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). On his way into the cage it seems that The Filipino Champ has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily The Filipino Champ seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Filipino Champ
vs
Tatli

175 cm
24
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

181 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 1 - 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 4 - 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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Robert Tatli!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tatli has closed the distance and engaged Champ in a clinch.

Tatli turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Champ is trying to improve his position.
Tatli controlling the position from side mount.
Champ tries to bench press Tatli off him but Tatli keeps the position.
Champ is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tatli's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Tatli winds up and cracks Champ with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Champ is trying to stand up here but Tatli is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tatli passes the guard and advances to mount!
Champ tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatli working Champ over with strikes here.
Champ regains half guard.
Champ is trying to get back to full guard.
Tatli wants to pass to mount but Champ is defending the position.
Champ is looking for a sweep. Tatli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Tatli there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tatli lands a nice short elbow.
Tatli prevents Champ from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Champ actively working from the bottom here.
Champ has a hand on Tatli's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Tatli takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Tatli sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Champ is trying to escape the mount.
Champ regains half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tatli in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatli lands strikes from half guard.
Champ is looking to improve his position.
Champ is working hard here to advance position.
Still in half guard, Tatli seems content to control.
Champ is trying to get back to full guard.

Tatli is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Champ sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatli is looking to advance position but Champ won't allow it.
Champ is looking to improve his position.
Champ is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Tatli jumps into side control!
Champ regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tatli wants to work for an arm triangle but Champ is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tatli content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Champ actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Tatli dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tatli looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Champ wants to sweep here but Tatli controlling him for the moment.
Tatli must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tatli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Champ looking for a guillotine here but Tatli defends easily.
Tatli preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Champ looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Tatli passes into half guard.
Tatli controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champ is looking for a sweep. Tatli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tatli is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tatli tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Champ.
Well, if Tatli is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Champ wants to improve his position but Tatli is controlling well.
Robert Tatli has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
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. Tatli connects with a nice short shot to Champ's temple.
Champ looks like he's trying to stand up.
Champ is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Tatli's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Tatli stops Champ from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Champ shoots in but no luck this time.
No luck for Champ with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatli leaves Champ with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Filipino Champ. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tatli with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tatli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Tatli moves into the clinch.

Tatli has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Champ uses from the top position.
Champ lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Champ advances to half guard.
Tatli trying to control but Champ postures up.
Champ slips a nice elbow through Tatli's hands, connecting with Tatli's forehead.
Champ is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Champ 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.
Tatli has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Champ is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tatli defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatli keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Tatli is pressing down on Champ's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tatli looking to hit a scissor sweep but Champ is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tatli is controlling Champ's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Tatli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Champ shoots in for a takedown but Tatli shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tatli throws a lazy right hand but Champ sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tatli looks for the body kick but Champ saw that one coming.
Champ fails with the takedown

and Tatli counters by clinching up.
Tatli prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Filipino Champ. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Champ is trying to drag Tatli to the mat but Tatli just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tatli lands an elbow inside that Champ shrugs off.
Champ drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tatli gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Tatli's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Champ looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tatli is fending him off so far but Champ persists. Nope, Tatli circles away and we're back to standing.
Champ fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Champ fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champ has a takedown stuffed.
Champ shoots for a double leg takedown but Tatli sprawls well. He's pushed Champ's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Champ closes the distance and clinches up with Tatli, looking for a takedown. Champ pushes Tatli against the cage but Tatli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tatli throws out a counter right but Champ avoids it with no problem.

Champ gets tackled into the cage by Tatli. Tatli maintains the clinch.
Tatli leaning against his opponent.

Tatli gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Tatli seems content to control.
Champ regains full guard. Nicely done.

Tatli decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Champ, up you get!
Champ fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tatli avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champ fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Tatli clinches.
Champ is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Champ can't get the takedown.
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!
Champ tries to score a body lock takedown but Tatli shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Tatli has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Champ regains guard immediately.
Tatli landing some decent shots from guard.

Champ throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tatli sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
More stalling from Tatli.

Champ working for submissions but it's allowed Tatli to get to half guard.
Tatli is pressing down on Champ's thigh, looking to free his foot. Champ is holding on for now.
Tatli content to control rather than advance.
Champ works his way to full guard. Good work.
The Filipino Champ has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Champ wants to stand but Tatli is controlling the position.

Champ escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tatli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tatli's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Champ looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tatli is one step ahead there.
Robert Tatli is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tatli's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Tatli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tatli 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Tatli!