PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Steele
vs
Taalasmaa

180 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joseph Steele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kari Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taalasmaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Steele.

Steele rushes Taalasmaa and presses him up against the cage.
Steele has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Taalasmaa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Steele landing knees to the body.
Steele lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Taalasmaa wants a takedown but no success here.
Steele tries to land a knee to the head but Taalasmaa blocks with his arms.
Steele trying to land knees to the body.
Taalasmaa is working for takedown but Steele is calmly controlling the position for now.
Steele with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Taalasmaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taalasmaa dodges an elbow strike from Steele.
Taalasmaa takes an elbow to the forehead.
Taalasmaa blocks the elbow strike.
Steele can't break the clinch.
Taalasmaa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Steele just stands there and leans against the cage.
Joseph Steele has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Taalasmaa.
Steele scores with a shot to the side of Taalasmaa's head.
Taalasmaa keeps control of Steele as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Steele gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Taalasmaa regains guard.
Taalasmaa tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taalasmaa has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Steele off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Steele could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
No luck for Steele with that takedown attempt.

Steele has closed the distance and engaged Taalasmaa in a clinch.
Taalasmaa jumps guard but Steele stands there with Taalasmaa around his waist. Taalasmaa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Steele misses with an elbow over the top.
Taalasmaa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Steele is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Steele is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Taalasmaa can't fight it off and eventually Steele manages to take the fight to the floor. Taalasmaa looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taalasmaa has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Steele has passed into side control.
Steele scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steele decides to stand up, so the ref orders Taalasmaa to his feet.
Steele is looking to clinch.
Taalasmaa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Steele counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Taalasmaa!
Steele is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Taalasmaa tries to improve his position but instead Steele has taken his back!
Taalasmaa wants to get back to his feet.
Taalasmaa breaks Steele's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Steele is looking to stand up but Taalasmaa isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taalasmaa stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Taalasmaa shoots and misses

and Steele counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Taalasmaa tries to kick Steele off in order to stand up. Steele Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Steele off and has taken his back!
Taalasmaa lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Steele hold on?!
Taalasmaa punches the canvas rather than the man.
Taalasmaa misses with punches from the back.
Steele is trying to escape under a series of strikes and manages to escape from Taalasmaa 's hooks.
Taalasmaa landing strikes, looking to finish!

Steele is rocked!
Taalasmaa landing punches.
Oh Steele is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taalasmaa is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Steele dominated that round.
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.

Taalasmaa closes the distance looking for a takedown. Steele stuffs it but Taalasmaa still has hold of him. Taalasmaa picks Steele up in a fireman's lift! The crowd roars in approval. Taalasmaa slams Steele to the floor and that's really hurt Steele - he doesn't know where he is! Taalasmaa throws a couple of strikes and the referee steps in to save him! This one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kari Taalasmaa!