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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Morgan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.
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| 180 cm
20
200 lbs
4 - 1 - 0 |
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155 cm
25
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful |
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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
4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Morgan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Taalasmaa!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taalasmaa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Taalasmaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Morgan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa scores with a takedown into Morgan's guard.
Taalasmaa pushing down on Morgan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Taalasmaa passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Morgan!
Taalasmaa controlling from mount.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Taalasmaa has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Taalasmaa lands with some strikes.
Taalasmaa controlling the position easily from mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Taalasmaa controlling from the full mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kari Taalasmaa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Taalasmaa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Morgan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Taalasmaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taalasmaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taalasmaa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan keeping full guard, as Taalasmaa tries to pass.
Morgan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Taalasmaa stays in close to Morgan's body and controls the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kari Taalasmaa wasn't active enough on the ground.
Taalasmaa thows a body shot but no joy.
Horrible takedown by Taalasmaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Morgan which made him look bad.
Morgan tries to move into range but Taalasmaa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kari Taalasmaa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Morgan throws out a loose jab but Taalasmaa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morgan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa moves out of range as Morgan throws a body kick.
A shot to the liver by Morgan. Beautiful body shot.
Morgan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Taalasmaa.
Morgan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Morgan feints and then cracks Taalasmaa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Taalasmaa down.
Morgan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taalasmaa throws out the jab.
Morgan stuffs the takedown attempt from Taalasmaa. Taalasmaa gets slowly back to his feet.
James Morgan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taalasmaa takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Taalasmaa scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Morgan regains half guard there - taking advantage of Taalasmaa's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Taalasmaa looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan won't allow Taalasmaa to pass to mount.
Well, if Taalasmaa is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Taalasmaa wants to pass to mount but Morgan is defending the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa not doing much here.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Kari Taalasmaa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Morgan scores with a decent looking hook.
Taalasmaa throws the left hand but Morgan avoids the punch easily.
Taalasmaa avoids a kick to the body.
Taalasmaa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Taalasmaa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Jab from Morgan.
Morgan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taalasmaa slips under a jab.
A big right from Taalasmaa misses.
Taalasmaa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Morgan scores with a push kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa looks to land a left hand but Morgan moved out of range nicely.
Morgan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Taalasmaa walks into a left hand.
Morgan scores with a jab.
Taalasmaa misses the jab.
Morgan scores with a leg kick.
Morgan gets caught napping as Taalasmaa dives in and scores a takedown. Morgan manages to retain guard.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Morgan is working from the bottom.
Morgan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Morgan controls Taalasmaa momentarily but Taalasmaa frees himself.
Taalasmaa trying to control but Morgan is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kari Taalasmaa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook. Morgan ducked under it nicely.
Taalasmaa moves out of range as Morgan throws a body kick.
James Morgan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taalasmaa misses with a straight right.
Morgan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Morgan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Morgan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Taalasmaa feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Morgan keeping full guard, as Taalasmaa tries to pass.
Taalasmaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Kari Taalasmaa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Taalasmaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Morgan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Taalasmaa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook. Morgan ducked under it nicely.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Morgan is just out of range.
Morgan bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Taalasmaa has a takedown stuffed.
Morgan throws an overhand right that lands on Taalasmaa's shoulder, as Taalasmaa tries to avoid the shot.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Morgan is just out of range.
Taalasmaa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Taalasmaa thows a body shot but no joy.
Taalasmaa misses with a looping left.
Morgan works the jab nicely.
Morgan lets loose with a powerful body kick. Taalasmaa will feel that in the morning.
Taalasmaa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Morgan defends it nicely.
James Morgan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa shoots in for a takedown but Morgan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Morgan.
Taalasmaa shoots in looking for a takedown but Morgan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taalasmaa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A jab from Taalasmaa misses.
Morgan throws the kick towards the body but Taalasmaa avoids it.
Morgan misses with a body kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Morgan.
Taalasmaa scores a takedown into full mount!
Taalasmaa wants to control the pace but Morgan is squirming around nicely.
Taalasmaa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Taalasmaa sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Morgan avoids a series of strikes thrown by Taalasmaa.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A nice elbow there by Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa wants to control the pace but Morgan is squirming around nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taalasmaa controlling his opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan wants to hold on but Taalasmaa pushes him away.
Taalasmaa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Taalasmaa unloads with some shots from mount but Morgan bucks and avoids them well.
Taalasmaa controlling from mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan is working to get back to half guard.
Taalasmaa controlling from the full mount.
James Morgan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taalasmaa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kari Taalasmaa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Poor strikes thrown by Taalasmaa there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
And that's the end of the fight!
Kari 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kari Taalasmaa!
Kari Taalasmaa seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
48% |
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