PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lauri Pekkarinen (ranked 628 p4p, 81 weight class) and Kenta Kobashi (ranked 846 p4p, 111 weight class). Pekkarinen comes to the cage accompanied by For Heavy Metal we will die!. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Pekkarinen
vs
Kobashi

188 cm
32
193 lbs
19 - 8 - 2

186 cm
42
198 lbs
41 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing

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 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lauri Pekkarinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 41 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenta Kobashi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pekkarinen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kobashi stuffs the takedown.
Despite the aggression on Kobashi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Pekkarinen misses with a head kick.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Pekkarinen lands with an uppercut that bounces Kobashi off the cage and back into range.
A low kick from Pekkarinen is predictable there
and Kobashi counters with a series of strikes. Pekkarinen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Both fighters circling a little - Pekkarinen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nice jab there from Pekkarinen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pekkarinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kobashi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen throws a right hand that misses
and Kobashi counters with a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pekkarinen wants to land a leg kick but Kobashi is out of range.
Pekkarinen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but Kobashi moved away.
Kobashi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Pekkarinen loads up on a big right hand but Kobashi slips the punch.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pekkarinen throws a hook but Kobashi blocks it.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Pekkarinen missing with a left hand there. Kobashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pekkarinen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kobashi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Despite the aggression on Kobashi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Pekkarinen lands an overhand right.
Kobashi blocks a low kick nicely.
Kobashi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kobashi checks a leg kick.
Kobashi blocks the body kick.
Despite the aggression on Kobashi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Pekkarinen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kobashi counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen misses with a right hand
and Kobashi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pekkarinen fails to land with a series of punches.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pekkarinen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kobashi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pekkarinen looks to land a left hand but Kobashi moved out of range nicely.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Pekkarinen looks for the body kick but Kobashi saw that one coming.
Pekkarinen throws a body shot but no joy.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Pekkarinen cracks the inside of Kobashi's front leg.
Pekkarinen misses with a shot to the body
and Kobashi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kobashi moves out of range of the strikes.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Lauri Pekkarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Pekkarinen misses
and Kobashi counters with a one-two to the body.
Pekkarinen misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Pekkarinen cracks Kobashi with an open hand slap.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pekkarinen.

Kobashi gets caught flat footed, as Pekkarinen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Pekkarinen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kobashi is looking to stand up but Pekkarinen isn't so interested in that idea.
Kobashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pekkarinen.
Kobashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pekkarinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pekkarinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Pekkarinen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen is looking to work some ground and pound but Kobashi has wrist control.
Kobashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pekkarinen.
Kobashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pekkarinen distracts Kobashi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pekkarinen working some strikes from top position.
Pekkarinen throws an elbow that misses. Kobashi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pekkarinen's guard. Nice move by Kobashi!

Pekkarinen looking to control.
Kobashi wants to stand but Pekkarinen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Pekkarinen looking for a sweep. Not yet Pekkarinen, not yet.

Pekkarinen looking for a guillotine here but Kobashi defends easily.

Pekkarinen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kobashi passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lauri Pekkarinen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pekkarinen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kobashi slips a straight right by Pekkarinen.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pekkarinen misses with a series of wild punches.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick
and Kobashi counters with a left and a right that stings Pekkarinen.
A jab lands there for Pekkarinen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Pekkarinen.
Kobashi unleashes a big counter combination but Pekkarinen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kobashi takes one to the chin there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kobashi circles away quickly and effectively.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kobashi counters with a two punch combo.
Kobashi is working the combinations to good effect here.
Pekkarinen throws a shot from downtown. Kobashi moves away and avoids it.
Kobashi avoids a punch combination nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pekkarinen. Kobashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A swing and a miss from Pekkarinen.
As Pekkarinen backs off Kobashi throws a huge counter combo but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it all.
A left lands for Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen throws a body kick that misses
and Kobashi counters with a left and a right that stings Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but Kobashi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kobashi takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kobashi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As Pekkarinen backs off Kobashi throws a huge counter combo but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it all.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pekkarinen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Pekkarinen throws a nice looking combination but Kobashi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kobashi unleashes a big counter combination but Pekkarinen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Pekkarinen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kobashi.
Pekkarinen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Kobashi slips a jab from Pekkarinen.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pekkarinen throws a big shot that misses.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen swings for the body but Kobashi moves out of range.
Pekkarinen throws a jab when Kobashi was well out of range.
Pekkarinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Kenta Kobashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pekkarinen. Kobashi does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen throws a head kick that misses.
Kobashi unleashes a big counter combination but Pekkarinen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Pekkarinen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Pekkarinen duly obliges.
Pekkarinen misses with a left hand
and Kobashi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pekkarinen lands a right hook to the body.
Pekkarinen cracks the inside of Kobashi's front leg.
Nice defenses there by Kobashi.
Kobashi unleashes a big counter combination but Pekkarinen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kobashi checks the leg kick.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
Pekkarinen looks to land a left hand but Kobashi moved out of range nicely.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pekkarinen misses with a jab to the body
and Kobashi counters with a two punch combo.
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!
Pekkarinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen looks for a takedown but Kobashi sprawls well.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobashi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pekkarinen.
Kobashi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pekkarinen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kobashi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kobashi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kobashi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kobashi moves away.
Kobashi moves out of range of the leg kick from Pekkarinen.
Kobashi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pekkarinen throws a body punch but Kobashi moves out of range.
Kobashi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Pekkarinen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Pekkarinen throws a head kick that misses
and Kobashi counters with a left and a right that stings Pekkarinen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lauri Pekkarinen dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Pekkarinen throws a poor cross that misses
and Kobashi counters with a series of strikes. Pekkarinen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Pekkarinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kobashi moves away.
Nice defenses there by Kobashi.
As Pekkarinen backs off Kobashi throws a huge counter combo but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it all.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but Kobashi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kobashi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Despite the aggression on Kobashi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A jab from Pekkarinen misses.
As Pekkarinen backs off Kobashi throws a huge counter combo but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it all.
Pekkarinen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kobashi blocks a jab.
Kobashi is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pekkarinen throws a combination that misses
and Kobashi counters with a series of strikes. Pekkarinen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Pekkarinen misses with a looping left.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Kobashi slips a jab from Pekkarinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Kobashi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
As Pekkarinen backs off Kobashi throws a huge counter combo but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it all.
Pekkarinen throws a hook but Kobashi blocks it.
Pekkarinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kobashi was well out of range. Poor timing from Pekkarinen.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen throws the left hand but Kobashi avoids the punch easily.
Pekkarinen throws a big shot that misses.
As Pekkarinen backs off Kobashi throws a huge counter combo but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it all.
Pekkarinen lands a leg kick that knocks Kobashi off balance momentarily.
A slow jab from Pekkarinen misses its intended target.
A low kick from Pekkarinen is predictable there
and Kobashi counters with a one-two to the body.
Pekkarinen misses with a hook
and Kobashi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pekkarinen misses with a left hand
and Kobashi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pekkarinen thows a leg kick but Kobashi checks it
and Kobashi counters with a one-two to the body.
Kenta Kobashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pekkarinen throws a front kick aimed at Kobashi's knee but Kobashi avoids it well.
Kobashi throws a counter combo.
Pekkarinen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kobashi counters with a series of strikes. Pekkarinen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kobashi defending well as Pekkarinen loads up on a big left hand.
A big right from Pekkarinen misses.
Despite the aggression on Kobashi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Pekkarinen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kobashi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Kobashi has his feet on Pekkarinen's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Kobashi checks a leg kick nicely.
Kobashi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kobashi checks a leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Kobashi blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kobashi. That did some damage!

Pekkarinen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kobashi sprawls well initially but Pekkarinen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pekkarinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pekkarinen looks to land a strike but Kobashi avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kobashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pekkarinen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kobashi is looking to stand up but Pekkarinen isn't so interested in that idea.
Pekkarinen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kobashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kobashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pekkarinen throwing strikes from guard but Kobashi blocks nicely.

Kobashi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pekkarinen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kobashi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pekkarinen has managed to get both his arms back between Kobashi's legs - danger averted.
Pekkarinen postures up in Kobashi's guard and throws a big left but Kobashi blocks it.
Pekkarinen throws a strike but Kobashi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Pekkarinen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kobashi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Pekkarinen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kobashi passes into half guard.
Kobashi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenta Kobashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pekkarinen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lauri Pekkarinen!
After the fight, Lauri Pekkarinen was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.