PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timo Tarkkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yere Wirtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tarkkonen's entrance music is Konvehdinmussutajat - Älä lyö naamaan. A fine choice. Wirtanen has chosen Disturbed - Criminal as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tarkkonen
vs
Wirtanen

180 cm
18
176 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Tarkkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yere Wirtanen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarkkonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Tarkkonen swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Wirtanen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Wirtanen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Wirtanen controlling the position easily from mount.
Wirtanen unloading with bombs!
Wirtanen landing shots from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wirtanen controlling from mount.
Tarkkonen is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tarkkonen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Tarkkonen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wirtanen is working away from the top position though.
Tarkkonen wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarkkonen tries to roll over but Wirtanen keeps him under control.
Wirtanen prevents Tarkkonen from standing back up.
Wirtanen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tarkkonen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tarkkonen tries to roll over but Wirtanen keeps him under control.
Tarkkonen is trying to maintain the position but Wirtanen is very close to passing his half guard.
Wirtanen throwing shots but Tarkkonen is blocking nicely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tarkkonen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Wirtanen.
Tarkkonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wirtanen.
Tarkkonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Wirtanen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tarkkonen thows a body shot but no joy.

Wirtanen gets the takedown into side control.

Wirtanen stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wirtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wirtanen shoots for a double leg takedown but Tarkkonen sprawls well. He's pushed Wirtanen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tarkkonen looks to land a combination but Wirtanen avoids it well.
Tarkkonen throws a hook but Wirtanen avoids it easily.
Tarkkonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tarkkonen is breathing heavily.
Wirtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wirtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tarkkonen fails to land with a series of punches.
Wirtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wirtanen avoids the body shot from Tarkkonen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarkkonen throws a right hand that Wirtanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Wirtanen also avoids with ease.
Tarkkonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Wirtanen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wirtanen working away.
Wirtanen working the head and body with strikes.

Wirtanen stands up.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Wirtanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tarkkonen.
Timo Tarkkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wirtanen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Some wild striking there from Tarkkonen.
Tarkkonen throws a hook but Wirtanen blocks it.
Tarkkonen throws out a leg kick but Wirtanen moves out of range and Tarkkonen only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarkkonen closes the distance and clinches up with Wirtanen, looking for a takedown. Tarkkonen pushes Wirtanen against the cage but Wirtanen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wirtanen doesn't manage to clinch there - Tarkkonen circles away.
Wirtanen wants to clinch up but Tarkkonen keeps it at a distance.
Wirtanen throws a right hand that Tarkkonen ducks under and follows up with a left that Tarkkonen also avoids with ease.
Tarkkonen throws a combination that misses

and Wirtanen counters with a takedown into side control.

Wirtanen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tarkkonen has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Wirtanen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tarkkonen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Wirtanen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Tarkkonen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wirtanen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tarkkonen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Wirtanen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tarkkonen scores with a hook to the body. Wirtanen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tarkkonen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Wirtanen counters with a takedown into side control.
Tarkkonen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Tarkkonen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tarkkonen prevents Wirtanen from standing back up.
Tarkkonen is keen to just control but Wirtanen is a slippery customer.

Tarkkonen decides to stand up.
Tarkkonen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wirtanen defending well as Tarkkonen loads up on a big left hand.
Wirtanen tries to clinch there but Tarkkonen circles away.
Timo Tarkkonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wirtanen looks for a takedown but Tarkkonen sprawls well.
Tarkkonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wirtanen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tarkkonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
No joy there for Tarkkonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tarkkonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tarkkonen loads up on a big right hand but Wirtanen slips the punch.

Wirtanen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wirtanen wants to break free but Tarkkonen has control.

Tarkkonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tarkkonen shoots in but Wirtanen avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wirtanen doesn't manage to clinch there - Tarkkonen circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Tarkkonen as Wirtanen shoots in.
Tarkkonen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tarkkonen misses with a two punch combination.
Tarkkonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tarkkonen blocks a head kick by Wirtanen.
Wirtanen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Wirtanen looks for a takedown but Tarkkonen sprawls well.
Timo Tarkkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yere Wirtanen.
Wirtanen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tarkkonen misses with a looping left.
Tarkkonen darts in trying to clinch

and Wirtanen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tarkkonen won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarkkonen tries to improve position but can't.
Wirtanen is working Tarkkonen over with some ground and pound from side control.
Tarkkonen is trying to improve his position.
Wirtanen wants to control but Tarkkonen is keeping him busy.
Tarkkonen struggling a bit here.
Tarkkonen manages to get back to half guard.
Tarkkonen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wirtanen.
Wirtanen looks to land a strike but Tarkkonen avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Wirtanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarkkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

Tarkkonen kicks Wirtanen off and gets to his feet.
Tarkkonen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Wirtanen in his tracks.
Wirtanen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tarkkonen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tarkkonen throws a nice looking combination but Wirtanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wirtanen doesn't manage to clinch there - Tarkkonen circles away.
Tarkkonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wirtanen moves away.
Wirtanen tries to clinch there but Tarkkonen circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wirtanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tarkkonen with a poor takedown

and Wirtanen counters with a single leg into guard. Tarkkonen didn't expect that.

Wirtanen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tarkkonen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Wirtanen, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yere Wirtanen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tarkkonen has a takedown stuffed.
Wirtanen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tarkkonen if he has to take too many more of those.
Wirtanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tarkkonen circles away.
Tarkkonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wirtanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wirtanen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tarkkonen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Wirtanen. Wirtanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Wirtanen fails to land with a series of punches.
Wirtanen tries to close the distance and clinch but Tarkkonen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tarkkonen throws a leg kick that is checked

and Wirtanen counters with a single leg into guard. Tarkkonen didn't expect that.
Wirtanen wants to control from the top but Tarkkonen keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Tarkkonen has his feet on Wirtanen's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wirtanen slips a jab and a cross from Tarkkonen.
Wirtanen shoots for a double leg takedown but Tarkkonen sprawls well. He's pushed Wirtanen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wirtanen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wirtanen blocks a low kick nicely.
Tarkkonen throws out a loose jab but Wirtanen uses good head movement to avoid it.

Tarkkonen closes the distance and clinches.
Wirtanen is trying to drag Tarkkonen to the mat but Tarkkonen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Timo Tarkkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yere Wirtanen.

Tarkkonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wirtanen slips a straight right by Tarkkonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Good shot there by Tarkkonen.
Wirtanen lands with a slapping head kick.
Tarkkonen throws a right hand that Wirtanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Wirtanen also avoids with ease.
Tarkkonen misses with the combination.

Wirtanen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Tarkkonen wants to improve his position but Wirtanen is controlling well.
Wirtanen is trying to control. Tarkkonen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tarkkonen keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Wirtanen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tarkkonen defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wirtanen is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Tarkkonen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Wirtanen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wirtanen wants to free his trapped foot but Tarkkonen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Wirtanen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Tarkkonen shoots in and bounces Wirtanen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tarkkonen pushes down on Wirtanen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Timo Tarkkonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wirtanen is looking to escape.
Tarkkonen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wirtanen is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Tarkkonen landing punches.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tarkkonen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Yere Wirtanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tarkkonen avoids the attempt from Wirtanen to control.
Tarkkonen lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Wirtanen is in a horrible position here. Tarkkonen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Tarkkonen landing strikes from the mount and Wirtanen is in trouble!

Tarkkonen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Wirtanen turns into him and now he's in Tarkkonen's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yere Wirtanen.
I've got Wirtanen 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yere Wirtanen!