PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Espo Jaksinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jethro Rusted (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Jaksinen
vs
Rusted

182 cm
28
173 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

185 cm
31
195 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Lion Fightwear
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

M.O. Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Espo Jaksinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jethro Rusted!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rusted keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen blocks a head kick by Rusted.
Rusted throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rusted thows a body kick. Jaksinen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Rusted tries to work over Jaksinen's front leg with a kick but Jaksinen checks it.
Rusted works Jaksinen's body with a nice hook.
Rusted buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A low kick from Rusted is predictable there
and Jaksinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusted throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A slow jab from Jaksinen misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rusted is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Jaksinen with a body shot.
Jaksinen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rusted slips under a jab from Jaksinen.
Rusted lands a lovely overhand right.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rusted.
Jaksinen avoids a kick to the body.
Jaksinen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rusted throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rusted lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rusted has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Jaksinen misses with a right hand
and Rusted counters with a thumping low kick.
Rusted looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rusted moves away from the strike by Jaksinen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rusted throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rusted will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rusted missing with a left hand there. Jaksinen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rusted throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jaksinen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rusted misses the jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Jaksinen!
Rusted takes a swing at Jaksinen's ribcage but misses.
Rusted tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Jaksinen fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rusted.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rusted.
Jaksinen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rusted.
Rusted pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
It looked like Jaksinen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Jaksinen closes the distance and clinches.
Jaksinen misses with a punch to the body.
Jaksinen misses with a punch to the body.
Jaksinen misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Jaksinen.
Rusted looking for a takedown.
Rusted has Jaksinen pushed against the cage.
Jaksinen pushes Rusted back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen misses with some punches.
Jaksinen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Jaksinen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jaksinen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Jaksinen misses with some punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rusted has Jaksinen pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rusted pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Jaksinen tumbling to the mat - Rusted dives into Jaksinen's guard.
Rusted postures up in Jaksinen's guard and throws a big left but Jaksinen blocks it.
Jaksinen trying to keep a closed guard but Rusted is proving a slippery customer.
Rusted throwing strikes from guard but Jaksinen blocks nicely.
Rusted passes Jaksinen's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jaksinen looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jethro Rusted will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rusted throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jaksinen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jaksinen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rusted misses with a body kick.
Jethro Rusted seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rusted is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jaksinen.
Rusted listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nice shot lands for Rusted.
Jaksinen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusted fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jaksinen manages to avoid it.
Jethro Rusted seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danga de danga de dang - Jaksinen scores with a four punch combination!
Jaksinen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen throws a right hand that misses
and Rusted counters with a nice uppercut.
Rusted looks for the body kick but Jaksinen saw that one coming.
Rusted keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A lazy left from Jaksinen finds it's target.
Jaksinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rusted.
Rusted throws a sloppy head kick
and Jaksinen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Espo Jaksinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rusted throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Jaksinen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
An inside leg kick from Rusted misses.
Rusted falls off balance throwing a combination
and Jaksinen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusted throws a low kick, looking for Jaksinen's leg but Jaksinen calmly moves out of range.
Jaksinen misses with a straight left.

Jaksinen forces Rusted back against the cage and clinches.
Rusted is trying to pull guard but Jaksinen has him pressed against the cage.
Jaksinen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jaksinen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Jaksinen.
Rusted prevents a body shot from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jaksinen misses with a hook from the clinch.

Rusted has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Jaksinen is trying to keep an underhook but Rusted manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Jaksinen wants to get back to his feet.
Rusted trying to control from half guard but Jaksinen is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusted thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jaksinen's head.
Jaksinen wants to get back to his feet.
Jaksinen keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Jaksinen wants to control but Rusted is keeping busy.
Rusted stops Jaksinen from getting back to his feet.
Rusted is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Jaksinen!
Jaksinen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Rusted tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusted takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Jaksinen wants to control but Rusted is having none of it.
Jaksinen is bucking up trying to escape but Rusted cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Jethro Rusted has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rusted lands with some strikes.
Rusted thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Jaksinen wants to control but Rusted is having none of it.
Rusted breaks from Jaksinen's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rusted fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Jaksinen tries to lock up and control but Rusted gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jaksinen is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jethro Rusted will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jaksinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jaksinen swinging wildly here.
Jaksinen loads up on a big right hand but Rusted slips the punch.
Jaksinen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Despite the aggression on Rusted's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Rusted misses with a low kick.
Rusted throws a body kick, spinning off balance
enabling Jaksinen to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusted throws a head kick but Jaksinen moves out of range.
Rusted pushes Jaksinen away with a front kick.
Rusted pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jaksinen is out of range and Rusted settles back down.
Jaksinen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Jaksinen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusted waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jaksinen.
Jaksinen is looking to counter with a body kick.
Jaksinen tries to land a front kick but Rusted steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rusted circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rusted with the counter takedown but Jaksinen avoids it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rusted. That's going to slow Jaksinen down.
Rusted slips a jab and a cross from Jaksinen.
Rusted slips a jab and a cross from Jaksinen.
Rusted connects with a leg kick. Jaksinen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rusted moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rusted misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Rusted counter with a right hand.
Rusted throws a leg kick
and Jaksinen counters with a three punch combo that has Rusted backing up. Rusted nods at Jaksinen to acknowledge the strikes.
Jaksinen moves in looking to clinch but Rusted pushes him off.
Rusted stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jaksinen misses with a hook. Rusted ducked under it nicely.
Rusted misses with a body kick.
Rusted slips a straight right by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rusted misses with a takedown
and Jaksinen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jaksinen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Rusted counters with a good low kick that Jaksinen was not able to check.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Jaksinen misses with a hook.
Rusted drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Jaksinen defends it well.
Rusted lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rusted jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jaksinen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Jaksinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rusted.
A bone on bone clash there as Jaksinen blocks the leg kick.
Rusted lands a leg kick that knocks Jaksinen off balance momentarily.
Jaksinen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rusted moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jaksinen cracks Rusted with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Jaksinen drives through and clinches with Rusted against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rusted blocking some punches.
Espo Jaksinen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Jaksinen trying to stall but Rusted improves his position.
Jaksinen misses with the head strike.

Rusted breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jaksinen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rusted.
Rusted avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A little jabbing left from Rusted on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
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!
Rusted walks into a stiff left hand from Jaksinen.
Rusted throws a wild body kick that Jaksinen sees coming a mile off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Espo Jaksinen clearly takes 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.

Jaksinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rusted.
As Rusted tries to get set, Jaksinen tries to push him back and clinch up but Rusted manages to avoid the attempt.
Rusted misses with a body shot
and Jaksinen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rusted uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jaksinen.
Rusted lunges at Jaksinen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Jaksinen's hand.
Rusted ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jaksinen moves away.
Rusted pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jaksinen throws the kick towards the body but Rusted avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusted chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jaksinen throws a hook but Rusted avoids it easily.
Rusted feints a counter leg kick.
Jaksinen with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen loads up on a big right hand but Rusted slips the punch.

Rusted shoots in and gets a takedown into Jaksinen's guard.
Jaksinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jaksinen keeping moving, preventing Rusted from controlling successfully.
Rusted prevents Jaksinen from getting back to his feet.
Rusted trying to control the position from guard on top but Jaksinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rusted trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rusted trying to control the position from guard on top but Jaksinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jaksinen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rusted throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusted misses with a hook to the body
and Jaksinen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rusted steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jaksinen.
Rusted throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rusted slips a jab and a cross from Jaksinen.
Rusted uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jaksinen.
A slapping body kick lands there for Rusted.
Rusted looks to throw a body kick
letting Jaksinen counter with a right hand.
Rusted circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rusted counters with a good low kick that Jaksinen was not able to check.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Rusted.
Jaksinen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jaksinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the liver by Jaksinen. Beautiful body shot.
Rusted walks into a left hand.
Rusted connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rusted moves into range and connects with a jab.
A nice combination there by Jaksinen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rusted is looking to slow Jaksinen down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusted cracks a nice hook into Jaksinen's ribs.
Rusted shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jaksinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rusted.
Espo Jaksinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jaksinen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rusted takes a step back to recover.
Rusted takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rusted looks to land a combination but Jaksinen avoids it well.

Jaksinen drives through and clinches with Rusted against the cage.

Rusted pulls guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Espo Jaksinen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A nice combination there by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rusted makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rusted. That's going to slow Jaksinen down.
Whack! Jaksinen lands a heavy head kick that drops Rusted. The ref tackles Jaksinen to stop the fight - a great save by the referee because Rusted was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Head Kick). Espo Jaksinen!
Espo Jaksinen retains his middleweight title!
Espo Jaksinen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.