PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luis Tanko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dumaham Bijan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Tanko
vs
Bijan

176 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
26
146 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luis Tanko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dumaham Bijan!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bijan fails with the takedown
and Tanko counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bijan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tanko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bijan somewhat.
Bijan shoots and misses

so Tanko counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Luis Tanko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dumaham Bijan.

Tanko drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bijan dives on top into guard.

Tanko has his foot on Bijan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bijan works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bijan trying to control but Tanko is working from the bottom.
Bijan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Tanko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanko controlling Bijan's posture.
Tanko's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Tanko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bijan is one step ahead there.
Bijan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tanko is on top in guard.

Tanko stopping the sweep attempt from Bijan.
Tanko trying to control the position from guard on top but Bijan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tanko stays in close to Bijan's body and controls the position.
Tanko works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bijan is trying to control but can't.
Bijan throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Tanko manages to pass to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tanko controls the position.
Tanko scoring with punches from side control.
Tanko wants to stand but Bijan is controlling his arm.
Bijan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Tanko working away.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
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.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tanko is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Bijan is looking to regain half guard here but Tanko keeps moving and retains side control.
Tanko wants to stand but Bijan is controlling his arm.

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

Bijan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tanko wants to pass the guard but Bijan is keeping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bijan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luis Tanko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tanko forces Bijan back against the cage and clinches.
Bijan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tanko to keep the fight standing.
Tanko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bijan dodges an elbow strike from Tanko.
Tanko can't get the takedown.

Bijan breaks from the clinch.
Tanko tries to close the distance and clinch but Bijan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tanko avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bijan counters with a left and a right that stings Tanko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Tanko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bijan dives in for a single leg takedown but Tanko sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tanko tries to counter by clinching up but Bijan breaks away and moves out of range.
Bijan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bijan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tanko defends well and Bijan ends up having to push Tanko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bijan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tanko.
Tanko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bijan can do to turn this around?

Tanko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bijan is trying to defend but Tanko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tanko prevents Bijan from improving his position.
Bijan is breathing heavily.

Bijan manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Tanko keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Tanko avoiding damage.
Tanko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bijan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanko gets underhooks to prevent Bijan's takedown attempt.
Bijan blocks a body shot from Tanko.
Tanko misses with a knee to the head.
Tanko is trying to break free.
Tanko is trying to pull guard but Bijan has him pressed against the cage.
Tanko tries for a takedown but Bijan manages to get underhooks.

Tanko has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bijan clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
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!
Bijan trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanko doesn't have the hooks in and Bijan manages to turn into his guard.
Tanko keeping moving, preventing Bijan from controlling successfully.
Bijan tries to free his leg and advance position but Tanko is retaining full guard.
Tanko trying to control the position.

Tanko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tanko seems keen to control Bijan's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanko wants to sweep but no luck.
Bijan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tanko trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tanko has Bijan pulled in close to control his posture.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Tanko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tanko tries to get out of the position.
Bijan pushing down on Tanko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dumaham Bijan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bijan gets caught flat footed, as Tanko shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bijan 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.
Tanko would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Bijan working a defensive guard but Tanko manages to pass into side control anyway.
You can see the frustration on Bijan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanko tries to stand but Bijan is controlling his head.
Bijan is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanko cracks Bijan with a big right hand but Bijan just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Tanko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bijan, who protects the arm well.
Bijan is trying to buck Tanko off.
Bijan is looking to reverse the position.
Tanko wants to stand but Bijan is controlling his arm.
Tanko just content to control the position.

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.

Tanko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bijan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bijan takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Bijan struggling a bit here.
Tanko is looking to take a break and control but Bijan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bijan with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tanko counters by clinching up.

Bijan pulls guard effortlessly.
Bijan can't keep his opponent in guard - Tanko advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bijan is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tanko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tanko performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Bijan wants to control but Tanko is keeping busy.
Luis Tanko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bijan is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tanko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tanko lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bijan trying to hold on to Tanko's head to control him but Tanko postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tanko maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Bijan could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Tanko has cracked it and Bijan is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Tanko!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Luis Tanko!