PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Diego Escobar (ranked 13 p4p, 2 weight class) and Tapani Kansalainen (ranked 55 p4p, 10 weight class). Diego Escobar could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tapani Kansalainen's chin.

Escobar
vs
Kansalainen

182 cm
27
160 lbs
23 - 3 - 0

169 cm
27
150 lbs
16 - 3 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Diego Escobar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tapani Kansalainen!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut
and Escobar counters with a straight right hand.
Kansalainen misses with a low kick.
Kansalainen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kansalainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kansalainen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Escobar. That one must have hurt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Escobar, as that shot connected.
Nice shot by Escobar.
Escobar looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Escobar feints and then cracks Kansalainen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kansalainen down.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kansalainen slips a jab and a cross from Escobar.
Kansalainen looks to land a left hand but Escobar moved out of range nicely.
Kansalainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kansalainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Escobar.
Escobar misses with a body shot
letting Kansalainen counter with a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kansalainen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kansalainen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Escobar looks to land a right hand but Kansalainen moved out of range.
Kansalainen misses the jab.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar lands a nice looking body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kansalainen.
A big left from Escobar misses.
Kansalainen throws a lazy uppercut
and Escobar counters with a nice uppercut.
Kansalainen throws a body shot but no joy.
Kansalainen cracks the inside of Escobar's front leg.
Kansalainen slips under a jab.
Kansalainen checks a low kick from Escobar.
Kansalainen looks to throw the jab but Escobar is out of range.
The fighters circling - Kansalainen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Escobar misses the shot to the body.
Kansalainen has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kansalainen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kansalainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kansalainen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Escobar wants to slow Kansalainen down by chopping away at his legs.
Kansalainen follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Escobar misses with a leg kick
enabling Kansalainen to counter with a crisp jab.
Kansalainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Escobar.
Escobar lands with a straight right. Kansalainen didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kansalainen misses with a lunging right hand
and Escobar counters with a left to the body.
Kansalainen throws a hook but Escobar blocks it.
Escobar throws a jab when Kansalainen was well out of range.
Kansalainen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Escobar throws a big shot that misses.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Escobar throws a solid leg kick but Kansalainen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Escobar.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kansalainen! But no joy.
Escobar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick but Escobar sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Escobar feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kansalainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A jab from Kansalainen misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Escobar checks a leg kick.
Kansalainen ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Escobar pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kansalainen is out of range and Escobar settles back down.
Tapani Kansalainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kansalainen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Escobar scores with a sloppy right hand. Kansalainen should have avoided that one.
Escobar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar wants to land a leg kick but Kansalainen is out of range.

Kansalainen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kansalainen lands a left hand.
Escobar misses with the head strike.
Escobar swings wildly with an uppercut but Kansalainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Escobar - that landed with a thud.

Escobar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kansalainen is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Escobar misses with a body shot.
Escobar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good work by Escobar as he checks the leg kick.
Escobar throws a solid leg kick but Kansalainen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Escobar.
Kansalainen checks a leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Kansalainen.

Kansalainen clinches.
Kansalainen prevents a body shot from Escobar.
A head punch on the inside from Escobar fails to land.
Escobar prevents a body shot from Kansalainen.
Escobar throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar can't find room to land a body shot as Kansalainen controls the action.
Kansalainen lands an uppercut.
Kansalainen lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Escobar is leaning against Kansalainen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Escobar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Escobar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Escobar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kansalainen blocking some punches.

Kansalainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kansalainen lands a body shot.
Kansalainen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Escobar.
Kansalainen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Escobar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kansalainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Escobar.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Escobar scores with a kick to the midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Escobar has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kansalainen.
A leg kick checked by Kansalainen.
Escobar keeps the fight on the outside.
Kansalainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kansalainen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Escobar in his tracks.
Nice shot lands for Kansalainen.
An inside leg kick from Kansalainen misses.
A little feinted left hand from Escobar on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kansalainen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kansalainen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Escobar fakes the leg kick and cracks Kansalainen in the body.
Escobar feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kansalainen's calf.
Escobar looks to land a right hand but Kansalainen moved out of range.
Kansalainen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Escobar is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Escobar is looking to score with low kicks.
Escobar has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kansalainen misses the jab.
Kansalainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Escobar throws out the jab.
Escobar has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kansalainen.
Escobar misses with a low kick as Kansalainen jumps 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!
That kick from Kansalainen tenderised Escobar's leg. Escobar is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kansalainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Escobar wants to slow Kansalainen down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Kansalainen lands.
Escobar scores with a sloppy right hand. Kansalainen should have avoided that one.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Escobar is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kansalainen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Escobar throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It seemed like Kansalainen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A big left from Escobar misses.
A slow jab from Escobar misses its intended target.
Kansalainen throws a body shot but no joy.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick but Escobar checks it.
Escobar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Escobar throwing a counter right hand but Kansalainen manages to avoid it.
Escobar slips under a jab from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen swings widly with a right hand
and Escobar cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kansalainen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Diego Escobar is winning the standup battle so far.
Escobar connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kansalainen's hands.
Kansalainen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Escobar.
Kansalainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Escobar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws a low kick but Kansalainen avoids it.
Kansalainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Escobar.
Escobar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kansalainen throws out the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kansalainen misses with a low kick.
As Kansalainen backs away, Escobar returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Escobar takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kansalainen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kansalainen throws a jab but it's blocked by Escobar.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kansalainen. That's going to slow Escobar down.
Escobar throws the kick towards the body but Kansalainen avoids it.
Kansalainen throws out a loose jab but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Donk. Kansalainen catches Escobar right on the button with a cross.
Escobar looks to throw the jab but Kansalainen is out of range.
Kansalainen throws a front kick aimed at Escobar's knee but Escobar avoids it well.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut
and Escobar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Escobar throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escobar throws a solid leg kick but Kansalainen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Escobar.
Escobar throws a leg kick but Kansalainen moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Escobar counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A slow jab from Kansalainen misses its intended target.
Kansalainen avoids the body shot from Escobar.
Kansalainen slips under a jab from Escobar.
Escobar checks the leg kick.
Kansalainen blocks a leg kick.
Kansalainen tries to counter with a clinch but Escobar shakes him off and moves away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Escobar.
Escobar is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kansalainen throws a nice looking combination but Escobar bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Escobar fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kansalainen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A big right from Escobar misses.
Escobar feints and then cracks Kansalainen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kansalainen down.
Kansalainen throws the left hand but Escobar avoids the punch easily.
Escobar feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kansalainen's calf.
Kansalainen is looking to clinch.
Escobar appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kansalainen misses the shot to the body.
Kansalainen throws a head kick but Escobar moves out of range.
Kansalainen takes a swing at Escobar's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen jabs Escobar to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kansalainen scores with a jab to the jaw.
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!
Escobar throws a front kick aimed at Kansalainen's knee but Kansalainen avoids it well.
Escobar misses the shot to the body.
Kansalainen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Escobar tests Kansalainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kansalainen connects with a solid leg kick.
Kansalainen feints and then cracks Escobar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Escobar down.
Escobar bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kansalainen's head.
Escobar chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kansalainen can pounce on him.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut.
Escobar throws a jab but it's blocked by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws a right hand that misses
and Escobar counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kansalainen misses the shot to the body.
Kansalainen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escobar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Diego Escobar will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kansalainen motions for Escobar to come forward. Kansalainen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kansalainen feints and then cracks Escobar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Escobar down.
Kansalainen misses with a looping right.
Escobar cracks Kansalainen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kansalainen connects with a solid leg kick.
Kansalainen looks to land a right hand but Escobar moved out of range.
The fighters circling - Kansalainen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Escobar misses with a low kick.
Escobar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kansalainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Escobar.
Kansalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Escobar moves away.
Escobar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kansalainen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Escobar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kansalainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Escobar.
Escobar checks a leg kick.
Escobar throws a looping overhand right but Kansalainen ducks down to avoid it.
Kansalainen lands a glancing blow to the side of Escobar's head.
Escobar swats away the attempt to clinch by Kansalainen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Kansalainen misses the target.
Kansalainen misses with a looping left.
Escobar looks to land a body kick but Kansalainen moved away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kansalainen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kansalainen lands a leg kick that knocks Escobar off balance momentarily.
Escobar lands with a nice body punch.
Escobar misses with a leg kick.
Kansalainen cracks Escobar with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kansalainen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Escobar scores with a kick to the midsection.
Escobar misses with a body punch
and Kansalainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Escobar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
Kansalainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobar is just out of range.
Kansalainen throws a looping overhand right but Escobar ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick
and Escobar counters with a leg kick.
Kansalainen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kansalainen swings for the body but Escobar moves out of range.
A big left from Escobar misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Escobar checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A good leg kick by Escobar.
Escobar fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kansalainen checks it well.
Kansalainen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Good leg kick by Escobar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Escobar throws a body punch but Kansalainen moves out of range.
A nice side step and Kansalainen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kansalainen tries to clinch there but Escobar circles away.
Escobar lands a leg kick that knocks Kansalainen off balance momentarily.
Kansalainen staying out of range there.
Escobar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kansalainen.
Escobar misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kansalainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escobar was well out of range. Poor timing from Kansalainen.
Escobar feints and then cracks Kansalainen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kansalainen down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen looks to land a right hand but Escobar moved out of range.
Escobar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kansalainen.
Escobar takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kansalainen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kansalainen is looking to clinch.
Kansalainen lands a leg kick that knocks Escobar off balance momentarily.
Kansalainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar.
A little feinted left hand from Escobar on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kansalainen misses with an uppercut.
Kansalainen throws a leg kick which misses Escobar's front leg but catches the back leg as Escobar tries to avoid it.
Kansalainen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kansalainen walks into a left hand.
Kansalainen tries to land a leg kick but Escobar saw it coming and moves away.
Kansalainen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Escobar scores with a nice head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escobar manages to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut there from Kansalainen.
Escobar lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Escobar walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kansalainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kansalainen misses with a leg kick
letting Escobar counter with a right hand.
Kansalainen slips under a jab.
Kansalainen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Escobar on the side of the head.
Kansalainen slips under a jab.
Kansalainen throws a head kick that misses.
Kansalainen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kansalainen duly obliges.
Escobar misses with a body shot.
Escobar lands with a straight right. Kansalainen didn't see that one coming.
Escobar smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kansalainen scoring well with a low kick there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tapani Kansalainen really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kansalainen throws an overhand right that lands on Escobar's shoulder, as Escobar tries to avoid the shot.
Escobar seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
No joy there for Kansalainen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Escobar stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kansalainen.
A head kick misses from Kansalainen.
Escobar throws a hook but Kansalainen blocks it.
Escobar stuns Kansalainen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A leg kick checked by Escobar.
Escobar tried to counter with a leg kick but Kansalainen avoided it.
Escobar listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Escobar avoids a kick to the body.
Escobar feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kansalainen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kansalainen wants to clinch up but Escobar keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Escobar cracks Kansalainen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Escobar has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen misses with a body kick.
Kansalainen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kansalainen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Escobar's calf.
Kansalainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Escobar. Escobar obviously looking to wear him down.
Kansalainen throws a body punch but Escobar moves out of range.
Escobar swings for the body but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Escobar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Escobar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Escobar throws out a loose jab but Kansalainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Escobar lands a head shot.
Donk. Escobar catches Kansalainen right on the button with a cross.
Kansalainen throws a shot from downtown. Escobar moves away and avoids it.
Escobar looks to land a right hand but Kansalainen moved out of range.
Kansalainen replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Escobar blocks it well.
Good shot there by Kansalainen.
Kansalainen misses with a low kick.
Kansalainen blocks a leg kick.
Escobar lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Escobar.
Kansalainen checks a leg kick.
Kansalainen is trying to counter with his kicks.
Escobar slips under a jab.
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!
Escobar clobbers Kansalainen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A swing and a miss from Escobar.
Escobar throws a body punch but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Escobar throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kansalainen wants to slow Escobar down by chopping away at his legs.
Escobar on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kansalainen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Escobar.
Kansalainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen swings away with a body shot that misses
and Escobar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kansalainen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Escobar counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kansalainen moves out of range as Escobar strikes.
Kansalainen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Escobar pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kansalainen is out of range and Escobar settles back down.
Kansalainen looks to throw the jab but Escobar is out of range.
Escobar throws a series of strikes that have Kansalainen backpedaling.
Kansalainen misses with a series of wild punches.
Kansalainen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Escobar counters with a straight right hand.
Kansalainen blocks the body kick.
Kansalainen with a nice cross.
Escobar throws a head kick that misses.
It seemed like Kansalainen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Escobar throws a body punch but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Escobar tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Escobar wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kansalainen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escobar swats away the attempt to clinch by Kansalainen.
Escobar looks to land a combination. Kansalainen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nice body punch from Kansalainen.
Escobar throws a leg kick but Kansalainen moved away.
Kansalainen keeps Escobar at a distance using the push kick.
Escobar missing with a left hand there. Kansalainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kansalainen moves away from the strike by Escobar.
Escobar dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kansalainen. That did some damage!
Escobar throws a body punch but Kansalainen moves out of range.
Escobar throws a leg kick that misses.
Kansalainen throws an off balance right hand
and Escobar counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kansalainen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Escobar had his way with Tapani Kansalainen in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Escobar shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Escobar takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kansalainen misses with a hook. Escobar ducked under it nicely.
Escobar throws a hook but Kansalainen blocks it.
Kansalainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escobar was well out of range. Poor timing from Kansalainen.
Escobar checks a low kick from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen lands with a kick to the temple. Escobar shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Escobar lands a glancing blow to the side of Kansalainen's head.
Escobar throws a shot from downtown. Kansalainen moves away and avoids it.
Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen takes a swing at Escobar's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kansalainen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Escobar checks a leg kick.
Kansalainen throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Escobar misses the target.
Kansalainen connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar jabs Kansalainen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kansalainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escobar was well out of range. Poor timing from Kansalainen.
Escobar lands with a hook. Kansalainen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Escobar slips under a jab.
Escobar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Escobar lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kansalainen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kansalainen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Escobar misses with an uppercut.
Kansalainen misses with a looping right.
Escobar lands with a shot to the body.
Kansalainen misses with a looping left.
Escobar is looking to counter punch.
Escobar checks a low kick from Kansalainen.
Escobar fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kansalainen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A low kick from Kansalainen is predictable there
and Escobar counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kansalainen misses with a right hand
and Escobar counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kansalainen's knee momentarily.
Kansalainen connects with a leg kick. Escobar looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tapani Kansalainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen's corner calls for a 1-2. Kansalainen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Escobar slips a jab from Kansalainen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sloppy strikes from Escobar. Those never looked like landing.
Kansalainen throws out a loose jab but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kansalainen thuds a left hand into Escobar's body.
Kansalainen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Escobar looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kansalainen gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Escobar counters with a low kick, right behind Kansalainen 's knee.
Escobar connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kansalainen's hands.
Kansalainen throws a hook to the side of Escobar's head but Escobar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A left lands for Kansalainen.
Kansalainen is looking to clinch.
Good shot there by Escobar.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kansalainen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Escobar - the referee stops the clock and Kansalainen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Escobar. Kansalainen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kansalainen misses with a straight right.
Kansalainen throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen lands a really nice looking cross but Escobar seems unphased.
Escobar moves out of range as Kansalainen strikes.
Escobar fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Good leg kick by Escobar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A chopping leg kick lands by Escobar.
Kansalainen is looking to clinch.
Escobar went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kansalainen blocks a leg kick.
Escobar digs a good hook to Kansalainen's body.
Nice body punch from Kansalainen.
Kansalainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Escobar lands with a cross.

Kansalainen drives through and clinches with Escobar against the cage.
Kansalainen can't find room to land a body shot as Escobar controls the action.
Kansalainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Escobar blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kansalainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kansalainen blocks an uppercut.
Escobar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kansalainen lands a right hand.
Escobar working hard to break the clinch.

Escobar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Escobar takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kansalainen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Escobar gets caught by a brutal right hook which buckles his knees! Escobar tries to backpedal with his spaghettilegs but Kansalainen is headhunting and goes for the kill. A jab and a right hook connect and Escobar buckles badly as his eyes roll back. The referee steps in and saves Escobar!! Escobar is complaining but he was clearly out on his feet. Kansalainen throws his mouthpiece into the crowd. Mmmm spit-tastic.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tapani Kansalainen!
Tapani Kansalainen is the new featherweight champion!
A very excited looking Tapani Kansalainen rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.