PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Usko Pekkala (ranked 4855 p4p, 4586 weight class) and Chris Choi (ranked 0 p4p, 475 weight class). Pekkala comes to the cage accompanied by Eminem & 2Pac - Ivar The Boneless. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Pekkala
vs
Choi

177 cm
21
163
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
160
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Pekkala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Choi!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pekkala gets tackled into the cage by Choi. Choi maintains the clinch.
Pekkala changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Choi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pekkala has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Choi finds it's way round the side to connect with Pekkala's head.
Pekkala avoids the body shot from Choi.
Pekkala looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

Choi clinches with his opponent.
Choi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pekkala wants to take the fight to the mat but Choi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Pekkala is looking to control Choi's arms but Choi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pekkala has his back to the cage.
Pekkala has Choi pressed against the cage, preventing Choi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Choi misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Choi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Choi can't break the clinch.
Choi is trying to force a seperation but Pekkala has the dominant position.
Choi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Choi fails to land.
Choi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pekkala.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Usko Pekkala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Choi throws a punch but it's blocked by Pekkala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Choi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Pekkala tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pekkala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Choi tries to circle away but Pekkala has him pinned against the cage.
Choi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pekkala is looking for a takedown.
Pekkala is looking to take this one to the mat.
Choi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pekkala is working for takedown but Choi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pekkala has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Choi after a bit of a struggle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi is trying to force a seperation but Pekkala has the dominant position.
Choi misses with some punches.
Choi slowing the pace effectively.
Choi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Choi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Pekkala drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Choi gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Pekkala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Choi pushes Pekkala up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi is looking to break free of the clinch but Pekkala has double underhooks.
Choi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pekkala blocks it with crossed arms.
Choi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Choi stalling in the clinch.
Choi tries to break the clinch but Pekkala is controlling the position.
Pekkala drops down looking for an ankle pick but Choi pulls his leg out and moves away.

Choi rushes Pekkala and presses him up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Choi misses with a looping left.

Pekkala fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Choi to the ground. Pekkala is now in Choi's guard.
Pekkala won't allow Choi to get back to his feet.
Choi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pekkala pushing down on Choi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Pekkala looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Pekkala is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pekkala wants to work for an arm triangle but Choi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pekkala seems to be working for a kimura but Choi defends the submission attempt.
Pekkala is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Choi!
Pekkala controlling the position easily from mount.

Pekkala looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Pekkala has hold of Choi's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Choi manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choi's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Pekkala wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

Pekkala swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Usko Pekkala!
Usko Pekkala decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.