PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pulla Pesonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Voitto Tuska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pesonen
vs
Tuska

195 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
164 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pulla Pesonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Voitto Tuska!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tuska scores with a takedown into Pesonen's guard.

Pesonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tuska doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tuska manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tuska advances position into side control!
Pesonen taking punishment in the form of punches.
Pesonen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Pesonen is looking to regain half guard here but Tuska keeps moving and retains side control.
Pesonen wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Tuska working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tuska looks gassed!

Tuska is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pesonen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen is trying to get back to half guard.
Pesonen is pushing Tuska's head away, looking to escape. Tuska manages to hold on to the position though.
Tuska working the head and body with strikes.

Tuska is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pesonen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pesonen is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pesonen tries to bench press Tuska off him but Tuska keeps the position.
Tuska fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Tuska tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tuska has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tuska slips a jab and a cross from Pesonen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tuska counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Pesonen's guard now.

Tuska postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Pesonen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tuska, into his guard.
Pesonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Tuska is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tuska tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pesonen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pesonen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tuska has a closed guard, preventing Pesonen from standing up.

Tuska looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Pesonen passes into side control.
Pesonen working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tuska is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Tuska misses with an elbow from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Voitto Tuska dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tuska avoids the head kick by Pesonen.
Pesonen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tuska counters with a shoot takedown. Pesonen fights it but they end up in guard.

Tuska avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Pesonen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tuska controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pesonen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tuska forces his way into half guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Tuska. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Tuska missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tuska trying to control the action but Pesonen is working from the bottom.
Tuska thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Pesonen to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Pesonen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Tuska decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Pesonen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tuska counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Pesonen's guard now.

Tuska stands up and waves to Pesonen to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen tries for a takedown but Tuska circles away easily

so Tuska counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pulla Pesonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tuska controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tuska accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tuska working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pesonen wants to sweep here but Tuska controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuska tries to free his leg and advance position but Pesonen is retaining full guard.

Tuska has gone for a leg lock! Pesonen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tuska's guard.
Tuska has a closed guard, preventing Pesonen from standing up.

Tuska throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pesonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Voitto Tuska showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pesonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Pesonen tries to clinch there but Tuska circles away.
Pesonen fails with the takedown

so Tuska counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Pesonen 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.
Voitto Tuska has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tuska forces his way into half guard.

Tuska is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pesonen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tuska.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tuska is pressing down on Pesonen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pesonen is holding on for now.
Tuska looks to land a strike but Pesonen avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Tuska throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tuska throws a big right hand that misses.
Tuska postures up.

Pesonen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tuska can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pesonen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pesonen tries for a takedown but Tuska circles away easily

and Tuska counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pesonen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuska slips nicely into half guard.

Pesonen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tuska stalling.
Tuska thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tuska not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tuska not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Tuska is trying to work for a kimura but Pesonen is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tuska missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Pesonen looking for submissions off his back.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pesonen misses with a takedown attempt

and Tuska counters with a single leg into guard. Pesonen didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pulla Pesonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tuska loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Voitto Tuska is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tuska trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tuska pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pesonen is keeping the position for now.
Pulla Pesonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Tuska drops back, looking for a kneebar! Pesonen looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Pesonen looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Pesonen!

And that's the end of the fight!
Voitto Tuska comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tuska has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Voitto Tuska!