PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seyran Zeynalabdinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeynalabdinov has chosen Saku as his entrance music. Seyran Zeynalabdinov struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Seyran Zeynalabdinov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Arttu Mahtisaari's chin.

Mahtisaari
vs
Zeynalabdinov

178 cm
30
195 lbs
19 - 10 - 1

180 cm
37
204 lbs
30 - 22 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Bullet Proof System

GREEN!160

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 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 22 - 3, fighting out of New York, Seyran Zeynalabdinov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Jorge Garcia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zeynalabdinov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a jab to the body
and Mahtisaari counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Seyran Zeynalabdinov has been cut.
A jab from Mahtisaari misses.
Zeynalabdinov lands with a hook. Mahtisaari tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A telegraphed right hand from Mahtisaari misses the target.
Zeynalabdinov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Zeynalabdinov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zeynalabdinov cracks a nice hook into Mahtisaari's ribs.
Mahtisaari shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zeynalabdinov pinned against the cage. Zeynalabdinov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a hook

and Mahtisaari counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zeynalabdinov won't be happy with that.
Zeynalabdinov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari lands some shots froms side control.
Mahtisaari is looking to take a break and control but Zeynalabdinov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mahtisaari working away.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to regain half guard here but Mahtisaari keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mahtisaari works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Zeynalabdinov defending against the ground and pound.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position but Zeynalabdinov is working away.
Zeynalabdinov struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mahtisaari misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov keeps trying to improve his position.
Zeynalabdinov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Zeynalabdinov is looking for a sweep.
Mahtisaari scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Zeynalabdinov to see if he's OK.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to regain half guard here but Mahtisaari keeps moving and retains side control.
Mahtisaari working the strikes but Zeynalabdinov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Mahtisaari looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zeynalabdinov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Mahtisaari trying to control from half guard but Zeynalabdinov is working away.
Zeynalabdinov moves into full guard.

Zeynalabdinov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeynalabdinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mahtisaari has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mahtisaari avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Zeynalabdinov looking for a guillotine here but Mahtisaari defends easily.
Zeynalabdinov wants to sweep but no luck.
Mahtisaari postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Zeynalabdinov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mahtisaari gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mahtisaari in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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

Zeynalabdinov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Mahtisaari uses it to pass to side control.
Zeynalabdinov trying to remain calm as Mahtisaari controls from the top position.
Zeynalabdinov is trying to control Mahtisaari's posture but Mahtisaari avoids it.
Mahtisaari is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Zeynalabdinov's shoulder. That is not cool.
Check out the look on Mahtisaari's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Zeynalabdinov is looking for a sweep.
Mahtisaari is chipping away with strikes.
Zeynalabdinov is letting Mahtisaari control him for a moment.
Zeynalabdinov tries to improve position but can't.
Zeynalabdinov is trying to escape the position but Mahtisaari is controlling the position.
Zeynalabdinov tries to buck Mahtisaari off but Mahtisaari is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arttu Mahtisaari dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Seyran Zeynalabdinov's cut.
That's time! Mahtisaari's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mahtisaari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zeynalabdinov throws out the jab.
Zeynalabdinov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mahtisaari walks into a jab.
Zeynalabdinov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mahtisaari looks to land a left hand but Zeynalabdinov moved out of range nicely.
Zeynalabdinov works the jab nicely.
Zeynalabdinov throws a head kick that misses.
Zeynalabdinov tests Mahtisaari's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the liver by Mahtisaari. Beautiful body shot.
Zeynalabdinov clobbers Mahtisaari with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov misses with an uppercut. Mahtisaari saw that one coming.
An attempted straight right counter from Mahtisaari misses the target.
Zeynalabdinov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws a jab when Zeynalabdinov was well out of range.
A nice combination there by Zeynalabdinov.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Mahtisaari misses the target.
Zeynalabdinov throws a counter combo.
Mahtisaari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zeynalabdinov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mahtisaari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mahtisaari defends it well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Zeynalabdinov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mahtisaari is fending him off so far but Zeynalabdinov persists. Nope, Mahtisaari circles away and we're back to standing.
Mahtisaari changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari lands with a right hand.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to slow Mahtisaari down with leg kicks.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mahtisaari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mahtisaari appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mahtisaari is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
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!
Zeynalabdinov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mahtisaari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zeynalabdinov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mahtisaari connects with the punch.
Zeynalabdinov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mahtisaari jabs Zeynalabdinov right on the nose. Zeynalabdinov blinks but takes it well.

Zeynalabdinov is rocked!
Mahtisaari throws out a loose jab but Zeynalabdinov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zeynalabdinov is still on wobbly legs! Can Mahtisaari finish him?
Zeynalabdinov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zeynalabdinov seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Zeynalabdinov!
Zeynalabdinov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahtisaari. Zeynalabdinov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mahtisaari stuns Zeynalabdinov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A big right from Mahtisaari misses.
Mahtisaari throws the left hand but Zeynalabdinov avoids the punch easily.
The fighters circling - Zeynalabdinov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zeynalabdinov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mahtisaari momentarily.
Mahtisaari throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahtisaari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zeynalabdinov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari throws a lazy right hand but Zeynalabdinov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mahtisaari looks to score with a jab to the body but Zeynalabdinov is just out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Mahtisaari misses the target.
Zeynalabdinov stalks Mahtisaari and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mahtisaari's face. Mahtisaari staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mahtisaari lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zeynalabdinov at a distance.
A jab from Mahtisaari finds it's way through Zeynalabdinov's defenses.
Mahtisaari is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zeynalabdinov.
Despite the aggression on Zeynalabdinov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Zeynalabdinov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zeynalabdinov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mahtisaaris jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zeynalabdinov blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Seyran Zeynalabdinov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Seyran Zeynalabdinov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zeynalabdinov misses with a hook. Mahtisaari ducked under it nicely.
Zeynalabdinov ducks under a wild hook from Mahtisaari.
We've been told by Mahtisaari's head coaches at Team Tukkapölly that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Mahtisaari throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A lazy left from Mahtisaari finds it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mahtisaari looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mahtisaari.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahtisaari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zeynalabdinov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mahtisaari feinted with a counter takedown.
Mahtisaari blocks a jab.
Zeynalabdinov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mahtisaari throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov misses with the combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Mahtisaari misses the target.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zeynalabdinov.
Mahtisaari connects with the punch.

Zeynalabdinov ducks straight into an uppercut from Mahtisaari and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Zeynalabdinov manages to regain guard straight away.
Mahtisaari postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Zeynalabdinov covers up, he's hurt! Mahtisaari keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Mahtisaari and the ref steps in to end the fight! Mahtisaari can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Arttu Mahtisaari!
Our winner, Arttu Mahtisaari, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.