PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cormac Maguire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pelle Paniikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paniikki has chosen N'sync - Bye Bye Bye as his entrance music. 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.

Maguire
vs
Paniikki

169 cm
41
131 lbs
44 - 15 - 0

165 cm
38
155 lbs
26 - 32 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

SP Ultimate Nutrition

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 44 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cormac Maguire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 32 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pelle Paniikki!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paniikki has his takedown stuffed
and Maguire connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Paniikki shoots in looking for a takedown but Maguire manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Paniikki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Paniikki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Maguire counters with a stiff right hand.
Cormac Maguire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pelle Paniikki.
Maguire slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Maguire misses with a leg kick.
Paniikki shoots in but Maguire avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maguire appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Paniikki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Maguire as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Paniikki.
Maguire shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
And Paniikki tries to counter it with a takedown but Maguire pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maguire throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Paniikki shoots in for a double leg but Maguire sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Paniikki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Maguire defends well and Paniikki ends up having to push Maguire into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Maguire throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Paniikki fails with the takedown
and Maguire counters with a good low kick that Paniikki was not able to check.

Paniikki shoots in and gets a takedown into Maguire's guard.
Paniikki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maguire is keeping the position for now.

Maguire scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Paniikki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Paniikki shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Paniikki with that takedown attempt.
Maguire throws a leg kick that misses.
Paniikki wants to counter with a clinch but Maguire pushes him away.

Paniikki drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paniikki tries to free his leg and advance position but Maguire is retaining full guard.
Paniikki is still trying to improve position.
Paniikki forces his way into half guard.
Paniikki has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Paniikki jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Maguire is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Maguire and Paniikki has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Maguire, who protects the arm well.

Paniikki is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Maguire knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Paniikki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Maguire is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Paniikki is trying to get an arm triangle but Maguire is defending well.
Maguire sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Paniikki is pressing down on Maguire's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maguire is holding on for now.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura but Maguire is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Paniikki to get the leverage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paniikki wants to free his trapped foot but Maguire is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Paniikki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maguire doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paniikki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac Maguire dominated that round.
That's time! Maguire's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Paniikki has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maguire.
Paniikki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maguire defends it nicely.
Maguire feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maguire lands with a cross.

Paniikki darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paniikki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maguire is just riding it out for now. Paniikki eventually gives up the hold.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Paniikki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maguire doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paniikki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Paniikki is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maguire has managed to free his arm - good work.

Paniikki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maguire doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paniikki.
Maguire is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Paniikki wants to pass the guard but Maguire is defending well.

Paniikki is working for a submission of some sort.

Paniikki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maguire doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paniikki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Paniikki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maguire doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paniikki.

Paniikki is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maguire has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelle Paniikki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Paniikki feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Paniikki looking to pass the guard.
Paniikki advances to half guard.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura here.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura but Maguire is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Paniikki to get the leverage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paniikki wants to work for an arm triangle but Maguire is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paniikki is trying to work for a kimura but Maguire is defending well.

Paniikki is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maguire has managed to free his arm - good work.

Paniikki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maguire is just riding it out for now. Paniikki eventually gives up the hold.

Paniikki seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Paniikki is working for a submission of some sort.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura here.
Maguire is trying to stand back up but Paniikki is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Paniikki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maguire is just riding it out for now. Paniikki eventually gives up the hold.

Paniikki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Maguire sees it coming and defends easily.

Paniikki is looking for a kimura but Maguire is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Paniikki to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Paniikki seems to be looking for submissions.

Paniikki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Paniikki is working for a submission of some sort.
Maguire is doing well to control the position and prevent Paniikki from advancing to side control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paniikki on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Maguire. Maguire obviously looking to wear him down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pelle Paniikki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Paniikki 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pelle Paniikki!