PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Altintop Palonesess (ranked 5725 p4p, 379 weight class) and Brandon Long (ranked 20892 p4p, 460 weight class). Brandon Long will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Palonesess
vs
Long

175 cm
26
154 lbs
5 - 15 - 0

178 cm
28
151 lbs
6 - 18 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Altintop Palonesess!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brandon Long!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palonesess throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Long.

Palonesess moves into the clinch.

Palonesess breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Long closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Long lands in his opponent's guard.

Palonesess has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Long has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Palonesess content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Long wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Palonesess has him pressed against the cage.

Palonesess breaks the clinch.
Palonesess tries to score a power double leg takedown but Long sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Palonesess somewhat.
Palonesess showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Long.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Palonesess gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Knees to the body from Palonesess.

Palonesess works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Palonesess stands up from Long's guard - Palonesess perhaps looking for a knockout.
Palonesess avoids the body shot from Long.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Palonesess.
Long swings for the body but Palonesess moves out of range.
Palonesess shoots for a double leg takedown but Long sprawls well. He's pushed Palonesess's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Long! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Altintop Palonesess. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palonesess swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Palonesess feints and as Long raises his hands in defense, Palonesess changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Long manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Long looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palonesess fails to pull guard.

Palonesess turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Palonesess manages to end up in side control.
Long is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Palonesess is controlling him well.
Palonesess working the body and head with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Palonesess is trying to get an arm triangle but Long is defending well.
Sloppy strikes there by Palonesess.
Palonesess 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.
Palonesess tries to move into full mount but can't pass Long's legs.
Palonesess working the ground and pound but Long is defending the strikes.
Palonesess controls the position from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palonesess in side control lands a decent elbow.
Long is trying to get back to his feet.
Palonesess tries to advance to mount but can't.

Palonesess stands up and beckons Long to his feet.

Palonesess changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Long looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Long bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Long tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Palonesess was well out of range. Poor timing from Long.

Palonesess clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Palonesess's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Palonesess misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Long closes the distance and clinches.
Palonesess goes for a takedown in the clinch but Long prevents it.
Palonesess drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Long gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Long is trying to force a seperation but Palonesess has the dominant position.
Long misses with a hook from the clinch.
Palonesess looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Palonesess changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Long fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Long scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
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 Altintop Palonesess will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Long moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Palonesess dives in and scores a takedown into Long's guard.
Palonesess with a nice head shot there.
Palonesess stays in close to Long's body and controls the position.

Long has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Palonesess is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Long has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Long tries to circle away but Palonesess has him pinned against the cage.
Long working aggressively here.

Palonesess gets control of Long's arms and successfully pulls guard. Palonesess will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Long controlling from the top position.
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!
Palonesess is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palonesess trying to keep a closed guard but Long is proving a slippery customer.
Long wants to control from the top but Palonesess keeps moving.
Long being controlled here momentarily.

Long stands up and waves to Palonesess to follow him.
The fighters circling - Palonesess throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two 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.
Palonesess keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Long tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Palonesess was well out of range. Poor timing from Long.

Palonesess closes the distance and clinches.
Palonesess stalls.
Palonesess keeps control of Long as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Long wants to break the clinch but can't.
Long wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Palonesess has him pressed against the cage.

Palonesess drags the fight down to the ground.
Long has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Palonesess is proving hard to escape from.
Long must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palonesess lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Long is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Palonesess is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Long gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Long has Palonesess pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Palonesess manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Long misses with a hook to the ribs.
Long can't find room to land a body shot as Palonesess controls the action.
Palonesess lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Long.
Long missing with knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Long's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Long wants to break the clinch but can't.
Long wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palonesess slowing the pace effectively.
A frustrated look appears on Long's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Palonesess escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Palonesess closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Long is trying to force a seperation but Palonesess has the dominant position.

Palonesess jumps guard and drags Long to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Long is fighting to break Palonesess's control of his arms but Palonesess is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Long trying to control but Palonesess is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Palonesess is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Palonesess keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altintop Palonesess dominated that second round.
That's time! Palonesess's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Palonesess fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Long, pushing him back against the cage.
Long is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Long is looking to break free of the clinch but Palonesess has double underhooks.
Long wants to get back to striking at distance but Palonesess won't allow it.
Palonesess keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Long's efforts to push away.
Long wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Long is trying to break free.
Palonesess lands a left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palonesess jumps guard but Long stands there with Palonesess around his waist. Palonesess gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Palonesess is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Palonesess breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Palonesess shoots in but Long avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Altintop Palonesess. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palonesess fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Palonesess tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Long swivels and escapes.
Long shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Palonesess eats them both and turns towards Long to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Palonesess fails with an attempt to clinch.
Brandon Long seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Long stuffs the takedown attempt from Palonesess. Palonesess gets slowly back to his feet.
Palonesess tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Long manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Palonesess closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Altintop Palonesess has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Long tries to break free but Palonesess pushes him back against the cage.
Palonesess displaying some good clinch control by pressing Long up against the cage.
Long stalling the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palonesess tries to pull guard but Long forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Long's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Palonesess goes for a double leg but Long avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Long continues to drive forward.
Palonesess darts in looking for a takedown but Long gets double underhooks and turns Palonesess into the cage.
Palonesess tries to clinch there but Long circles away.
Palonesess on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Palonesess throws a nice looking combination but Long bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Palonesess is trying hard to land a takedown here. Long sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palonesess blocks a head kick by Long.
Altintop Palonesess is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Palonesess shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Long pinned against the cage. Long gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long circles away from the clinch attempt
and Long counters with a left and a right that stings Palonesess.
Long misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Palonesess shoots in but Long avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Palonesess gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Palonesess wants to stand but Long is controlling the position.

Long stands up from Palonesess's guard - Long perhaps looking for a knockout.

Palonesess has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palonesess changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Long fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Palonesess tries to clinch but Long is having none of it.
Long misses with a series of wild punches.
Long looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Long wants to clinch.
Brandon Long has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Long tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Long misses with a head kick.
Altintop Palonesess is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Palonesess keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palonesess thinks about countering with a body kick.
Long throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Palonesess went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Long comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Palonesess has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Altintop Palonesess!
An out of breath Altintop Palonesess thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.