PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paavo Putkinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ukko Pekka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Putkinen
vs
Pekka

195 cm
21
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
22
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
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 Tokyo, Paavo Putkinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ukko Pekka!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pekka shoots in and drives through. Putkinen sprawls well.
Putkinen lands with a kick to the temple. Pekka shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Pekka shoots in for a takedown but Putkinen shows good takedown defense.
Danga de danga de dang - Putkinen scores with a four punch combination!
Putkinen scores with a hook.
Putkinen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pekka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pekka connects with a looping right hand.
Pekka tries to clinch but Putkinen is having none of it.
Putkinen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pekka looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Pekka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pekka blocks a head kick by Putkinen.
Pekka takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Putkinen throws a one two combo.

Putkinen instigates a clinch.
Putkinen connects with a knee to the head.
Pekka managing to block the knees to the body from Putkinen.
Putkinen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Putkinen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Putkinen scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Putkinen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Pekka is keeping busy.
Putkinen can't break the clinch.
Putkinen tries a knee to the head but Pekka blocks it.

Putkinen manages to break the clinch.
Putkinen throws a head kick but Pekka moves out of range.
Putkinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pekka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pekka tries to clinch up but Putkinen circles away and keeps his distance.
Pekka staying out of range there.

Putkinen clinches with his opponent.

Pekka manages to pull guard.
Pekka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pekka manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Pekka with shots to the head and body - Putkinen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Pekka throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Putkinen because Pekka loaded up on that one.
Putkinen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekka can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Putkinen is looking to escape.
Pekka scoring with strikes but Putkinen is staying in there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Putkinen wants to get back to his feet.
Putkinen tries to hold on but Pekka postures up.
Putkinen is breathing heavily.
Pekka thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Poor strikes thrown by Pekka there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Putkinen is in a horrible position here. Pekka smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Pekka scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Putkinen?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekka trying to control but Putkinen is having none of it.
A nice elbow there by Pekka.

Putkinen is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pekka looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pekka looking to finish Putkinen with some ground and pound. This is bad for Putkinen!
Oh Putkinen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Pekka has hold of Putkinen's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Putkinen manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Putkinen seems to have got his legs back now.
Putkinen is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pekka wants to finish this one by submission but Putkinen is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Pekka.
Pekka sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Putkinen takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pekka landing strikes from the mount and Putkinen is in trouble!
Pekka lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukko Pekka dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Putkinen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paavo Putkinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Putkinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Putkinen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Pekka looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Pekka tries to clinch but Putkinen moves away
and Putkinen counters with an outside leg kick.
Putkinen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Pekka.
Pekka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Putkinen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Putkinen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Pekka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Putkinen is fending him off so far but Pekka persists. Nope, Putkinen circles away and we're back to standing.
Putkinen lands a glancing blow to the side of Pekka's head.
Putkinen with a nice cross.
Putkinen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Pekka.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Putkinen scores with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Putkinen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pekka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pekka tries to pull guard but Putkinen holds him up against the cage and eventually Pekka drops back down to his feet.
Paavo Putkinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ukko Pekka.
Putkinen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pekka blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pekka looking to stall.

Putkinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A lazy left from Putkinen finds it's target.
Putkinen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Putkinen tests Pekka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Putkinen looks to throw the jab but Pekka is out of range.
Paavo Putkinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pekka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Putkinen scores with a leg kick.
Horrible takedown by Pekka or perhaps it was just good defense by Putkinen which made him look bad.
Pekka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Putkinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Putkinen lands a head kick. Pekka smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Pekka lands with a shot to the body.
Pekka closes the distance and clinches up with Putkinen, looking for a takedown. Pekka pushes Putkinen against the cage but Putkinen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Putkinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Putkinen throws a series of punches but Pekka moves out of range.
Putkinen swinging wilding here.
Pekka misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pekka fails with the takedown.
Putkinen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Pekka walks into a stiff left hand from Putkinen.

Putkinen forces Pekka back against the cage and clinches.
Putkinen looking to stall.
Pekka is working for takedown but Putkinen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Putkinen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pekka blocks it with crossed arms.

Pekka manages to pull guard.
Putkinen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pekka's guard.
Pekka wants to hit a switch here but Putkinen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Pekka there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putkinen looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pekka is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Pekka swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Pekka wants to try and get back to his feet.
Putkinen prevents Pekka from getting the reversal.
Putkinen content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Putkinen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Pekka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pekka is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Putkinen content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paavo Putkinen dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Pekka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Putkinen throws a predictable looking body shot

and Pekka counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pekka won't allow Putkinen to get back to his feet.

Putkinen has his feet on Pekka's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Putkinen lands with a slapping head kick.
Pekka tries to clinch up but Putkinen circles away and keeps his distance.
Pekka swats away the attempt to clinch by Putkinen.
Putkinen connects with a looping right hand.
Putkinen connects with a looping right hand.
Pekka stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Putkinen.
Putkinen misses with a wild combination.
Pekka thuds a left hand into Putkinen's body.
Paavo Putkinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekka fails to land the takedown.
Pekka takes one to the side of the head.
Pekka shoots in but no luck this time.
Paavo Putkinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ukko Pekka.

Putkinen closes the distance and clinches.
Pekka is working for takedown but Putkinen is calmly controlling the position for now.
The referee calls for Pekka to work.
Pekka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Putkinen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Pekka breaks the clinch.
Pekka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Putkinen swivels and escapes.
Putkinen misses with an uppercut. Pekka saw that one coming.
Putkinen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Pekka tries to clinch but Putkinen moves out of range.
Pekka misses with a takedown attempt - Putkinen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A jab-cross combination lands for Pekka and sends Putkinen crashing to the mat! Pekka follows him down to the mat - Putkinen regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
Pekka lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Putkinen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Putkinen makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Putkinen throws a nice looking combination but Pekka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Putkinen lands a nice hook to Pekka's body. Pekka takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Putkinen throws a hook but Pekka blocks it.
Putkinen lands with a right hand.
Paavo Putkinen is winning the standup battle so far.
Pekka is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Putkinen.
Putkinen connects with a high 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!
Pekka tries to clinch but Putkinen moves away
enabling Putkinen to counter with a crisp jab.
Pekka avoids the head kick by Putkinen.
Pekka shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Putkinen as he avoids it easily.
Pekka blocks a head kick by Putkinen.
A solid leg kick lands there for Putkinen.
Putkinen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Putkinen's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Putkinen duly obliges.
Putkinen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putkinen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Putkinen drives through and clinches with Pekka against the cage.
Pekka is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Putkinen tries to land a knee to the head but Pekka blocks with his arms.
Putkinen tries to land a knee to the head but Pekka blocks with his arms.
Putkinen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Pekka prevents Putkinen from breaking the clinch.
Pekka drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Putkinen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Pekka tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Putkinen tries to land a knee to the head but Pekka blocks with his arms.

Pekka successfully pulls guard.
Pekka has Putkinen pulled in close to control his posture.

Pekka has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Putkinen off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Nice sprawl there from Putkinen as Pekka shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Putkinen as Pekka shoots in.
Putkinen throws the left hand but Pekka avoids the punch easily.
Putkinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pekka blocks a head kick by Putkinen.
Putkinen scores with a jab to the head.
Pekka tries for a takedown but Putkinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pekka has a takedown stuffed.
Donk. Putkinen catches Pekka right on the button with a cross.
Horrible takedown by Pekka or perhaps it was just good defense by Putkinen which made him look bad.
Nice combo by Pekka! Oh, that's hurt him - Putkinen falls to the canvas and Pekka follows him into side control.

Pekka decides to stand back up. Pekka steps back and let's Putkinen get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Putkinen lands with an uppercut that bounces Pekka off the cage and back into rage.
Pekka ducks right into an uppercut from Putkinen.
Pekka clinches but Putkinen breaks the clinch
and Pekka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ukko Pekka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pekka 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ukko Pekka!