PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antti Isotalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Head (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Isotalo comes to the cage accompanied by Battle Metal by Turisas. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Isotalo
vs
Head

200 cm
19
205 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
215 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Combat Pro Design
No Shit Nutrition

No Shit Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Isotalo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Richard Head!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Isotalo clinches.
Isotalo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Head's elbow.
Isotalo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Isotalo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Head tries to break the clinch but Isotalo is controlling the position.
Head wants to break the clinch but can't.
Isotalo wants a takedown but no success here.

Head manages to break the clinch.
Head lands with a straight right. Isotalo didn't see that one coming.
Head tries a head kick but it misses.
Head tests Isotalo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Head tries to bum rush Isotalo with a series of wild strikes but Isotalo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Head, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Head goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Isotalo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Head.
Isotalo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Head.
Head throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Isotalo moves out of range as Head strikes.
Head avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head scores with a nice head shot.

Head moves into the clinch successfully.
Isotalo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Isotalo keeps control of Head as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Isotalo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Head wants to get back to striking at distance but Isotalo won't allow it.
Head blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Head is looking to break free of the clinch but Isotalo has double underhooks.
Head can't break the clinch.
Isotalo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Head is looking to break free of the clinch but Isotalo has double underhooks.
Isotalo is leaning against Head and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Head wants to get back to striking at distance but Isotalo won't allow it.
Head looks gassed!
Isotalo works on Head's body with a couple of short punches.
Isotalo misses with a knee to the head.
Isotalo lands a right hand.

Head breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Isotalo blocks a head kick by Head.
Isotalo scores with a body shot.
Richard Head seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Isotalo tries to clinch but Head is having none of it.
Isotalo tries to clinch but Head is having none of it.
Isotalo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Head circles away from the clinch attempt
and Head counters with a series of strikes. Isotalo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Isotalo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Isotalo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Richard Head has been cut.
Isotalo swinging wilding here.

Isotalo closes the distance and clinches.
Head is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Isotalo digs a right hand underneath Head's ribcage. Head let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Isotalo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Isotalo pushes Head back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Isotalo as the two fighters clinch.
Isotalo pushes Head back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Isotalo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Head gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Isotalo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Isotalo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Isotalo has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Head is trying to keep an underhook but Isotalo manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Isotalo content to control rather than advance.
Isotalo is thwarting Head's attempts to control the position.
Isotalo thows a huge punch but Head dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Head is staying active underneath Isotalo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Isotalo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Head blocking the ground and pound attempt from Isotalo.
Isotalo is keen to just control but Head is a slippery customer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Isotalo just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Isotalo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Isotalo scores with a one two! Head had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Head misses with a shot to the body
and Isotalo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Isotalo looks to score with a jab to the body but Head is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Isotalo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Head's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Head takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Oooh a lovely combination from Isotalo sends Head down but not out. Isotalo dives into side control looking to finish.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Head seems a little lost for a moment, as Isotalo dominates the positioning.
Isotalo in side control lands a decent elbow.
Isotalo lands a nice forearm strike.
Isotalo tries to advance to mount but Head denies him.
Isotalo lands some shots froms side control.
Isotalo 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.

Isotalo tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Isotalo has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Head is breathing heavily.
Head is not content to let Isotalo control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isotalo controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Isotalo scoring with punches and elbows.
Head being controlled for a moment.
Head takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo working the ground and pound but Head is defending the strikes.
Head being controlled for a moment.
Head avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Isotalo.
Isotalo sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Head is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Head prevents Isotalo from improving position.
Head wants to get back to his feet but Isotalo drags him back down.
Head is working to avoid the ground and pound but Isotalo connects with a decent elbow.
Isotalo working the head with strikes.
Isotalo controlling from side mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Isotalo wants to control but Head is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Isotalo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Richard Head's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Head misses with a hook.
Head keeps the fight on the outside.
Head scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Isotalo doesn't seem bothered though.
Head throws the left hand but Isotalo avoids the punch easily.
Head throws the left hand but Isotalo avoids the punch easily.
Head loads up on a big right hand but Isotalo slips the punch.
Head wants to land a leg kick but Isotalo is out of range.

Isotalo has closed the distance and engaged Head in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Isotalo.
Head wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Isotalo has him pressed against the cage.
Isotalo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Isotalo presses Head against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Isotalo tries a body shot but Head blocks it.
Isotalo tries to work over Head's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Isotalo lands a nice uppercut.
Head takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Head blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short uppercut from Isotalo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isotalo tries to work over Head's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Isotalo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Isotalo gets through Head's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Isotalo can't find room to land a body shot as Head controls the action.
Head blocks a body shot from Isotalo.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Isotalo.
Isotalo effectively controlling the action here.
Isotalo tries a body shot but Head blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Head.

Isotalo decides to pull guard.
Isotalo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Head!
A nice elbow there by Isotalo.
Isotalo is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Head can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo working Head over with strikes here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Isotalo controlling from mount.

Isotalo is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Head can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Head wants to control but Isotalo is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Isotalo connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Isotalo pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Isotalo lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Head hang on?
Isotalo working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Isotalo is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Head can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Isotalo looking to secure an arm triangle but Head defends it well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Isotalo is landing with some decent strikes but Head is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo punishing his opponent with strikes.
Isotalo working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Head is bucking up trying to escape but Isotalo cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Isotalo looking to finish Head with some ground and pound. This is bad for Head!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Isotalo in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Isotalo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Isotalo clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Head's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Isotalo swings for the body but Head moves out of range.
Isotalo checks a leg kick.
Isotalo fails to land with a series of punches.
Head thows a left - swing and a miss!
Head falls off balance throwing a combination
and Isotalo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Head thinking.
Isotalo is looking to wear down Head with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Isotalo forces Head back against the cage and clinches.
Isotalo trying to land knees to the body.
Head fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Head wants to break free but Isotalo has control.
Isotalo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Isotalo is working Head over against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Isotalo.
Head is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Isotalo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Isotalo.
Isotalo cracks Head with a nice body shot.
Isotalo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Head or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isotalo crunches a lovely knee into Head's ribcage.
Isotalo holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Isotalo lands with a left to the head.
A body shot lands from Isotalo.
Isotalo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Isotalo works on Head's body with a couple of short punches.
Isotalo lands a body punch in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Isotalo.
Head wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Isotalo tries to throw a body punch but Head avoids it by throwing Isotalo back against the cage.
Isotalo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Head avoiding damage as Isotalo throws knees to the body.
Isotalo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Head is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Isotalo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Isotalo.
Isotalo misses with a punch to the body.
Isotalo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Isotalo cracks Head with a nice body shot.
Isotalo prevents Head from breaking the clinch.
Isotalo lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Isotalo.
Isotalo digs a right hand into Head's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Head's gas tank.

Isotalo breaks from the clinch.
Isotalo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Head counters with a left and a right that stings Isotalo.
Isotalo looks to land a combination but Head avoids it well.

Isotalo rushes Head and presses him up against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Isotalo.
Isotalo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Head's elbow.
Head managing to block the knees to the body from Isotalo.
With the fighters up against the cage, Isotalo throws an elbow but misses.
Head misses with a punch on the inside.
Antti Isotalo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Isotalo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Head.
Isotalo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Head can do to turn this around?
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Isotalo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Isotalo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Head lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Isotalo works on Head's body with a couple of short punches.
Head blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Isotalo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Head prevents it.

Head breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Isotalo lands a nice shot that snaps Head's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Head.
Isotalo misses with a wild combination.
Head cracks Isotalo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Isotalo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Head misses with a double jab

and Isotalo counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Head's guard now.
Isotalo passes Head's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Head trying to hold on to Isotalo's head to control him but Isotalo postures up.
Isotalo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Head's head.
Head is looking to improve his position.
Isotalo passes to side control.
Head takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Isotalo working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Isotalo had his way with Richard Head in that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Head's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Isotalo misses with a few strikes there.
Head lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Antti Isotalo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Isotalo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Head misses the shot to the body.
Head throws a series of punches but Isotalo moves out of range.
Isotalo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Head misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Head throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Antti Isotalo is winning the standup battle so far.
A big left from Head misses.
Head avoids the body shot from Isotalo.
Head is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Head throws a leg kick that is checked
and Isotalo counters with a series of strikes. Head will be more careful next time no doubt.
Isotalo clobbers Head with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Isotalo throws a wild body kick that Head sees coming a mile off.

Isotalo has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isotalo lands with a light punch inside.
Isotalo can't find room to land a body shot as Head controls the action.
Head wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Isotalo pushes Head back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Isotalo keeps control of Head as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Isotalo lands a nice shot to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Isotalo.
A nice right hand lands inside from Isotalo.
Good body shot from Isotalo.
Isotalo leaning against his opponent.
Head can't break the clinch.
Isotalo lands a body punch.
Isotalo lands a nice shot to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Isotalo.
Isotalo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Isotalo.
Nice body punch from Isotalo.
Isotalo tries to land knees in the clinch but Head avoids the damage to the body.
Isotalo is leaning against Head and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Isotalo.
Isotalo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Isotalo works on Head's body with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Isotalo.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Isotalo.
Isotalo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Isotalo cracks Head with a nice body shot.
Isotalo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Isotalo breaks the clinch.
Isotalo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Isotalo lands with a shot to the body.
Isotalo tries to clinch but Head is having none of it.
Head waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Isotalo.

Head tries to keep at a distance but Isotalo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Head blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Isotalo missing with knees to the body.
Isotalo tries to pull guard but Head holds him up against the cage and eventually Isotalo drops back down to his feet.
Knees to the body from Isotalo.
A right hand to the body from Isotalo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head tries to break the clinch but Isotalo is controlling the position.
Nice body punch from Isotalo.

Isotalo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Isotalo feints and then cracks Head's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Head down.
Isotalo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Isotalo thows a body shot but no joy.
Head moves away from the strike by Isotalo.
Isotalo misses with a series of wild punches.
Head lunges at Isotalo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Isotalo's hand.
Head falls off balance throwing a combination
and Isotalo counters with a body kick that stops Head in his tracks momentarily.
Richard Head has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Isotalo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Head is fending him off so far but Isotalo persists. Nope, Head circles away and we're back to standing.
Head changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Isotalo.

Isotalo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Isotalo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Isotalo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Isotalo works on Head's body with a couple of short punches.
Head avoiding damage as Isotalo throws knees to the body.
Isotalo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Isotalo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Head has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Isotalo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Isotalo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Head or not.
Isotalo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Head takes a knee right on the jaw!
Isotalo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Head lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Isotalo creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Head's defenses.

Head breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Isotalo misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Head loads up on a big right hand but Isotalo slips the punch.
Isotalo misses with a hook.
Some wild striking there from Head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Isotalo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Isotalo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 50:42
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:42
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:42

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Isotalo!
Antti Isotalo retains his light heavyweight title!