shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Binh as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taavi Liisteri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Binh dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A good leg kick by Binh.
Liisteri looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Binh is fending him off so far but Liisteri persists. Nope, Binh circles away and we're back to standing.
Binh lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Xuan Binh seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Binh thows a body kick. Liisteri tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Xuan Binh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Liisteri fails with a takedown attempt.
Binh throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Binh lands a nice shot to the body.
Liisteri takes a kick to the side of the head.
Binh getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Liisteri takes a kick to the side of the head.
Binh feints and then cracks Liisteri's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Liisteri down.
Binh lands a nice shot to the body.
Binh has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Binh throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Liisteri takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Binh throws a quick inside leg kick.
Liisteri blocks a head kick by Binh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Binh scoring well with a low kick there.
Binh is looking to slow Liisteri down with leg kicks.
Liisteri takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice takedown defense from Binh. No joy for Liisteri on that attempt.

Binh gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Binh cracks Liisteri with a nice body shot.
Binh scores with a shoulder strike.
Knees to the body from Binh.
Liisteri is trying to pull guard but Binh has him pressed against the cage.
Binh utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Binh creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Binh landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Binh lands a nice elbow.
Binh lands a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Binh lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Binh.
Xuan Binh seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Binh.
Binh has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Binh connects with a nasty looking knee right to Liisteri's face.
Liisteri is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but Binh holds him up against the cage and eventually Liisteri drops back down to his feet.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Binh.
Binh lands a nice uppercut.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Binh just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nice body punch from Binh - that landed with a thud.
Binh stalling the fight.
Binh lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A short right from Binh.
Binh lands a nice elbow.
Binh pushes Liisteri back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Binh lands a good knee to the midsection. Liisteri won't want to take too many of those.
Liisteri jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Binh walks away with a smile on his face. Liisteri gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Binh tries to clinch there but Liisteri circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Binh.
Binh tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Liisteri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liisteri shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Binh counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Liisteri needs to keep his hands up - Binh had a free shot at his head there.
Binh looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Binh scores with a punch to the head.
Binh fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Binh lands a leg kick that knocks Liisteri off balance momentarily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liisteri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Binh lands a jab to Liisteri's midsection.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Liisteri. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Binh fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Liisteri on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xuan Binh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Taavi Liisteri's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Liisteri on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Binh looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Liisteri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Binh throws a jab when Liisteri was well out of range.
Binh connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Binh misses with a wild combination.
Liisteri fails to land the takedown.
Binh stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Binh misses with a low kick.
Binh lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Binh with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sloppy strikes from Binh. Those never looked like landing.

Liisteri closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Liisteri is looking for a kimura here.
Liisteri prevents Binh from improving his position.
Binh is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Liisteri uses his free foot to push down on Binh's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Binh.

Liisteri is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Binh is surviving well by controlling Liisteri's body position as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liisteri has hold of Binh's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Binh manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Binh keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Binh defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Liisteri.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Liisteri working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Liisteri prevents Binh from getting the reversal.
The referee warns Binh that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Liisteri is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Binh has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Binh is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Binh bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Xuan Binh is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Liisteri working for a triangle but Binh defends it easily.
Binh cracks Liisteri with a solid left hand.

Liisteri working for a triangle but Binh defends it easily.

Liisteri is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Binh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Liisteri is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liisteri keeping moving, preventing Binh from controlling successfully.
Taavi Liisteri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Binh content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Liisteri has locked up a guillotine! Liisteri's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Binh is holding on here and Liisteri must be using up a lot of energy. Binh has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Liisteri gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Taavi Liisteri!