PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between The Filipino Champ (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Tatli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Filipino Champ
vs
Tatli

175 cm
24
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

181 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, The Filipino Champ!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Robert Tatli!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tatli looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Champ throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Tatli escapes and throws Champ's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Champ is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Tatli is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Tatli working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Champ really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Champ is trying to reverse the position but instead Tatli has taken his back - oops!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tatli keeps control of the position as Champ tries to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champ is working hard here to advance position.
Champ wants to get back to his feet.
Champ can't escape the position.
Tatli controls the action.
Champ is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Tatli trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Champ doesn't escape.
Champ tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tatli controls the action.
I really don't envy Champ right now.
Champ breaks Tatli's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Champ throws a big elbow that misses.

Tatli has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Champ can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Champ preventing the sweep.
Champ wants to stand but Tatli has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Champ postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tatli is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Champ, into his guard.

Champ has his foot on Tatli's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tatli works his way back into a safe position though.
Tatli slips nicely into half guard.
Tatli seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Tatli prevents Champ from improving his position.
Tatli takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Champ looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Champ is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tatli pulls his head out easily.
Tatli slows the pace down in half guard.
Champ wants to get back to full guard.
Champ gets full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Champ 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Tatli dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Champ shoots in for a takedown but Tatli shows good takedown defense.
Tatli is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tatli misses with a double jab.

Tatli closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Champ quickly recovers to half guard.
Champ wants to get back to full guard but Tatli has passed into side control.

Tatli is trying to get an arm triangle but Champ is defending well.
Champ tries to buck Tatli off but Tatli is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lull in the action here as Tatli stalls from top position.
Champ is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Champ is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tatli off and has taken his back!
Champ throwing sloppy strikes.
Champ has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Tatli.
Robert Tatli has got the better of the ground game so far.

Champ is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Champ connects with a big shot to the side of Tatli's head.

Champ has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Tatli has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Champ is persistently looking for the submission but Tatli is defending it well.
Tatli is taking damage to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champ is striking well from the back but Tatli escapes and manages to control the positon and works his way to half guard. A much better position - the crisis is over for the time being.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Champ lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tatli on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tatli keeping control of the position.
Champ thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tatli's head.
Champ prevents Tatli from improving his position.

Champ is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tatli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Champ prevents Tatli from standing back up.

Champ seems to be working for a kimura but Tatli defends the submission attempt.
Tatli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Champ.
Tatli is trying to get back to full guard.
Tatli is pressing down on Champ's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Champ wants to pass the guard but Tatli is keeping the position.

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.
Champ is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tatli controlling Champ's posture.
Champ looking to pass the guard.
Champ passes Tatli's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Champ is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Champ takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Champ thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tatli's head.
Tatli tries to get to full guard but Champ has control of the leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Champ connects with a nice short shot to Tatli's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Filipino Champ dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Champ shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tatli defends it nicely.
Champ fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Champ misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Filipino Champ. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Champ gets tackled into the cage by Tatli. Tatli maintains the clinch.
Champ drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Tatli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tatli fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Champ, pushing him back against the cage.
Champ has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tatli is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Tatli breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Champ checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champ fails with the takedown.
The Filipino Champ is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Champ ducks right into an uppercut from Tatli.
Champ misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Tatli closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Champ did well to prevent Tatli getting side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Tatli is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Champ still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Champ has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Tatli is trying to improve his position.
Champ tries to move into full mount but can't pass Tatli's legs.
Champ lands a few punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatli tries to escape but Champ is in control.

Champ is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tatli knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Champ 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.
Tatli tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Champ wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tatli can't do much from the bottom here.
Champ tries to move into full mount but can't pass Tatli's legs.
Tatli tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Champ wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tatli defending against the ground and pound.
Champ grinds an elbow into Tatli's temple.
Tatli on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Champ tries to stand but Tatli is controlling his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Champ thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Champ tries to move into full mount but can't pass Tatli's legs.
Tatli is trying to improve his position.
Champ tries to advance to mount but Tatli denies him.
You can see the frustration on Tatli's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Champ wants to stand but Tatli has his arm trapped.

Champ working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Champ throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Tatli is looking for a sweep.
Champ tries to move to mount but Tatli blocks the move with his legs.
Tatli is trying to control Champ's posture but Champ avoids it.

Champ tries for a kimura but Tatli is defending well.

Champ tries for a kimura but Tatli is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

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 The Filipino Champ.
I think Champ has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... The Filipino Champ!