PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ulla Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rauta Vaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Taalasmaa
vs
Vaara

180 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
188 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ulla Taalasmaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rauta Vaara!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taalasmaa throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Taalasmaa slips a straight right by Vaara.
Good standup being displayed there by Taalasmaa as he connects with a hook.
Vaara circles away from the clinch attempt.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vaara shoots in for a takedown but Taalasmaa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Taalasmaa throws a jab when Vaara was well out of range.
Ulla Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taalasmaa scores with a nice strike.
Taalasmaa misses with a series of wild punches.
Vaara shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A combination from Taalasmaa does no damage.
Taalasmaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vaara was well out of range. Poor timing from Taalasmaa.
Vaara fails with a takedown attempt.
Ulla Taalasmaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rauta Vaara.
Vaara avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taalasmaa slips a jab and a cross from Vaara.
Taalasmaa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vaara throws a head kick but Taalasmaa moves out of range.
Taalasmaa stuffs the takedown.
Vaara keeps the fight on the outside.
Taalasmaa is looking to clinch but Vaara is avoiding it.
Taalasmaa scores with a three punch combo!
Vaara avoids the body shot from Taalasmaa.

Vaara gets the takedown into side control.

Vaara decides to stand back up. Vaara steps back and let's Taalasmaa get back to his feet.
Vaara dives in and grabs Taalasmaa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Taalasmaa pushes down on Vaara's head and hops out.
Vaara looks gassed!
Taalasmaa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vaara on the side of the head.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch up but Vaara circles away and keeps his distance.
Vaara misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Taalasmaa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ulla Taalasmaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is looking to clinch.
Taalasmaa throws a left and a right that both miss

and Vaara counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Vaara.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vaara wants to control from the top but Taalasmaa keeps moving.
Taalasmaa throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Taalasmaa working a defensive guard here.
Vaara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Taalasmaa is keeping the position for now.
Taalasmaa controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaara working some strikes from top position.
Taalasmaa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Vaara slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Taalasmaa pushes Vaara away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Vaara gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Vaara passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Taalasmaa!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to lock up and control but Vaara gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Vaara looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Vaara lands a big elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vaara has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Taalasmaa's face.
Vaara sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Vaara has isolated one of Taalasmaa's arms. Taalasmaa looking to fight him off but Vaara twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rauta Vaara!