PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tauno Tappelija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Tauno Tappelija has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Tauno Tappelija seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Tappelija
vs
Veljanovski

210 cm
25
264 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
234 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Prefers standup

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tauno Tappelija!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tappelija dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Veljanovski closes the distance and clinches.

Tappelija escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tappelija bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Veljanovski's head backwards.
Tappelija will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Veljanovski fails to land with a series of punches.
Tappelija moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tappelija throws a right hand that Veljanovski ducks under and follows up with a left that Veljanovski also avoids with ease.
Tappelija moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Tappelija goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veljanovski drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tappelija is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Veljanovski on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tappelija misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Veljanovski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tappelija.
Tappelija throws a left and a right that both miss

and Veljanovski counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Veljanovski stays in close to Tappelija's body and controls the position.
Veljanovski wants to get up but he can't break Tappelija's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tappelija knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Veljanovski on the ground.
Veljanovski controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikola Veljanovski was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Tappelija just misses with a punch to the body.

Veljanovski fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tappelija sprawls well initially but Veljanovski persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Veljanovski is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Veljanovski trying to pass the guard but Tappelija defending well.
Tappelija on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tappelija tries to get out of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikola Veljanovski was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Veljanovski drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski shoots in looking for a takedown but Tappelija manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Veljanovski's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tappelija connects with a good right hand that stumbles Veljanovski. Veljanovski circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A combination from Tappelija does no damage.
A left lands for Tappelija.
Veljanovski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tappelija avoids it really well and circles away.
Tappelija is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tappelija cracks Veljanovski with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tappelija digs a good body shot into Veljanovski's ribs.
Veljanovski shoots for a double leg takedown but Tappelija sprawls well. He's pushed Veljanovski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tauno Tappelija has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikola Veljanovski.
Veljanovski drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tappelija as he jumps to the side.
Veljanovski walks into a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tappelija moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Veljanovski has a takedown stuffed.
Veljanovski looks winded!
A left and a right from Tappelija both land. Nice combination.
Veljanovski takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tauno Tappelija is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tappelija lands the left hand.
Good shot there by Tappelija.

Veljanovski is rocked!
Veljanovski fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tappelija ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tappelija comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tappelija dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tappelija rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Veljanovski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Veljanovski takes one on the button.
Tappelija listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tappelija scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Veljanovski doesn't seem bothered though.

Veljanovski closes the distance and pushes Tappelija back into the cage.
Veljanovski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tappelija smiles and moves away.
Veljanovski tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tappelija swivels and escapes.
Tappelija works Veljanovski's body with a nice hook.
Veljanovski dives in and grabs Tappelija's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tappelija pushes down on Veljanovski's head and hops out.
Tauno Tappelija has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikola Veljanovski.
Tappelija dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Veljanovski is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tappelija moves into range and connects with a jab.

Veljanovski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tappelija, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tappelija softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Veljanovski misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tappelija prevents the takedown attempt.
Veljanovski has Tappelija pressed against the cage, preventing Tappelija from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tappelija is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Veljanovski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A frustrated look appears on Tappelija's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tappelija is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tappelija is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Veljanovski is keeping busy.
Tappelija wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Veljanovski has him pressed against the cage.
Tappelija is trying to force a seperation but Veljanovski has the dominant position.

Tappelija pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tappelija throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tappelija looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Veljanovski ducks right into an uppercut from Tappelija.
Tappelija throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Veljanovski stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Veljanovski avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice body punch from Tappelija.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tappelija rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Veljanovski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Veljanovski closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Veljanovski walks into a straight right hand from Tappelija.
Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tappelija sprawls well. Tappelija wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Veljanovski gets slowly back to his feet.
Veljanovski fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tappelija lands a jab-cross combination.
Tappelija misses with a series of wild punches.
Tappelija thuds a left hand into Veljanovski's body.
Tappelija misses with a few strikes there.

Veljanovski shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tappelija manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Tappelija not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tappelija will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four 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.
Veljanovski showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tauno Tappelija just wasn't active enough.
A combination from Tappelija does no damage.
Tappelija lunges at Veljanovski with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Veljanovski's hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tappelija lands a jab to Veljanovski's midsection.
Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tappelija sprawls well. Tappelija wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Veljanovski gets slowly back to his feet.
Tauno Tappelija seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A shot to the liver by Tappelija. Beautiful body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veljanovski dodges the punch combination from Tappelija.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Tappelija dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tappelija fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Veljanovski looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Veljanovski has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Veljanovski with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tappelija to score with a decent uppercut.
A nice combination there by Tappelija.

Veljanovski looking to score a takedown here. Tappelija is defending well but Veljanovski drives through and ends up in Tappelija's guard.
Veljanovski stopping the sweep attempt from Tappelija.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veljanovski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Veljanovski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski looking to pass the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tappelija thows a body shot but no joy.
Tappelija throws a one two combo.
A left and a right from Tappelija both land. Nice combination.
Tappelija cracks Veljanovski with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Veljanovski takes the fight into the clinch.
Tappelija is trying to force a seperation but Veljanovski has the dominant position.
Veljanovski goes for a takedown attempt but Tappelija pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tappelija stuffs the takedown attempt from Veljanovski. Veljanovski gets slowly back to his feet.
Veljanovski doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tappelija lands with a good body shot.
Tappelija ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veljanovski takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Veljanovski walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Tappelija lands with a nice combination. Veljanovski backs away looking to recover.
Tappelija fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Veljanovski takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tappelija throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tappelija lands with an overhand left.
Veljanovski takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tappelija lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Veljanovski circles away quickly and effectively.
Tappelija lands the left hand.
A right-left combo lands from Tappelija.
Tappelija scores with a jab. Veljanovski acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Veljanovski shoots in looking for a takedown. Tappelija tries to sprawl out of it but Veljanovski keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tappelija manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tauno Tappelija has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikola Veljanovski.
Some wild striking there from Tappelija.
Veljanovski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tappelija.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tappelija rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Veljanovski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Veljanovski closes the distance and pushes Tappelija back into the cage.

Veljanovski wants the takedown. Tappelija is fighting it off but Veljanovski persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Tappelija's guard against the cage.
Veljanovski controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
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!

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nikola Veljanovski hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Tappelija scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nikola Veljanovski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tappelija jabs at Veljanovski's body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes from Tappelija. Those never looked like landing.
Tauno Tappelija is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Veljanovski shoots in but no luck this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tauno Tappelija showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tappelija, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tauno Tappelija!