PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Mir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taalasmaa's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Jore Marjaranta - Tunteisiin. Mir has chosen Sub-Mission as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Cain Mir enters the cage!

Taalasmaa
vs
Mir

184 cm
27
194 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

185 cm
24
190 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Crashforce Nutrition

STEEL PENN'S SKIN SHOP $2 Shirts/Shorts

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 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Taalasmaa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Cain Mir!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mir throws a right and a left that Taalasmaa avoids nicely.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Mir is just out of range.
Mir will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taalasmaa punishes Mir's body with a nice straight punch.
Taalasmaa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mir.
Mir throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mir ducks under a wild hook from Taalasmaa.
Mir misses with a wild body shot.
Mir lands a nice shot that snaps Taalasmaa's head back.
Kari Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mir misses with a body punch
and Taalasmaa counters with a left to the body.
Mir uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa throws a shot from downtown. Mir moves away and avoids it.
Mir throws a wild body kick that Taalasmaa sees coming a mile off.
Mir misses with a wild body shot.
Taalasmaa throws a sloppy body shot
and Mir makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Mir misses with a double jab.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook. Mir ducked under it nicely.
Mir lands with an uppercut that bounces Taalasmaa off the cage and back into rage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Taalasmaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mir misses with a takedown attempt

and Taalasmaa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Taalasmaa is trying to control. Mir wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mir is trying to get back to full guard.
Mir is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Taalasmaa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Mir looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Taalasmaa passes to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Mir sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Taalasmaa decides to stand back up.
Mir scores with a hook to the body. Taalasmaa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
No luck for Mir with that takedown attempt.
Mir ducks under a wild hook from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa fails in his attempt to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mir.
Taalasmaa blocks the body kick.
Nice defenses there by Mir.
Taalasmaa swings for the body but Mir moves out of range.
Taalasmaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taalasmaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mir with a nice cross.

Taalasmaa clinches up with Mir and pushes him back against the cage.
Mir tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Taalasmaa just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kari Taalasmaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Mir.
Mir prevents a body shot from Taalasmaa.
Mir is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Taalasmaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Mir fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa has a couple of punches blocked by Mir.
Mir 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.
Taalasmaa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mirs head.
Taalasmaa digs a right hand into Mir's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mir's gas tank.
Taalasmaa lands a nice elbow.
Mir blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mir looking to stall.
Mir makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mir is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Taalasmaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Taalasmaa lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mir dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Taalasmaa working aggressively here.
Taalasmaa looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Mir misses with a hook to the ribs.
Taalasmaa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mir backwards.
Taalasmaa is pressed up against the cage. Mir has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Taalasmaa down to the mat. Taalasmaa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mir gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Horrible takedown by Taalasmaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Mir which made him look bad.
Taalasmaa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mir looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mir closes the distance and clinches up with Taalasmaa, looking for a takedown. Mir pushes Taalasmaa against the cage but Taalasmaa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Taalasmaa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mir doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taalasmaa just misses with a punch to the body.
Taalasmaa stuns Mir with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A cross from Taalasmaa lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Taalasmaa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taalasmaa lands with a good body shot.
Taalasmaa lands a jab to the head.
Taalasmaa thows a body shot but no joy.
Taalasmaa walks into a jab.
Mir bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taalasmaa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Taalasmaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mir ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taalasmaa moves away.
Taalasmaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mir was well out of range. Poor timing from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa misses with a wild body shot.
Taalasmaa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Taalasmaa scores with a hook.
Taalasmaa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mir throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mir doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Taalasmaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Mir is just out of range.
Taalasmaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mir moves away.

Taalasmaa throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mir was covering up waiting for the punch and Taalasmaa finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Taalasmaa gets to his feet. Mir looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mir throws a sloppy head kick and Taalasmaa moves out of range easily.
Taalasmaa tries for a takedown but Mir sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mir swings away with a body shot that misses
and Mir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mir shoots for a takedown but Taalasmaa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Mir.
Taalasmaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mir was well out of range. Poor timing from Taalasmaa.
Mir pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Taalasmaa rushes Mir and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mir wants a takedown.
Kari Taalasmaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Mir.
Mir wants a takedown.
Mir is breathing heavily.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mir obliges.
Taalasmaa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mir is looking to control Taalasmaa's arms but Taalasmaa gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mir has his back to the cage.
Taalasmaa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taalasmaa lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mir drops down looking for an ankle pick but Taalasmaa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Taalasmaa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mir looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Taalasmaa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mir counters with a solid body kick.
Kari Taalasmaa is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Taalasmaa misses.
Mir on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Mir looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mir throws a front kick aimed at Taalasmaa's knee but Taalasmaa avoids it well.
Mir wants to land a leg kick but Taalasmaa is out of range.
Mir takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Taalasmaa is looking to clinch.
Good exchange - Taalasmaa coming out on top.
Taalasmaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mir throws a wild body kick that Taalasmaa sees coming a mile off.
Mir misses with a jab to the body
and Taalasmaa counters with a left and a right that stings Mir.
Mir looks to throw the jab but Taalasmaa is out of range.
Mir walks into a left hand.
Taalasmaa is looking to wear down Mir with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa lands with a nice body punch.
A big left from Taalasmaa misses.
Taalasmaa misses the shot to the body.
Mir blocks a jab.
Taalasmaa avoids the body shot from Mir.
Mir misses with a straight right.
Mir is trying desperately to land a takedown but Taalasmaa is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Mir.
That kick from Mir tenderised Taalasmaa's leg. Taalasmaa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Taalasmaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Taalasmaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mir.
Mir avoids the body shot from Taalasmaa.
Mir takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mir misses with a kick to the body.
Taalasmaa stuns Mir with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Taalasmaa looks to throw the jab but Mir is out of range.
Mir gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Taalasmaa misses the shot to the body.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut. Mir saw that one coming.
Mir bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taalasmaa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Taalasmaa lands with a good body shot.
Taalasmaa misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Mir counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Taalasmaa throws a shot to the body.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Mir is just out of range.
Taalasmaa digs a good hook to Mir's body.
Taalasmaa blocks a head kick by Mir.
Taalasmaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mir sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mir uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taalasmaa.
Mir uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taalasmaa.
Mir takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mir ducks under a wild hook from Taalasmaa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taalasmaa throws a leg kick that is checked

and Mir counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mir lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Taalasmaa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taalasmaa manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Taalasmaa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Taalasmaa scoring with strikes but Mir is staying in there.
BOOM! Taalasmaa connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mir is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mir wants to hold on but Taalasmaa pushes him away.
Mir is looking to improve his position but Taalasmaa isn't that keen on the idea.
Taalasmaa with good strikes from the mount here!
Mir working to try and regain half guard.
Taalasmaa with good strikes from the mount here!
Taalasmaa scoring with strikes but Mir is staying in there.

Mir is rocked!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Taalasmaa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Mir is still in real trouble! Can Taalasmaa finish him?
Mir is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa drops a big elbow. That's hurt Mir! More shots from Taalasmaa and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kari Taalasmaa!
Kari Taalasmaa retains his middleweight title!