PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Taalasmaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takanori Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomi has chosen Scary as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Taalasmaa
vs
Gomi

170 cm
34
160 lbs
43 - 21 - 0

173 cm
33
165 lbs
26 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

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 43 - 21 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seppo Taalasmaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Takanori Gomi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taalasmaa throws a right hand that Gomi ducks under and follows up with a left that Gomi also avoids with ease.
Taalasmaa lands a nice looking body kick.
Taalasmaa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gomi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Taalasmaa.
Gomi misses with a kick to the body.
Taalasmaa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gomi. That's going to slow Taalasmaa down.
Taalasmaa moves out of range as Gomi throws a body kick.
Gomi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Taalasmaa misses with a looping right.
Taalasmaa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Taalasmaa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Gomi moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taalasmaa prevents a body shot from Gomi.
Gomi gets through Taalasmaa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Taalasmaa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Taalasmaa gets through Gomi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to stall but Gomi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Taalasmaa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taalasmaa gets through Gomi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Taalasmaa has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gomi regains guard immediately.
Taalasmaa is in close to Gomi's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Taalasmaa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gomi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Taalasmaa has managed to get both his arms back between Gomi's legs - danger averted.
Taalasmaa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taalasmaa throws a big elbow that misses.

Gomi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taalasmaa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gomi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Taalasmaa wants to control from the top but Gomi keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gomi looking for a sweep. Not yet Gomi, not yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomi is pulling down on Taalasmaa's head to control his posture.
Taalasmaa prevents Gomi from getting back to his feet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Takanori Gomi hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Taalasmaa connects with a crisp jab.
Taalasmaa misses with a low kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gomi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gomi as Taalasmaa tries to tie him up.
Gomi misses with a punch to the body.
Taalasmaa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gomi avoids it.
Gomi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Taalasmaa tries to throw a body punch but Gomi avoids it by throwing Taalasmaa back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to throw a body punch but Gomi avoids it by throwing Taalasmaa back against the cage.
Taalasmaa taking a breather.
Gomi struggles to land a body shot inside as Taalasmaa controls his hands.
Taalasmaa misses with a hook to the ribs.

Gomi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taalasmaa works Gomi's body with a nice hook.
No joy there for Taalasmaa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gomi misses with a hook. Taalasmaa ducked under it nicely.
Taalasmaa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Taalasmaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gomi.
Taalasmaa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gomi circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Taalasmaa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gomi throws a leg kick that misses.

Taalasmaa rushes Gomi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Taalasmaa effectively controlling the action here.
Taalasmaa wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa misses with a body punch.
Taalasmaa lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gomi backwards.
Gomi lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gomi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gomi keeps control of Taalasmaa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Gomi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taalasmaa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Taalasmaa throws a combination that misses
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Gomi counters with a straight right hand.
Taalasmaa throws a shot to the body.
Taalasmaa thuds his right hand into Gomi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Taalasmaa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taalasmaa tries to clinch up but Gomi circles away and keeps his distance.
Taalasmaa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Takanori Gomi will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gomi just misses with a punch to the body.
Taalasmaa connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gomi. Gomi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Takanori Gomi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taalasmaa misses with a kick to the body
and Gomi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Taalasmaa scores with a nice strike.
Taalasmaa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Seppo Taalasmaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gomi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gomi throws a solid leg kick but Taalasmaa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gomi.
Takanori Gomi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No joy there for Taalasmaa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gomi checks a leg kick.
Gomi feints and then cracks Taalasmaa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Taalasmaa down.
Gomi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No luck for Taalasmaa with that takedown attempt.
Taalasmaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gomi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taalasmaa throws a low kick but Gomi moves out of range easily.
A big left from Gomi misses.
Taalasmaa misses the shot to the body.
Gomi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gomi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa lands a jab to Gomi's midsection.
Taalasmaa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Taalasmaa misses with a leg kick.
Taalasmaa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gomi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seppo Taalasmaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gomi blocks a body shot from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa wants a takedown.
Gomi lands a left hand.
Taalasmaa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gomi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Taalasmaa is trying to break the clinch but Gomi is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Taalasmaa backwards.
Taalasmaa is looking to control Gomi's arms but Gomi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taalasmaa has his back to the cage.
Gomi tries to throw a body punch but Taalasmaa avoids it by throwing Gomi back against the cage.
Gomi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taalasmaa struggles to land a body shot inside as Gomi controls his hands.
Gomi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gomi blocks a body shot from Taalasmaa.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Gomi can't find room to land a body shot as Taalasmaa controls the action.
Taalasmaa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gomi fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Taalasmaa moves into range and clinches up with Gomi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gomi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa can't get the takedown.
Taalasmaa tries to pull guard but Gomi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gomi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Gomi turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Gomi manages to end up in side control.
Taalasmaa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gomi lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Taalasmaa down.
Taalasmaa is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gomi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Taalasmaa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gomi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gomi's back!
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!
Taalasmaa controlling well, preventing Gomi from escaping the position.
Taalasmaa scores with strikes from the back.
Taalasmaa wants to control but Gomi is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taalasmaa gets his hands free as Gomi looks to control.
Taalasmaa lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Gomi hold on?!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa punches the canvas rather than the man.
Taalasmaa lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Gomi tries to escape but Taalasmaa has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Gomi is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Taalasmaa off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Taalasmaa lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Gomi hold on?!
Gomi trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Gomi manages to reverse the position and now he's in Taalasmaa's guard. Nice work there by Gomi.
Gomi looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gomi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Taalasmaa is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gomi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Taalasmaa trying to hold on to Gomi's head to control him but Gomi postures up.
Gomi works his foot free and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takanori Gomi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gomi instigates a clinch.
Taalasmaa blocks an uppercut.
Gomi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Gomi.
Taalasmaa effectively controlling the action here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gomi.
Taalasmaa is trying to maintain a safe position but Gomi gets an underhook and turns Taalasmaa into the cage.
Taalasmaa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gomi lands a hook that snaps the head of Taalasmaa backwards.
Gomi misses with a punch to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Taalasmaa.
Gomi is leaning against Taalasmaa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taalasmaa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Takanori Gomi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Taalasmaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gomi's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi lands a nice uppercut.
Taalasmaa misses with a punch to the body.
Taalasmaa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gomi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Taalasmaa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gomi connects with a body shot.
Gomi checks the leg kick.
Gomi misses with a two punch combination.
Taalasmaa keeps the fight on the outside.
An inside leg kick lands from Gomi.
Taalasmaa misses with a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gomi. Taalasmaa does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Taalasmaa finds it's way through Gomi's defenses.
Taalasmaa lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi fails with a takedown attempt.
Gomi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taalasmaa.
Taalasmaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Gomi is just out of range.
A big right from Taalasmaa misses.
Gomi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Taalasmaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taalasmaa looks to land a body kick but Gomi moved away.
Gomi doesn't manage to clinch there - Taalasmaa circles away.
Gomi cracks Taalasmaa with an open hand slap.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taalasmaa is defended easily by Gomi.
Taalasmaa avoids the body shot from Gomi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gomi counters with an inside leg kick.
Taalasmaa wants to clinch.
Gomi tries a head kick but it misses.
Seppo Taalasmaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gomi misses with a looping left.
Taalasmaa tries to clinch up.
Taalasmaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Gomi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jab by Gomi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taalasmaa cracks Gomi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gomi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gomi is looking to land body kicks.
Taalasmaa scores with a nice head shot.
Gomi throws a leg kick that is checked

and Taalasmaa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gomi's guard.
Taalasmaa scoring with some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomi is trying to keep Taalasmaa in close.
Taalasmaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Gomi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taalasmaa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gomi's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taalasmaa lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gomi wants to sweep but no luck.
Gomi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Gomi wriggles free and stands up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Takanori Gomi.
I've got Gomi 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takanori Gomi!
A victorious Takanori Gomi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.