PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tank Ispa (ranked 72 p4p, 12 weight class) and Joosep Lõhmus (ranked 198 p4p, 29 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ispa
vs
Lõhmus

190 cm
25
221 lbs
14 - 3 - 2

190 cm
24
210 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Tank Ispa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joosep Lõhmus!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Ben Hemmingworth and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Ispa.
Ispa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tank Ispa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ispa explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Lõhmus changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lõhmus lands a nice shot to the body.
Ispa throws a head kick but Lõhmus moves out of range.
Lõhmus walks into a straight right hand from Ispa.
Ispa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ispa misses with a looping left.
Ispa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A left lands for Ispa.
Ispa throws a body shot but no joy.
Ispa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Lõhmus checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lõhmus looks to throw the jab but Ispa is out of range.
Ispa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lõhmus is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Lõhmus keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ispa jabs Lõhmus right on the nose. Lõhmus blinks but takes it well.
Lõhmus misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Ispa takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ispa.

Lõhmus breaks from the clinch.
Lõhmus loads up on a big right hand but Ispa slips the punch.
Ispa feinted with a counter takedown.
Lõhmus throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ispa.
Ispa misses with a body shot.
Jab, jab by Ispa - just one landing.
Ispa lands with a good body shot.
Lõhmus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ispa throws the kick towards the body but Lõhmus avoids it.
Lõhmus flicks out a counter leg kick but Ispa steps away.
Lõhmus lands with a hook. Ispa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lõhmus misses with a low kick as Ispa jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ispa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Ispa darts in and clinches Lõhmus up against the cage.
Ispa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lõhmus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ispa has him pressed against the cage.
Ispa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lõhmus swings wildly with an uppercut but Ispa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lõhmus is leaning against Ispa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lõhmus lands a hook that snaps the head of Ispa backwards.
Ispa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ispa lands a left hand.
Lõhmus throws a head punch that misses.

Lõhmus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ispa looks to land a left hand but Lõhmus moved out of range nicely.
A low kick from Lõhmus is predictable there
and Ispa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ispa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Lõhmus.
Ispa missing with a left hand there. Lõhmus was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ispa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lõhmus throws a low kick, looking for Ispa's leg but Ispa calmly moves out of range.
Lõhmus uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ispa.
Nice uppercut there from Ispa.
Ispa connects with a body shot that sends Lõhmus's belly button to the back.
Ispa is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Ispa misses with a low kick.
Lõhmus just misses with a punch to the body.
Lõhmus keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lõhmus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ispa.
Lõhmus swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lõhmus blocks the body kick.
Ispa shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus connects with a body shot that sends Ispa's belly button to the back.
Lõhmus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ispa lands a glancing blow to the side of Lõhmus's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
That kick from Lõhmus tenderised Ispa's leg. Ispa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ispa cracks Lõhmus with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lõhmus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lõhmus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ispa.
Lõhmus takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lõhmus takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Joosep Lõhmus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ispa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ispa throws a body kick that misses.
Lõhmus needs to keep his hands up - Ispa had a free shot at his head there.

Ispa moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tank Ispa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ispa drives through and clinches with Lõhmus against the cage.
Ispa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lõhmus can do to turn this around?
Lõhmus wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ispa struggles to land a body shot inside as Lõhmus controls his hands.
Ispa lands a hook that snaps the head of Lõhmus backwards.
Lõhmus lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Lõhmus's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ispa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ispa staying out of range there.
Lõhmus throws a body punch but Ispa moves out of range.
Ispa misses with the body kick
and Lõhmus counters with a good, hard body kick but Ispa shrugs it off.
Ispa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lõhmus cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ispa misses with a body shot
and Lõhmus counters with a stiff right hand.
Ispa wants to clinch.
Lõhmus throws out a counter right but Ispa avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ispa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lõhmus sees it coming and avoids it easily.
An inside leg kick from Ispa misses.
Ispa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ispa misses with a right hand
and Lõhmus counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ispa's knee momentarily.
Lõhmus lands a slapping body shot.
Ispa checks a leg kick.
Lõhmus misses with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Ispa. Those never looked like landing.
Ispa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lõhmus avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tank Ispa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ispa tests Lõhmus's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ispa misses with a lunging right hand
and Lõhmus counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ispa looks to score with a jab to the body but Lõhmus is just out of range.
Lõhmus unleashes a big counter combination but Ispa bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lõhmus scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tank Ispa is winning the standup battle so far.
Good leg kick by Lõhmus there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lõhmus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ispa.
Lõhmus tries to score with a low kick but Ispa moves his leg out of the way.
Ispa looks to score with a jab to the body but Lõhmus is just out of range.
Lõhmus paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lõhmus tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ispa's elbow.
A short body shot lands from Lõhmus as the two fighters clinch.

Lõhmus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lõhmus drops his hands momentarily and Ispa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ispa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lõhmus.
Ispa misses with a left hand
and Lõhmus counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab from Lõhmus misses.
Good work by Ispa as he checks the leg kick.
Ispa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lõhmus avoids the body shot from Ispa.
Lõhmus connects with a crisp jab.
Ispa wants to clinch but Lõhmus slips to the side
and Lõhmus counters with a nice body shot.
Lõhmus lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Lõhmus. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lõhmus.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ispa.
A slow jab from Ispa misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ispa throws a body punch but Lõhmus moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ispa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lõhmus appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Lõhmus misses with a straight left.
Ispa is looking to counter punch.
Ispa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lõhmus tries to avoid it but Ispa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lõhmus to the ground. Lõhmus escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ispa uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lõhmus has time to react.
Lõhmus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ispa throws out the jab.
Lõhmus attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ispa fails with a takedown attempt.
Lõhmus wants to land a leg kick but Ispa is out of range.
Ispa throws a body shot but no joy.
Ispa goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joosep Lõhmus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lõhmus throws a quick inside leg kick.
A shot to the body from Lõhmus misses
and Ispa counters with a stiff right hand.
Ispa connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lõhmus avoids the head kick by Ispa.
Lõhmus scores with a head kick.
Lõhmus scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lõhmus misses with a looping right.
Ispa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Lõhmus throws a leg kick but Ispa sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ispa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lõhmus.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ispa lands with an uppercut that bounces Lõhmus off the cage and back into range.
Ispa lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lõhmus swats away the attempt to clinch by Ispa.
Ispa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ispa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ispa goes for a double leg but Lõhmus avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lõhmus continues to drive forward.
Lõhmus looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Ispa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ispa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ispa moves away from the strike by Lõhmus.
A slow jab from Ispa misses its intended target.
A low kick from Ispa is predictable there
and Lõhmus counters with a nice uppercut.
Ispa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ispa misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ispa misses with a straight left.
Lõhmus looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ispa throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Lõhmus to counter with a crisp jab.
Ispa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lõhmus blocks a leg kick.
Lõhmus takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ispa thuds his right hand into Lõhmus's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Lõhmus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ispa appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ispa misses with a shot to the body
and Lõhmus counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ispa.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tank Ispa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lõhmus throws a body shot but no joy.
Ispa pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Ispa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus controls the position for a moment.

Ispa tries for a kimura but Lõhmus is defending well.
Ispa tries to advance to mount but can't.
You can see the frustration on Lõhmus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lõhmus is trying to work for a sweep but Ispa has mounted him!
Lõhmus felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Ispa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Lõhmus turns into him and now he's in Ispa's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus won't allow Ispa to sweep him here.
Ispa wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Lõhmus is now in half guard.

Lõhmus decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Ispa fails with a takedown attempt.
Lõhmus changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lõhmus lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ispa backs up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Joosep Lõhmus just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ispa misses with a shot to the body
and Ispa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ispa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lõhmus counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nice defenses there by Ispa.
Ispa keeps Lõhmus at a distance using the push kick.
Ispa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lõhmus misses with a hook. Ispa ducked under it nicely.
Lõhmus takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lõhmus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Lõhmus crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ispa - the referee stops the clock and Lõhmus gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ispa. Lõhmus manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Lõhmus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ispa.

Ispa pushes Lõhmus up against the cage in a clinch.
Lõhmus can't find room to land a body shot as Ispa controls the action.
Lõhmus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ispa misses with some punches.
A right handed body shot lands from Lõhmus.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ispa misses with a body punch.

Lõhmus breaks from the clinch.
Ispa tries to clinch but Lõhmus moves away
and Ispa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lõhmus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lõhmus moves out of range of the leg kick from Ispa.
Lõhmus throws the left hand but Ispa avoids the punch easily.
Ispa fails with the takedown
and Lõhmus counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Lõhmus lands a big uppercut and Ispa crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Ispa looks OK. Lõhmus waves Ispa back to his feet!

Ispa is rocked!
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!
Lõhmus throws a leg kick
and Ispa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Oh Ispa is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ispa checks a leg kick nicely.
Lõhmus cracks Ispa with a hook to the temple - Ispa is on wobbly legs here! Lõhmus swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Ispa falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Lõhmus wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Joosep Lõhmus!