PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Reijo Halli (ranked 944 p4p, 680 weight class) and Adrian Picklesbly (ranked 137 p4p, 104 weight class). Halli comes to the cage accompanied by Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz. Picklesbly comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Angels in Heaven - Chris Rodrigues & the Spoon Lady kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Halli
vs
Picklesbly

177 cm
37
156
14 - 9 - 1

169 cm
35
149
27 - 16 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reijo Halli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Adrian Picklesbly!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halli with a poor takedown
letting Picklesbly counter with a right hand.
We've been informed that Picklesbly has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Halli closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Picklesbly is fighting off a takedown attempt but Halli is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Picklesbly to the mat. Picklesbly regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Picklesbly 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Picklesbly is on top in guard.

Picklesbly tries to free his leg and advance position but Halli is retaining full guard.

Halli had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Picklesbly defends it easily.
Picklesbly stands and throws Halli's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halli is looking to reverse the position.
Picklesbly trying to control the position but Halli is working away.

Picklesbly is trying to get an arm triangle but Halli is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Picklesbly controls the position from side control.

Picklesbly is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Halli knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Halli manages to work his way to half guard, despite Picklesbly's best efforts.

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.

Picklesbly is looking for a kimura here.
Picklesbly seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Halli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Picklesbly prevents Halli from improving his position.
Picklesbly trying to pass the guard but Halli defending well.

Picklesbly is working for a submission of some sort.
Halli wants to control but Picklesbly is keeping busy.
Halli is holding on to half guard well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halli trying to control from the bottom.
Halli wants to get back to full guard.
Halli trying to control but Picklesbly postures up.
Halli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Halli keeping moving, preventing Picklesbly from controlling successfully.
Picklesbly stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Halli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halli keeping moving, preventing Picklesbly from controlling successfully.

Picklesbly drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Picklesbly jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Picklesbly stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Halli swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
Picklesbly trying to control but Halli is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Halli swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Picklesbly.
Adrian Picklesbly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Halli has taken the fight to the clinch.
Halli drops down looking for an ankle pick but Picklesbly pulls his leg out and moves away.
Halli misses with an uppercut
and Halli takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A chopping leg kick lands by Picklesbly.
Picklesbly moves out of range of the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Picklesbly! But no joy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Halli.
Halli tries to clinch up.
Halli sets himself, and Picklesbly steps forward looking for the clinch! Halli avoids it this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Adrian Picklesbly will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Halli shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Picklesbly as he avoids it easily.
Halli throws a shot from downtown. Picklesbly moves away and avoids it.
A countering left hand to the body from Picklesbly misses.
Halli is trying hard to land a takedown here. Picklesbly sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Picklesbly appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Picklesbly thows a left - swing and a miss!
Halli throws an overhand right that lands on Picklesbly's shoulder, as Picklesbly tries to avoid the shot.
Picklesbly tries to counter with a clinch but Halli shakes him off and moves away.
Picklesbly swats away the attempt to clinch by Halli.
Picklesbly tries to counter with a clinch but Halli shakes him off and moves away.
Halli fails with the takedown
and Picklesbly counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reijo Halli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halli looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Picklesbly is fending him off so far but Halli persists. Nope, Picklesbly circles away and we're back to standing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Picklesbly! But no joy.
Halli slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Halli gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Halli has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Picklesbly avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Picklesbly lands a left hand.
Picklesbly lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Halli is trying to pull guard but Picklesbly has him pressed against the cage.
Picklesbly prevents the takedown attempt.
Halli jumps guard but Picklesbly turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Halli wants to take the fight to the mat but Picklesbly manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Picklesbly can't find room to land a body shot as Halli controls the action.
Picklesbly scores with a shot to the side of Halli's head.
Picklesbly doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Picklesbly.
Picklesbly tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Halli avoids it.
Halli drops down looking for an ankle pick but Picklesbly pulls his leg out and moves away.
Halli swings widly with a right hand
and Picklesbly counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Picklesbly swings for the body but Halli moves out of range.
Halli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Picklesbly appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
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!
Halli is trying to break free.

Halli has Picklesbly pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Halli pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Picklesbly tumbling to the mat - Halli dives into Picklesbly's guard.
Picklesbly is trying to control the position but Halli postures up.

Halli avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Picklesbly is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Halli is aware though and is defending well.
Halli postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Picklesbly has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Picklesbly looking for a guillotine here but Halli defends easily.

Picklesbly is looking for a triangle but Halli pushes his legs off easily.
Picklesbly keeping moving, preventing Halli from controlling successfully.
Picklesbly has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Picklesbly 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.
Reijo Halli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four 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.
Halli trying to control but Picklesbly is working from the bottom.
Halli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Picklesbly is keeping the position for now.
Picklesbly is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Halli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Picklesbly looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Adrian Picklesbly seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Halli throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Picklesbly steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Halli.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Picklesbly stuffs the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Picklesbly as Halli shoots in.
Picklesbly swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Picklesbly showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Picklesbly throws a looping overhand right but Halli ducks down to avoid it.
Reijo Halli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Halli misses with a jab to the body
and Picklesbly counters with a straight right hand.
Halli gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Picklesbly counters with a good low kick that Halli was not able to check.

Halli moves into range and clinches up with Picklesbly.
Picklesbly misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Halli.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Picklesbly just misses with a elbow thrown towards Halli's brow.
Halli tries to score a body lock takedown but Picklesbly shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Picklesbly throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Picklesbly lands with a short head shot on the inside.
I was talking to Halli's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Picklesbly lands an uppercut.
Halli is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Picklesbly is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reijo Halli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halli is trying to drag Picklesbly to the mat but Picklesbly just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Halli is trying to drag Picklesbly to the mat but Picklesbly just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halli has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Picklesbly is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Halli is working for takedown but Picklesbly is calmly controlling the position for now.
Halli blocks an uppercut.
Picklesbly lands a nice uppercut.
Picklesbly has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Halli tries for a takedown but Picklesbly manages to get underhooks.
Picklesbly lands a nice elbow.
Picklesbly lands a shoulder strike.
Picklesbly lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Reijo Halli has been cut.
Halli goes for a takedown attempt but Picklesbly pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Picklesbly slaps away a takedown attempt from Halli, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Halli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Picklesbly swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Halli shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Picklesbly counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Picklesbly misses with a body punch.
A short left from Picklesbly.
Picklesbly is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Halli is defending well for now.
Picklesbly is pressed up against the cage. Halli has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Picklesbly down to the mat. Picklesbly avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Halli closes this distance looking for a takedown but Picklesbly circles away.
Picklesbly wants to counter the offense by Halli and move into the clinch position.
Halli tries for a takedown but Picklesbly circles away easily

and Picklesbly counters by clinching up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Picklesbly gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Halli.
Halli jumps guard but Picklesbly turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Halli.
Picklesbly working aggressively here.
Halli drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Picklesbly gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Picklesbly can't find room to land a body shot as Halli controls the action.
Halli is working for takedown but Picklesbly is calmly controlling the position for now.
Picklesbly lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Halli is looking to take this one to the mat.
Picklesbly lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Adrian Picklesbly seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Picklesbly scores a nice knee to the body.
Picklesbly misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Halli.
Picklesbly tries a body shot but Halli blocks it.
Halli takes a shot to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Picklesbly.
Picklesbly missing with knees to the body.
Picklesbly lands a hook that snaps the head of Halli backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Picklesbly.
Picklesbly can't find room to land a body shot as Halli controls the action.
A right hand to the body from Picklesbly.
Halli is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Picklesbly to keep the fight standing.
Nice elbow from Picklesbly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Halli has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Picklesbly avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Picklesbly scores with a nice short uppercut.
Halli has Picklesbly pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Picklesbly manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Picklesbly lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Halli.
Picklesbly lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Picklesbly tries to work over Halli's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Halli goes for a takedown in the clinch but Picklesbly prevents it.
Halli avoids a wild elbow strike from Picklesbly.
Picklesbly throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hallis head.
Picklesbly is pressed up against the cage. Halli has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Picklesbly down to the mat. Picklesbly avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Picklesbly. Beautiful body shot.
A slow jab from Halli misses its intended target.
Picklesbly throws out a loose jab but Halli uses good head movement to avoid it.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Picklesbly. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Halli misses with a straight right.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Picklesbly! But no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adrian Picklesbly comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Picklesbly 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adrian Picklesbly!
A very excited looking Adrian Picklesbly made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.