PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jami Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gang Starr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Jokinen
vs
Starr

185 cm
21
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
213 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

South Side Swagger

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jami Jokinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gang Starr!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jokinen doesn't manage to clinch there - Starr circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jokinen.
Jokinen shoots for a double leg takedown but Starr sprawls well. He's pushed Jokinen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Starr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jami Jokinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Jokinen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Starr misses with a strike from the bottom.
Starr is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Jokinen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Starr punching from the bottom.
Starr flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Starr landing a few short strikes.

Jokinen wants to work for an arm triangle but Starr is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Starr flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Starr throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starr punching from the bottom.

Starr looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jokinen shoots for a takedown but Starr saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Starr clinches but Jokinen breaks the clinch

and Jokinen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Jokinen is breathing heavily.
Starr tries to get to full guard but Jokinen has control of the leg.
Starr flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Jokinen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Starr is pressing down on Jokinen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Starr keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
Jokinen landing some decent shots from guard.
Starr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jokinen's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Starr postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jokinen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Starr, into his guard.
Starr is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Starr working over Jokinen with some ground and pound. Jokinen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Jokinen gets full guard.
Starr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jokinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Starr scoring with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Starr scoring with some ground and pound.
Starr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jokinen is keeping the position for now.

Jokinen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Starr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Starr postures up and lands a big shot to Jokinen's brow.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Jokinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Jokinen is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen pulls Starr in close to prevent any damage.
Jokinen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Starr is one step ahead there.
Jokinen lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Jokinen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Jokinen wants to stand up but Starr is controlling him.
Starr distracts Jokinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Starr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jokinen is keeping the position for now.
Jokinen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Jokinen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Jokinen working the head and body with strikes.
Starr is refusing to be controlled, as Jokinen sits in half guard.
Jokinen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jokinen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jokinen is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Starr has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jokinen wants to pass to mount but Starr is defending the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Starr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Starr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jokinen advances position into side control!
Starr gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Jokinen is tying to control. Starr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jokinen tries to stand and escape but Starr is controlling the position.
Jokinen is trying to control the action in half guard but Starr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Jokinen decides to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horrible takedown by Jokinen or perhaps it was just good defense by Starr which made him look bad.

Jokinen gets the takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jami Jokinen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jokinen shoots in but Starr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jami Jokinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jokinen shoots in and drives through. Starr sprawls well.

Jokinen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Nice strikes from Jokinen there.
Jokinen trying to pass the guard but Starr defending well.
Starr gets full guard.
Jokinen preventing the sweep.
Starr is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jokinen is looking to stand up but Starr won't let him.
Jokinen stopping the sweep attempt from Starr.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Starr is on top in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Starr working some strikes from top position.
Jokinen is controlling Starr's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen working a defensive guard here.
Starr chips away with some ground and pound.
Jokinen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Starr!
Starr can't escape the position.
Jokinen lands a big shot there that rocks Starr but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
A nice elbow there by Jokinen.
Starr is squirming around, avoiding Jokinen's attempts to control the action.
Jokinen lands a big shot there that rocks Starr but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Jokinen working the ground and pound effectively.
Starr can't escape the position.
Jokinen punishing his opponent with strikes.
Starr in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen trying to control but Starr is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Jokinen working Starr over with strikes here.
Starr is wriggling around trying to escape.
Jokinen with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Jokinen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Starr is looking to get to half guard.
Jokinen lands a big shot there that rocks Starr but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Jokinen lands a big elbow.
Starr is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Jokinen has taken his back.
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!
Starr covers up after that shot from Jokinen.
Starr rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Starr is looking to improve his position.
Jokinen moves nicely into side control.
Starr manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starr is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Starr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Starr.

Starr escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jokinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Starr has his foot on Jokinen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jokinen works his way back into a safe position though.
Starr lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Jokinen!
Jokinen is in a horrible position here. Starr smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Starr pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Jokinen trying desperately to get to his feet.
Jokinen tries to hold on but Starr pushes him away.
Jokinen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Starr tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen is looking to improve his position but Starr isn't that keen on the idea.
Jokinen wants to control but Starr is having none of it.
Starr misses with a head shot.
Jokinen is working to get back to half guard.
Jokinen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Jami Jokinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Starr not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jokinen is trying to maintain the position but Starr is very close to passing his half guard.
Starr stops Jokinen from getting back to his feet.
Jokinen tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Jokinen is trying to stand up here but Starr is controlling him well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jokinen gets back to full guard.
Starr postures up and lands a big shot to Jokinen's brow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Starr content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Starr with a nice head shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jami Jokinen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Starr misses with a hook. Jokinen ducked under it nicely.
Horrible takedown by Jokinen or perhaps it was just good defense by Starr which made him look bad.

Starr shoots in and bounces Jokinen off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

Jokinen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jokinen looking to control.
Starr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Jokinen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Starr is in a horrible position here. Jokinen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Starr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jokinen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Jokinen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Starr can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Starr throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen looking to control but Starr is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Starr is trying to escape the mount.
Starr is in a horrible position here. Jokinen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Starr takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Starr is trying to escape the mount.
Jokinen has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Starr's face.
Jokinen has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Starr's face.

Jokinen working for a guillotine from mount but Starr is in no mood to give up.
Starr sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Starr manages to get to full guard.
Jokinen tries to stand but Starr is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starr tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

Jokinen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Starr wants to sweep here but Jokinen controlling him for the moment.

Starr has his foot on Jokinen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jokinen works his way back into a safe position though.
Jokinen stopping the sweep attempt from Starr.
Jokinen wants to control from the top but Starr keeps moving.
Jokinen forces his way into half guard.
Starr is looking to improve his position.
Starr is pressing down on Jokinen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Jokinen won't allow Starr to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Starr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jokinen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Starr's head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Starr is on top in guard.
Starr stands and throws Jokinen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Jokinen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Starr off and has taken his back!
Starr takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Starr rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Jokinen lands with a punch from half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Starr can do anything to dispel that myth.
Starr is pressing down on Jokinen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Starr is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Jokinen tries to get to full guard but Starr has control of the leg.
Starr working over Jokinen with some ground and pound. Jokinen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Jokinen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jokinen keeping full guard, as Starr tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starr working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

It looks like Jami Jokinen has been cut.
Starr pushing down on Jokinen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Starr is nestled in close to Jokinen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Starr is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jokinen gets full guard.
Starr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jokinen is keeping the position for now.
Starr postures up in Jokinen's guard and throws a big left but Jokinen blocks it.
Gang Starr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Starr won't allow Jokinen to sweep him here.
Starr keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jokinen's head.
Starr looking to pass the guard.
Starr distracts Jokinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Starr slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jokinen defending against the ground and pound.
Starr creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jokinen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Jokinen struggling a bit here.
Starr fails to land a wild elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gang Starr.
I think Jokinen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jami Jokinen!