PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Petteri Ojanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Schmidt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ojanen
vs
Schmidt

180 cm
22
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

165 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Petteri Ojanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karl Schmidt!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ojanen shoots in and drives through. Schmidt sprawls well.
No joy there for Ojanen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Horrible takedown by Schmidt or perhaps it was just good defense by Ojanen which made him look bad.

Ojanen scores with a takedown into Schmidt's guard.
Schmidt thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ojanen stands and throws Schmidt's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ojanen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Schmidt tries to buck Ojanen off but Ojanen is having none of it.

Ojanen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ojanen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Schmidt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ojanen trying to control the position but Schmidt is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmidt is trying to get back to half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Ojanen clinches up with Schmidt and pushes him back against the cage.
Ojanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Schmidt won't allow it.
Schmidt tries to land a knee to the head but Ojanen blocks with his arms.
Schmidt misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ojanen.

Schmidt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ojanen tries for a takedown but Schmidt circles away easily

and Schmidt holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ojanen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Schmidt using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ojanen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Schmidt creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ojanen will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Schmidt up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Schmidt trying to land knees to the body.

Schmidt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Schmidt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ojanen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ojanen tries to clinch but Schmidt is having none of it.
Ojanen avoids the head kick by Schmidt.
Schmidt moves in looking to clinch but Ojanen pushes him off.

Ojanen scores a takedown into full mount!
Schmidt tries to lock up and control but Ojanen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ojanen is breathing heavily.
Ojanen prevents Schmidt from getting the reversal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ojanen wants to take his opponent's back but Schmidt doesn't allow it.
Ojanen looking to control and managing it successfully.
Schmidt wants to hold on but Ojanen pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ojanen looking to control but Schmidt is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ojanen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ojanen thowing shots but they're missing.
Ojanen prevents Schmidt from getting the reversal.

Ojanen looking for a guillotine from mount but Schmidt is having none of it.
Schmidt is wriggling around trying to escape.

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.
Ojanen is trying to take his opponent's back.
Schmidt is desperately trying to improve his position but Ojanen has a good base and remains in mount.
Ojanen controlling the position easily from mount.
Ojanen lands a heavy elbow.

Ojanen looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Ojanen seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Schmidt is holding on tight.
Schmidt tries to hold on but Ojanen postures up.

Ojanen is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Schmidt can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petteri Ojanen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ojanen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ojanen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Schmidt's hands.
Schmidt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ojanen is fending him off so far but Schmidt persists. Nope, Ojanen circles away and we're back to standing.
Ojanen throws a right hand that Schmidt ducks under and follows up with a left that Schmidt also avoids with ease.
Ojanen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Schmidt counters by clinching up.

Ojanen pulls guard.
Ojanen keeping moving, preventing Schmidt from controlling successfully.
Ojanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Schmidt is one step ahead there.

Ojanen has his foot on Schmidt's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schmidt works his way back into a safe position though.
Ojanen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Schmidt sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmidt wants to control from the top but Ojanen keeps moving.

Ojanen had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Schmidt is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Ojanen Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Schmidt's back instead.
Schmidt trying to control the position but Ojanen manages to sink in the hooks.
A lull in the action here.
Ojanen is not going to allow Schmidt to sit and survive in this position.
Ojanen lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Schmidt hold on?!
Ojanen looking to hold on to the position here but Schmidt rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Schmidt pulls Ojanen in close to prevent any damage.

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.

Ojanen stands and steps away. Schmidt gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Schmidt moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ojanen closes the distance and clinches up with Schmidt, looking for a takedown. Ojanen pushes Schmidt against the cage but Schmidt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ojanen stuffs the takedown attempt from Schmidt. Schmidt gets slowly back to his feet.
Schmidt moves in looking to clinch but Ojanen pushes him off.

Schmidt moves into range and clinches up with Ojanen.
Schmidt tries to land a knee to the head but Ojanen blocks with his arms.
Schmidt tries to land a knee to the head but Ojanen blocks with his arms.

Ojanen manages to break the clinch.
Schmidt tries to clinch but Ojanen is having none of it.
Ojanen keeps the fight on the outside.
Schmidt tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ojanen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Schmidt is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ojanen.
Schmidt moves forwards but Ojanen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ojanen moves away from the strike by Schmidt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt wants to clinch.
Ojanen looks to land a combination but Schmidt avoids it well.
Schmidt tries to clinch up

and Ojanen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Schmidt avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ojanen.

Ojanen is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Schmidt has managed to free his arm - good work.
Schmidt trying to hold on to Ojanen's head to control him but Ojanen postures up.

Ojanen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Schmidt trying to control but Ojanen postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schmidt actively working from the bottom here.
Ojanen is nestled in close to Schmidt, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Schmidt is trying to control but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Schmidt fails with an attempt to clinch.
Schmidt shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ojanen but Ojanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Petteri Ojanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karl Schmidt.
Ojanen throws a series of punches but Schmidt avoids them all with ease.
Schmidt with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ojanen counters with a three punch combo that has Schmidt backing up. Schmidt nods at Ojanen to acknowledge the strikes.
Schmidt wants to clinch.
Schmidt wants to clinch but Ojanen slips to the side
and Ojanen counters with a head kick. That will keep Schmidt thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petteri Ojanen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Schmidt shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Schmidt closes the distance and clinches.
Ojanen tries to break the clinch but Schmidt is controlling the position.
Ojanen wants to break free but Schmidt has control.
Schmidt is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ojanen is keeping busy.
Schmidt lands a nice uppercut.
Ojanen looking to throw knees to the head but Schmidt is blocking nicely.
Schmidt can't find room to land a body shot as Ojanen controls the action.
Schmidt has had enough of the clinch but Ojanen keeps him there for the moment.
Schmidt missing with knees to the body.
Ojanen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Schmidt pulls his leg out and moves away.
Petteri Ojanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Schmidt clinches up with Ojanen and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ojanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Schmidt wants to stall.
Ojanen trying to land knees to the body.
Ojanen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ojanen fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmidt has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ojanen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Schmidt tries for a takedown but Ojanen manages to get underhooks.

Ojanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Schmidt closes the distance but Ojanen moves to the side

and Ojanen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ojanen wants to control but Schmidt is keeping him busy.
Schmidt trying to control but Ojanen postures up.
Schmidt is looking to improve his position.

Ojanen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Schmidt keeping control of the position.
Schmidt works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ojanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Schmidt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ojanen stays in close to Schmidt's body and controls the position.
Ojanen wants to control from the top but Schmidt keeps moving.
Ojanen postures up and lands a big shot to Schmidt's brow.
Schmidt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ojanen is one step ahead there.
Petteri Ojanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ojanen wants to stand but Schmidt is controlling his posture from full guard.

Schmidt kicks Ojanen off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ojanen throws a predictable looking body shot

so Schmidt counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Ojanen has his foot on Schmidt's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schmidt works his way back into a safe position though.

Ojanen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Schmidt wants to control from the top but Ojanen keeps moving.

Ojanen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schmidt doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schmidt manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schmidt stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ojanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Schmidt scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Schmidt trying to control but Ojanen is working from the bottom.
Ojanen is trying to control the position but Schmidt postures up.
Ojanen keeping moving, preventing Schmidt from controlling successfully.
Schmidt looking to pass the guard.
Schmidt trying to control the position from guard on top but Ojanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ojanen scores with a nice head shot.
Ojanen moves in looking to clinch but Schmidt pushes him off.
Ojanen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ojanen scores with a takedown into Schmidt's guard.
Karl Schmidt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Schmidt is looking for a triangle but Ojanen pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Petteri Ojanen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ojanen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Petteri Ojanen!