PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aimo Pamaus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Maanpohja
vs
Pamaus

171 cm
20
168 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
20
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

Dangerous GnP
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Hardcore Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aimo Pamaus!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pamaus takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Pamaus lands a jab to the nose.
Pamaus stuffs the takedown attempt from Maanpohja. Maanpohja gets slowly back to his feet.
Pamaus cracks Maanpohja with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Maanpohja fails with the takedown
enabling Pamaus to counter with a crisp jab.
Maanpohja fails with the takedown
and Pamaus counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johannes Maanpohja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Pamaus misses the target.
Pamaus scores with a push kick.
Pamaus throws a nice outside leg kick.
Maanpohja with a poor takedown
and Pamaus counters with a stiff right hand.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt
and Maanpohja takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pamaus bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Pamaus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pamaus throws a nice outside leg kick.
Pamaus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pamaus misses with an uppercut. Maanpohja saw that one coming.
Pamaus throws a hook but Maanpohja blocks it.
Pamaus connects with a looping right hand.
Pamaus connects with a good right hand that stumbles Maanpohja. Maanpohja circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pamaus finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Maanpohja closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pamaus to the mat! Pamaus manages to get full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Pamaus looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Let's hope that Pamaus has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Maanpohja trying to control but Pamaus is working from the bottom.
Pamaus trying to keep a closed guard but Maanpohja is proving a slippery customer.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Aimo Pamaus wasn't active enough on the ground.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Maanpohja crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Pamaus - the referee stops the clock and Maanpohja gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Pamaus. Maanpohja manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Pamaus ducks under a wild hook from Maanpohja.
Maanpohja gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pamaus counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maanpohja looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Pamaus!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Maanpohja looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ground and pound from Maanpohja seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Pamaus pushes Maanpohja away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Maanpohja gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Pamaus is looking to reverse the position.
Maanpohja is trying to ground and pound but Pamaus uses the momentary lack of control by Maanpohja to regain half guard.
Pamaus is trying to maintain the position but Maanpohja is very close to passing his half guard.
Pamaus keeping hold of Maanpohja's head, controlling as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pamaus is trying to stand back up but Maanpohja is controlling him
Maanpohja wants to pass the guard but Pamaus is defending well.
Maanpohja performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Pamaus is looking to improve his position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pamaus as he avoids it easily.
Maanpohja ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pamaus moves away.
Maanpohja with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pamaus makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Pamaus is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Maanpohja had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nice defenses there by Maanpohja.

Maanpohja looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pamaus is pressing down on Maanpohja's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pamaus wants to sweep here but Maanpohja controlling him for the moment.
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!
Pamaus seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Maanpohja stands up out of Pamaus's guard for a moment - Pamaus manages to land a nice upkick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pamaus keeping full guard, as Maanpohja tries to pass.
Maanpohja preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aimo Pamaus dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maanpohja closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Maanpohja seems to be looking for submissions.
Maanpohja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pamaus blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maanpohja.
Johannes Maanpohja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maanpohja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pamaus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Maanpohja is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Pamaus wants to get back to his feet.
Pamaus moves into full guard.
Maanpohja tries to free his leg and advance position but Pamaus is retaining full guard.
Maanpohja passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maanpohja prevents Pamaus from standing back up.

Maanpohja is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Pamaus is not content to let Maanpohja control the position.
Pamaus wants to get back to his feet.
Pamaus is trying to get back to full guard.
Pamaus taking some punishment here, with Maanpohja in his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maanpohja seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pamaus wants to get back to full guard.
Maanpohja trying to control the action but Pamaus is working from the bottom.

Maanpohja is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Maanpohja has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Maanpohja wants to control the pace but Pamaus is squirming around nicely.
Pamaus tries to reverse the position but Maanpohja maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pamaus is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Maanpohja can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pamaus is looking to escape.
Pamaus avoids a series of strikes thrown by Maanpohja.
Pamaus is squirming around, avoiding Maanpohja's attempts to control the action.
Maanpohja is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Poor strikes thrown by Maanpohja there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Pamaus tries to hold on but Maanpohja postures up.
Maanpohja thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maanpohja stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Maanpohja shoots and misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Maanpohja gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pamaus counters with an outside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pamaus lands with a straight right. Maanpohja didn't see that one coming.
Pamaus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aimo Pamaus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pamaus attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A slow jab from Pamaus misses its intended target.
Pamaus takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
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!
Pamaus throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Pamaus stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johannes Maanpohja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Maanpohja.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pamaus.
Pamaus scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Maanpohja is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pamaus. That's going to slow Maanpohja down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Maanpohja dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Maanpohja walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pamaus throws a nice head kick!
Johannes Maanpohja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Maanpohja is defended easily by Pamaus.
Pamaus tries a head kick but it misses.
Maanpohja misses with a wild body shot.
Pamaus rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maanpohja moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maanpohja has his takedown stuffed
and Maanpohja takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maanpohja shoots and misses
enabling Pamaus to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johannes Maanpohja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maanpohja avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maanpohja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maanpohja gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Pamaus fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Maanpohja has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Pamaus lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pamaus thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pamaus lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pamaus wants to clinch.
Maanpohja with a poor takedown
and Pamaus counters with a good, hard body kick but Maanpohja shrugs it off.
Pamaus lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Pamaus connects with a crisp jab.
Maanpohja takes a jab right on the kisser.
Pamaus fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Maanpohja.
Pamaus buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Pamaus lands a nice shot that snaps Maanpohja's head back.
Nice defenses there by Maanpohja.
Pamaus pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Maanpohja back to the cage. Pamaus follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pamaus fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Maanpohja on the side of the head.
Maanpohja takes one on the button.
Maanpohja shoots in but no luck this time.
Pamaus stuffs the takedown attempt from Maanpohja. Maanpohja gets slowly back to his feet.
Pamaus moves into range and connects with a jab.
A cross from Pamaus lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maanpohja scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Maanpohja tries to advance position but instead Pamaus slips a leg back in to half guard.

Pamaus pushes Maanpohja off and gets back to his feet.
Pamaus swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Maanpohja.
Pamaus throws a nice inside leg kick.
Pamaus lands a jab to the nose.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt
and Pamaus counters with a straight right hand.
Pamaus's jab looks to have found its range, popping Maanpohja under the eye.
Pamaus lands with a slapping head kick.
Maanpohja doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Pamaus counters with an inside leg kick.
Donk. Pamaus catches Maanpohja right on the button with a cross.
Pamaus throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pamaus turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Pamaus there.
Maanpohja fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Pamaus. Maanpohja shrugs it off though.
Pamaus throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Pamaus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pamaus, right into the meat.
Maanpohja fails with the takedown
and Pamaus counters with a low kick, right behind Maanpohja 's knee.
Maanpohja with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pamaus to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice cross by Pamaus.
Pamaus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maanpohja.
A big right from Pamaus misses.
Pamaus lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pamaus lands with a right hand.

Maanpohja is rocked!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pamaus.
Oh Maanpohja is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pamaus tries to close the distance and clinch but Maanpohja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maanpohja seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pamaus wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Maanpohja gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pamaus counters with a left to the body.
Maanpohja tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Aimo Pamaus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maanpohja doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Pamaus to counter with a crisp jab.
Maanpohja has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Maanpohja there as he acknowledges the shot.
Maanpohja has his takedown stuffed
and Pamaus counters with a low kick, right behind Maanpohja 's knee.
Pamaus throws a leg kick which misses Maanpohja's front leg but catches the back leg as Maanpohja tries to avoid it.
Maanpohja walks into a stiff left hand from Pamaus.
Pamaus scores with a leg kick.
Pamaus throws a hook but Maanpohja blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maanpohja shoots and misses
and Pamaus counters with an outside leg kick.

Pamaus clinches.

Pamaus breaks the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Pamaus darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aimo Pamaus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pamaus 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aimo Pamaus!