PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tapani Kansalainen (ranked 1605 p4p, 185 weight class) and Johannes Brahms (ranked 1437 p4p, 159 weight class). Brahms has chosen Hungarian Dance as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kansalainen
vs
Brahms

169 cm
20
150 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

169 cm
18
145 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tapani Kansalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johannes Brahms!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brahms scores with a head kick. Kansalainen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Brahms steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen checks a leg kick nicely.
Kansalainen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A good leg kick by Brahms.
Kansalainen lands with an uppercut that bounces Brahms off the cage and back into range.
Tapani Kansalainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brahms moves out of range of the strikes.
Brahms closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kansalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brahms moves away.
Kansalainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kansalainen throws a big shot that misses.
Kansalainen scores with a nice right hand.
Kansalainen throws a jab but it's blocked by Brahms.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Brahms has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kansalainen checks the leg kick.
Brahms steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kansalainen.
Brahms ducks under a wild hook from Kansalainen.
Brahms feints a counter leg kick.
Kansalainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kansalainen throws a hook but Brahms blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen moves out of range of the strikes.
Kansalainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Brahms.
Brahms tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A bone on bone clash there as Kansalainen blocks the leg kick.
Kansalainen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Brahms swinging wildly here.
Brahms misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kansalainen digs a good body shot into Brahms's ribs.
Brahms fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kansalainen misses with a wild body shot.
Brahms with the counter takedown but Kansalainen avoids it easily.
Kansalainen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've been told by Kansalainen's head coaches at Gangsterdamage that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kansalainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Brahms.
Nice straight punches there by Kansalainen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kansalainen.
Kansalainen thuds a left hand into Brahms's body.
Kansalainen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Brahms on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brahms drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brahms ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Brahms with the counter takedown but Kansalainen avoids it easily.
Brahms throws a leg kick but Kansalainen moved away.
Kansalainen looks to land a right hand but Brahms moved out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kansalainen, as that shot connected.

Brahms feints and as Kansalainen raises his hands in defense, Brahms changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Brahms throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Brahms postures up in Kansalainen's guard and throws a big left but Kansalainen blocks it.
Kansalainen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kansalainen pulls Brahms in close to prevent any damage.
Brahms lands a couple of elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brahms throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brahms missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Brahms trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kansalainen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kansalainen tries to get out of the position.
Kansalainen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Brahms is pushing down on Kansalainen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kansalainen is fighting to maintain full guard but Brahms has managed to sneak the leg through.
Brahms scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Brahms has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Brahms throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kansalainen is pressing down on Brahms's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kansalainen 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.
Kansalainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Brahms on the ground.
Kansalainen has momentary wrist control but Brahms slips an elbow through the middle.
Brahms postures up in Kansalainen's guard and throws a big left but Kansalainen blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brahms scoring with some ground and pound.
Brahms throws a big right hand that misses.
Brahms distracts Kansalainen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Brahms accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Brahms pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kansalainen is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Brahms accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kansalainen keeping full guard, as Brahms tries to pass.
Kansalainen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brahms works over Kansalainen with some ground and pound from guard.
Brahms is looking to work some ground and pound but Kansalainen has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tapani Kansalainen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kansalainen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Brahms.
Kansalainen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kansalainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A slow jab from Kansalainen misses its intended target.
Good work by Kansalainen as he checks the leg kick.
Brahms avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Brahms fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kansalainen avoids the head kick by Brahms.
Tapani Kansalainen is winning the standup battle so far.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws a lazy uppercut
and Brahms counters with a two punch combo.
Kansalainen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut.
Brahms looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Kansalainen throws a right hand that misses
and Brahms counters with an outside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kansalainen misses the jab.
Brahms walks into a jab.
Brahms throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throwing a counter right hand but Brahms manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brahms moves away.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut
and Brahms counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kansalainen's knee momentarily.
Brahms keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kansalainen with a jab.
Brahms misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kansalainen moves out of range as Brahms throws a body kick.
Kansalainen throwing a counter right hand but Brahms manages to avoid it.
A nice combination there by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen ducks under a wild hook from Brahms.
Kansalainen throwing a counter right hand but Brahms manages to avoid it.
Kansalainen scores with a punch to the head.
Good work by Kansalainen as he checks the leg kick.
Brahms takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tapani Kansalainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Brahms throws a leg kick that misses.
Brahms scores with a head kick. Kansalainen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kansalainen misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Brahms lands a leg kick that knocks Kansalainen off balance momentarily.
Kansalainen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kansalainen blocks a low kick nicely.
A swing and a miss from Brahms.
Brahms misses with a body shot.
Brahms attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Brahms moves out of range as Kansalainen strikes.
Brahms throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kansalainen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Brahms.
Brahms doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Brahms shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
No joy there for Brahms, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brahms slips under a jab.
A little jabbing left from Brahms on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kansalainen fails to land with a series of punches.
Kansalainen throws a lazy right hand but Brahms sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice shot by Brahms.
Kansalainen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Brahms throws a leg kick but Kansalainen moved away.
Kansalainen misses the shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Brahms, right into the meat.
Kansalainen looks to land a right hand but Brahms moved out of range.
Kansalainen misses with a hook. Brahms ducked under it nicely.
Kansalainen misses with a looping right.
Kansalainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Brahms.
Kansalainen just misses with a punch to the body.
Kansalainen throws an off balance right hand

and Brahms counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kansalainen parries the strikes from Brahms easily there. Brahms is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kansalainen to escape.
You can see the frustration on Kansalainen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kansalainen takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Brahms working the ground and pound but Kansalainen is defending the strikes.
Brahms throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Brahms remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Brahms tries to score with some ground and pound. Kansalainen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johannes Brahms will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Brahms with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Brahms throws a leg kick which misses Kansalainen's front leg but catches the back leg as Kansalainen tries to avoid it.
Kansalainen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Brahms momentarily.
Kansalainen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Brahms counters with a straight right hand.
Brahms lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Brahms avoids the body shot from Kansalainen.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Brahms.
Brahms slips a straight right by Kansalainen.
A jab from Kansalainen misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brahms walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kansalainen throws a poor cross that misses
and Brahms counters with a thumping low kick.
Kansalainen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kansalainen blocks a head kick by Brahms.
Brahms avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Brahms staying out of range there.
Kansalainen lands a jab to the nose.
Brahms throws a body punch but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Brahms's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kansalainen under the eye.
Nice jab there from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen misses the shot to the body.
Jab from Kansalainen.
Brahms bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Brahms is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen scores with a jab to the body.
Kansalainen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Brahms steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kansalainen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kansalainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Brahms manages to avoid it.
Brahms has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Brahms.
Brahms slips under a jab from Kansalainen.
Brahms lands a right hook to the body.
Brahms walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kansalainen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kansalainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Brahms finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kansalainen throws a right hand that misses
and Brahms counters with an outside leg kick.
Kansalainen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Brahms goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Brahms takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Brahms scores with a head kick.
Kansalainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Brahms moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Brahms feints a counter leg kick.
Brahms keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kansalainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Brahms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brahms fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Brahms displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kansalainen throws out the jab.
Brahms ducks under a wild hook from Kansalainen.
Brahms swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kansalainen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kansalainen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kansalainen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Brahms with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Brahms pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Brahms throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kansalainen's head.
Good work by Kansalainen as he checks the leg kick.
Brahms uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kansalainen.
Nice defenses there by Kansalainen.
Brahms connects with a high kick.
Kansalainen throws a series of punches but Brahms moves out of range.
Kansalainen moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBrahms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kansalainen misses with a body punch
and Brahms counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kansalainen's knee momentarily.
Kansalainen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Brahms connects with a solid leg kick.
Kansalainen misses with a looping right.
Brahms fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Brahms connects with a looping right hand.
Brahms walks into a stiff left hand from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws the left hand but Brahms avoids the punch easily.
Kansalainen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Brahms has time to react.
Brahms throws a shot from downtown. Kansalainen moves away and avoids it.
Kansalainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Brahms.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Johannes Brahms.
I think Brahms has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!