PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mr X (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jyrki Pekkala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

X
vs
Pekkala

187 cm
21
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mr X!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jyrki Pekkala!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pekkala wants to clinch.

X looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
X working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
X throwing strikes from guard but Pekkala blocks nicely.
Pekkala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
X 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.
X in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
X throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
X throwing strikes from guard but Pekkala blocks nicely.

X drops back looking for a leg! Pekkala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pekkala manages to kick X off! X jumps back into Pekkala's guard.
X is standing up over Pekkala. Pekkala looks to escape but X dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Pekkala is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pekkala fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pekkala tries to clinch there but X circles away.
Pekkala tries to close the distance and clinch up but X swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pekkala tries to clinch but X is having none of it.
Pekkala wants to clinch.
X closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pekkala circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Pekkala as X shoots in.

Pekkala feints and as X raises his hands in defense, Pekkala changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
X trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

X working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pekkala doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pekkala manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
X is breathing heavily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
X thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pekkala avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

X has his foot on Pekkala's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pekkala works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

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

Pekkala decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on X, up you get!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pekkala takes the fight into the clinch.
Pekkala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
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 Mr X will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pekkala ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jyrki Pekkala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
X has his takedown stuffed

and Pekkala moves into the clinch.
Pekkala tries a knee to the head but X blocks it.
Pekkala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pekkala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but X blocks it with crossed arms.

X gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Pekkala wants to get back to his feet.

X is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Pekkala has managed to free his arm - good work.
X stops Pekkala from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkala avoiding damage under a succession of punches from X.
Pekkala avoiding damage under a succession of punches from X.

X is looking for a kimura but Pekkala is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for X to get the leverage.
Pekkala looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pekkala doesn't manage to clinch there - X circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
X keeps the fight on the outside.
X tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pekkala swivels and escapes.
Jyrki Pekkala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
X avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pekkala tries to clinch there but X circles away.
Pekkala tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
X circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pekkala wants to clinch.
Pekkala is looking to clinch but X is avoiding it.
Pekkala tries to clinch but X moves out of range.
Pekkala tries to clinch up.
X keeps the fight on the outside.

X pushes Pekkala up against the cage in a clinch.
X tries to pull guard but Pekkala won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mr X. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pekkala misses with a knee strike.
Pekkala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pekkala misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

X manages to break the clinch.
Pekkala moves in looking to clinch but X pushes him off.
X tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pekkala paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by X.
Pekkala is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Pekkala avoids any damage from the ground and pound of X.
Pekkala managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by X.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
X throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by X.
X in side control, throwing shots but Pekkala defends.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pekkala is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr X dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

X has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pekkala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but X has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pekkala tries to land a knee to the head but X blocks with his arms.
X is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pekkala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but X has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pekkala misses with a knee strike.
Pekkala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but X has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pekkala tries to land a knee to the head but X blocks with his arms.
X goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pekkala prevents it.
X is working for takedown but Pekkala is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pekkala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pekkala gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from X.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mr X. That's going to take a lot out of him.

X gets control of Pekkala's arms and successfully pulls guard. X will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
X throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

X throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pekkala decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on X, up you get!
Pekkala tries to clinch but X is having none of it.
Pekkala fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pekkala tries to clinch up.
X has his takedown stuffed

and Pekkala counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pekkala.
Pekkala lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
X is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
X goes for a takedown attempt but Pekkala pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

X tries to keep at a distance but Pekkala has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pekkala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Pekkala with an attempt at a knee that misses.

X jumps into guard, dragging Pekkala to the mat.
X trying to strike off his back.

X looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pekkala tries to stand but X is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

X looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pekkala would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
X trying to strike off his back.

X had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Pekkala is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. X Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Pekkala's back instead.
X misses with a punch to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr X showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for X, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr X!