PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frank McMurdoch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tuhkasaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tuhkasaari has chosen Proteus - Full Metal Jacket as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McMurdoch
vs
Tuhkasaari

170 cm
23
142 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

164 cm
29
147 lbs
20 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank McMurdoch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Teppo Tuhkasaari!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tuhkasaari takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tuhkasaari lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McMurdoch swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Tuhkasaari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McMurdoch throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tuhkasaari throws an overhand right that lands on McMurdoch's shoulder, as McMurdoch tries to avoid the shot.
McMurdoch misses with a wild combination.
McMurdoch connects with a body shot that sends Tuhkasaari's belly button to the back.
McMurdoch throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tuhkasaari counters with a nice low kick that buckles McMurdoch's knee momentarily.
McMurdoch throws a jab but it's blocked by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McMurdoch.
McMurdoch rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tuhkasaari moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McMurdoch's corner calls for a 1-2. McMurdoch obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tuhkasaari pivots, looking for a leg kick but McMurdoch is out of range and Tuhkasaari settles back down.
A looping hook to the body misses from McMurdoch. Tuhkasaari does a little dance to reset his feet.
McMurdoch misses with a double jab

and Tuhkasaari counters with a single leg into guard. McMurdoch didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tuhkasaari stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McMurdoch swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tuhkasaari throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McMurdoch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McMurdoch utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tuhkasaari has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tuhkasaari wants to control from the top but McMurdoch keeps moving.
Tuhkasaari passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tuhkasaari is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McMurdoch has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Tuhkasaari trying to control the action but McMurdoch is working from the bottom.
Tuhkasaari tries to move into full mount but can't pass McMurdoch's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tuhkasaari is trying to get an arm triangle but McMurdoch is defending well.
Tuhkasaari scoring with punches and elbows.

Tuhkasaari goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, McMurdoch has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tuhkasaari but great work by McMurdoch.
Tuhkasaari regains half guard.
McMurdoch is trying to control the action in half guard but Tuhkasaari is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tuhkasaari taking some punishment here, with McMurdoch in his half guard.
McMurdoch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tuhkasaari's head.
Tuhkasaari wants to control but McMurdoch is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari manages to get to full guard.

McMurdoch got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tuhkasaari has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McMurdoch has managed to get both his arms back between Tuhkasaari's legs - danger averted.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tuhkasaari looking for a guillotine here but McMurdoch defends easily.
Tuhkasaari avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McMurdoch wants to control from the top but Tuhkasaari keeps moving.
Tuhkasaari keeping full guard, as McMurdoch tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tuhkasaari dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McMurdoch misses with a right hand
and Tuhkasaari counters with a nice body kick.
Tuhkasaari avoids a punch combination nicely.
McMurdoch misses with an uppercut.
Tuhkasaari wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tuhkasaari ducks under a wild hook from McMurdoch.
McMurdoch tries to bum rush Tuhkasaari with a series of wild strikes but Tuhkasaari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Frank McMurdoch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from McMurdoch misses.
McMurdoch throws a lazy head kick
and Tuhkasaari counters with an inside leg kick.
A jab from McMurdoch misses.
Tuhkasaari uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McMurdoch.
McMurdoch throws a shot from downtown. Tuhkasaari moves away and avoids it.
McMurdoch lands a body shot.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
McMurdoch scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
McMurdoch misses with a body shot.
Tuhkasaari connects with an inside leg kick.
McMurdoch misses with a body punch
and Tuhkasaari counters with an inside leg kick.
McMurdoch tries to work over Tuhkasaari's front leg with a kick but Tuhkasaari checks it.
McMurdoch misses with a straight right.
McMurdoch throws a leg kick
enabling Tuhkasaari to counter with a crisp jab.
Tuhkasaari slips a jab from McMurdoch.

Tuhkasaari scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Tuhkasaari wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McMurdoch, who protects the arm well.
Tuhkasaari tries to move into full mount but can't pass McMurdoch's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McMurdoch sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Tuhkasaari in side control, throwing shots but McMurdoch defends.
Tuhkasaari throwing strikes but McMurdoch manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tuhkasaari can't do much from the bottom here.
McMurdoch throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Tuhkasaari works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Tuhkasaari slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tuhkasaari has his foot on McMurdoch's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McMurdoch works his way back into a safe position though.
McMurdoch wants to control from the top but Tuhkasaari keeps moving.
McMurdoch looking to sit in guard and control but Tuhkasaari gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
McMurdoch utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tuhkasaari tries to free his leg and advance position but McMurdoch is retaining full guard.
McMurdoch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Teppo Tuhkasaari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tuhkasaari throwing strikes but missing.
Tuhkasaari loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tuhkasaari postures up in McMurdoch's guard and throws a big left but McMurdoch blocks it.
Tuhkasaari wants to control from the top but McMurdoch keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuhkasaari sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McMurdoch's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tuhkasaari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McMurdoch swings for the body but Tuhkasaari moves out of range.
Tuhkasaari scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tuhkasaari.
McMurdoch lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tuhkasaari uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McMurdoch.
McMurdoch cracks Tuhkasaari with a good jab.
McMurdoch misses with the combination.
McMurdoch stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tuhkasaari lands with a shot to the body.
Tuhkasaari ducks under a wild hook from McMurdoch.
McMurdoch misses the jab.
Tuhkasaari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
McMurdoch on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurdoch misses with a jab to the body
and Tuhkasaari counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A looping hook to the body misses from McMurdoch. Tuhkasaari does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tuhkasaari drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
McMurdoch scores with the left hand. Tuhkasaari knows he should have avoided that one.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Tuhkasaari counters with a leg kick.
McMurdoch lands a jab to the head.
McMurdoch avoids a kick to the body.
Frank McMurdoch is winning the standup battle so far.
McMurdoch loads up on a big right hand but Tuhkasaari slips the punch.
McMurdoch throws a looping overhand right but Tuhkasaari ducks down to avoid it.
McMurdoch throws a hook but Tuhkasaari blocks it.
McMurdoch takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
McMurdoch thows a leg kick but Tuhkasaari checks it

and Tuhkasaari counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tuhkasaari trying to control the position from guard on top but McMurdoch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari looking to pass the guard.
Tuhkasaari cracks McMurdoch with a solid left hand.
Tuhkasaari throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tuhkasaari postures up in McMurdoch's guard and throws a big left but McMurdoch blocks it.
Tuhkasaari passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tuhkasaari misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tuhkasaari looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Tuhkasaari tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tuhkasaari working the strikes but McMurdoch uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Frank McMurdoch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McMurdoch knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tuhkasaari on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch is looking for a sweep. Tuhkasaari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McMurdoch avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tuhkasaari trying to control from half guard but McMurdoch is working away.

Tuhkasaari looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuhkasaari thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teppo Tuhkasaari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tuhkasaari winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Teppo Tuhkasaari!
Teppo Tuhkasaari decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.