PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pelle Paniikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul McCann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paniikki comes to the cage accompanied by N'sync - Bye Bye Bye. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Paniikki
vs
McCann

165 cm
23
155 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

174 cm
23
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pelle Paniikki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Paul McCann!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paniikki shoots in for a double leg but McCann sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Paniikki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McCann tries to avoid it but Paniikki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McCann to the ground. McCann escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McCann ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McCann defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Paniikki.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelle Paniikki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paniikki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCann avoids it really well and circles away.
Paniikki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McCann defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paniikki checks a low kick from McCann.

Paniikki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Paniikki working for a submission but McCann is keeping him at bay.

Paniikki swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and McCann is now in Paniikki's guard. A big mistake from Paniikki there, giving up the dominant position!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McCann defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Paniikki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Paniikki has his foot on McCann's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McCann works his way back into a safe position though.
McCann would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Paniikki throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! McCann escapes and throws Paniikki's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki is looking for a sweep.

McCann decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCann.
Paniikki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCann counters with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCann throws out a loose jab but Paniikki uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCann tries a head kick but it misses.
Pelle Paniikki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paniikki has his takedown stuffed
and McCann counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCann lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Paul McCann will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCann lands a jab.

It looks like Pelle Paniikki has been cut.
McCann defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Paniikki.
Paniikki fails with a takedown attempt.
Paniikki is trying hard to land a takedown here. McCann sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelle Paniikki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCann slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Paniikki dives in and grabs McCann's left leg, looking for a takedown. McCann pushes down on Paniikki's head and hops out.
McCann fakes the leg kick and cracks Paniikki in the body.
Paniikki misses with a takedown attempt
and McCann counters with a stiff right hand.

Paniikki is rocked!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Paniikki crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McCann - the referee stops the clock and Paniikki gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McCann. Paniikki manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Oh Paniikki is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A slapping body kick lands there for McCann.
Paniikki seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
McCann connects with a solid leg kick.
Paniikki fails with the takedown.
Paul McCann seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McCann scores with the left hand. Paniikki knows he should have avoided that one.
McCann connects with a single shot there.
McCann lands a nice leg kick that just misses Paniikki's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki shoots for a takedown but McCann saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McCann misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paniikki.
Paniikki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McCann counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Paniikki needs to keep his hands up - McCann had a free shot at his head there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCann stuffs the takedown.
Paniikki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and McCann connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Paniikki scrambles back to his feet.
McCann cracks the inside of Paniikki's front leg.
Paniikki with a poor takedown
and McCann counters with a low kick, right behind Paniikki 's knee.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paniikki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCann counters with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul McCann showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pelle Paniikki's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McCann with a jab.
McCann looks to land a right hand but Paniikki moved out of range.
Paniikki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Paniikki tries for a takedown but McCann circles away easily
and McCann counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paniikki fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelle Paniikki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paniikki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McCann defends it nicely.
Paniikki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McCann can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCann circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paul McCann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Paniikki feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
McCann really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Paniikki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McCann is trying to keep Paniikki in close.

Paniikki postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! McCann is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Paniikki, into his guard.

Paniikki is working an open guard so McCann takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki tries to move into range but McCann moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
No luck for Paniikki with that takedown attempt.
Paniikki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McCann is fending him off so far but Paniikki persists. Nope, McCann circles away and we're back to standing.
Paniikki misses with a takedown attempt
and Paniikki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki fails with the takedown.
McCann uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Paniikki has time to react.
Paniikki tries for a takedown but McCann sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paniikki blocks a head kick by McCann.
Pelle Paniikki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paniikki throws a jab when McCann was well out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul McCann comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McCann 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

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