PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Teemu Tainio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riley Cunningham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Tainio
vs
Cunningham

179 cm
27
177 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

178 cm
21
167 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

One stop Shop $30 and below

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teemu Tainio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riley Cunningham!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tainio slips under a jab from Cunningham.
Tainio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cunningham circles away quickly and effectively.

Cunningham forces Tainio back against the cage and clinches.

Cunningham lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cunningham throwing shots but Tainio is blocking nicely.

Tainio looking for submissions off his back.
Tainio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunningham is looking to take a break and control but Tainio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Cunningham is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tainio doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cunningham.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tainio trying to control here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Tainio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Cunningham is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tainio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cunningham.
Tainio is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cunningham trying to control the action but Tainio is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tainio tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cunningham swivels and escapes.
Cunningham let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tainio closes the distance looking to clinch

and Cunningham counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham scoring with some ground and pound.
Cunningham postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cunningham trying to control the position from guard on top but Tainio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cunningham working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cunningham works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cunningham not doing much here.

Tainio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cunningham with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cunningham thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tainio's head.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tainio actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tainio is defended easily by Cunningham.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riley Cunningham dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tainio shoots in looking for a takedown. Cunningham tries to sprawl out of it but Tainio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cunningham manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cunningham takes one to the chin there.

Tainio looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cunningham wants to control but Tainio is keeping busy.
Cunningham has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cunningham trying to get back to full guard but Tainio takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tainio cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Tainio can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cunningham is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Cunningham regains half guard.

Tainio is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Cunningham is looking to improve his position.
Tainio is pressing down on Cunningham's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cunningham is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Tainio wants to work for an arm triangle but Cunningham is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Cunningham is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Tainio seems to be looking for submissions.
Tainio with the ground and pound but Cunningham uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Tainio throwing strikes but missing.
Tainio stands up over Cunningham, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cunningham is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tainio throws an elbow that misses. Cunningham uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tainio's guard. Nice move by Cunningham!

Cunningham trying to control but Tainio is working from the bottom.

Cunningham drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tainio manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cunningham has Tainio in his guard.

Cunningham trying to keep a closed guard but Tainio is proving a slippery customer.
Cunningham has momentary wrist control but Tainio slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tainio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tainio throws a big right hand that misses.
Cunningham keeping moving, preventing Tainio from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at Nordic Top Team inform us that Cunningham has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Cunningham is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tainio trying to control the position from guard on top but Cunningham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cunningham preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Cunningham working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teemu Tainio dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tainio tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cunningham paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Teemu Tainio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tainio moves in looking to clinch but Cunningham pushes him off.
Tainio is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

Cunningham takes the fight into the clinch.
Cunningham misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cunningham pressing his opponent against the cage.

Tainio ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tainio no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Tainio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tainio controls Cunningham momentarily but Cunningham frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham wants to control from the top but Tainio keeps moving.
Tainio wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Cunningham is now in half guard.
Cunningham seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tainio does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tainio is trying to control but can't.
Cunningham sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tainio defending well though.

Tainio actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Tainio looking for submissions off his back.
Cunningham frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Cunningham lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Tainio holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Cunningham tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Tainio is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tainio tries to lock up and control but Cunningham gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Tainio is trying to escape the mount.
Tainio wants to control but Cunningham is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cunningham is looking to stand but Tainio has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Tainio wants to control but Cunningham is having none of it.
Cunningham trying to control but Tainio is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cunningham moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Tainio has worked his arm free - good work by Tainio!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riley Cunningham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cunningham 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riley Cunningham!
Our winner, Riley Cunningham, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.