PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pete Mikel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hannu Tappanii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hannu Tappanii is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Mikel
vs
Tappanii

183 cm
25
192 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

179 cm
22
204 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

No Contest Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pete Mikel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hannu Tappanii!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tappanii gets caught flat footed, as Mikel shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mikel wants to control from the top but Tappanii keeps moving.
Mikel throwing strikes from guard but Tappanii blocks nicely.
Tappanii keeping moving, preventing Mikel from controlling successfully.
Tappanii has Mikel pulled in close to control his posture.
Tappanii keeping moving, preventing Mikel from controlling successfully.
Mikel tries to free his leg and advance position but Tappanii is retaining full guard.
Tappanii controlling the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Hannu Tappanii has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Mikel misses with a takedown attempt

and Tappanii counters with a single leg into guard. Mikel didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mikel is on top in guard.
Mikel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tappanii swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mikel trying to control the position from guard on top but Tappanii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tappanii looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mikel wants to control from the top but Tappanii keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikel looking to pass the guard.
Tappanii wants to stand up but Mikel is controlling him.

Tappanii is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mikel wants to control from the top but Tappanii keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tappanii wants to stand up but Mikel is controlling him.
Mikel wants to pass the guard but Tappanii is keeping the position.
Mikel is working hard here to advance position.
Mikel being controlled here momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Tappanii feints and as Mikel raises his hands in defense, Tappanii changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tappanii stays in close to Mikel's body and controls the position.
Mikel is trying to keep Tappanii in close.
Tappanii looking to pass the guard.
Mikel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mikel keeping moving, preventing Tappanii from controlling successfully.
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!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tappanii wants to pass the guard but Mikel is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mikel misses the shot to the body.

Mikel gets caught napping as Tappanii dives in and scores a takedown. Mikel manages to retain guard.

Mikel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tappanii throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tappanii stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mikel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tappanii trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mikel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tappanii is aware though and is defending well.
Tappanii not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tappanii slips nicely into half guard.
Tappanii trying to control the pace.
Tappanii is pressing down on Mikel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mikel is holding on for now.
Mikel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tappanii is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikel tries to roll over but Tappanii keeps him under control.
Mikel trying to control from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Tappanii feints and as Mikel raises his hands in defense, Tappanii changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tappanii controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tappanii stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mikel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mikel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tappanii is one step ahead there.
Tappanii stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mikel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tappanii trying to control but Mikel is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tappanii postures up.
Mikel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tappanii controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannu Tappanii dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mikel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tappanii's waist but Tappanii gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mikel off to one side.
Mikel fails to land the takedown.

Tappanii manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mikel on his heels. He'll look to pass Mikel's guard now, I'm sure.
Tappanii advances position into side control!

Tappanii thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Tappanii is trying to get an arm triangle but Mikel is defending well.
Mikel tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Tappanii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mikel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tappanii working the ground and pound.
Mikel is looking for a sweep.

Tappanii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mikel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tappanii wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mikel keeps working.
Mikel regains half guard.
Tappanii keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Mikel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tappanii pulls his head out easily.
Tappanii is looking to take a break and control but Mikel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tappanii is taking a breather. Mikel says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikel moves into full guard.
Mikel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mikel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tappanii controls the pace.

Mikel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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!
Tappanii trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tappanii tries to free his leg and advance position but Mikel is retaining full guard.
Tappanii won't allow Mikel to sweep him here.
Tappanii wants to control from the top but Mikel keeps moving.
Tappanii must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Hannu Tappanii wasn't active enough on the ground.
Mikel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tappanii decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mikel's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pete Mikel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikel wants to sweep but no luck.
Tappanii wants to control from the top but Mikel keeps moving.
Mikel can't keep his opponent in guard - Tappanii advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Tappanii seems to be looking for submissions.
Still in half guard, Tappanii seems content to control.
Tappanii trying to pass the guard but Mikel defending well.
Tappanii is still trying to improve position.
Tappanii trying to control the action but Mikel is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tappanii sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mikel defending well though.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tappanii trying to control the pace.

Tappanii is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mikel has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mikel is looking to improve his position.
Mikel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mikel.
Mikel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mikel is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tappanii is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tappanii is looking to work some ground and pound but Mikel has wrist control.
Tappanii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannu Tappanii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tappanii ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tappanii's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mikel under the eye.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tappanii.
Mikel can't do much from the bottom here.
Mikel is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Tappanii wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mikel, who protects the arm well.
Mikel is trying to improve his position.
Hannu Tappanii has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tappanii trying to control the action but Mikel is working from the bottom.

Tappanii thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tappanii tries for a kimura but Mikel is defending well.

Tappanii is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mikel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mikel wants to control but Tappanii postures up.
Tappanii wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mikel keeps working.
Tappanii might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mikel haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Mikel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mikel struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Tappanii is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mikel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mikel struggling a bit here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Tappanii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mikel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mikel is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tappanii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mikel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mikel wants to control but Tappanii postures up.
Mikel is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Tappanii wants to control but Mikel is keeping him busy.
Mikel sneaks back into half guard.

Tappanii 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.
Tappanii wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mikel keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Tappanii wants to work for an arm triangle but Mikel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tappanii is trying to control the action in half guard but Mikel is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Tappanii is looking for a kimura here.

Mikel is defending against the submission attempts here by Tappanii.
Pete Mikel 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.

Tappanii is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hannu Tappanii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tappanii 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hannu Tappanii!