PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jaarko Hahlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mertsi Peltola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaarko Hahlund has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hahlund
vs
Peltola

194 cm
28
205 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

182 cm
21
212 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jaarko Hahlund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mertsi Peltola!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Peltola misses with a right hand
and Hahlund counters with a head kick.
Peltola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hahlund thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Peltola if he has to take too many more of those.
Peltola takes a swing at Hahlund's ribcage but misses.
Nice sprawl there from Hahlund as Peltola shoots in.
Peltola swats away the attempt to clinch by Hahlund.
Hahlund throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Mertsi Peltola has been cut.
Peltola walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hahlund.
Hahlund fails in his attempt to clinch.
Peltola avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peltola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hahlund was well out of range. Poor timing from Peltola.
Peltola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Peltola rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hahlund counters with a good, hard body kick but Peltola shrugs it off.
Mertsi Peltola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hahlund avoids the body shot from Peltola.
Hahlund moves out of range of the strikes.
Peltola is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hahlund sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hahlund looks to clinch
and Peltola counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Jaarko Hahlund has been cut.
Peltola scores with a nice head shot.
Peltola swats away the attempt to clinch by Hahlund.
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!
Hahlund uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Peltola.
Jaarko Hahlund is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peltola thuds his right hand into Hahlund's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Peltola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hahlund was well out of range. Poor timing from Peltola.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hahlund.
Peltola throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hahlund tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Peltola paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hahlund moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Peltola looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hahlund!
Peltola won't let Hahlund get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Hahlund wants to control but Peltola is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hahlund is trying to escape the mount.
Hahlund is working hard here to advance position.
Hahlund is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Peltola fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hahlund tries to hold on but Peltola pushes him away.
Peltola raining down hammerfists from mount.
Hahlund really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Peltola working for a guillotine from mount but Hahlund is in no mood to give up.
Hahlund is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Hahlund tries to hold on but Peltola pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peltola raining down hammerfists from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Peltola is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Hahlund is surviving well by controlling Peltola's body position as best he can.
Peltola postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hahlund looks a forlorn figure.
Peltola wants to control the pace but Hahlund is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hahlund wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Peltola throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hahlund because Peltola loaded up on that one.
Hahlund is trying to stand up.
Peltola scoring with strikes but Hahlund is staying in there.
Peltola wants to control the pace but Hahlund is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mertsi Peltola dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hahlund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Peltola takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Peltola pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Peltola looks for the body kick but Hahlund saw that one coming.
Hahlund fails to land with a series of punches.
Peltola swings for the body but Hahlund moves out of range.
Peltola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Peltola circles away from the clinch attempt.
Peltola misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hahlund tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Peltola cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Peltola circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jaarko Hahlund is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Peltola throws a hook but Hahlund blocks it.
Peltola throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Peltola gets tackled into the cage by Hahlund. Hahlund maintains the clinch.
Peltola has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Hahlund.
Peltola struggles to land a body shot inside as Hahlund controls his hands.
Hahlund misses with a knee strike.
Hahlund gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Hahlund.
Peltola just leaning against Hahlund, taking a breather.
Peltola blocks an elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Hahlund.
Peltola dodges an elbow strike from Hahlund.
Hahlund misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Peltola dodges an elbow strike from Hahlund.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Peltola.

Peltola manages to break the clinch.
Peltola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hahlund tries to clinch up but Peltola circles away and keeps his distance.

Hahlund moves into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hahlund just misses with a elbow thrown towards Peltola's brow.
Peltola misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hahlund misses with an elbow over the top.

Peltola has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Hahlund regains guard immediately.
Peltola pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hahlund is keeping the position for now.
Peltola wants to control from the top but Hahlund keeps moving.
Peltola tries to free his leg and advance position but Hahlund is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hahlund is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Peltola is controlling him.
Peltola wants to control from the top but Hahlund keeps moving.
Peltola missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hahlund keeping full guard, as Peltola tries to pass.
Hahlund knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Peltola on the ground.
Hahlund wants to get back to his feet but Peltola is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Peltola lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hahlund at a distance.
Hahlund on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hahlund keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Peltola.
Peltola shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hahlund but Hahlund pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A swing and a miss from Peltola.
Peltola shoots in and drives through. Hahlund sprawls well.
Peltola rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hahlund counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Peltola is lucky that one didn't land flush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A leg kick checked by Hahlund.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hahlund wants to clinch
and Peltola counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mertsi Peltola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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!

Peltola fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Peltola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hahlund.
Peltola throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hahlund.
Peltola misses the jab.
Peltola dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hahlund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Peltola avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hahlund staying out of range there.
Hahlund bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hahlund clinches with his opponent.
Hahlund misses with a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hahlund throws an elbow but misses.
A short left from Peltola.
Hahlund trying to land knees to the body.
Peltola blocks the elbow strike.
Hahlund misses with a knee to the head.
Hahlund misses with a knee strike.
Hahlund lands a knee to the head.
Hahlund tries to land knees in the clinch but Peltola avoids the damage to the body.
Peltola is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hahlund is defending well.
Peltola blocks the elbow strike.
Hahlund lands an elbow inside that Peltola shrugs off.
Hahlund throws a knee to the head but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hahlund.

That has opened up Mertsi Peltola's cut even more.
Hahlund landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Peltola tries a body shot but Hahlund blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hahlund scores a nice knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hahlund just misses with a elbow thrown towards Peltola's brow.
Hahlund creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Peltola's defenses.
Peltola is looking for a takedown.
Jaarko Hahlund has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mertsi Peltola.
Peltola drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hahlund gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Peltola takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hahlund tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A hook to the body from Peltola.
Jaarko Hahlund has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hahlund lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hahlund pushes off an throws an elbow but Peltola leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hahlund crunches a lovely knee into Peltola's ribcage.
Hahlund utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hahlund scores with a knee to the head.
Hahlund tries a knee to the head but Peltola blocks it.
Hahlund lands an elbow just above Peltola 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hahlund tries to land knees in the clinch but Peltola avoids the damage to the body.
Hahlund connects with a nasty looking knee right to Peltola's face.

The cut above Mertsi Peltola's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Hahlund lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Peltola is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hahlund using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Peltola has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hahlund creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Peltola blocks an elbow strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Peltola.
Peltola is trying to break the clinch but Hahlund is controlling him.
Hahlund tries a knee to the head but Peltola blocks it.
Hahlund looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Peltola breaks the clinch.
Hahlund on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hahlund blocks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peltola swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Hahlund drives through and clinches with Peltola against the cage.
Peltola struggles to land a body shot inside as Hahlund controls his hands.
Peltola blocks an elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
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!
Hahlund gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Peltola takes a knee right on the jaw!
Peltola misses with a punch to the body.
Mertsi Peltola is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Peltola tries a body shot but Hahlund blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Peltola takes an elbow to the temple.
Hahlund using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Peltola has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jaarko Hahlund has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Peltola has had enough of the clinch but Hahlund keeps him there for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jaarko Hahlund showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Peltola 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mertsi Peltola!
During a confident post fight interview, Mertsi Peltola thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.