PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Josh Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jyrska Velmu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velmu has chosen UFO - Doctor Doctor as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Taylor
vs
Velmu

175 cm
24
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

177 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Josh Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jyrska Velmu!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velmu has a takedown stuffed.
Velmu cracks a nice hook into Taylor's ribs.
Velmu scores with a kick to the body.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Velmu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Velmu leaves Taylor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Taylor shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Velmu napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Velmu wants to control but Taylor postures up.
Velmu is looking to reverse the position.
Velmu can't do much from the bottom here.
Velmu is looking for a sweep.
Velmu manages to get back to half guard.
Velmu regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Velmu working for a triangle but Taylor defends it easily.

Velmu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor drops back, looking for a kneebar! Velmu looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Velmu looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Velmu!

Velmu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Taylor knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Velmu is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Taylor has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Velmu.

Velmu is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Taylor is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Velmu postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Velmu swings around for an armbar but Taylor sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Velmu's guard.
Taylor with a flurry of punches that miss.

Velmu looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Taylor passes into side control.
Taylor has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor prevents Velmu from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Taylor looking to isolate an arm here. Velmu doesn't see it coming and as Taylor extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Taylor!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Josh Taylor!