PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antti Isotalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evald Von Hertzell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Isotalo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Snoop Dogg - Serial Killa. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Isotalo
vs
Von Hertzell

195 cm
19
280 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

193 cm
18
265 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Coffee Shop (Cheapest recovery in Dam!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Evald Von Hertzell!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Von Hertzell shoots in and drives through. Isotalo sprawls well.

Von Hertzell darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Isotalo is holding on to half guard well.
Isotalo tries to get to full guard but Von Hertzell has control of the leg.
Isotalo is refusing to be controlled, as Von Hertzell sits in half guard.
Isotalo tries to get to full guard but Von Hertzell has control of the leg.
Ground and pound from Von Hertzell.
Isotalo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Von Hertzell is working away from the top position though.

Isotalo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Hertzell is trying to control. Isotalo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Von Hertzell looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Isotalo misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Isotalo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Von Hertzell is working away from the top position though.
Isotalo is looking to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Von Hertzell keeps the fight on the outside.
Isotalo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Von Hertzell gets the takedown into side control.
Isotalo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Von Hertzell's best efforts.
Von Hertzell is keen to just control but Isotalo is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Isotalo kicks Von Hertzell off and gets back to his feet.
Isotalo keeps the fight on the outside.
Isotalo tries for a takedown but Von Hertzell circles away easily

and Von Hertzell counters with a nice double leg into side control. Isotalo won't be happy with that.
Isotalo is breathing heavily.
Isotalo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Von Hertzell off and has taken his back!
Isotalo softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Isotalo doesn't have the hooks in and Von Hertzell manages to turn into his guard.
Isotalo is pulling down on Von Hertzell's head to control his posture.
Von Hertzell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Isotalo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Von Hertzell trying to control but Isotalo is working from the bottom.
Isotalo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Von Hertzell stopping the sweep attempt from Isotalo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo wants to stand up but Von Hertzell is controlling him.
Isotalo keeping moving, preventing Von Hertzell from controlling successfully.
Von Hertzell is looking to stand up but Isotalo won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Von Hertzell takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Von Hertzell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Isotalo shoots in and drives through. Von Hertzell sprawls well.
Isotalo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Von Hertzell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Isotalo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Von Hertzell moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Isotalo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Isotalo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Isotalo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo scores with a jab. Von Hertzell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Von Hertzell has Isotalo up against the ropes in a clinch.

Isotalo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Isotalo lands a nice shot that snaps Von Hertzell's head back.
Isotalo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Both fighters circling a little - Isotalo finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Von Hertzell moves out of range as Isotalo throws a body kick.
Isotalo lands a front kick.

Isotalo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Isotalo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Von Hertzell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Isotalo looking to finish Von Hertzell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Von Hertzell!
Isotalo landing punches.
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 Antti Isotalo will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Isotalo clinches.
Isotalo is trying to drag Von Hertzell to the mat but Von Hertzell just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.

Isotalo breaks from the clinch.

Von Hertzell closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Isotalo to the mat! Isotalo manages to get full guard.
Isotalo looking to control.
Von Hertzell won't allow Isotalo to get back to his feet.
Von Hertzell trying to control the position from guard on top but Isotalo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Isotalo trying to keep a closed guard but Von Hertzell is proving a slippery customer.
Isotalo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Isotalo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Von Hertzell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Isotalo shoots in but Von Hertzell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Isotalo fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Isotalo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Isotalo avoids the head kick by Von Hertzell.

Von Hertzell feints and as Isotalo raises his hands in defense, Von Hertzell changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Von Hertzell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Isotalo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Isotalo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Von Hertzell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Von Hertzell pushing down on Isotalo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Isotalo pushes Von Hertzell off looking to stand but Von Hertzell dives back in and keeps control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Von Hertzell closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Isotalo to the mat! Isotalo manages to get full guard.
Isotalo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Von Hertzell!
Isotalo prevents Von Hertzell from getting the reversal.

Isotalo is working for a guillotine from mount but Von Hertzell frees his head quite easily.
Von Hertzell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Hertzell is squirming around, avoiding Isotalo's attempts to control the action.
Von Hertzell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Isotalo lands with some strikes.
Isotalo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Isotalo landing shots from mount.
Von Hertzell is working to get back to half guard.
Isotalo lands with some strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Von Hertzell can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Isotalo putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Isotalo with the ground and pound from mount.
Von Hertzell is working to get back to half guard.
Von Hertzell is bucking up trying to escape but Isotalo cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Isotalo landing punches.
Isotalo lands a big shot there that rocks Von Hertzell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Isotalo lands a nice shot to the head.
Von Hertzell tries to reverse the position but Isotalo maintains control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Isotalo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Von Hertzell is bucking up trying to escape but Isotalo cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Isotalo dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Isotalo lands a nice looking body shot.
Von Hertzell avoids a kick to the body.
Isotalo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Evald Von Hertzell has been cut.
Antti Isotalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Isotalo throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Isotalo scores with a four punch combination!
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!

Isotalo feints and as Von Hertzell raises his hands in defense, Isotalo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Isotalo works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Isotalo stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Von Hertzell to get to his feet.
Von Hertzell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Isotalo.

Von Hertzell scores with a takedown into Isotalo's guard.
Isotalo keeping moving, preventing Von Hertzell from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Von Hertzell is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Hertzell is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Isotalo striking off his back but it's not causing Von Hertzell any problems.
Isotalo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Von Hertzell is desperately trying to improve his position but Isotalo has a good base and remains in mount.
Isotalo working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Isotalo lands a big shot there that rocks Von Hertzell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Von Hertzell in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Isotalo dominating with strikes here.
Isotalo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Von Hertzell is looking to escape.
Isotalo lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo avoids the attempt from Von Hertzell to control.
BOOM! Isotalo connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Von Hertzell can't escape the position.
Von Hertzell taking shots to the head.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Von Hertzell can't escape the position.
Isotalo looking to control but Von Hertzell is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Isotalo lands a big elbow.
Isotalo postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Von Hertzell looks a forlorn figure.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Hertzell is looking to improve his position but Isotalo isn't that keen on the idea.
Isotalo lands a heavy elbow.
Von Hertzell tries to reverse the position but Isotalo maintains control.
Isotalo is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Isotalo scoring with strikes but Von Hertzell is staying in there.
Isotalo lands a big elbow.
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 scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Isotalo controlling the pace for now.
Von Hertzell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Hertzell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Isotalo is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Von Hertzell can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Von Hertzell working to try and regain half guard.
Isotalo punishing his opponent with strikes.
A nice elbow there by Isotalo.
Von Hertzell is in a horrible position here. Isotalo smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Von Hertzell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Isotalo cracks Von Hertzell with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
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 Evald Von Hertzell's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Isotalo shoots in and drives through. Von Hertzell sprawls well.
Von Hertzell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Isotalo has his takedown stuffed

and Von Hertzell counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Isotalo kicks off Von Hertzell and gets to his feet.

Von Hertzell gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Isotalo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Von Hertzell tries to close the distance and clinch but Isotalo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Isotalo misses with a wild body shot.
Von Hertzell doesn't manage to clinch there - Isotalo circles away.
Isotalo throws a head kick but Von Hertzell moves out of range.
Von Hertzell throws a right hand that Isotalo ducks under and follows up with a left that Isotalo also avoids with ease.
Von Hertzell takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Isotalo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Isotalo blocks the strikes from Von Hertzell.
Von Hertzell wants to improve his position but Isotalo is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Isotalo connects with a nice short shot to Von Hertzell's temple.
Isotalo is trying to control. Von Hertzell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Von Hertzell wants to get back to his feet.
Von Hertzell is staying active underneath Isotalo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Von Hertzell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Von Hertzell can do anything to dispel that myth.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Isotalo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Isotalo scores with a jab to the body.
Isotalo shoots for a double leg takedown but Von Hertzell sprawls well. He's pushed Isotalo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Isotalo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A swing and a miss from Isotalo.

Isotalo moves into range and clinches up with Von Hertzell.
Isotalo is looking to break free of the clinch but Von Hertzell has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Hertzell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Von Hertzell tries to pull guard but Isotalo holds him up against the ropes and eventually Von Hertzell drops back down to his feet.

Isotalo has hold of one of Von Hertzell's legs. Von Hertzell is fighting the takedown attempt but Isotalo gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Von Hertzell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Isotalo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Isotalo thows a big elbow that misses.
Von Hertzell is trying to keep Isotalo in close.
Von Hertzell throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Von Hertzell controls Isotalo momentarily but Isotalo frees himself.
Isotalo works over Von Hertzell with some ground and pound from guard.
Von Hertzell is trying to control the position but Isotalo postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Isotalo connects with a right hand. Von Hertzell shakes it off.

Isotalo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Von Hertzell is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Isotalo is controlling him well.
Isotalo wants to control but Von Hertzell is keeping him busy.
Isotalo cracks Von Hertzell with a big right hand but Von Hertzell just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Von Hertzell is looking for a sweep.
Von Hertzell is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Isotalo cracks Von Hertzell with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Isotalo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Von Hertzell keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Von Hertzell's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Isotalo is working Von Hertzell over with some ground and pound from side control.
Isotalo is looking to take a break and control but Von Hertzell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Isotalo decides to stand back up.

Von Hertzell 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.
Von Hertzell controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Isotalo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Isotalo had his way with Evald Von Hertzell in that round.
The cut man is working on Evald Von Hertzell's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Isotalo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Isotalo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Isotalo landing strikes from the mount and Von Hertzell is in trouble!
Von Hertzell bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Von Hertzell stopping the sweep attempt from Isotalo.
Von Hertzell trying to control but Isotalo is working from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Isotalo scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Isotalo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isotalo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Von Hertzell shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Von Hertzell stands and throws Isotalo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Von Hertzell looks up at the clock and then as Isotalo takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Von Hertzell smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Von Hertzell working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Von Hertzell tries to stand but Isotalo is controlling his head.
Isotalo wants to get back to his feet but Von Hertzell drags him back down.
Isotalo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Von Hertzell off and has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Hertzell trying to get back to his feet but Isotalo is in full control for now.
Isotalo wants to control but Von Hertzell is keeping busy.
Isotalo is not going to allow Von Hertzell to sit and survive in this position.
Isotalo lands punches and elbows.
Isotalo keeps control of the position as Von Hertzell tries to break free.
Isotalo throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Von Hertzell!
Isotalo scores with punches and elbows.
Can Von Hertzell hold on?! Isotalo is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Isotalo is hanging on to Von Hertzell's back as he tries to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo lands a shot to the head.
Von Hertzell is trying to get back to his feet but Isotalo has full control of the position and if anything, Von Hertzell has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Isotalo lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Von Hertzell hold on?!
Isotalo is working the ground and pound. Can Von Hertzell escape?
Isotalo scores with punches from the back.
Isotalo throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Von Hertzell!
Isotalo is not going to allow Von Hertzell to sit and survive in this position.
Von Hertzell tries to roll but Isotalo sticks to his back.
Isotalo lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Von Hertzell tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is taking a good look at Von Hertzell as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Isotalo!
Von Hertzell is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Von Hertzell rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Von Hertzell is not content to let Isotalo control the position.
Isotalo working over Von Hertzell with some ground and pound. Von Hertzell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Isotalo is nestled in close to Von Hertzell, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nice strikes from Isotalo there.
Evald Von Hertzell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Antti Isotalo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Isotalo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Isotalo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Isotalo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 50:45
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Isotalo!
Antti Isotalo is the new heavyweight champion!