PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Les Ismore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arttu Mahtisaari is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Mahtisaari
vs
Ismore

178 cm
25
195 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

182 cm
26
192 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Les Ismore!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Eddie Farnsworth and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ismore throws a leg kick but Mahtisaari sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Mahtisaari moves into range and clinches up with Ismore.
Mahtisaari softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.

Ismore breaks the clinch.
Mahtisaari slips a straight right by Ismore.
Mahtisaari throws a hook but Ismore blocks it.
Ismore thuds his shin into the meat of Mahtisaari's side.
Ismore steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mahtisaari.
Ismore keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ismore pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mahtisaari is out of range and Ismore settles back down.
Ismore takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Ismore drops Mahtisaari with a beautiful combination! Mahtisaari stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Ismore is looking for the KO!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mahtisaari keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A jab lands there for Mahtisaari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ismore misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari moves out of range as Ismore throws a body kick.
Les Ismore is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ismore misses with a body kick.
Ismore dips to his left and cracks Mahtisaari with an uppercut!
Mahtisaari uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ismore has time to react.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ismore.
Mahtisaari takes a swing at Ismore's ribcage but misses.
Ismore throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mahtisaari with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mahtisaari is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Mahtisaari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ismore moves away.
Nice cross by Mahtisaari.
Ismore ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahtisaari. Ismore does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Mahtisaari. Those never looked like landing.

That's two 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!
Mahtisaari on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ismore. Ismore obviously looking to wear him down.
Mahtisaari scores with a jab to the jaw.
Mahtisaari tries to clinch up but Ismore circles away and keeps his distance.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ismore.

Ismore clinches.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.
Ismore looking to stall.
Mahtisaari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ismore with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ismore is looking to control Mahtisaari's arms but Mahtisaari gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ismore has his back to the cage.
Ismore leaning against his opponent.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ismore creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ismore tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mahtisaari's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ismore.
Mahtisaari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mahtisaari throws a head punch that misses.
Ismore throws a head punch that misses.
Mahtisaari lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Mahtisaari is trying to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mahtisaari as Ismore tries to tie him up.
Mahtisaari blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mahtisaari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ismore tries to work over Mahtisaari's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari tries to throw a body punch but Ismore avoids it by throwing Mahtisaari back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ismore pushes off an throws an elbow but Mahtisaari leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A short uppercut from Mahtisaari.
Ismore tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mahtisaari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ismore with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mahtisaari blocks an uppercut.
Ismore blocks a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ismore misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ismore has a couple of punches blocked by Mahtisaari.
A head punch on the inside from Mahtisaari fails to land.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position but instead, Ismore has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mahtisaari into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mahtisaari will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ismore up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Les Ismore dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ismore manages to avoid it.
Ismore misses with the combination.
Ismore misses with a series of wild punches.
Mahtisaari misses with a two punch combination.
Mahtisaari misses with a looping left.
Les Ismore is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mahtisaari clinches up with Ismore and pushes him back against the cage.
Ismore stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ismore misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ismore blocks a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Ismore stalling in the clinch but Mahtisaari improves position.
Ismore misses with a punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari struggles to land a body shot inside as Ismore controls his hands.
Mahtisaari is working Ismore over against the cage.
Ismore throws a punch but it's blocked by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari misses with a punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari tries to stall but Ismore uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ismore swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ismore throws a punch but it's blocked by Mahtisaari.
Ismore working hard to break the clinch.
Ismore taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ismore receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Les Ismore seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ismore looking to throw knees to the head but Mahtisaari is blocking nicely.
Ismore has Mahtisaari pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ismores head.
Ismore misses with a hook from the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ismore takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Mahtisaari lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ismore is trying to break the clinch but Mahtisaari has him pressed against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Come on Mahtisaari - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ismore prevents a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mahtisaari creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Ismore's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ismore wants to clinch.
A left lands for Ismore.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismore fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mahtisaari looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A telegraphed right hand from Mahtisaari misses the target.
Nice takedown defense from Ismore. No joy for Mahtisaari on that attempt.
Mahtisaari cracks Ismore with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ismore moves away from the strike by Mahtisaari.
Ismore takes a swing at Mahtisaari's ribcage but misses.

Mahtisaari gets a clinch.
Ismore fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ismore wants to break free but Mahtisaari has control.
Ismore is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ismore backwards.
A short left from Mahtisaari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismore lands with a short shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ismore trying to control the position but instead, Mahtisaari has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ismore into the cage.
Ismore is trying to break free.
Ismore lands a right hand.
Ismore scores with a shot to the side of Mahtisaari's head.
Ismore misses with the head strike.
Mahtisaari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mahtisaari lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Ismore is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mahtisaari is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ismore to the mat. Ismore regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Ismore is looking for a triangle but Mahtisaari pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ismore wants to sweep here but Mahtisaari controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Arttu Mahtisaari will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mahtisaari misses with a takedown attempt - Ismore sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mahtisaari swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Arttu Mahtisaari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mahtisaari has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ismore.
Ismore blocks a jab.
Sloppy strikes from Ismore. Those never looked like landing.
Ismore thuds his shin into the meat of Mahtisaari's side.
Ismore misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ismore sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ismore misses with a body kick.
Mahtisaari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Ismore gets tackled into the cage by Mahtisaari. Mahtisaari maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari stalling in the clinch.
Ismore stalling in the clinch but Mahtisaari improves position.
Ismore makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mahtisaari tries to work over Ismore's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mahtisaari lands a hook that snaps the head of Ismore backwards.
Ismore prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mahtisaari scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ismore misses with some punches.
Ismore misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ismore misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ismore tries to land a knee to the head but Mahtisaari blocks with his arms.

Ismore escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A swing and a miss from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ismore manages to avoid it.
Ismore is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari throws an overhand right that lands on Ismore's shoulder, as Ismore tries to avoid the shot.
Les Ismore seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mahtisaari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ismore counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nice uppercut lands for Mahtisaari. That snapped Ismore's head back.
Ismore takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mahtisaari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ismore counters by moving into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch on the inside from Mahtisaari fails to land.
Still in the clinch, Ismore scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ismore has a couple of punches blocked by Mahtisaari.
A short uppercut from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.
Ismore looking to slow down the pace here.
Ismore has a couple of punches blocked by Mahtisaari.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ismore just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mahtisaari's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ismore is looking to control Mahtisaari's arms but Mahtisaari gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ismore has his back to the cage.
Ismore blocks a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari has Ismore pushed against the cage.
A short right from Ismore on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ismore fails to land.
Mahtisaari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ismore is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Mahtisaari digs a right hand underneath Ismore's ribcage. Ismore let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ismore takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A shot in the inside from Mahtisaari.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ismore swings wildly with an uppercut but Mahtisaari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mahtisaari working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismore throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mahtisaari blocks it with crossed arms.
Mahtisaari takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mahtisaari cracks Ismore with a nice body shot.
Ismore is trying to break free.
Ismore tries a body shot but Mahtisaari blocks it.
Mahtisaari lands with a left to the head.
Mahtisaari lands a body shot.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.
Mahtisaari tries a body shot but Ismore blocks it.
Mahtisaari lands a nice shot to the body.
Ismore working aggressively here.
Mahtisaari tries a body shot but Ismore blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari pushes Ismore back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Mahtisaari makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mahtisaari working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mahtisaari lands with a short shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arttu Mahtisaari showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mahtisaari has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28

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