PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jallu Pesonen (ranked 24 p4p, 5 weight class) and Vadim Golovkin (ranked 4 p4p, 1 weight class). Pesonen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is DJ Orkidea - Joutsenlaulu. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pesonen
vs
Golovkin

165 cm
36
151
26 - 16 - 1

172 cm
30
146
23 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jallu Pesonen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vadim Golovkin!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Golovkin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Golovkin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Golovkin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Pesonen throws a hook but Golovkin avoids it easily.
Pesonen catches Golovkin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A telegraphed right hand from Pesonen misses the target.
Golovkin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pesonen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Pesonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Golovkin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Golovkin jabs at Pesonen's body.
Golovkin looks to land a right hand but Pesonen moved out of range.
A swing and a miss from Pesonen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Pesonen closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Golovkin's guard.
Golovkin told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Pesonen chips away with some ground and pound.
Golovkin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Golovkin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pesonen.
Pesonen throws an elbow that misses. Golovkin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pesonen's guard. Nice move by Golovkin!

Pesonen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golovkin content to stall in guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pesonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Golovkin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Golovkin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Pesonen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pesonen looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Golovkin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Golovkin in particular looking to stall.
Golovkin is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Pesonen has a hand on Golovkin's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Golovkin takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Pesonen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Pesonen is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen is squirming around, avoiding Golovkin's attempts to control the action.
Pesonen is desperately trying to improve his position but Golovkin has a good base and remains in mount.
Pesonen wants to control but Golovkin is having none of it.
Golovkin prevents Pesonen from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin controlling from mount.
Golovkin tries to control but Pesonen wriggling away.
Pesonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Golovkin controlling from mount.
Pesonen is working to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Golovkin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pesonen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Golovkin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pesonen throws an off balance right hand
and Golovkin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Golovkin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Pesonen throws a low kick but Golovkin moves out of range easily.
Golovkin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Pesonen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice uppercut there from Golovkin.
Pesonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pesonen slips under a jab from Golovkin.
As Golovkin looks to move away, Pesonen throws a big counter combo but Golovkin just gets out of the way.
Golovkin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Golovkin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Golovkin misses with a shot to the body
and Golovkin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pesonen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Pesonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Golovkin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Pesonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Pesonen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice body punch from Golovkin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pesonen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Golovkin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pesonen throws a jab when Golovkin was well out of range.
Golovkin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pesonen misses the jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pesonen.
Pesonen thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen scores with a punch to the head.
Golovkin misses with a lunging right hand
and Pesonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Golovkin throws out a loose jab but Pesonen uses good head movement to avoid it.

Pesonen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Golovkin on his heels. He'll look to pass Golovkin's guard now, I'm sure.
Golovkin keeping moving, preventing Pesonen from controlling successfully.
Pesonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pesonen wants to control from the top but Golovkin keeps moving.
Pesonen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Pesonen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Golovkin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pesonen throws an elbow that misses. Golovkin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pesonen's guard. Nice move by Golovkin!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen trying to control the position.
Golovkin is looking to stand up but Pesonen won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pesonen has control of Golovkin's left arm, preventing Golovkin from doing any damage.

Pesonen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pesonen is trying to keep Golovkin in close.
Pesonen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Golovkin manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pesonen throwing strikes but missing.
Pesonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pesonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pesonen throwing strikes but missing.
Pesonen works over Golovkin with some ground and pound from guard.
Pesonen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Pesonen postures up in Golovkin's guard and throws a big left but Golovkin blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pesonen postures up in Golovkin's guard and throws a big left but Golovkin blocks it.
Golovkin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Pesonen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Pesonen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Golovkin stopping the sweep attempt from Pesonen.
Pesonen looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Golovkin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Pesonen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jallu Pesonen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pesonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Golovkin checks it well.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pesonen, as that shot connected.
A jab lands there for Pesonen.
Nice defenses there by Pesonen.
Golovkin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A shot to the liver by Golovkin. Beautiful body shot.
Pesonen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Pesonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Golovkin sprawls well. He's pushed Pesonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pesonen.
Pesonen is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Golovkin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Pesonen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Golovkin lands a jab.
Golovkin ducks under a wild hook from Pesonen.
Pesonen walks into a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A combination from Pesonen does no damage.
Golovkin tries to bum rush Pesonen with a series of wild strikes but Pesonen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Pesonen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Golovkin manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Pesonen keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golovkin lands a nice uppercut.
Golovkin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Pesonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pesonen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Pesonen misses with a body shot.
Golovkin is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Golovkin lands with an uppercut that bounces Pesonen off the cage and back into range.
Pesonen throws a lazy uppercut
letting Golovkin counter with a right hand.
Golovkin throws a shot from downtown. Pesonen moves away and avoids it.
Pesonen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Golovkin sprawls and moves away.
Golovkin lands a nice shot that snaps Pesonen's head back.
Pesonen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Golovkin swings for the body but Pesonen moves out of range.
Pesonen throws a lazy right hand but Golovkin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pesonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Golovkin was well out of range. Poor timing from Pesonen.
Pesonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Golovkin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Vadim Golovkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Golovkin lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin checks a leg kick nicely.
Pesonen throws a low kick, looking for Golovkin's leg but Golovkin calmly moves out of range.
Golovkin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Golovkin throws a hook to the side of Pesonen's head but Pesonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Golovkin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Golovkin throws a body shot but no joy.

Pesonen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pesonen taking a break here but Golovkin is having none of it and regains half guard.
Golovkin is trying to control but can't.
Pesonen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Golovkin is refusing to be controlled, as Pesonen sits in half guard.
Pesonen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin wants to improve his position but Pesonen is controlling well.
Pesonen winds up and cracks Golovkin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Pesonen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pesonen is trying to control. Golovkin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pesonen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pesonen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Pesonen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pesonen with the ground and pound but Golovkin uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Pesonen stands up over Golovkin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pesonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Golovkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Golovkin is trying to keep Pesonen in close.
Pesonen lands a couple of digs.
Pesonen postures up in Golovkin's guard and throws a big left but Golovkin blocks it.
Pesonen is looking to advance position but Golovkin has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Golovkin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pesonen sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Pesonen regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Vadim Golovkin just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Golovkin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pesonen.
Pesonen throws a right and a left that Golovkin avoids nicely.
Pesonen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Golovkin counters with a straight right hand.
Golovkin blocks a low kick nicely.
Pesonen lands a nice shot that snaps Golovkin's head back.
Golovkin lands with a good body shot.
A slow jab from Golovkin misses its intended target.
Golovkin misses with a straight left.
Jab, jab by Pesonen - just one landing.
Pesonen misses the shot to the body.
Pesonen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Golovkin can pounce on him.
Pesonen connects with a body shot that sends Golovkin's belly button to the back.
Pesonen goes for a double leg but Golovkin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Golovkin continues to drive forward.
Pesonen misses with a punch on the inside.
Golovkin scores with a hook to the body.
Pesonen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Golovkin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pesonen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Golovkin has a couple of punches blocked by Pesonen.
Golovkin lands with a right to the head.
Pesonen blocking some punches.
Pesonen is trying to drag Golovkin to the mat but Golovkin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Pesonen tries to work over Golovkin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pesonen blocking some punches.
Golovkin throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Pesonen.
Pesonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Golovkin misses with some punches.
Pesonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Golovkin throws a head punch that misses.
Pesonen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Golovkin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Golovkin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Pesonen backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pesonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin throws a punch but it's blocked by Pesonen.
Pesonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Golovkin misses with some punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Golovkin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Golovkin working aggressively here.
Golovkin has a couple of punches blocked by Pesonen.
A head punch on the inside from Golovkin fails to land.
Pesonen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Golovkin swings wildly with an uppercut but Pesonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pesonen jumps guard but Golovkin stands there with Pesonen around his waist. Pesonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jallu Pesonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Golovkin misses with some punches.
Vadim Golovkin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Pesonen jumps guard but Golovkin stands there with Pesonen around his waist. Pesonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Pesonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Golovkin scores with a body shot.
Golovkin looks to land a left hand but Pesonen moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pesonen throws an overhand right that lands on Golovkin's shoulder, as Golovkin tries to avoid the shot.
Pesonen lands a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pesonen.
Pesonen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Golovkin defends it nicely.
Pesonen misses with a hook.
Pesonen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Golovkin lands a nice hook to Pesonen's body. Pesonen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pesonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Golovkin throws out the jab.
A combination from Pesonen does no damage.
Golovkin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pesonen throws out the jab.
Pesonen misses with a hook. Golovkin ducked under it nicely.
Golovkin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Golovkin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pesonen swings widly with a right hand
and Golovkin counters with a straight right hand.
Pesonen ducks under a wild hook from Golovkin.
Vadim Golovkin seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin loads up on a big right hand but Pesonen slips the punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Golovkin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pesonen.
Golovkin takes one to the chin there.
Jallu Pesonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Golovkin checks a leg kick.
Pesonen avoids the body shot from Golovkin.
Some bone on bone action there as Golovkin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nice body punch from Golovkin.
Pesonen dives in for a single leg takedown but Golovkin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Pesonen blocks an uppercut.
Pesonen misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Golovkin fails to land.
Pesonen blocks an uppercut.
Pesonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pesonen misses with the head strike.
Pesonen misses with some punches.

Pesonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Golovkin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Golovkin dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Pesonen throws out a leg kick but Golovkin moves out of range and Pesonen only half commits.
Pesonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Golovkin throws out the jab.
The fighters circling - Golovkin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pesonen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Golovkin is able to avoid easily.
Nice defenses there by Golovkin.
Golovkin takes a swing at Pesonen's ribcage but misses.
Pesonen defending well as Golovkin loads up on a big left hand.
A swing and a miss from Pesonen.
Golovkin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pesonen.
Pesonen throws a nice looking combination but Golovkin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pesonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Golovkin.
Golovkin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Golovkin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pesonen throws out the jab.
Golovkin lands a right hook to the body.
Golovkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pesonen tries to counter with a takedown but Golovkin is quick to defend against it.
Pesonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Golovkin throws the left hand but Pesonen avoids the punch easily.
Pesonen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Golovkin finds it's way round the side to connect with Pesonen's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pesonen.
A big left from Pesonen misses.
Golovkin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pesonen throws a looping overhand right but Golovkin ducks down to avoid it.

Pesonen drives through with a takedown into guard.
Golovkin controlling the position.
Pesonen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Golovkin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pesonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pesonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pesonen throwing strikes from guard but Golovkin blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pesonen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pesonen throws an elbow that misses. Golovkin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pesonen's guard. Nice move by Golovkin!

Jallu Pesonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin trying to control the position from guard on top but Pesonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pesonen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Golovkin has picked Pesonen up and slammed him! Pesonen can't keep hold of the triangle and Golovkin manages to pass to side control!
Golovkin gets to mount! Pesonen was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Pesonen is looking to improve his position but Golovkin isn't that keen on the idea.
Golovkin controlling from the full mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pesonen is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Pesonen is looking to get back to full guard here but Golovkin has managed to pass to side control instead.
Golovkin gets to mount! Pesonen was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Pesonen sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Pesonen trying to get back to full guard but Golovkin takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Pesonen wants to control but Golovkin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pesonen gets full guard.
Vadim Golovkin has got the better of the ground game so far.

Pesonen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Golovkin is aware though and is defending well.

Pesonen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Golovkin defends it easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pesonen looking for a guillotine here but Golovkin defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vadim Golovkin.
I think Golovkin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 46:49
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 47:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Golovkin! Vadim Golovkin retains his featherweight title!
After winning the bout, Vadim Golovkin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.