PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tauno Tasalakki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rauno Viittala (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.

Tasalakki
vs
Viittala

175 cm
31
170 lbs
17 - 17 - 0

190 cm
31
185 lbs
20 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

STEEL PENN'S - STEEL TERROR: Video Proven 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tauno Tasalakki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rauno Viittala!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tasalakki lands a head shot.
Viittala moves out of range of the body kick.
Viittala darts in trying to clinch

and Tasalakki counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tasalakki.
Tasalakki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Viittala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tasalakki prevents Viittala from getting back to his feet.
Tasalakki looking to pass the guard.
Tasalakki might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viittala wants to stand and escape but Tasalakki is having none of it.
Tasalakki is looking to work some ground and pound but Viittala has wrist control.
Tasalakki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Viittala trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rauno Viittala was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Nice sprawl there from Viittala as Tasalakki shoots in.
Viittala uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tasalakki.

Viittala moves into range and clinches up with Tasalakki.
Tasalakki trying to stall but Viittala improves his position.
Tasalakki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Viittala gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tasalakki lands with a left to the head.
Tasalakki wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tauno Tasalakki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Viittala tries to work over Tasalakki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Viittala fails to land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Viittala throws an elbow but misses.
Viittala misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viittala lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tasalakki.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Viittala.
Viittala looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tasalakki tries to throw a body punch but Viittala avoids it by throwing Tasalakki back against the cage.
Tasalakki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Viittala lands a nice uppercut.
Viittala lands a right hand.
Tasalakki is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Viittala is defending well.
Tasalakki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Viittala tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Viittala fails to land.
Tasalakki wants to take the fight to the mat but Viittala manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Viittala keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tasalakki's efforts to push away.
Viittala lands with a right to the head.
Viittala goes for a takedown attempt but Tasalakki pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Viittala is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viittala fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tasalakki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tasalakki throws a leg kick

and Viittala counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tasalakki blocks a body shot from Viittala.
Viittala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Tasalakki is trying to trip Viittala. He has hold of a leg but Viittala is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tasalakki persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Tasalakki throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tasalakki looking to sit in guard and control but Viittala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Viittala would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tauno Tasalakki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Tasalakki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Viittala moves in looking to clinch but Tasalakki pushes him off.
Tasalakki misses with a straight right.

Viittala has Tasalakki up against the cage in a clinch.

Tasalakki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Viittala closes the distance looking to clinch
and Viittala takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Viittala wants to clinch up but Tasalakki keeps it at a distance.
Viittala darts in trying to clinch
and Tasalakki counters with a nice body shot.
Viittala moves forwards but Tasalakki connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Viittala clinches.
Tasalakki tries to throw a body punch but Viittala avoids it by throwing Tasalakki back against the cage.
Tasalakki managing to block the knees to the body from Viittala.
Tasalakki can't find room to land a body shot as Viittala controls the action.
Tasalakki wants to stall.
Viittala effectively controlling the action here.
Viittala scores with a nice hook to the head.

It looks like Tauno Tasalakki has been cut.
Tasalakki avoiding damage as Viittala throws knees to the body.
Tasalakki is pushing Viittala up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Viittala misses with a punch to the body.
Tasalakki lands a left hand.
Tasalakki tries a body shot but Viittala blocks it.
Tasalakki working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Tasalakki breaks from the clinch.
Tasalakki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Viittala sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tasalakki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Viittala doesn't manage to clinch there - Tasalakki circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tasalakki.
Viittala moves in looking to clinch but Tasalakki pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Viittala looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Viittala tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tasalakki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tasalakki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Viittala moves into range and clinches up with Tasalakki.
Viittala lands with a light punch inside.
Tasalakki misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Tasalakki breaks the clinch.
Rauno Viittala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viittala fails with an attempt to clinch.
Viittala walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Tasalakki feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Tasalakki looking to sit in guard and control but Viittala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Viittala gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tasalakki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Viittala was well out of range. Poor timing from Tasalakki.
Viittala tries to clinch but Tasalakki moves away

and Tasalakki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
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!
Viittala is not content to let Tasalakki control the position.
Viittala is trying to stand up here but Tasalakki is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tasalakki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Viittala won't allow Tasalakki to pass to mount.
Tasalakki sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tauno Tasalakki just wasn't active enough.
Tasalakki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tasalakki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Viittala swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tasalakki dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tauno Tasalakki's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Viittala darts in trying to clinch
and Tasalakki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tasalakki swats away the attempt to clinch by Viittala.
Viittala checks a leg kick.
No joy there for Tasalakki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tasalakki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Viittala wants to clinch but Tasalakki slips to the side
and Tasalakki counters with a right hand to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Viittala looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Viittala shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tasalakki sprawls well. Tasalakki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Viittala gets slowly back to his feet.
Viittala closes the distance looking to clinch

and Tasalakki counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viittala wants to get back to his feet but Tasalakki is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Viittala keeping moving, preventing Tasalakki from controlling successfully.
Viittala seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tasalakki stops Viittala from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rauno Viittala has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tasalakki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Viittala manages to avoid it.
Viittala wants to clinch but Tasalakki slips to the side
and Tasalakki cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tasalakki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tasalakki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Viittala counters with a three punch combo that has Tasalakki backing up. Tasalakki nods at Viittala to acknowledge the strikes.
Tasalakki throws a hook but Viittala avoids it easily.
Tasalakki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Viittala on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Viittala closes the distance but Tasalakki moves to the side
and Tasalakki counters with a left to the body.
Viittala is looking to clinch.
A cross from Tasalakki lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viittala closes the distance but Tasalakki moves to the side
and Tasalakki counters with a stiff right hand.
Viittala wants to clinch but Tasalakki slips to the side
and Tasalakki counters with a right hand to the body.
Viittala darts in trying to clinch
and Viittala takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Viittala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Viittala moves into range and clinches up with Tasalakki.
Tasalakki tries for a takedown but Viittala manages to get underhooks.
Viittala lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tasalakki blocks an uppercut.
Tasalakki tries to break free but Viittala pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viittala is pressed up against the cage. Tasalakki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Viittala down to the mat. Viittala avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tasalakki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Viittala misses with a takedown attempt - Tasalakki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tasalakki dives in and grabs Viittala's left leg, looking for a takedown. Viittala pushes down on Tasalakki's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tauno Tasalakki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Viittala tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Tasalakki to counter with a crisp jab.
Tasalakki circles away from the clinch attempt
and Tasalakki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Viittala looks to clinch
and Viittala takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tasalakki swats away the attempt to clinch by Viittala.
The fight stays on the outside here - Viittala looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tauno Tasalakki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tasalakki, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Tauno Tasalakki!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Tauno Tasalakki!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Tauno Tasalakki!

Tauno Tasalakki wins by unanimous decision!