PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tomas Pirhonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Chang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pirhonen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Last Caress. Tomas Pirhonen has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pirhonen
vs
Chang

199 cm
25
275 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tomas Pirhonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jim Chang!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pirhonen shoots in looking for a takedown but Chang manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pirhonen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Pirhonen rushes Chang and presses him up against the cage.
Pirhonen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Chang walks away with a smile on his face. Pirhonen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Chang has taken the fight to the clinch.
Chang is struggling to control the position.
Chang trying to stall but Pirhonen improves his position.
Pirhonen is looking to control Chang's arms but Chang gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pirhonen has his back to the cage.
Pirhonen blocks an elbow strike.

Pirhonen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Chang can't fight it off and eventually Pirhonen manages to take the fight to the floor. Chang looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Chang keeping moving, preventing Pirhonen from controlling successfully.
Chang is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pirhonen gets to his feet - Chang follows without any prompting.

Pirhonen closes the distance and pushes Chang back into the cage.
Chang lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pirhonen goes for a takedown attempt but Chang pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomas Pirhonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Chang rushes Pirhonen and presses him up against the cage.
Pirhonen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pirhonen stalling.

Pirhonen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Chang uses from the top position.

Pirhonen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Chang with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pirhonen is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pirhonen wants to stand but Chang is controlling the position.
Chang throws a big elbow that misses.
Pirhonen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chang.
Chang throws an elbow that misses. Pirhonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chang's guard. Nice move by Pirhonen!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pirhonen trying to control but Chang is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chang wants to get back to his feet but Pirhonen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pirhonen stays in close to Chang's body and controls the position.
Pirhonen won't allow Chang to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chang pushes Pirhonen off and gets back to his feet.

Chang closes the distance and pushes Pirhonen back into the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Chang just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pirhonen's brow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Pirhonen blocks an elbow strike from Chang.
Chang prevents the takedown attempt.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Chang takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Pirhonen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Chang lands a couple of elbows.
Chang throws an elbow that misses. Pirhonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chang's guard. Nice move by Pirhonen!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pirhonen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Chang wants to stand and escape but Pirhonen is having none of it.

Pirhonen stands and steps away. Chang gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pirhonen tries to keep at a distance but Chang has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pirhonen pressing his opponent against the cage.
Chang with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pirhonen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Jim Chang has been cut.
The referee is keeping an eye on Chang - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tomas Pirhonen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jim Chang's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Chang pushes Pirhonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Chang tries a body shot but Pirhonen blocks it.
Pirhonen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Chang avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Chang tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pirhonen's elbow.
Pirhonen avoids the elbow strike from Chang, against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Chang.
Chang working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pirhonen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pirhonen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Pirhonen misses with an elbow over the top.
Chang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pirhonen is defending well for now.

Pirhonen breaks from the clinch.

Chang moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pirhonen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Pirhonen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Chang throwing strikes but missing.
Chang is looking to work some ground and pound but Pirhonen has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chang chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chang accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chang throws an elbow that misses. Pirhonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chang's guard. Nice move by Pirhonen!

Chang wriggles free and stands up.
Jim Chang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Pirhonen has Chang up against the cage in a clinch.
Pirhonen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Chang prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomas Pirhonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pirhonen lands a nice elbow.
Chang lands with a short shot to the head.
Pirhonen misses with an elbow strike.
Pirhonen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Chang tries to work over Pirhonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chang is trying to stall.
Jim Chang seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Chang effectively controlling the action here.
Chang using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pirhonen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Chang stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Pirhonen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Chang's brow.
Pirhonen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Chang just stands there and leans against the cage.
Chang is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Pirhonen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Chang after a bit of a struggle.
Chang is trying to maintain a safe position but Pirhonen gets an underhook and turns Chang into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jim Chang.

Chang gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Chang tries to land knees in the clinch but Pirhonen avoids the damage to the body.
Chang controlling the action here for a moment.
Pirhonen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pirhonen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Chang is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chang leaning against his opponent.
Pirhonen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Chang to keep the fight standing.
Chang tries to land a knee to the head but Pirhonen blocks with his arms.
Chang trying to land knees to the body.
Pirhonen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Pirhonen tries to pull guard but Chang forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Pirhonen wants to take the fight to the mat but Chang manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
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!
Chang is looking to control Pirhonen's arms but Pirhonen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Chang has his back to the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pirhonen landing knees to the body.
Pirhonen throws an elbow that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Chang.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Chang clinches with his opponent.
Chang looking to stall.
Pirhonen letting Chang take a breather here.
Chang stops a takedown attempt from Pirhonen.

Pirhonen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Chang regains guard.
Tomas Pirhonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Chang is working an open guard so Pirhonen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Chang darts in and clinches Pirhonen up against the cage.
Chang being controlled against the cage.
Pirhonen misses with some punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Pirhonen throws an elbow but misses.
Pirhonen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Chang to keep the fight standing.
Chang pushes off an throws an elbow but Pirhonen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Pirhonen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Chang smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomas Pirhonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Chang closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pirhonen avoids the elbow strike from Chang, against the cage.
Chang lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A knee to the head by Pirhonen.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Pirhonen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Pirhonen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Chang prevents it.
Chang is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Pirhonen is working for takedown but Chang is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pirhonen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pirhonen wants a takedown.
Chang manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pirhonen as Chang tries to tie him up.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jim Chang.

Chang instigates a clinch.
Chang scores with a shoulder strike.
Pirhonen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pirhonen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Chang gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Chang throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Chang just leaning against Pirhonen, taking a breather.
Pirhonen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Chang just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pirhonen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Chang pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Chang with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pirhonen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Chang holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chang continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jim Chang.
I think Chang has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Jim Chang!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Jim Chang!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Jim Chang!

Jim Chang wins by unanimous decision!