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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tapani Kansalainen (ranked 1296 p4p, 1707 weight class) and John Starman (ranked 177 p4p, 226 weight class). Starman has chosen David Bowie - Starman as his entrance music. 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.
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| 169 cm
35
157
28 - 18 - 2 |
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178 cm
35
165
24 - 19 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 28 - 18 - 2, fighting out of London, Tapani Kansalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Starman!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starman takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kansalainen misses with a kick to the body
and Starman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Starman there.
Starman stalling away here and it's allowed Kansalainen to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kansalainen is pulling down on Starman's head to control his posture.
Kansalainen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Starman pushes Kansalainen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kansalainen breaks the clinch.
Starman scores with a nice strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Starman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kansalainen misses with a low kick.
Starman slips under a jab from Kansalainen.
Starman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Starman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Starman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Starman slips under a jab from Kansalainen.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Starman! But no joy.
Kansalainen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Starman looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kansalainen throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Starman counter with a right hand.
Kansalainen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kansalainen misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Kansalainen misses the target.
Starman just misses with a punch to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Starman. Those never looked like landing.
Kansalainen misses with a wild body shot.
Kansalainen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kansalainen defending well as Starman loads up on a big left hand.
Starman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kansalainen throws a low kick but Starman moves out of range easily.
Kansalainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Starman was well out of range. Poor timing from Kansalainen.
Starman closes the distance and clinches.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Starman backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Starman manages to break the clinch.
Starman fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kansalainen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Starman fails with a takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Starman misses.
Starman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kansalainen throws a lazy right hand but Starman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Starman moves out of range of the strikes.
Kansalainen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Starman stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tapani Kansalainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kansalainen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Starman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kansalainen moves away.
Kansalainen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kansalainen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kansalainen is looking to slow Starman down with leg kicks.
Starman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kansalainen.
Starman drops his hands momentarily and Kansalainen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kansalainen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Starman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Starman thuds his right hand into Kansalainen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Starman has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Starman throws out a counter right but Kansalainen avoids it with no problem.
Tapani Kansalainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Starman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kansalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Starman moves away.
Starman moves out of range of the body kick.
Kansalainen throws a shot from downtown. Starman moves away and avoids it.
Kansalainen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Starman feints the counter takedown.
Starman moves out of range of the strikes.
Starman dips to his left and cracks Kansalainen with an uppercut!
Starman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
An inside leg kick from Kansalainen misses.
Starman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kansalainen connects with a leg kick.
Kansalainen moves out of range of the strikes.
Kansalainen throws out a leg kick but Starman moves out of range and Kansalainen only half commits.
A low kick from Kansalainen is predictable there
and Starman counters with a straight right hand.
Starman misses with an uppercut.
It looked like Kansalainen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Starman throws a looping overhand right but Kansalainen ducks down to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Starman slips a straight right 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 slips a jab from Starman.
Starman with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kansalainen to score with a decent uppercut.
Starman slips under a jab.
Kansalainen misses with a low kick.
Kansalainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kansalainen throws the kick towards the body but Starman avoids it.
Kansalainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Starman.
Kansalainen scores with a hook to the body. Starman takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick
and Starman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kansalainen swings for the body but Starman moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kansalainen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kansalainen thumps Starman with a low kick.
Starman throws a jab when Kansalainen was well out of range.
Kansalainen missing with a left hand there. Starman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Tapani Kansalainen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
A bone on bone clash there as Starman blocks the leg kick.
Starman is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kansalainen with a body shot.
Kansalainen misses with a hook.
Starman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kansalainen misses with a wild body shot.
Kansalainen lands with a slapping head kick.
Kansalainen lands a body shot.
Starman scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kansalainen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kansalainen just misses with a punch to the body.
Starman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kansalainen.
Starman blocks a low kick nicely.
Tapani Kansalainen is winning the standup battle so far.
Kansalainen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Starman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kansalainen throws the left hand but Starman avoids the punch easily.
Starman blocks a low kick nicely.
A little jabbing left from Starman on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kansalainen throws a right and a left that Starman avoids nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Starman. Kansalainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kansalainen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Starman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Starman! But no joy.
Starman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kansalainen. Kansalainen obviously looking to wear him down.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Kansalainen.
Starman misses with a body shot.
Kansalainen misses with a lunging right hand
and Starman counters with a nice body shot.
Starman jabs Kansalainen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kansalainen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Starman misses with a hook.
Kansalainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Starman defending well as Kansalainen loads up on a big left hand.
Kansalainen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Starman's head.
Kansalainen throws a right hand that Starman ducks under and follows up with a left that Starman also avoids with ease.
A countering left hand to the body from Starman misses.
Kansalainen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kansalainen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kansalainen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Starman stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen misses with a body shot.
Starman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A leg kick checked by Starman.
Kansalainen walks into a jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Starman. Kansalainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Kansalainen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kansalainen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Starman.
A clash of legs there as Starman blocks the low kick.
Kansalainen cracks Starman with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Starman just misses with a punch to the body.
Starman is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Starman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kansalainen.
Starman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Starman moves out of range as Kansalainen throws a body kick.
Kansalainen throws a hook but Starman blocks it.
Kansalainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Starman throws out the jab.
Kansalainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Starman.
Kansalainen went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Starman scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kansalainen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Starman's sensitive parts.
Starman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kansalainen is fending him off so far but Starman persists. Nope, Kansalainen circles away and we're back to standing.
Kansalainen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little jabbing left from Starman on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starman throws a hook but Kansalainen blocks it.
Kansalainen is looking to land body kicks.
Starman throws a hook to the side of Kansalainen's head but Kansalainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kansalainen thows a body kick. Starman tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Starman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Starman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kansalainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Starman.
Kansalainen tries to land a front kick but Starman steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Starman lands with a shot to the body.
Starman misses with a few strikes there.
Starman throws a lazy right hand but Kansalainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kansalainen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Starman! But no joy.
Starman throws a shot from downtown. Kansalainen moves away and avoids it.
Kansalainen lands a nice looking body shot.
Starman takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Starman shoots in for a takedown but Kansalainen shows good takedown defense.
Starman's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kansalainen misses with a hook.
Kansalainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Kansalainen.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kansalainen moves out of range of the strikes.
Starman takes one on the button.
Kansalainen wants to slow Starman down by chopping away at his legs.
Kansalainen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Starman scores with a sloppy right hand. Kansalainen should have avoided that one.
Kansalainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Starman.
Starman checks the leg kick nicely there.
Starman uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Starman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Starman throws a right hand that Kansalainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Kansalainen also avoids with ease.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Starman clinches up against the cage.
Starman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kansalainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed right hand from Kansalainen misses the target.
Kansalainen takes a swing at Starman's ribcage but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Tapani Kansalainen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!
Kansalainen thumps Starman with a low kick.
Starman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Starman darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Starman thuds his right hand into Kansalainen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Starman lands a body shot.
Starman looking to score a takedown here. Kansalainen is defending well but Starman drives through and ends up in Kansalainen's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Starman wants to control from the top but Kansalainen keeps moving.
Starman showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Starman tries to free his leg and advance position but Kansalainen is retaining full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Kansalainen's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Starman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Starman's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Starman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Starman trying to control the position from guard on top but Kansalainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kansalainen trying to control the position.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nice jab there from Starman.
The crowd cheers as Kansalainen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Starman doesn't seem phased though.
Tapani Kansalainen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starman swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
letting Starman counter with a right hand.
Kansalainen tries to land a leg kick but Starman saw it coming and moves away.
Starman looks to land a left hand but Kansalainen moved out of range nicely.
A shot to the liver by Starman. Beautiful body shot.
Starman lands a head shot.
Kansalainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A left and a right from Kansalainen both land. Nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kansalainen digs a good hook to Starman's body.
Kansalainen looks to land a left hand but Starman moved out of range nicely.
A low kick from Kansalainen is predictable there
and Starman counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Starman misses with a wild body shot.
Kansalainen scores with a jab to the head.
Kansalainen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Starman.
A countering left hand to the body from Starman misses.
Kansalainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Starman is just out of range.
Starman drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kansalainen defends it well.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kansalainen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kansalainen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Starman.
Kansalainen slips a straight right by Starman.
Kansalainen lands with a straight right. Starman didn't see that one coming.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut. Starman saw that one coming.
Kansalainen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Starman misses with a body shot.
Kansalainen thinks about countering with a body kick.
Starman looks to land a combination but Kansalainen avoids it well.
Starman lands with a shot to the body.
Starman throws a series of punches but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Kansalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Starman moves away.
Starman uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kansalainen has time to react.
Starman ducks under a wild hook from Kansalainen.
Starman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws a low kick, looking for Starman's leg but Starman calmly moves out of range.
Kansalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Starman moves away.
John Starman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kansalainen misses with a kick to the body.
A leg kick checked by Starman.
Starman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Starman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kansalainen manages to avoid it.
Kansalainen feints and then cracks Starman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Starman down.
Starman slips under a jab from Kansalainen.
Starman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kansalainen walks into a jab.
Starman misses with a left hand
and Kansalainen counters with a straight right hand.
Kansalainen throws a front kick aimed at Starman's knee but Starman avoids it well.
Starman blocks a jab.
Kansalainen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kansalainen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Starman counters with a nice uppercut.
Starman tries to clinch up but Kansalainen circles away and keeps his distance.
Starman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kansalainen.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Starman.
I think Kansalainen 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tapani Kansalainen!
After the fight, Tapani Kansalainen was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
John Starman spoke after the fight, saying 'Come on not again!'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
74% |
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