PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Boris Cekada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo 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.

Cekada
vs
Taalasmaa

178 cm
31
163 lbs
35 - 9 - 1

170 cm
31
160 lbs
36 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Boris Cekada!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seppo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cekada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cekada looks to throw the jab but Taalasmaa is out of range.
Jab from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice cross by Cekada.
Cekada lands a lovely overhand right.
Cekada checks a low kick from Taalasmaa.
Cekada cracks the inside of Taalasmaa's front leg.

Cekada closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Taalasmaa did well to prevent Cekada getting side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cekada thows a huge punch but Taalasmaa dodges it nicely.
Cekada is thwarting Taalasmaa's attempts to control the position.
Cekada is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cekada works his foot free and advances to mount.
Cekada throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Taalasmaa because Cekada loaded up on that one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cekada has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Taalasmaa's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cekada throwing strikes here but Taalasmaa is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Cekada raining down hammerfists from mount.
Cekada postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Taalasmaa looks a forlorn figure.
Taalasmaa holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Cekada tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Taalasmaa is looking to get to half guard.
Taalasmaa regains half guard.
Taalasmaa is looking for a sweep. Cekada is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taalasmaa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa moves into full guard.
Cekada is working Taalasmaa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Taalasmaa looking for a guillotine here but Cekada defends easily.
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!
Cekada trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cekada looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cekada works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Cekada is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Cekada working Taalasmaa over with strikes.
Taalasmaa taking some punishment here, with Cekada in his half guard.
Cekada is pressing down on Taalasmaa's thigh, looking to free his foot. Taalasmaa is holding on for now.
Taalasmaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Cekada looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa gets back to full guard.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cekada accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Taalasmaa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cekada throwing strikes from guard but Taalasmaa blocks nicely.
Taalasmaa lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cekada!
Cekada bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Cekada wants to pass the guard but Taalasmaa is keeping the position.
Taalasmaa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Taalasmaa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Taalasmaa keeping moving, preventing Cekada from controlling successfully.
Taalasmaa working a defensive guard here.
Cekada postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Cekada avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cekada landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cekada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Taalasmaa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cekada won't allow Taalasmaa to sweep him here.

Cekada drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Taalasmaa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cekada has Taalasmaa in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Cekada dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

No joy there for Taalasmaa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cekada tries to clinch but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Cekada throws a leg kick which misses Taalasmaa's front leg but catches the back leg as Taalasmaa tries to avoid it.
Cekada tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taalasmaa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Taalasmaa tries to land a leg kick but Cekada saw it coming and moves away.
Cekada dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Taalasmaa. That did some damage!
Cekada throws a big shot that misses.
Taalasmaa walks into a left hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Taalasmaa misses with a series of wild punches.
Cekada lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cekada moves into the clinch.

Taalasmaa has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Cekada clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Taalasmaa has Cekada flattened out and is raining down punches.
Cekada breaks Taalasmaa's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Cekada throws a big right hand that misses.
Cekada in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cekada passes Taalasmaa's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Taalasmaa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cekada's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cekada's back!
Cekada breaks Taalasmaa's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cekada accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cekada postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cekada trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cekada loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cekada trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taalasmaa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa keeping moving, preventing Cekada from controlling successfully.

Taalasmaa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cekada is aware though and is defending well.

Taalasmaa is looking for a triangle but Cekada pushes his legs off easily.

Taalasmaa looking for a guillotine here but Cekada defends easily.
Taalasmaa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cekada.
Cekada with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taalasmaa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cekada's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa passes into half guard.
Cekada keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Cekada is trying to get back to full guard.
Taalasmaa is trying to control the action in half guard but Cekada is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cekada avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taalasmaa.

Cekada looking for submissions off his back.
Taalasmaa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cekada regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Taalasmaa.

Cekada looking for a guillotine here but Taalasmaa defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cekada 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 chips away with some ground and pound.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Cekada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cekada utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Taalasmaa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cekada has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Taalasmaa has managed to get both his arms back between Cekada's legs - danger averted.
Taalasmaa lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Cekada is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Seppo Taalasmaa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taalasmaa misses with a wild body shot.
Taalasmaa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taalasmaa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cekada is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cekada looks to throw the jab but Taalasmaa is out of range.
Taalasmaa lands a two punch combo.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taalasmaa defending well as Cekada loads up on a big left hand.
Cekada stuffs the takedown attempt from Taalasmaa. Taalasmaa gets slowly back to his feet.
Taalasmaa lands a really nice looking cross but Cekada seems unphased.
Cekada tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taalasmaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Cekada.
Taalasmaa fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa just misses with a punch to the body.
Cekada throws a hook but Taalasmaa avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cekada connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Taalasmaa scrambles back to his feet.
Taalasmaa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cekada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Taalasmaa stalks Cekada and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cekada's face. Cekada staggers backwards, shaken.
Cekada takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Taalasmaa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cekada.
Taalasmaa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Danga de danga de dang - Taalasmaa scores with a four punch combination!
Taalasmaa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cekada stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Taalasmaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cekada.
Taalasmaa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cekada throws out a powerful jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cekada tries to close the distance and clinch but Taalasmaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cekada.
Cekada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Taalasmaa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cekada rather than just go for the knockout.
Taalasmaa misses with a wild body shot.
Taalasmaa throws a leg kick but Cekada sees it coming and moves out of range.
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!

Cekada moves into the clinch successfully.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Cekada is looking for a takedown.
Cekada is trying to pull guard but Taalasmaa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Taalasmaa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Taalasmaa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Taalasmaa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cekada.
Taalasmaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cekada misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Taalasmaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taalasmaa manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Boris Cekada overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taalasmaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Taalasmaa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cekada defends it easily.
Cekada lands a couple of digs.
Cekada with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cekada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Taalasmaa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cekada in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Taalasmaa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cekada is looking to work some ground and pound but Taalasmaa has wrist control.

Taalasmaa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cekada is aware though and is defending well.
Cekada trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Taalasmaa looking for a sweep. Not yet Taalasmaa, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Boris Cekada.
Taalasmaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
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!
Cekada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Taalasmaa stuns Cekada with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cekada closes this distance looking for a takedown but Taalasmaa circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boris Cekada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Taalasmaa.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa lands a body shot.

Taalasmaa gets a clinch.
Cekada taking a breather.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Seppo Taalasmaa just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Taalasmaa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cekada pinned against the cage. Cekada gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taalasmaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Taalasmaa throws a series of strikes that have Cekada backpedaling.
Taalasmaa wants to clinch.
Cekada slaps away a takedown attempt from Taalasmaa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Taalasmaa misses with a kick to the body.
Taalasmaa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Cekada instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cekada can't get the takedown.
Taalasmaa has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cekada after a bit of a struggle.
Boris Cekada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seppo Taalasmaa.
Cekada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Taalasmaa takes a shot to the head.
Taalasmaa is looking for a takedown.
Cekada wants a takedown but no success here.
Taalasmaa wants to stall.
Cekada lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Cekada breaks from the clinch.
Taalasmaa avoids the body shot from Cekada.
Taalasmaa lands a really nice looking cross but Cekada seems unphased.
Taalasmaa lands with an uppercut that bounces Cekada off the cage and back into range.
Cekada lands a jab to the head.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut. Cekada saw that one coming.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook. Cekada ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cekada digs a good body shot into Taalasmaa's ribs.
Cekada scores with a sloppy right hand. Taalasmaa should have avoided that one.
Taalasmaa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A bone on bone clash there as Taalasmaa blocks the leg kick.
Taalasmaa moves out of range of the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cekada thumps Taalasmaa with a low kick.
Taalasmaa is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cekada.
Taalasmaa dives in and grabs Cekada's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cekada pushes down on Taalasmaa's head and hops out.
Taalasmaa fails with the takedown

and Cekada counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Taalasmaa's guard now.
Taalasmaa is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Cekada trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taalasmaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa keeping full guard, as Cekada tries to pass.
Cekada working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Taalasmaa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cekada stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taalasmaa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cekada trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cekada postures up in Taalasmaa's guard and throws a big left but Taalasmaa blocks it.
Cekada postures up in Taalasmaa's guard and throws a big left but Taalasmaa blocks it.
Taalasmaa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cekada wants to control from the top but Taalasmaa keeps moving.

Taalasmaa looking for a triangle here. Cekada is fighting it but it looks tight! Taalasmaa pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Cekada is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Seppo Taalasmaa! Seppo Taalasmaa retains his lightweight title!