PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juha Tappio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tappio's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kari Tapio - Juna kulkee vaan. 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.

Tappio
vs
McDonald

180 cm
30
165 lbs
15 - 12 - 1

173 cm
30
169 lbs
19 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Tappio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Morris McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tappio steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McDonald.

McDonald manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tappio on his heels. He'll look to pass Tappio's guard now, I'm sure.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
McDonald stopping the sweep attempt from Tappio.
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Tappio has wrist control.
McDonald cracks Tappio with a solid left hand.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tappio looking for a sweep. Not yet Tappio, not yet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
McDonald postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McDonald has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonald postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tappio is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McDonald stops Tappio from standing up.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McDonald throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tappio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tappio working a defensive guard here.
Tappio is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McDonald is controlling him.
Tappio is trying to keep McDonald in close.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.
McDonald lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Tappio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tappio not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDonald landing with the ground and pound.
McDonald is working Tappio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tappio is trying to control the position but McDonald postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tappio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tappio working a defensive guard here.
McDonald working some strikes from top position.
McDonald stopping the sweep attempt from Tappio.
McDonald works over Tappio with some ground and pound from guard.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tappio preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McDonald is working Tappio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
McDonald tries to free his leg and advance position but Tappio is retaining full guard.
McDonald working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tappio's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McDonald scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Tappio is keeping the position.
McDonald working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tappio's head.
McDonald is working Tappio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Tappio is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McDonald is aware though and is defending well.
McDonald is working Tappio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing.
McDonald chips away with some ground and pound.
McDonald chips away with some ground and pound.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tappio looking to control.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tappio preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tappio working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tappio looking to hit a scissor sweep but McDonald is one step ahead there.
McDonald postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McDonald working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tappio wants to stand and escape but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McDonald distracts Tappio with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Tappio kicks McDonald off and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheers as McDonald lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tappio doesn't seem phased though.
Tappio throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDonald's waist but McDonald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tappio off to one side.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tappio staying out of range there.
Tappio uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McDonald.
Tappio swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McDonald looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tappio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McDonald postures up and lands a big shot to Tappio's brow.
Tappio striking off his back but it's not causing McDonald any problems.
McDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McDonald cracks Tappio with a solid left hand.
McDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McDonald with a nice head shot there.
McDonald scoring with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McDonald keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tappio's head.
Tappio 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.
McDonald landing some decent shots from guard.
Tappio lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald won't allow Tappio to sweep him here.
McDonald lands a couple of digs.
McDonald postures up.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.

Tappio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McDonald cracks Tappio with a solid left hand.
Tappio is trying to keep McDonald in close.
Morris McDonald has got the better of the ground game so far.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Tappio has wrist control.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.
McDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McDonald throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tappio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tappio is trying to keep McDonald in close.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McDonald with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
McDonald is in close to Tappio's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tappio manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
McDonald wants to control but Tappio is having none of it.
Tappio lands with some vicious ground and pound - can McDonald hang on?
Tappio landing punches.
McDonald is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald wants to control but Tappio is having none of it.
McDonald regains half guard.
Tappio moves into full mount! McDonald won't be happy about that!
Tappio lands a heavy elbow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McDonald sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
McDonald is staying active underneath Tappio, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tappio sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McDonald defending well though.
McDonald is looking to control Tappio's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McDonald avoid being mounted?
Tappio blocks the strikes from McDonald.
McDonald is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McDonald punching from the bottom.
Tappio is looking to take a break and control but McDonald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McDonald wants to control but Tappio is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald wants to improve his position but Tappio is controlling well.
McDonald is not content to let Tappio control the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tappio is thwarting McDonald's attempts to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McDonald connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tappio. Tappio circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A leg kick checked by Tappio.
Juha Tappio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tappio misses with a two punch combination.
Nice sprawl there from McDonald as Tappio shoots in.
McDonald missing with a left hand there. Tappio was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tappio lands the left hand.
McDonald fails with the takedown
and Tappio makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald 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 ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

McDonald scores with a nice right hand.
Tappio shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McDonald as he jumps to the side.
McDonald shoots in but Tappio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tappio tries for a takedown but McDonald circles away easily
and McDonald makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tappio with a lazy takedown attempt
and McDonald counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juha Tappio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tappio takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tappio takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt.
McDonald stuffs the takedown attempt from Tappio. Tappio gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tappio takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tappio keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McDonald.
Tappio staying out of range there.
McDonald looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tappio is fending him off so far but McDonald persists. Nope, Tappio circles away and we're back to standing.
Tappio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McDonald connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tappio. Tappio circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tappio works over McDonald's head and body with a nice combination.
McDonald drops his hands momentarily and Tappio takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tappio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Some wild striking there from Tappio.
McDonald lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Tappio keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McDonald.
Morris McDonald is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tappio bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McDonald's head backwards.
Tappio shoots in but McDonald avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McDonald stuffs the takedown.
Morris McDonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McDonald defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tappio.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McDonald shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Well, if McDonald is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
McDonald's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Morris McDonald was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Tappio misses with a two punch combination.
Tappio staying out of range there.
McDonald takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tappio smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McDonald waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tappio.
McDonald takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McDonald lands a nice shot that snaps Tappio's head back.
McDonald thuds his right hand into Tappio's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tappio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tappio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McDonald avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDonald comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McDonald jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McDonald with a jab.
A big right from McDonald misses.
Tappio takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tappio needs to keep his hands up - McDonald had a free shot at his head there.
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!
McDonald throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

McDonald shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Juha Tappio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDonald trying to control the action but Tappio is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morris McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McDonald has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morris McDonald!