PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cain Mir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Mir might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Sub-Mission. Taalasmaa has chosen Jore Marjaranta - Tunteisiin as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Mir
vs
Taalasmaa

185 cm
23
190 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

184 cm
26
197 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Asphyxiation Ltd. 14.99-24.99 (CBK)

Control Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Cain Mir!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mir closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mir lands in his opponent's guard.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mir trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.

Taalasmaa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mir loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mir is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mir pushes down on Taalasmaa's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mir prevents Taalasmaa from improving his position.
Mir stalling.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mir lands a nice short elbow.
Mir content to control rather than advance.
Mir sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Taalasmaa defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Taalasmaa is looking for a sweep. Mir is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mir is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Taalasmaa!
Mir throwing strikes here but Taalasmaa is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Mir has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mir sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Mir moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Taalasmaa has worked his arm free - good work by Taalasmaa!
Taalasmaa sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mir.
Mir content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mir tries to pass the half guard into mount. Taalasmaa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Mir is working for a submission of some sort.
Taalasmaa is looking for a sweep. Mir is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mir doesn't manage to clinch there - Taalasmaa circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Taalasmaa lands with an uppercut that bounces Mir off the cage and back into rage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mir looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Taalasmaa tries for a takedown but Mir circles away easily
and Mir counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Taalasmaa thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Mir dominated that round.
That's time! Mir's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Taalasmaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mir misses with a body kick.
Taalasmaa steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Mir. That one must have hurt.

Mir throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Taalasmaa was covering up waiting for the punch and Mir finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mir trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mir trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taalasmaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taalasmaa keeping moving, preventing Mir from controlling successfully.
Mir stands and throws Taalasmaa's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mir controls the position.

Mir is trying to get an arm triangle but Taalasmaa is defending well.
Taalasmaa tries to bench press Mir off him but Mir keeps the position.
Mir working the ground and pound from side control.
Taalasmaa tries to bench press Mir off him but Mir keeps the position.

Mir looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Taalasmaa wants to get back to his feet.
Taalasmaa gets back to half guard.
Mir trying to control from half guard but Taalasmaa is working away.
Taalasmaa tries to get to full guard but Mir has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mir moves away from the strike by Taalasmaa.
Mir fails to land the takedown.
Mir slips a jab from Taalasmaa.
Mir shoots and misses
enabling Taalasmaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Mir tries to land a front kick but Taalasmaa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mir misses with a hook.
Mir misses with a low kick.
Mir tried to score with a low kick but Taalasmaa checks it.
Kari Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

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.
Mir misses with a two punch combination.
Mir scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A left lands for Mir.
Taalasmaa misses with a body punch
and Mir connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Taalasmaa misses with a combination

and Mir counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Taalasmaa makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Taalasmaa blocks a head kick by Mir.
Taalasmaa swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Mir counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Taalasmaa wants to improve his position but instead Mir has moved into half guard.
Mir is keen to just control but Taalasmaa is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Mir dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Taalasmaa blocks a low kick nicely.
Mir shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mir shoots in for a takedown but Taalasmaa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mir shoots in but Taalasmaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mir throws a hook but Taalasmaa avoids it easily.
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.
Mir takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mir throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Mir finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A shot to the body from Taalasmaa misses

and Mir counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mir.
Taalasmaa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mir manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mir's guard.
Mir looking to control but Taalasmaa passes into half guard.
Taalasmaa wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Mir uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Mir manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Taalasmaa manages to get himself to full guard.
Mir trying to control but Taalasmaa is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Taalasmaa wants to sweep here but Mir controlling him for the moment.
Mir trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mir trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mir stands up over Taalasmaa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mir postures up and lands a big shot to Taalasmaa's brow.
Cain Mir overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mir thows a big elbow that misses.
Mir trying to control the position from guard on top but Taalasmaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mir is looking to work some ground and pound but Taalasmaa has wrist control.
Taalasmaa wants to sweep but no luck.
Mir throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mir looking to sit in guard and control but Taalasmaa gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Taalasmaa preventing the sweep.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taalasmaa misses the shot to the body.
Mir thows a body shot but no joy.
Mir swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Mir drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mir working the body and head with strikes.
Mir wants to control but Taalasmaa is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Mir clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Taalasmaa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mir closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Taalasmaa swinging wildly here.
Mir dives in and grabs Taalasmaa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Taalasmaa pushes down on Mir's head and hops out.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mir.
Mir misses with a hook to the body
and Taalasmaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Mir shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Taalasmaa defends it nicely.
Taalasmaa lands a right hook to the body.
Taalasmaa throws a hook but Mir blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws a body punch but Mir moves out of range.
Mir connects with a high kick.
Mir looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taalasmaa is fending him off so far but Mir persists. Nope, Taalasmaa circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Mir. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mir waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Taalasmaa.
Mir misses with a straight right.
Mir throws the kick towards the body but Taalasmaa avoids it.
Mir is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A left lands for Taalasmaa.
Mir slips under a jab.
Mir pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Taalasmaa loads up on a big right hand but Mir slips the punch.
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa leaves Mir with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A big right from Taalasmaa misses.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight left.
Taalasmaa catches Mir with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Taalasmaa 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.
Taalasmaa throws a combination that misses
and Mir counters with a straight right hand.
Taalasmaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taalasmaa misses with a wild body shot.
Mir tries to clinch but Taalasmaa is having none of it.
Mir throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Taalasmaa's waist but Taalasmaa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mir off to one side.
Taalasmaa takes a swing at Mir's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mir shoots and misses
and Taalasmaa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mir misses with a head kick.
Taalasmaa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mir shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Taalasmaa sprawls well. Taalasmaa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mir gets slowly back to his feet.
Mir keeps the fight on the outside.
Taalasmaa swings for the body but Mir moves out of range.
Mir slips under a jab.

Mir shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Taalasmaa is trying to defend but Mir finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Taalasmaa is looking for a sweep. Mir is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Taalasmaa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mir preventing the sweep.
Taalasmaa lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mir!
Mir wants to control but Taalasmaa is having none of it.
Mir is trying to escape the mount.
Taalasmaa working the ground and pound effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Taalasmaa dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Taalasmaa lands with a shot to the body.
Mir scores with a jab to the body.
Mir tries a head kick but it misses.
Taalasmaa misses with a wild combination.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch but Mir moves out of range.
Taalasmaa throws a right and a left that Mir avoids nicely.
Mir looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taalasmaa is looking to clinch but Mir is avoiding it.
Mir throws a wild body kick that Taalasmaa sees coming a mile off.
Taalasmaa misses with a looping left.
Mir misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mir takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A swing and a miss from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa misses the jab.
Mir throws a sloppy head kick and Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.
Taalasmaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mir sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kari Taalasmaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mir lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A shot to the body from Taalasmaa misses
and Mir counters with a straight right hand.
Mir misses with a body kick.
Taalasmaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mir manages to avoid it.
Mir throws a sloppy head kick and Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.
Mir looks to land a left hand but Taalasmaa moved out of range nicely.
Mir fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taalasmaa manages to avoid it.
Kari Taalasmaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight left.
Taalasmaa lands a jab.
Mir misses the shot to the body.
Mir looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taalasmaa is fending him off so far but Mir persists. Nope, Taalasmaa circles away and we're back to standing.
Taalasmaa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Taalasmaa misses with a jab to the body
and Mir counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Taalasmaa thuds his right hand into Mir's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mir avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mir throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taalasmaa misses with a combination
and Mir counters with a good, hard body kick but Taalasmaa shrugs it off.
Mir ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mir misses with a wild combination.
Mir ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taalasmaa moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Taalasmaa misses the target.
Taalasmaa looks to land a right hand but Mir moved out of range.
Taalasmaa avoids the head kick by Mir.
Mir fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taalasmaa manages to avoid it.
Taalasmaa takes a swing at Mir's ribcage but misses.
Mir gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Taalasmaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mir doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Taalasmaa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Mir. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
Mir throws a head kick that misses.
A big right from Taalasmaa misses.
Horrible takedown by Mir or perhaps it was just good defense by Taalasmaa which made him look bad.
Taalasmaa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mir's hands.
Mir with a lazy takedown attempt
and Taalasmaa counters with a right hand to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A shot to the body from Taalasmaa misses

and Mir counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mir.

Taalasmaa working for a triangle but Mir defends it easily.
Cain Mir is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Taalasmaa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mir is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Mir showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mir 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 49:46
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Mir!
Cain Mir retains his middleweight title!