PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kagekatsu Uesugi (ranked 176 p4p, 19 weight class) and Tapani Kansalainen (ranked 280 p4p, 36 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Uesugi
vs
Kansalainen

182 cm
32
166 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

169 cm
31
157 lbs
22 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Altitude Clothing
FF Gear

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 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kagekatsu Uesugi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tapani Kansalainen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kansalainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Uesugi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Uesugi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've been told by Uesugi's head coaches at Rings Russia that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kansalainen connects with a leg kick. Uesugi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Uesugi misses the shot to the body.
Uesugi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kansalainen catches Uesugi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kansalainen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Uesugi checks it well.
Kansalainen digs a good body shot into Uesugi's ribs.

Kansalainen darts in and clinches Uesugi up against the cage.
Uesugi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Uesugi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Kansalainen breaks the clinch.
Uesugi looks to score with a jab to the body but Kansalainen is just out of range.
Uesugi takes a swing at Kansalainen's ribcage but misses.
The fighters circling - Kansalainen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Uesugi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kansalainen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Uesugi is looking to wear down Kansalainen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Uesugi misses with a combination
and Kansalainen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Uesugi sizes up Kansalainen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kansalainen tries to work over Uesugi's front leg with a kick but Uesugi checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uesugi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kansalainen lands a slapping body shot.

Kansalainen rushes Uesugi and presses him up against the cage.
Uesugi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Uesugi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kansalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Uesugi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kansalainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Uesugi.
Uesugi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kansalainen backwards.
Uesugi just leaning against Kansalainen, taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Uesugi.
Kansalainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Uesugi misses with some punches.
Uesugi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kansalainen working aggressively here.
Uesugi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Uesugi scores with a shot to the side of Kansalainen's head.
Come on Uesugi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kansalainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kansalainen jumps guard but Uesugi stands there with Kansalainen around his waist. Kansalainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Uesugi trying to stall but Kansalainen improves his position.
Uesugi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Uesugi throws a punch but it's blocked by Kansalainen.
Uesugi misses with a punch to the body.
Uesugi lands with a right to the head.
Kansalainen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Uesugi or not.
Kansalainen throws a head punch that misses.

Kansalainen successfully pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Uesugi looking to pass the guard.
Uesugi postures up.
Uesugi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Uesugi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Uesugi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Uesugi wanted to stand there but Kansalainen had control of the position.
Uesugi controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kansalainen working for a triangle but Uesugi defends it easily.
Uesugi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Uesugi looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Uesugi stays in close to Kansalainen's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fighters circling - Kansalainen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Uesugi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kansalainen lands a head kick!
Uesugi moves away from the strike by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen scores with a hook to the body. Uesugi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Uesugi misses with a wild body shot.
Uesugi throws a body punch but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Kansalainen throws a hook but Uesugi blocks it.
Kansalainen looks to land a left hand but Uesugi moved out of range nicely.
It looked like Uesugi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big left from Uesugi misses.
Uesugi blocks a low kick nicely.
As Kansalainen tries to get set, Uesugi tries to push him back and clinch up but Kansalainen manages to avoid the attempt.
Kansalainen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Uesugi doesn't seem bothered though.
Uesugi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kansalainen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kansalainen throws a hook to the side of Uesugi's head but Uesugi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kansalainen looks to land a right hand but Uesugi moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tapani Kansalainen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kansalainen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Uesugi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kansalainen throws a low kick, looking for Uesugi's leg but Uesugi calmly moves out of range.
Uesugi misses with an uppercut. Kansalainen saw that one coming.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Kansalainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kansalainen scores with a body shot.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick but Uesugi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut. Uesugi saw that one coming.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Uesugi punishes Kansalainen's body with a nice straight punch.
Kansalainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Uesugi.
A nice side step and Kansalainen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tapani Kansalainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kansalainen clobbers Uesugi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Kansalainen clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Uesugi.
Kansalainen lands a hook that snaps the head of Uesugi backwards.
Kansalainen lands a hook that snaps the head of Uesugi backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hook to the body lands for Uesugi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Uesugi.
Kansalainen is trying to force a seperation but Uesugi has the dominant position.
Uesugi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Uesugi.
Uesugi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The referee calls for Uesugi to work.
Still in the clinch, Kansalainen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kansalainen misses with some punches.
Uesugi is stalling here.
Kansalainen misses with the head strike.
Kansalainen jumps guard but Uesugi stands there with Kansalainen around his waist. Kansalainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kansalainen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Uesugi backwards.
Kansalainen misses with a body punch.
Kansalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Uesugi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Uesugi struggles to land a body shot inside as Kansalainen controls his hands.
Uesugi leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kansalainen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kansalainen tries a body shot but Uesugi blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Uesugi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kansalainen tries to pull guard but Uesugi holds him up against the cage and eventually Kansalainen drops back down to his feet.
Uesugi throws a punch but it's blocked by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kansalainen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Uesugi.
Uesugi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kansalainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kansalainen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Uesugi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kansalainen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Uesugi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Uesugi throws a head punch that misses.
Uesugi lands an uppercut.
Kansalainen is trying to push Uesugi away but Uesugi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short uppercut from Kansalainen.

Kansalainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kansalainen ducks under a wild hook from Uesugi.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Uesugi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kansalainen manages to avoid it.
Uesugi lands a head shot.
Kansalainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kansalainen swings for the body but Uesugi moves out of range.
Uesugi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Uesugi misses with a body shot.
Uesugi looks to score with a jab to the body but Kansalainen is just out of range.

Uesugi closes the distance and clinches.
Uesugi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Uesugi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Uesugi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tapani Kansalainen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Uesugi lands a hook that snaps the head of Kansalainen backwards.
Uesugi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kansalainen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Uesugi backwards.
Uesugi lands a hook that snaps the head of Kansalainen backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A shot in the inside from Kansalainen.

Kansalainen breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Uesugi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen lands a right hook to the body.
Kansalainen lands a right hook to the body.
Kansalainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Uesugi throws out the jab.
And Kansalainen responds with a good body kick, but Uesugi manages to step out the way in time.
Uesugi takes a swing at Kansalainen's ribcage but misses.
Kansalainen looks for the body kick but Uesugi saw that one coming.

Kansalainen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Uesugi tries to stall but Kansalainen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Uesugi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kansalainen backwards.
Kansalainen misses with the head strike.
Uesugi leaning against his opponent.
Uesugi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kansalainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Uesugi.
Uesugi tries to work over Kansalainen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kansalainen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kansalainen misses with a body punch.
Uesugi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tapani Kansalainen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kansalainen missing with a left hand there. Uesugi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Kansalainen misses with a low kick.
Jab, jab by Kansalainen - just one landing.
Uesugi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kansalainen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Uesugi misses with a looping left.
A telegraphed right hand from Uesugi misses the target.
Uesugi jabs Kansalainen right on the nose. Kansalainen blinks but takes it well.
Uesugi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Uesugi connects with a nice looking jab.
Kansalainen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Uesugi counters with a right hand to the body.
Kansalainen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kansalainen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kansalainen misses with a body kick.
Kansalainen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Uesugis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kansalainen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A shot to the liver by Uesugi. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Uesugi lands a nice shot to the body.
Kansalainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Uesugi is just out of range.
Uesugi lands a slapping body shot.

Kansalainen darts in and clinches Uesugi up against the cage.
Uesugi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Uesugi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kansalainen lands a body punch.
Uesugi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Uesugi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Uesugi leaning against his opponent.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Uesugi.
Kansalainen jumps guard but Uesugi stands there with Kansalainen around his waist. Kansalainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Uesugi fails to land.
Uesugi is struggling to control the position.
Kansalainen scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi is stalling here.
A short right from Kansalainen on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Uesugi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kansalainen is keeping busy.
A short uppercut from Kansalainen.
A short body shot lands from Uesugi as the two fighters clinch.
Uesugi misses with the head strike.
Uesugi throws a head punch that misses.
Kansalainen tries to pull guard but Uesugi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Uesugi has Kansalainen pressed against the cage, preventing Kansalainen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A shot in the inside from Uesugi.
Uesugi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kansalainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Kansalainen on the inside.
Kansalainen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kansalainen prevents a body shot from Uesugi.
Kansalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Uesugi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kansalainen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kagekatsu Uesugi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen tries to work over Uesugi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kansalainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Uesugi can't find room to land a body shot as Kansalainen controls the action.
Uesugi is looking to control Kansalainen's arms but Kansalainen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Uesugi has his back to the cage.
Kansalainen lands with a light punch inside.
Kansalainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Come on Uesugi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kansalainen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Uesugi smiles and moves away.
Kagekatsu Uesugi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tapani Kansalainen.
Uesugi throws a body shot but no joy.
Kansalainen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Uesugi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kansalainen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Uesugi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kansalainen looks to throw the jab but Uesugi is out of range.
Kansalainen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Uesugi's calf.
Kansalainen connects with a leg kick. Uesugi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kansalainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Uesugi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi throws a body shot but no joy.
Kansalainen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kansalainen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Uesugi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kansalainen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kansalainen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kansalainen moves into range and clinches up with Uesugi.
Kansalainen cracks Uesugi with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kansalainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kansalainen.
Uesugi throws a head punch that misses.
Uesugi tries a body shot but Kansalainen blocks it.
Kansalainen lands a nice shot to the body.
Kansalainen lands with a right to the head.
Kansalainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Kansalainen on the inside.
Kansalainen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Uesugi smiles and moves away.

Kansalainen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tapani Kansalainen.
Well Kansalainen 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tapani Kansalainen!
Tapani Kansalainen decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.