PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dack Fayden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fayden
vs
Mahtisaari

182 cm
22
185 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Dragon

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dack Fayden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahtisaari stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mahtisaari wants it to stay on the feet.

Fayden decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fayden looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Mahtisaari wants to get back to his feet.

Fayden is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mahtisaari sees it coming and defends easily.
Fayden is trying to control the action in half guard but Mahtisaari is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mahtisaari regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fayden is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Mahtisaari wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fayden trying to control but Mahtisaari is working from the bottom.
Mahtisaari seems keen to control Fayden's posture.
Fayden throwing strikes from guard but Mahtisaari blocks nicely.
Fayden preventing the sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fayden bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A swing and a miss from Mahtisaari.
A punch combination from Fayden misses.
Mahtisaari rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fayden moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mahtisaari swats away the attempt to clinch by Fayden.

Fayden darts in and clinches Mahtisaari up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari looking to stall.
Mahtisaari slows down the pace here.
Mahtisaari gets through Fayden's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fayden creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Mahtisaari stalls.
Fayden looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mahtisaari's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Mahtisaari lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position but instead, Fayden has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mahtisaari into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left hand lands to the body for Fayden.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fayden tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fayden has Mahtisaari pressed against the cage.
Come on Mahtisaari - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mahtisaari blocks an elbow strike.
Mahtisaari taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Arttu Mahtisaari.

Mahtisaari gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fayden to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Mahtisaari seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fayden is pushing down on Mahtisaari's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mahtisaari is fighting to maintain full guard but Fayden has managed to sneak the leg through.

Fayden seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fayden is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mahtisaari defends it well.
Mahtisaari is trying to control but can't.
Fayden is pressing down on Mahtisaari's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mahtisaari is holding on for now.
Fayden is just content to waste time from the top position. Mahtisaari takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Fayden trying to control the position from guard on top but Mahtisaari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dack Fayden dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mahtisaari checks the leg kick.
Fayden wants to clinch up but Mahtisaari keeps it at a distance.

Fayden closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mahtisaari is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Fayden is working for a submission of some sort.
Mahtisaari is not content to let Fayden control the position.
Fayden is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Mahtisaari reverses the position - he's now on top in Fayden's guard.
Fayden is trying to keep Mahtisaari in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fayden can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mahtisaari controls the pace.

Mahtisaari avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fayden keeping moving, preventing Mahtisaari from controlling successfully.
Mahtisaari is stalling in the full guard.
Fayden looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Fayden is trying to keep Mahtisaari in close.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Arttu Mahtisaari wasn't active enough on the ground.
Mahtisaari throws a nice looking combination but Fayden bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fayden ducks under a wild hook from Mahtisaari.

Fayden rushes Mahtisaari and presses him up against the cage.
Mahtisaari's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Fayden working aggressively here.
Mahtisaari is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mahtisaari lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Mahtisaari looking to slow down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Arttu Mahtisaari.
Fayden misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Mahtisaari to counter with a crisp jab.
Fayden takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mahtisaari lands a nice looking body shot.
Mahtisaari swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fayden.
Mahtisaari swings for the body but Fayden moves out of range.
Mahtisaari keeps the fight on the outside.
Fayden looks to clinch
and Mahtisaari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fayden shoots for a double leg takedown but Mahtisaari sprawls well. He's pushed Fayden's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mahtisaari lands a right hook to the body.
Arttu Mahtisaari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slow jab from Mahtisaari misses its intended target.
Dack Fayden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mahtisaari throws a jab when Fayden was well out of range.
Fayden tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mahtisaari manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fayden takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Fayden shoots in and gets a takedown into Mahtisaari's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mahtisaari keeping full guard, as Fayden tries to pass.
Fayden wants to control from the top but Mahtisaari keeps moving.
Mahtisaari is trying to hold Fayden in close to prevent damage but Fayden has managed to pass into half guard.
Fayden is keen to just control but Mahtisaari is a slippery customer.

Fayden is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mahtisaari is just riding it out for now. Fayden eventually gives up the hold.
Mahtisaari works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Arttu Mahtisaari will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Fayden is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fayden is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mahtisaari sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Fayden misses the target.
Mahtisaari sizes up Fayden with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mahtisaari missing with a left hand there. Fayden was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fayden throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mahtisaari lands a glancing blow to the side of Fayden's head.
Fayden tries to clinch but Mahtisaari moves away

and Mahtisaari counters by moving into the clinch.
Mahtisaari stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fayden letting Mahtisaari take a breather here.
Fayden misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mahtisaari content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Fayden misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari dodges an elbow strike from Fayden.
Mahtisaari throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Faydens head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fayden tries to score a body lock takedown but Mahtisaari shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fayden missing with knees to the body.
Mahtisaari has Fayden pressed against the cage, preventing Fayden from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.
Mahtisaari just leaning against Fayden, taking a breather.
Fayden lands an elbow that stopped Mahtisaari in his tracks for a moment.
Fayden jumps guard but Mahtisaari turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dack Fayden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Come on Mahtisaari - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A right hand to the body from Mahtisaari.
Fayden tries to work over Mahtisaari's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mahtisaari is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Mahtisaari stalling the fight.
Fayden misses with a hook from the clinch.

Fayden breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fayden fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fayden tries for a takedown but Mahtisaari circles away easily
and Fayden takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fayden takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fayden takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mahtisaari lands a head shot.
Mahtisaari scores with a body shot.
Fayden shoots in for a takedown but Mahtisaari shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mahtisaari with a hook.
Mahtisaari lands a right hook to the body.
Dack Fayden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fayden misses with a kick to the body.
Fayden is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mahtisaari.

It looks like Dack Fayden has been cut.
Mahtisaari lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mahtisaari fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mahtisaari connects with a right hand. Fayden shakes it off.
Mahtisaari bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fayden's head backwards.
A combination from Mahtisaari does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fayden slips under a jab.
Mahtisaari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fayden darts in trying to clinch
and Fayden takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fayden on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Mahtisaari slips a jab and a cross from Fayden.
Fayden tries to clinch up.
Mahtisaari works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Fayden tries to keep at a distance but Mahtisaari has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fayden is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.
Fayden wants to get back to striking at distance but Mahtisaari won't allow it.
Fayden misses with a punch on the inside.
Fayden working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fayden looking for a takedown.
Fayden looking for a takedown.
Fayden throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mahtisaari just leaning against Fayden, taking a breather.
Arttu Mahtisaari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fayden lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fayden has a couple of punches blocked by Mahtisaari.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari blocks an elbow strike from Fayden.
Fayden working aggressively here.
Fayden is trying to pull guard but Mahtisaari has him pressed against the cage.
Fayden throws an elbow but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arttu Mahtisaari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mahtisaari 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Arttu Mahtisaari!
In his post fight interview, Arttu Mahtisaari started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.