PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eduardo Dudu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taavi Liisteri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dudu comes to the cage accompanied by JAY ELECTRONICA - VOODOO MAN. Liisteri has chosen Solid Base - I like it as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Dudu
vs
Liisteri

175 cm
24
161 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
162 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Hellbent, Inc.
Combat Pro Design

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 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Eduardo Dudu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taavi Liisteri!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liisteri moves forwards but Dudu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Dudu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Liisteri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Liisteri shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dudu as he avoids it easily.
Eduardo Dudu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liisteri fails to land the takedown.
Dudu throws an overhand right that lands on Liisteri's shoulder, as Liisteri tries to avoid the shot.
Dudu throws a jab but it's blocked by Liisteri.

Liisteri shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Liisteri showed some decent athleticism there.
Dudu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Liisteri.
Liisteri moves into full mount! Dudu won't be happy about that!

Liisteri working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Liisteri is going olschool here, as he tries to force Dudu to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Dudu shrugs it off.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Dudu avoids a series of strikes thrown by Liisteri.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liisteri goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Dudu turns into him and now he's in Liisteri's guard.
Liisteri working a defensive guard here.

Liisteri is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Liisteri trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liisteri looks gassed!
Dudu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Liisteri's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Dudu wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Liisteri, who protects the arm well.

Dudu is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Liisteri is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri sneaks back into half guard.

Liisteri actively working from the bottom here.

Dudu is looking for a kimura but Liisteri is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dudu to get the leverage.
Liisteri tries to get to full guard but Dudu has control of the leg.

Dudu is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Liisteri actively working from the bottom here.
Dudu trying to control the action but Liisteri is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Liisteri fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Eduardo Dudu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taavi Liisteri.

Liisteri shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Liisteri working for a submission but Dudu is keeping him at bay.
Liisteri throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Dudu because Liisteri loaded up on that one.

Liisteri is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Dudu is surviving well by controlling Liisteri's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dudu regains half guard.

Dudu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Liisteri is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dudu trying to hold on to Liisteri's head to control him but Liisteri postures up.
Dudu manages to get to full guard.
Dudu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Eduardo Dudu will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Liisteri closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Liisteri is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dudu sees it coming and defends easily.

Dudu looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Liisteri is looking for a kimura here.
Dudu is trying to get back to full guard.

Liisteri wants to work for an arm triangle but Dudu is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dudu moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liisteri throws a big right hand that misses.
Liisteri looking to pass the guard.
Liisteri trying to control but Dudu is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Liisteri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dudu throws out the jab.

Liisteri closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Liisteri lands in his opponent's guard.
Dudu 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.
Liisteri throwing strikes but missing.

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.
Liisteri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Liisteri drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Dudu dives on top into guard.
Liisteri keeping full guard, as Dudu tries to pass.

Liisteri throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Liisteri has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dudu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dudu passes Liisteri's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Dudu is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Liisteri wants to control but Dudu is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Liisteri looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dudu wants to control but Liisteri is keeping him busy.
Liisteri is looking to control Dudu's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Liisteri avoid being mounted?

Liisteri looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Liisteri is trying to get back to full guard.

Dudu is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Liisteri is defending against the submission attempts here by Dudu.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Liisteri feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Dudu working for a triangle but Liisteri defends it easily.

Liisteri drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Liisteri jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Liisteri drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Liisteri jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Dudu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Liisteri gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taavi Liisteri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Liisteri closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Liisteri lands in his opponent's guard.

Dudu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Liisteri gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Liisteri drops back looking for a leg! Dudu is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dudu manages to kick Liisteri off! Liisteri jumps back into Dudu's guard.

Liisteri drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Liisteri jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Liisteri thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dudu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liisteri trying to control the position from guard on top but Dudu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liisteri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dudu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Liisteri drops back, looking for a kneebar! Dudu looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Dudu looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Dudu!
Liisteri is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dudu looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Liisteri struggling a bit here.
Liisteri tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dudu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Dudu trying to control the action but Liisteri is working from the bottom.
Liisteri gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Liisteri has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dudu is working away from the top position though.
Dudu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri is trying to maintain the position but Dudu is very close to passing his half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dudu throws a looping overhand right but Liisteri ducks down to avoid it.
Dudu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Liisteri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Liisteri fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dudu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dudu scores with a jab to the head.
Liisteri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Liisteri tries to close the distance and clinch but Dudu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Liisteri decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Liisteri seems to be looking for submissions.

Liisteri 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.

Liisteri is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dudu is looking for a sweep. Liisteri is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Liisteri missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dudu slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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 Eduardo Dudu.
I think Dudu 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Eduardo Dudu!