PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Koskinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Koskinen
vs
Taalasmaa

180 cm
22
163 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

170 cm
25
167 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

FULL METAL GEAR
FULL METAL GEAR

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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Koskinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seppo Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koskinen just misses with a punch to the body.
Taalasmaa throws the kick towards the body but Koskinen avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Taalasmaa. Koskinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Koskinen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Koskinen throws the left hand but Taalasmaa avoids the punch easily.
A combination from Koskinen does no damage.
Good standup being displayed there by Taalasmaa as he connects with a hook.
Koskinen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Koskinen misses with a double jab.
Taalasmaa misses with a wild body shot.
Koskinen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Taalasmaa counters with a body kick.
Taalasmaa pushes Koskinen away with a front kick.
A low kick from Koskinen misses

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Koskinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taalasmaa postures up in Koskinen's guard and throws a big left but Koskinen blocks it.
Koskinen looking to control.
Taalasmaa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Koskinen wants to sweep here but Taalasmaa controlling him for the moment.
Taalasmaa is looking to work some ground and pound but Koskinen has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Koskinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koskinen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Koskinen tries to get out of the position.
Taalasmaa is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Koskinen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taalasmaa on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Koskinen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Koskinen misses with a two punch combination.
Mikko Koskinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taalasmaa wants to land a leg kick but Koskinen is out of range.
Koskinen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taalasmaa.
Koskinen is looking to chop away at Taalasmaa's legs.
Taalasmaa blocks a leg kick.
Koskinen lands a body shot.
Taalasmaa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Koskinen is fending him off so far but Taalasmaa persists. Nope, Koskinen circles away and we're back to standing.
Koskinen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Taalasmaa is out of range.
Koskinen throws a series of punches but Taalasmaa avoids them all with ease.
A low kick from Koskinen is predictable there

and Taalasmaa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Taalasmaa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Taalasmaa not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen tries to roll over but Taalasmaa keeps him under control.
Taalasmaa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Koskinen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Taalasmaa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Taalasmaa prevents Koskinen from improving his position.
Koskinen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa is pressing down on Koskinen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Koskinen is holding on for now.
Koskinen tries to get to full guard but Taalasmaa has control of the leg.
Taalasmaa working Koskinen over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taalasmaa is thwarting Koskinen's attempts to control the position.
Koskinen is staying active underneath Taalasmaa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Taalasmaa is nestled in close to Koskinen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Koskinen trying to control from the bottom.
Taalasmaa lands strikes from half guard.
Taalasmaa working Koskinen over with strikes.
Taalasmaa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Koskinen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taalasmaa.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Taalasmaa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Taalasmaa lands with a punch from half guard.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but Koskinen is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen wants to control but Taalasmaa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Taalasmaa winds up and cracks Koskinen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Koskinen is refusing to be controlled, as Taalasmaa sits in half guard.
Koskinen is looking for a sweep. Taalasmaa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but Koskinen is blocking nicely.
Koskinen is trying to maintain the position but Taalasmaa is very close to passing his half guard.
Taalasmaa prevents Koskinen from improving his position.
Taalasmaa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taalasmaa looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taalasmaa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Taalasmaa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Taalasmaa throws a low kick but Koskinen moves out of range easily.
Taalasmaa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Taalasmaa motions for Koskinen to come forward. Taalasmaa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Koskinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Taalasmaa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Koskinen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taalasmaa somewhat.
Koskinen thuds his right hand into Taalasmaa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Taalasmaa attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Koskinen misses.
Taalasmaa thows a body shot but no joy.
Koskinen throws the kick towards the body but Taalasmaa avoids it.
Koskinen throws a front kick aimed at Taalasmaa's knee but Taalasmaa avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taalasmaa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Taalasmaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taalasmaa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Koskinen misses with a wild body shot.
Taalasmaa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Koskinen tries to clinch up.
Taalasmaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Koskinen moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koskinen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mikko Koskinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koskinen misses with a leg kick
and Taalasmaa counters with a nice kick to the body.
Mikko Koskinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taalasmaa scores with a nice head shot.
Koskinen throws a leg kick but Taalasmaa sees it coming and moves out of range.
Koskinen shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Taalasmaa eats them both and turns towards Koskinen to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Koskinen tries to bum rush Taalasmaa with a series of wild strikes but Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Koskinen throws a leg kick

and Taalasmaa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Koskinen has his hands clasped together around Taalasmaa's back. He's all about the action.
Koskinen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa is thwarting Koskinen's attempts to control the position.
Koskinen controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Taalasmaa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Koskinen defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The fighters are battling for position here. Koskinen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Koskinen trying to keep a closed guard but Taalasmaa is proving a slippery customer.
Koskinen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa cracks Koskinen with a solid left hand.
Taalasmaa is working Koskinen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Koskinen trying to keep a closed guard but Taalasmaa is proving a slippery customer.
Taalasmaa scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Taalasmaa throwing strikes but missing.
Koskinen is pulling down on Taalasmaa's head to control his posture.
Koskinen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taalasmaa is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa landing some decent shots from guard.
Koskinen seems keen to control Taalasmaa's posture.
Koskinen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taalasmaa postures up in Koskinen's guard and throws a big left but Koskinen blocks it.
Taalasmaa distracts Koskinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Koskinen trying to control the position.

Taalasmaa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Koskinen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Taalasmaa, into his guard.
Seppo Taalasmaa has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koskinen stopping the sweep attempt from Taalasmaa.

Taalasmaa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taalasmaa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koskinen is trying to get back to full guard.
Taalasmaa trying to control from Koskinen's half guard. Koskinen has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Koskinen looking for a sweep. Not yet Koskinen, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Taalasmaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Taalasmaa does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Taalasmaa throws a lazy uppercut
and Koskinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Koskinen misses with a combination
and Taalasmaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Taalasmaa throws a big shot that misses.
Taalasmaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taalasmaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Koskinen.
Koskinen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Taalasmaa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A clash of legs there as Koskinen blocks the low kick.
Koskinen throws a right hand that Taalasmaa ducks under and follows up with a left that Taalasmaa also avoids with ease.
Taalasmaa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Taalasmaa misses with a body shot
and Koskinen counters with a left and a right that stings Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Taalasmaa moves out of range of the leg kick from Koskinen.
Koskinen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Koskinen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Koskinen misses with a leg kick.
Taalasmaa throws a big shot that misses.
Koskinen checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Koskinen was well out of range. Poor timing from Taalasmaa.
Koskinen misses with a left hand
and Taalasmaa counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Koskinen thinking.
Koskinen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Koskinen throws a big shot that misses.
Koskinen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Koskinen cracks the inside of Taalasmaa's front leg.
Taalasmaa lands a jab to the head.
Koskinen tries a low kick but Taalasmaa avoids it.
Koskinen throws a nice looking combination but Taalasmaa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Koskinen misses with a looping left.
Koskinen scores with a hook.
Koskinen defending well as Taalasmaa loads up on a big left hand.
Koskinen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Koskinen tries to bum rush Taalasmaa with a series of wild strikes but Taalasmaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Taalasmaa scores with a body shot.
Koskinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A big right from Koskinen misses.
Koskinen connects with an inside leg kick.
Koskinen misses with a double jab
and Taalasmaa counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with an uppercut
and Koskinen counters with a straight right hand.
Some wild striking there from Koskinen.

Koskinen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Taalasmaa is in close to Koskinen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Koskinen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Koskinen is working hard here to advance position.
Taalasmaa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koskinen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taalasmaa chips away with some ground and pound.
Koskinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Koskinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taalasmaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taalasmaa looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Koskinen is adopting a defensive guard.
Koskinen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Koskinen is working from the bottom.
Taalasmaa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taalasmaa sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Koskinen's guard.
Taalasmaa scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Taalasmaa trying to control the action but Koskinen is working from the bottom.
Taalasmaa slips a nice elbow through Koskinen's hands, connecting with Koskinen's forehead.
Mikko Koskinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throwing shots but Koskinen is blocking nicely.
Taalasmaa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taalasmaa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Koskinen wants to improve his position but Taalasmaa is controlling well.
Taalasmaa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Taalasmaa drops an elbow to the side of Koskinen's head.
Taalasmaa lands strikes from half guard.
Taalasmaa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Taalasmaa lands a nice short elbow.
Koskinen wants to control but Taalasmaa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Koskinen is controlling Taalasmaa's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Koskinen wants to get back to full guard but Taalasmaa has passed into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Taalasmaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Taalasmaa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seppo Taalasmaa!