PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vesa Asikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Theros Staal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Asikainen
vs
Staal

189 cm
23
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
246 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vesa Asikainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Theros Staal!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Asikainen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Staal tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Asikainen is in Staal's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Asikainen wants to pass the guard but Staal is keeping the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Asikainen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Asikainen 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.
Asikainen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Staal can do anything to dispel that myth.
Asikainen postures up and lands a big shot to Staal's brow.
Staal can't keep his opponent in guard - Asikainen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Asikainen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Asikainen 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.
Staal keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal tries to get to full guard but Asikainen has control of the leg.

Asikainen stands up and beckons Staal to join him on the feet.
Staal lands a head kick. Asikainen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staal scores with a leg kick.
Staal fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A head kick misses from Staal.
Asikainen tries to bum rush Staal with a series of wild strikes but Staal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Staal lands with a kick to the temple. Asikainen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Asikainen shoots in but no luck this time.
Staal throws a body kick that misses.
Asikainen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Staal but Staal pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Asikainen is looking to clinch but Staal is avoiding it.
Theros Staal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Asikainen shoots for a takedown but Staal saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vesa Asikainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asikainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Staal is fending him off so far but Asikainen persists. Nope, Staal circles away and we're back to standing.
A left lands for Staal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal throws a nice outside leg kick.
Asikainen is breathing heavily.
Staal connects with a leg kick. Asikainen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Staal.
An inside leg kick lands from Staal.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Asikainen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Staal - the referee stops the clock and Asikainen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Staal. Asikainen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Asikainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Staal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Asikainen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Asikainen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Staal lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Staal dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Asikainen. That did some damage!
Asikainen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Staal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Asikainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Staal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staal changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Staal.
Staal feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Asikainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Staal, right into the meat.
Staal lands a really nice looking cross but Asikainen seems unphased.
A chopping leg kick lands by Staal.
Staal throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Asikainen's head.
Staal connects with an inside leg kick.
Staal jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Staal connects with a high kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Staal defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Asikainen.
Asikainen takes one on the button.
Staal scores with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theros Staal dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Staal bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Staal lands a leg kick that knocks Asikainen off balance momentarily.
Staal scores with a nice head shot.
Asikainen ducks right into an uppercut from Staal.
Staal connects with a solid leg kick.
Staal lands an overhand right.

Staal drops Asikainen with a beautiful combination! Asikainen stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Staal is looking for the KO!

Asikainen is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Asikainen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Asikainen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Oh Asikainen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Asikainen decides to stand back up.
Staal throws a nice outside leg kick.
Asikainen seems to have got his legs back now.
A punch combination from Asikainen misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Asikainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Staal sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Asikainen somewhat.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Staal is looking to slow Asikainen down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Staal - just one landing.
A left lands for Staal.
Asikainen shoots in looking for a takedown but Staal manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Asikainen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Staal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Staal fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Staal lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Staal turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Staal turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Theros Staal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Staal.
A solid leg kick lands there for Staal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Asikainen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Staal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Asikainen scrambles back to his feet.
Asikainen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Staal can pounce on him.
Asikainen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Staal.
Staal should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Asikainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Staal.
Staal moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Asikainen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Staal cracks a nice hook into Asikainen's ribs.
Staal's corner calls for a 1-2. Staal obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Staal lands a head kick!
Staal scores with a nice right hand.
A slapping body kick lands there for Staal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Staal fails with an attempt to clinch.
Asikainen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Staal shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Asikainen eats them both and turns towards Staal to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Staal tests Asikainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Staal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Staal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Staal goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Staal lands a two punch combo.
Asikainen closes the distance and clinches up with Staal, looking for a takedown. Asikainen pushes Staal against the cage but Staal circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vesa Asikainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Staal scores with a leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asikainen walks into a stiff left hand from Staal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Staal.
Staal lands an overhand right.
Staal lands with a nice body kick.
Theros Staal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Asikainen takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Staal thumps Asikainen with a low kick.
A good leg kick by Staal.
Asikainen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A cross from Staal lands.
Asikainen wants to clinch up but Staal keeps it at a distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Asikainen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Staal's jab looks to have found its range, popping Asikainen under the eye.
Asikainen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theros Staal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Asikainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Staal.
Asikainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Staal tries to sprawl out of it but Asikainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Staal manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Staal lands a glancing blow to the side of Asikainen's head.
Staal throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Asikainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Asikainen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Staal thumps Asikainen with a low kick.
Asikainen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Staal digs a good body shot into Asikainen's ribs.
Asikainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Staal. Staal obviously looking to wear him down.
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!
Staal lands a high kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Staal lands a nice leg kick that just misses Asikainen's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Staal is looking to slow Asikainen down with leg kicks.
Asikainen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Staal with a jab.

Staal moves into the clinch successfully.
Staal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Asikainen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Asikainen breaks from the clinch.
Asikainen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Staal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Asikainen scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Staal defends it nicely.
Staal fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Asikainen on the side of the head.
Staal feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Asikainen's calf.
Asikainen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Staal looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Both fighters circling a little - Staal finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Asikainen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Staal connects with an inside leg kick.
Staal buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Asikainen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Asikainen takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal scores with a jab. Asikainen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Staal throws a head kick that Asikainen semi-blocks.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Staal.
Asikainen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Staal. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Staal.
Staal lands a leg kick that knocks Asikainen off balance momentarily.
Staal scores with a jab to the body.
Asikainen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Staal lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Asikainen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Staal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Asikainen scrambles back to his feet.
Staal lands with a slapping head kick.
Staal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Asikainen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Staal lands a high kick!
Staal connects with a solid leg kick.
Staal chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Asikainen moves forwards but Staal connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Asikainen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Staal.
Staal lands with a good body shot.
Staal lands a nice hook to Asikainen's body. Asikainen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Staal buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Vesa Asikainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Staal clobbers Asikainen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Staal lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Theros Staal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Staal lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theros Staal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Staal winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 25:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Theros Staal!