PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sami Tarake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morten Joikhaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Tarake
vs
Joikhaaja

174 cm
24
182 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

173 cm
23
185 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sami Tarake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Morten Joikhaaja!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Joikhaaja.
Joikhaaja shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tarake but Tarake pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Joikhaaja shoots for a takedown but Tarake saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sami Tarake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morten Joikhaaja.
Tarake gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Joikhaaja counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Joikhaaja.
We've been hearing good reports from Tarake's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Joikhaaja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tarake is pulling down on Joikhaaja's head to control his posture.
Joikhaaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Joikhaaja throws a strike but Tarake rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Joikhaaja is trying to keep Tarake in close.
Joikhaaja is adopting a defensive guard.
Joikhaaja wants to sweep here but Tarake controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tarake trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tarake stays in close to Joikhaaja's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sami Tarake.
Joikhaaja shoots in and drives through. Tarake sprawls well.
Tarake keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice sprawl there from Tarake as Joikhaaja shoots in.
Joikhaaja stuffs the takedown.
Joikhaaja has his takedown stuffed

and Tarake counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Joikhaaja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tarake tries to free his leg and advance position but Joikhaaja is retaining full guard.
Joikhaaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Joikhaaja, not yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tarake scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja 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.
Tarake sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Joikhaaja working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tarake.
Our spies down at at Soul Supremacy Fight Club - ELITE TRAINERS----$580 inform us that Joikhaaja has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Tarake stays in close to Joikhaaja's body and controls the position.
Joikhaaja is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tarake lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Joikhaaja bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tarake's guard.
Joikhaaja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Joikhaaja is working Tarake over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Joikhaaja working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tarake trying to keep a closed guard but Joikhaaja is proving a slippery customer.
Joikhaaja throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Joikhaaja with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Joikhaaja throws an elbow that misses. Tarake uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Joikhaaja's guard. Nice move by Tarake!
Joikhaaja looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tarake is one step ahead there.
Tarake sitting in guard here, content to control.
Joikhaaja bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tarake's guard.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes from guard but Tarake blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Joikhaaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Joikhaaja is looking to work some ground and pound but Tarake has wrist control.
Tarake bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Joikhaaja's guard.
Joikhaaja keeping moving, preventing Tarake from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joikhaaja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tarake trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joikhaaja will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Joikhaaja controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Joikhaaja is looking to sweep but instead, Tarake has passed into half guard.
Tarake missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tarake not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Morten Joikhaaja will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tarake tries to score with a low kick but Joikhaaja moves his leg out of the way.
Joikhaaja takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Joikhaaja shoots in looking for a takedown but Tarake manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Joikhaaja's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Tarake shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Joikhaaja manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Tarake postures up and lands a big shot to Joikhaaja's brow.
Joikhaaja has momentary wrist control but Tarake slips an elbow through the middle.
Joikhaaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Joikhaaja is looking to sweep but instead, Tarake has passed into half guard.
Joikhaaja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tarake trying to control from half guard but Joikhaaja is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ground and pound from Tarake.
Joikhaaja is trying is best to control the position here.
Joikhaaja is looking to improve his position.
Tarake is thwarting Joikhaaja's attempts to control the position.
Joikhaaja is trying to get back to full guard.
Tarake uses his free foot to push down on Joikhaaja's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Joikhaaja.
Tarake wants to control the pace but Joikhaaja is squirming around nicely.
Joikhaaja tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Tarake is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Joikhaaja to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Joikhaaja shrugs it off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joikhaaja tries to hold on but Tarake postures up.
Joikhaaja 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tarake trying to control the action but Joikhaaja is working from the bottom.
Tarake is nestled in close to Joikhaaja, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tarake is looking to take a break and control but Joikhaaja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tarake has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tarake throwing shots but Joikhaaja is blocking nicely.
Joikhaaja is looking for a sweep. Tarake is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Joikhaaja keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarake is keen to just control but Joikhaaja is a slippery customer.
Tarake looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Joikhaaja with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Tarake is looking for a kimura here.
Joikhaaja tries to get to full guard but Tarake has control of the leg.
Tarake missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Joikhaaja wants to control but Tarake is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Joikhaaja wants to improve his position but Tarake is controlling well.
Joikhaaja wants to control but Tarake is keeping busy.
Joikhaaja taking some punishment here, with Tarake in his half guard.
Joikhaaja is refusing to be controlled, as Tarake sits in half guard.
Joikhaaja is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja trying to hold on to Tarake's head to control him but Tarake postures up.
Tarake prevents Joikhaaja from improving his position.
Tarake sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Joikhaaja defending well though.
Tarake is trying to control. Joikhaaja wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Joikhaaja wants to control but Tarake is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tarake not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tarake throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
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.
Tarake winds up and cracks Joikhaaja with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tarake missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Tarake is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Joikhaaja sees it coming and defends easily.
Tarake thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Joikhaaja's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Tarake dominated that second round.
That's time! Tarake's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Tarake misses the shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Tarake 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.
Joikhaaja is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Joikhaaja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tarake stays in close to Joikhaaja's body and controls the position.
Joikhaaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Joikhaaja, not yet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Joikhaaja is trying to keep Tarake in close.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No luck for Tarake with that takedown attempt.
Joikhaaja fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tarake misses with a takedown attempt

and Joikhaaja counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tarake looking to hit a scissor sweep but Joikhaaja is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja with a flurry of punches that miss.
Joikhaaja in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Joikhaaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Joikhaaja throws a strike but Tarake rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Joikhaaja wants to sweep but no luck.
Joikhaaja has momentary wrist control but Tarake slips an elbow through the middle.
Tarake looking to pass the guard.
Joikhaaja wants to sweep here but Tarake controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarake wants to pass the guard but Joikhaaja is keeping the position.
Tarake postures up and lands a big shot to Joikhaaja's brow.
Tarake stopping the sweep attempt from Joikhaaja.
Tarake lands a couple of elbows.
Tarake postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tarake trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tarake manages to get himself to full guard.
Joikhaaja postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Joikhaaja throws an elbow that misses. Tarake uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Joikhaaja's guard. Nice move by Tarake!
Tarake loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tarake is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tarake throwing strikes but missing.
Joikhaaja looking to control.
Tarake postures up in Joikhaaja's guard and throws a big left but Joikhaaja blocks it.
Joikhaaja keeping full guard, as Tarake tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joikhaaja working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tarake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja controls Tarake momentarily but Tarake frees himself.
Tarake wants to pass the guard but Joikhaaja is keeping the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Joikhaaja wants to improve his position but instead Tarake has moved into half guard.
Joikhaaja tries to roll over but Tarake keeps him under control.
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!
Joikhaaja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tarake thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joikhaaja on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Joikhaaja is trying to control but can't.
Tarake thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Joikhaaja's head.
Tarake thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Joikhaaja's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sami Tarake.
Well Tarake has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Sami Tarake!
A victorious Sami Tarake thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.