PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jackson Alvarez (ranked 1904 p4p, 2642 weight class) and Jere Luokkamaki (ranked 209 p4p, 269 weight class). Alvarez comes to the cage accompanied by Juan Luis Guerra - Soldado. Jackson Alvarez had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. 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.

Alvarez
vs
Luokkamaki

170 cm
28
157
9 - 3 - 0

170 cm
21
145
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Vegan Gains

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jackson Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jere Luokkamaki!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez misses with an uppercut.
Alvarez fails with a takedown attempt.
Alvarez has been working on his balance at The Scrap Squad, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Luokkamaki.
Alvarez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Luokkamaki is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Luokkamaki lands a head shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Luokkamaki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luokkamaki scores with a nice head shot.
Alvarez throws a looping overhand right but Luokkamaki ducks down to avoid it.
Luokkamaki cracks Alvarez with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alvarez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Alvarez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Luokkamaki's waist but Luokkamaki gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alvarez off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luokkamaki misses with a looping left.
Alvarez looks to land a left hand but Luokkamaki moved out of range nicely.
Alvarez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Luokkamaki rushes Alvarez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Luokkamaki throws a punch but it's blocked by Alvarez.
Alvarez takes a shot to the head.
Luokkamaki misses with some punches.
A right hand to the body from Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Alvarez backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Luokkamaki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Luokkamaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A frustrated look appears on Alvarez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Luokkamaki lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alvarez blocks a body shot from Luokkamaki.
Alvarez is trying to pull guard but Luokkamaki has him pressed against the cage.

Alvarez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alvarez slips a straight right by Luokkamaki.
It looked like Alvarez was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Jab by Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alvarez throws a jab when Luokkamaki was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez misses with a looping right.
Alvarez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Luokkamaki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alvarez is defended easily by Luokkamaki.
Alvarez throws a looping overhand right but Luokkamaki ducks down to avoid it.
Luokkamaki's corner calls for a 1-2. Luokkamaki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Luokkamaki digs a good body shot into Alvarez's ribs.
Alvarez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Luokkamaki circles away quickly and effectively.
Luokkamaki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Alvarez. Alvarez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Luokkamaki has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Jere Luokkamaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luokkamaki scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alvarez doesn't seem bothered though.
Luokkamaki lands with an uppercut that bounces Alvarez off the cage and back into range.
Luokkamaki throws an overhand right that lands on Alvarez's shoulder, as Alvarez tries to avoid the shot.
Alvarez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez lands a jab-cross combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luokkamaki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alvarez.
A combination from Alvarez does no damage.
Alvarez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Luokkamaki defends well and Alvarez ends up having to push Luokkamaki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Alvarez is breathing heavily.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Alvarez takes a shot to the head.

Alvarez has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Luokkamaki is trying to keep an underhook but Alvarez manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Luokkamaki is controlling Alvarez's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Alvarez trying to control the action but Luokkamaki is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jere Luokkamaki dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Luokkamaki uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luokkamaki. Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luokkamaki drops his hands momentarily and Alvarez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Luokkamaki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Alvarez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Alvarez is looking to counter punch.
A jab from Luokkamaki does it's job there.
Luokkamaki swings away with a body shot that misses
and Alvarez counters with a three punch combo that has Luokkamaki backing up. Luokkamaki nods at Alvarez to acknowledge the strikes.
Alvarez takes one on the button.
Alvarez throws a hook to the side of Luokkamaki's head but Luokkamaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Luokkamaki is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Alvarez.
Luokkamaki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luokkamaki lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Luokkamaki throws out a loose jab but Alvarez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alvarez takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Alvarez avoids the body shot from Luokkamaki.

Luokkamaki moves into range and clinches up with Alvarez.
A head punch on the inside from Luokkamaki fails to land.

Alvarez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Luokkamaki connects with a nice looking jab.
Luokkamaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alvarez lands with a hook. Luokkamaki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Alvarez moves forwards but Luokkamaki connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Alvarez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Luokkamaki to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Luokkamaki in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alvarez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Alvarez loads up on a big right hand but Luokkamaki slips the punch.
Luokkamaki comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Luokkamaki scores with a hook to the body. Alvarez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Jere Luokkamaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Alvarez misses.
Alvarez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Luokkamaki throws a good cross that connects.
Luokkamaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Alvarez ducks right into an uppercut from Luokkamaki.
Alvarez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Luokkamaki works Alvarez's body with a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Alvarez's head backwards.

Luokkamaki rushes Alvarez and presses him up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Luokkamaki fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
Luokkamaki lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Alvarez.
Luokkamaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Luokkamaki gets through Alvarez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Luokkamaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Luokkamaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alvarezs head.
A short right from Luokkamaki on the inside.
Alvarez fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is trying to pull guard but Luokkamaki turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luokkamaki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Alvarez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Luokkamaki tries a body shot but Alvarez blocks it.
Luokkamaki lands a nice uppercut.
Alvarez is trying to pull guard but Luokkamaki has him pressed against the cage.
Luokkamaki lands a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luokkamaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Luokkamaki working aggressively here.
Luokkamaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Alvarez works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Luokkamaki controlling Alvarez's posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jere Luokkamaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Luokkamaki pushes Alvarez up against the cage in a clinch.
Luokkamaki misses with the head strike.

Alvarez pulls guard.
Luokkamaki looking to pass the guard.
Luokkamaki stops Alvarez from standing up.
Alvarez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Alvarez tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luokkamaki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Luokkamaki is continuing to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to stand up but Luokkamaki is controlling him.
Luokkamaki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alvarez is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two 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.
Alvarez scoring well with a low kick there.
Luokkamaki lands a slapping body shot.
Luokkamaki misses with a hook. Alvarez ducked under it nicely.
Luokkamaki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Alvarez half committed to a counter leg kick.
Alvarez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Luokkamaki.
Alvarez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Alvarez works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Alvarez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Alvarez slips under a jab.
Luokkamaki misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alvarez doesn't seem bothered though.
Alvarez will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Luokkamaki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Alvarez throws a leg kick but Luokkamaki moved away.
Alvarez throws a nice looking combination but Luokkamaki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alvarez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Luokkamaki connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Alvarez's hands.
Luokkamaki wants to clinch up but Alvarez keeps it at a distance.
Alvarez throwing a counter right hand but Luokkamaki manages to avoid it.
Jere Luokkamaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Alvarez cracks Luokkamaki with a good jab.
Alvarez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jackson Alvarez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Luokkamaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Alvarez is just out of range.
Luokkamaki lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Alvarez staying out of range there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alvarez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Alvarez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Luokkamaki is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Luokkamaki throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Alvarez staying out of range there.
Luokkamaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Alvarez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alvarez slips a jab from Luokkamaki.
Alvarez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A swing and a miss from Alvarez.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Luokkamaki uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Alvarez has time to react.
Jackson Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alvarez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Luokkamaki.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jere Luokkamaki.
I've got Luokkamaki winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jere Luokkamaki!