PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Teemu Karjalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cristian Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karjalainen comes to the cage accompanied by Poisonblack - Sun Shines Black. The crowd seem to be enjoying Tavares's choice of entrance music: oh, check it out, he's rocking his Jr. Olympic Gold medals. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Karjalainen
vs
Tavares

171 cm
25
163 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

173 cm
24
150 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Teemu Karjalainen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cristian Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Karjalainen is predictable there
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tavares throws a looping overhand right but Karjalainen ducks down to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Karjalainen misses the target.
Tavares has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Karjalainen throws a sloppy head kick
and Tavares counters with a stiff right hand.
Tavares swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Karjalainen.
Tavares connects with a solid leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares works the jab nicely.
Tavares misses with a two punch combination.
Karjalainen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares lands with a nice body punch.
Tavares lands a glancing blow to the side of Karjalainen's head.
Tavares throws a right hand that misses
and Karjalainen counters with a good low kick that Tavares was not able to check.
Karjalainen thuds a left hand into Tavares's body.
Tavares lands with an uppercut that bounces Karjalainen off the cage and back into range.
Cristian Tavares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karjalainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tavares throws out the jab.
A quick step to the side and Karjalainen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tavares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Karjalainen.
Karjalainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavares.
Karjalainen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Karjalainen.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tavares.
Karjalainen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karjalainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A lazy left from Tavares finds it's target.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tavares checks a leg kick.
Karjalainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Karjalainen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares connects with a crisp jab.
Karjalainen ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Tavares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen connects with an inside leg kick.
Tavares is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Karjalainen had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Karjalainen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tavares.
Tavares throws an overhand right that lands on Karjalainen's shoulder, as Karjalainen tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Karjalainen was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Tavares smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Karjalainen throws a lazy uppercut
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares lands a nice shot that snaps Karjalainen's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karjalainen drops his hands momentarily and Tavares takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Karjalainen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tavares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karjalainen manages to avoid it.
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!
Karjalainen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tavares lands with a nice body punch.
Tavares lands a nice shot to the body.
Karjalainen checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Karjalainen avoids the body shot from Tavares.
It looked like Karjalainen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cristian Tavares seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tavares lands with a right hand.
Karjalainen takes one to the chin there.
That kick from Karjalainen tenderised Tavares's leg. Tavares is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tavares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tavares scores with a jab to the body.
Karjalainen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares scores with a nice head shot.
Karjalainen avoids the body shot from Tavares.
Tavares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Karjalainen.
Karjalainen feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karjalainen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tavares's calf.
Cristian Tavares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Karjalainen tries to land a front kick but Tavares steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tavares scores with a decent looking hook.
Karjalainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tavares manages to avoid it.
Tavares connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Karjalainen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tavares misses the shot to the body.
Karjalainen is looking to counter punch.
Jab by Tavares.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A shot to the liver by Tavares. Beautiful body shot.
Karjalainen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavares throws a right hand that misses
and Karjalainen counters with an outside leg kick.
Karjalainen misses with a wild combination.
It seemed like Tavares was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Karjalainen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karjalainen slips under a jab.
Karjalainen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tavares jabs Karjalainen right on the nose. Karjalainen blinks but takes it well.
Tavares lands a body shot.
Karjalainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tavares.
Tavares scores with the left hand. Karjalainen knows he should have avoided that one.
Tavares misses the shot to the body.
Karjalainen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Tavares to counter with a crisp jab.
Tavares lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Karjalainen at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karjalainen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tavares looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares is trying to get back to half guard.
Tavares is still trying to improve position.
Tavares avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Karjalainen.
Karjalainen working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Karjalainen working the strikes but Tavares uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Tavares wants to control but Karjalainen is keeping busy.
Karjalainen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Tavares reverses the position - he's now on top in Karjalainen's guard.
Karjalainen looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristian Tavares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tavares dips to his left and cracks Karjalainen with an uppercut!
Tavares throws a jab but it's blocked by Karjalainen.
Tavares lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Karjalainen circles away quickly and effectively.
Tavares misses with a lunging right hand
and Karjalainen counters with a good low kick that Tavares was not able to check.
Karjalainen swings widly with a right hand
and Tavares connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tavares takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karjalainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karjalainen wants to land a leg kick but Tavares is out of range.
A low kick from Karjalainen is predictable there
and Karjalainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karjalainen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Karjalainen needs to keep his hands up - Tavares had a free shot at his head there.
Tavares slips a straight right by Karjalainen.
Tavares scores with a jab to the body.
Tavares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karjalainen feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Tavares falls off balance throwing a combination
and Karjalainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tavares throws a body punch but Karjalainen moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a shot to the body.
Tavares fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Karjalainen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tavares lands a nice shot to the body.
Tavares takes a swing at Karjalainen's ribcage but misses.
Karjalainen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karjalainen looks for the body kick but Tavares saw that one coming.
Tavares looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Karjalainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karjalainen throws a big shot that misses.
Tavares cracks Karjalainen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Karjalainen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

It looks like Cristian Tavares has been cut.
Tavares steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karjalainen.
Tavares lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Karjalainen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Karjalainen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Karjalainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tavares throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karjalainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tavares just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKarjalainen.
Tavares bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tavares moves out of range of the body kick from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen misses with a shot to the body
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tavares lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavares thuds his right hand into Karjalainen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Karjalainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavares.
A counter left hand to the body from Karjalainen misses its target.
Tavares looks to throw the jab but Karjalainen is out of range.
Karjalainen throwing a counter right hand but Tavares manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristian Tavares really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cristian Tavares's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tavares throws a looping overhand right but Karjalainen ducks down to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Karjalainen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tavares fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Karjalainen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Karjalainen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tavares connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Karjalainen scrambles back to his feet.
Tavares scores with a jab. Karjalainen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Tavares tries to land a front kick but Karjalainen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tavares lands with a hook. Karjalainen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karjalainen walks into a straight right hand from Tavares.
Karjalainen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a hook.
Tavares misses with a hook to the body
and Karjalainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Karjalainen moves out of range as Tavares strikes.
Tavares throws a right hand that misses
and Karjalainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Karjalainen tries to bum rush Tavares with a series of wild strikes but Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Karjalainen scores with a nice right hand.
Tavares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Karjalainen.
Tavares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Karjalainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Tavares misses the target.
Tavares turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tavares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Karjalainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Tavares.
Tavares misses with a hook
and Karjalainen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tavares punishes Karjalainen's body with a nice straight punch.
Karjalainen has his takedown stuffed
and Tavares counters with a nice low kick that buckles Karjalainen's knee momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karjalainen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tavares looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is looking to slow Karjalainen down with leg kicks.
Tavares keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tavares checks a low kick from Karjalainen.
Tavares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karjalainen.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Karjalainen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tavares has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tavares and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Karjalainen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tavares connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares cracks Karjalainen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tavares lands with a right hand.
Karjalainen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A shot to the body from Tavares misses
and Karjalainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Karjalainen throws out a leg kick but Tavares moves out of range and Karjalainen only half commits.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karjalainen manages to avoid it.
Karjalainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tavares misses with an uppercut

and Karjalainen counters with a nice right hand that sends Tavares toppling to the canvas! Tavares scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Karjalainen finish him?!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Cristian Tavares will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Cristian Tavares's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Karjalainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tavares. Tavares obviously looking to wear him down.
Karjalainen drops his hands momentarily and Tavares takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tavares throws a shot to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Tavares scores with a hook to the body. Karjalainen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tavares avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A little jabbing left from Tavares on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tavares blocks a head kick by Karjalainen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Karjalainen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Karjalainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a lunging right hand
and Karjalainen counters with a nice kick to the body.
Karjalainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares lands a jab to the nose.
Tavares slips under a jab from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tavares takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tavares moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Karjalainen drops his hands momentarily and Tavares takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Teemu Karjalainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a body shot
and Karjalainen counters with a nice body kick.
Tavares uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Karjalainen has time to react.
Karjalainen ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Karjalainen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tavares works the jab nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karjalainen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tavares throws a jab but it's blocked by Karjalainen.
Karjalainen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Karjalainen, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karjalainen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tavares counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tavares lands with a right hand.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Karjalainen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Karjalainen tried to counter with a leg kick but Tavares avoided it.
Tavares jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A swing and a miss from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen throws a body punch but Tavares moves out of range.
Tavares is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Karjalainen with a body shot.
Tavares scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Karjalainen doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tavares scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Karjalainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tavares.
Tavares looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Tavares jabs Karjalainen right on the nose. Karjalainen blinks but takes it well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karjalainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A counter left hand to the body from Karjalainen misses its target.
Tavares lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Karjalainen at a distance.
Karjalainen throws a leg kick
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Karjalainen throws a leg kick
and Tavares cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cristian Tavares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tavares 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 45:50
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cristian Tavares!
Cristian Tavares is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Cristian Tavares thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.