PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Paul Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pelle Paniikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paniikki has chosen N'sync - Bye Bye Bye as his entrance music. Pelle Paniikki is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Martin
vs
Paniikki

170 cm
21
152 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

165 cm
22
155 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paul Martin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pelle Paniikki!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin throws a sloppy body shot
and Paniikki cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Paniikki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Martin.
Paniikki has his takedown stuffed
and Martin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Martin swings widly with a right hand

and Paniikki counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Paniikki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Martin dives on top into guard.

Paniikki has his foot on Martin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Martin works his way back into a safe position though.
Martin wants to stand but Paniikki is controlling his posture from full guard.

Paniikki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Paniikki is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martin trying to control the position from guard on top but Paniikki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Martin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Paniikki on the ground.
Martin looking to pass the guard.

Paniikki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Martin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Martin tries to free his leg and advance position but Paniikki is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Paniikki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Martin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Martin looking to pass the guard.

Paniikki is looking for a triangle but Martin pushes his legs off easily.

Paniikki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Martin defends well.
Paniikki keeping moving, preventing Martin from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Paniikki is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Paniikki working for a triangle but Martin defends it easily.

Paniikki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Martin is aware though and is defending well.
Martin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Martin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Paniikki is looking for a triangle but Martin pushes his legs off easily.
Martin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Paniikki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Martin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Martin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Paniikki has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Martin has managed to get both his arms back between Paniikki's legs - danger averted.
Paniikki being controlled here, momentarily.

Paniikki working for a triangle but Martin defends it easily.

Paniikki looking for a guillotine here but Martin defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelle Paniikki dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Paniikki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Martin counters with a nice uppercut.
Martin throws a big shot that misses.

Martin gets caught flat footed, as Paniikki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Martin is adopting a defensive guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Paniikki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Martin dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Martin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Paniikki is keeping the position for now.

Paul Martin has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Paniikki walks into a left hand.
Martin throws a nice looking combination but Paniikki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Paniikki has his takedown stuffed
and Martin counters with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Martin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Paniikki. Paniikki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Paniikki fails with the takedown
and Martin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Paul Martin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pelle Paniikki.
Paniikki fails with the takedown
and Martin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Martin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paniikki shoots and misses
and Martin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Martin misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki tries for a takedown but Martin circles away easily
and Martin counters with a left and a right that stings Paniikki.
Paniikki is breathing heavily.
Paniikki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Martin.

Paniikki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Martin napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Martin tries to bench press Paniikki off him but Paniikki keeps the position.

Paniikki working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Martin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki is trying to get an arm triangle but Martin is defending well.
Martin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Paniikki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Paniikki is trying to get an arm triangle but Martin is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Martin dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Paniikki shoots and misses
and Martin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Paniikki fails with the takedown
and Martin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Paniikki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Martin.
Paniikki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Martin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Paul Martin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pelle Paniikki.
Martin misses with a body shot.
Martin is looking to wear down Paniikki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Paniikki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Martin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Martin throws a looping overhand right but Paniikki ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Martin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No joy there for Martin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Martin misses with a double jab.
Martin lands a really nice looking cross but Paniikki seems unphased.
Paniikki has his takedown stuffed
and Paniikki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big left from Martin misses.
Martin jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paniikki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Martin thows a body shot but no joy.
Martin throws a combination that misses

and Paniikki counters with a shoot takedown. Martin fights it but they end up in guard.

Paniikki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Martin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Martin has escaped and now he's on top!
Martin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki working for a triangle but Martin defends it easily.
Martin's corner is telling him to maintain position.

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.
Martin passes Paniikki's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Paniikki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Paniikki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Paniikki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Martin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Martin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Martin 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Martin!