PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timo Kotipelto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pauli Painija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kotipelto kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Peter Cetera & Amy Grant- Next Time I Fall . Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Kotipelto
vs
Painija

187 cm
26
185 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

160 cm
27
176 lbs
22 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Timo Kotipelto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Pauli Painija!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Painija lands with a nice body punch.
Kotipelto throws a lazy right hand but Painija sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kotipelto slips a straight right by Painija.
Painija misses the jab.
Kotipelto throws a leg kick but Painija checks it.
Painija blocks a head kick by Kotipelto.
Kotipelto misses with a low kick.
Painija misses with a series of wild punches.
Kotipelto throws a series of strikes that have Painija backpedaling.

It looks like Pauli Painija has been cut.
Kotipelto shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Painija as he avoids it easily.
Kotipelto tries to work over Painija's front leg with a kick but Painija checks it.
Painija misses with a body shot.
A jab from Kotipelto misses.
Kotipelto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kotipelto shoots and misses
and Painija counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kotipelto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto shoots in looking for a takedown. Painija tries to sprawl out of it but Kotipelto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Painija manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timo Kotipelto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Painija is looking to clinch.
A jab from Painija does it's job there.
Kotipelto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Painija moves away.
Painija throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kotipelto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Painija takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Painija tries to clinch but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Kotipelto lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kotipelto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Painija.
Kotipelto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kotipelto throws a right hand that misses
and Painija counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kotipelto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Painija tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kotipelto is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Painija fails in his attempt to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kotipelto has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kotipelto there as he acknowledges the shot.
A jab from Painija misses.
Painija fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Kotipelto shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Painija's guard.
Kotipelto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Painija is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kotipelto stopping the sweep attempt from Painija.
Kotipelto showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Painija not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto chips away with some ground and pound.
Kotipelto 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.
Painija wants to stand but Kotipelto is controlling the position.

Painija pushes Kotipelto off and gets back to his feet.
Painija takes a jab right on the kisser.
Painija lands a jab-cross combination.

Kotipelto drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kotipelto looking to sit in guard and control but Painija gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Painija postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kotipelto is trying to keep Painija in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kotipelto looking for subs off his back but Painija has passed one foot through into half guard.

Kotipelto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Painija drops an elbow to the side of Kotipelto's head.
Kotipelto wants to get back to his feet.
Kotipelto is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kotipelto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Painija.
Painija wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kotipelto keeps working.
Painija is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Kotipelto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pauli Painija's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Painija blocks a leg kick.
Kotipelto misses with a leg kick.
A punch combination from Kotipelto misses.
Painija cracks Kotipelto with a good jab.
Donk. Kotipelto catches Painija right on the button with a cross.
Painija pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kotipelto is out of range and Painija settles back down.
Kotipelto walks into a jab.
A lazy left from Kotipelto finds it's target.

Painija rushes Kotipelto and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kotipelto misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kotipelto prevents a body shot from Painija.
Painija stops a takedown attempt from Kotipelto.
Painija presses Kotipelto against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice right hand lands inside from Kotipelto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto tries a body shot but Painija blocks it.
Painija goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kotipelto.
A short body shot lands from Painija as the two fighters clinch.
Painija blocks the elbow strike.
Painija stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kotipelto letting Painija take a breather here.
Painija tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kotipelto avoids it.
Painija tries to land a knee to the head but Kotipelto blocks with his arms.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Painija creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kotipelto is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kotipelto throws a punch but it's blocked by Painija.
Painija managing to block the knees to the body from Kotipelto.
Kotipelto tries to work over Painija's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto lands a body shot.
Painija tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kotipelto avoids it.
Painija is working Kotipelto over against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Painija pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kotipelto lands with a cross.
Painija misses with a series of wild punches.
Painija slips a jab from Kotipelto.
A shot to the liver by Painija. Beautiful body shot.
Kotipelto missing with a left hand there. Painija was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Painija misses with the combination.
Kotipelto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Painija tries to clinch up but Kotipelto circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Painija throws a body punch but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Kotipelto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Painija sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kotipelto somewhat.
Kotipelto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Painija is out of range.
Kotipelto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Painija sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kotipelto somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timo Kotipelto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Painija digs a good body shot into Kotipelto's ribs.
Kotipelto fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Painija.
Timo Kotipelto is winning the standup battle so far.
Painija dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Painija forces Kotipelto back against the cage and clinches.
Painija has a couple of punches blocked by Kotipelto.
Painija lands an elbow that stopped Kotipelto in his tracks for a moment.
Painija blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Painija is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kotipelto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Painija misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kotipelto tries a body shot but Painija blocks it.
Kotipelto throws an elbow but it misses.
Painija pushes Kotipelto back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Painija missing with knees to the body.
Painija landing knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Painija looking to stall.
Painija is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kotipelto is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pauli Painija showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pauli Painija's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kotipelto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Painija was well out of range. Poor timing from Kotipelto.
Kotipelto fails with a takedown attempt.
Kotipelto shoots in looking for a takedown. Painija tries to sprawl out of it but Kotipelto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Painija manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kotipelto misses with a wild body shot.
Kotipelto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Painija cracks Kotipelto with a good jab.
Painija thuds a left hand into Kotipelto's body.
Painija looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Painija swings for the body but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Painija stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timo Kotipelto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kotipelto throws out a powerful jab.
Painija misses with a hook. Kotipelto ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Painija misses with a jab to the body
and Kotipelto counters with a thumping low kick.
Painija throws an overhand right that lands on Kotipelto's shoulder, as Kotipelto tries to avoid the shot.
Kotipelto misses with a hook to the body
and Painija counters with a right hand to the body.
Painija is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kotipelto rather than just go for the knockout.
Painija lands a nice shot to the body.
Painija avoids the head kick by Kotipelto.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Painija defending well as Kotipelto loads up on a big left hand.
Kotipelto will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kotipelto shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Painija counters with a good low kick that Kotipelto was not able to check.
Kotipelto is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Painija.
Kotipelto blocks the body kick.
Kotipelto throws out a leg kick but Painija moves out of range and Kotipelto only half commits.
Kotipelto shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto checks a leg kick.
Painija fails to land with a series of punches.
Painija misses with a looping left.
Painija throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kotipelto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kotipelto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Painija doesn't manage to clinch there - Kotipelto circles away.
Painija checks a leg kick nicely.
Kotipelto wants to slow Painija down by chopping away at his legs.
Painija throws a series of punches but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Painija on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Painija throws a jab when Kotipelto was well out of range.
Painija on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kotipelto lands with a straight right. Painija didn't see that one coming.
Kotipelto shoots in looking for a takedown. Painija tries to sprawl out of it but Kotipelto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Painija manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Painija is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Painija fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kotipelto blocks a low kick nicely.
Painija ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Painija lands the left hand.
Painija will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Painija lands a jab to Kotipelto's midsection.
Kotipelto slips under a jab from Painija.
Painija swings for the body but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Kotipelto shoots in looking for a takedown. Painija tries to sprawl out of it but Kotipelto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Painija manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kotipelto misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Painija changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Painija lands the left hand.

Kotipelto is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Painija's half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Painija tries to roll over but Kotipelto keeps him under control.
Painija regains full guard. Nicely done.
Painija trying to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Painija manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kotipelto is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pauli Painija really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pauli Painija's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kotipelto walks into a straight right hand from Painija.
Painija tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kotipelto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kotipelto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Painija tries to clinch up but Kotipelto circles away and keeps his distance.
Timo Kotipelto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Painija closes the distance and clinches.
Kotipelto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Painija tries to work over Kotipelto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Painija pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Painija misses with an uppercut.
Kotipelto swings for the body but Painija moves out of range.
Kotipelto scores with a leg kick.
Painija tries to clinch there but Kotipelto circles away.
Kotipelto throws a low kick but Painija moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto connects with a solid leg kick.
Painija fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kotipelto looks to land a body kick but Painija moved away.
Kotipelto turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kotipelto throws the left hand but Painija avoids the punch easily.

Painija moves into the clinch successfully.
Kotipelto managing to block the knees to the body from Painija.
Painija can't find room to land a body shot as Kotipelto controls the action.
Painija is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kotipelto is defending well for now.
Painija tries to work over Kotipelto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Painija has Kotipelto pressed against the cage.
Kotipelto wants to take the fight to the mat but Painija manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kotipelto has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Painija is trying to keep an underhook but Kotipelto manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Painija is looking for a sweep. Kotipelto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Painija moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kotipelto wants to pass the guard but Painija is keeping the position.
Painija is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kotipelto engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Painija looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kotipelto has picked Painija up and slammed him! Painija can't keep hold of the triangle and Kotipelto manages to pass to side control!
Kotipelto tries to score with some ground and pound. Painija controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto controls the position.
Painija sneaks back into half guard.
Kotipelto wants to control but Painija is keeping him busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kotipelto connects with a nice short shot to Painija's temple.
Kotipelto passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Painija!
Kotipelto landing strikes from the mount and Painija is in trouble!
Kotipelto throws some wild stikes that Painija manages to avoid easily.
Painija is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kotipelto pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kotipelto will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Painija tries to hold on but Kotipelto postures up.
Painija is desperately trying to improve his position but Kotipelto has a good base and remains in mount.
Kotipelto trying to control but Painija is having none of it.
Painija is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kotipelto cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A nice elbow there by Kotipelto.

Painija is rocked!
Painija wants to hold on but Kotipelto pushes him away.
Painija is still in real trouble! Can Kotipelto finish him?
Kotipelto raining down shots from the mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Kotipelto had his way with Pauli Painija in that round.
The cut man is working on Pauli Painija's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kotipelto connects with a body shot.
Kotipelto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Painija pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kotipelto is out of range and Painija settles back down.
Painija seems to have recovered his senses.
Kotipelto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A clash of legs there as Painija blocks the low kick.
Kotipelto misses with a takedown attempt - Painija sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Painija is looking to clinch.
Kotipelto throws the left hand but Painija avoids the punch easily.
Kotipelto motions for Painija to come forward. Kotipelto throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Painija lands a nice hook to Kotipelto's body. Kotipelto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Painija dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Painija moves into range and clinches up with Kotipelto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Painija missing with knees to the body.
Painija lands a nice elbow.
Kotipelto swings wildly with an uppercut but Painija uses good head movement to avoid it.
Painija tries a body shot but Kotipelto blocks it.
Painija blocks an elbow strike.
Painija looking to throw knees to the head but Kotipelto is blocking nicely.
Painija tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Painija misses with a punch to the body.
Kotipelto is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Painija is defending well.
Kotipelto is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Painija is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timo Kotipelto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Painija lands a nice uppercut.
Kotipelto is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Painija throws a head punch that misses.
Painija with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Painija struggles to land a body shot inside as Kotipelto controls his hands.
Pauli Painija seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Painija misses with a knee strike.

Painija breaks the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Painija.
Kotipelto goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kotipelto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Painija manages to avoid it.
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!
Painija lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kotipelto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Painija tries to land a front kick but Kotipelto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kotipelto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Kotipelto.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kotipelto throws out a loose jab but Painija uses good head movement to avoid it.
Painija throws a push kick but Kotipelto slaps the foot to one side.
Painija throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kotipelto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Painija as he jumps to the side.
Kotipelto drops his hands momentarily and Painija takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kotipelto misses with a takedown attempt - Painija sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kotipelto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Painija throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kotipelto on the side of the head.

Kotipelto tries to keep at a distance but Painija has taken the fight into the clinch.
Painija controlling the action here for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto lands with a short shot to the head.
Painija lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kotipelto managing to block the knees to the body from Painija.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Painija landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Painija tries a body shot but Kotipelto blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Painija tries to throw a body punch but Kotipelto avoids it by throwing Painija back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pauli Painija comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Painija 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 47:48
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 47:48
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pauli Painija!
Pauli Painija thanked the fans post fight for their support.