PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Osipov (ranked 1069 p4p, 1129 weight class) and Jouni Joukahainen (ranked 124 p4p, 135 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Osipov
vs
Joukahainen

185 cm
23
291
6 - 0 - 0

181 cm
22
291
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fedor Osipov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jouni Joukahainen!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Joukahainen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Joukahainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Osipov is just out of range.
Osipov checks a leg kick.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Joukahainen wants to land a leg kick but Osipov is out of range.
Osipov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Joukahainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Osipov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Joukahainen sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joukahainen misses with a leg kick

and Osipov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Osipov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Joukahainen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukahainen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Osipov throws a big right hand that misses.
Osipov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Osipov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Joukahainen is controlling Osipov's posture.
Joukahainen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Osipov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Joukahainen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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.
Joukahainen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Osipov throws a big elbow that misses.
Osipov throws a big elbow that misses.

Osipov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Joukahainen dives on top into guard.

Joukahainen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Osipov 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.

Joukahainen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Osipov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Joukahainen has managed to get both his arms back between Osipov's legs - danger averted.
Osipov trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Osipov 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Osipov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Joukahainen can pounce on him.
Joukahainen throws a right hand that misses

and Osipov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Osipov trying to control the position from guard on top but Joukahainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Osipov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Osipov throws a big right hand that misses.

Osipov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Joukahainen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Joukahainen has escaped and now he's on top!

Joukahainen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's six 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.
Osipov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joukahainen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Osipov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Osipov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Joukahainen is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Osipov.
Osipov is trying to control Joukahainen's posture but Joukahainen avoids it.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Osipov seems a little lost for a moment, as Joukahainen dominates the positioning.
Osipov is looking for a sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jouni Joukahainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick lands for Joukahainen.
Osipov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Joukahainen lands a head shot.

It looks like Fedor Osipov has been cut.
Joukahainen misses with a looping left.
Osipov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Joukahainen manages to circle out of the way.
Joukahainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Osipov.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Osipov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Osipov feinted with a counter takedown.
A big right from Joukahainen misses.
Osipov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Joukahainen lands with a cross.
Osipov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Osipov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Joukahainen preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jouni Joukahainen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fedor Osipov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Joukahainen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Joukahainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Osipov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Joukahainen sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Osipov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Joukahainen.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Osipov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukahainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Osipov is just out of range.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A head kick misses from Joukahainen.
Osipov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Joukahainen sprawls and moves away.
Jouni Joukahainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Osipov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A low kick lands for Joukahainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A telegraphed right hand from Joukahainen misses the target.
Jouni Joukahainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Osipov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Osipov avoids the head kick by Joukahainen.
Osipov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Osipov with a poor takedown
and Joukahainen counters with a stiff right hand.
Joukahainen tries to work over Osipov's front leg with a kick but Osipov checks it.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Osipov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Osipov slips under a jab.
Osipov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Joukahainen avoids it really well and circles away.
Joukahainen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Osipov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Osipov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Osipov drops his hands momentarily and Joukahainen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four 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.
Nice defenses there by Osipov.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Osipov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Joukahainen tries to avoid it but Osipov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Joukahainen to the ground. Joukahainen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Osipov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Joukahainen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Joukahainen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Osipov slips under a jab from Joukahainen.
Joukahainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Joukahainen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Osipov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Joukahainen throws an off balance right hand

and Osipov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Joukahainen makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joukahainen throws a jab when Osipov was well out of range.
Osipov attempts a counter takedown but Joukahainen avoids it well and moves away.
Osipov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Joukahainen misses with a straight left.
Osipov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Joukahainen.
Joukahainen misses with a leg kick

and Osipov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Joukahainen!
The strikes coming from Osipov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Osipov controlling the position.
Osipov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
An elbow from Osipov crashes against the mat.
Osipov trying to control the position but Joukahainen is working away.

Osipov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Joukahainen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Osipov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Osipov wants to control but Joukahainen is keeping him busy.
Osipov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Osipov throws a strike aimed at the side of Joukahainen's head but Joukahainen avoids it well.
Joukahainen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Osipov trying to control the position but Joukahainen is working away.
Osipov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Joukahainen is avoiding damage well.
Osipov with the ground and pound but Joukahainen regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Osipov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Joukahainen sees it coming and defends easily.
Osipov misses with a head shot. Joukahainen uses the momentum to regain guard.
Osipov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Osipov trying to control the position from guard on top but Joukahainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Osipov throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jouni Joukahainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fedor Osipov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Joukahainen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Osipov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Joukahainen throws out the jab.
A jab from Joukahainen misses.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A jab from Joukahainen misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good shot there by Joukahainen.
Joukahainen looks to land a right hand but Osipov moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Joukahainen. Osipov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Osipov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Joukahainen throws a sloppy head kick and Osipov moves out of range easily.
Osipov attempts a counter takedown but Joukahainen avoids it well and moves away.
Joukahainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Osipov is just out of range.
Osipov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Joukahainen sprawls and moves away.
Joukahainen misses with a looping left.
Osipov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Joukahainen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A low kick from Joukahainen is predictable there

and Osipov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Joukahainen!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Osipov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Osipov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Osipov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Osipov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Osipov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Joukahainen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Osipov throws an elbow but Joukahainen slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen defending against the ground and pound.
Osipov laying and praying for a moment but Joukahainen takes advantage and regains half guard.
Osipov working Joukahainen over with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Osipov wants to take a breather but Joukahainen is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Osipov is stalling here. Joukahainen is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Osipov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Joukahainen has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Osipov is trying to get back to half guard.
Joukahainen happy to just control the position for now.
Osipov is looking to regain half guard here but Joukahainen keeps moving and retains side control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen has control of an arm but Osipov manages to advance to Joukahainen's back!
You can see the frustration on Joukahainen's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Joukahainen defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Osipov's arms.
Osipov is not going to allow Joukahainen to sit and survive in this position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Osipov tries to keep control of the position but Joukahainen is staying busy.
Osipov connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Joukahainen to escape the position.
Osipov is hanging on to Joukahainen's back as he tries to escape.
Joukahainen looking very determined here, making life difficult for Osipov.
Osipov missing with strikes.
Osipov is looking to control Joukahainen but Joukahainen is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Joukahainen fending off the submission attempt from Osipov.
Osipov throwing sloppy strikes.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Osipov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Osipov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Osipov is trying to control but Joukahainen is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Joukahainen blocking the ground and pound.
BOOM! Osipov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Osipov breaks from Joukahainen's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Osipov unloads with some shots from mount but Joukahainen bucks and avoids them well.
Osipov wants to control the action but instead Joukahainen gets a body lock and reverses into Osipov's guard! Nice work!
Fedor Osipov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Osipov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Joukahainen manages to get himself to full guard.

Joukahainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Osipov throws an elbow that misses. Joukahainen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Osipov's guard. Nice move by Joukahainen!

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Osipov wants to control but Joukahainen passes easily into half guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen not doing much here.
Osipov is trying to get back to full guard.
Fedor Osipov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Osipov is working hard here to advance position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fedor Osipov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Joukahainen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jouni Joukahainen!