PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Olle Koskinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rmarkas Fletcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fletcher comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Keep on Lovin Me Baby by Colin James kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Koskinen
vs
Fletcher

173 cm
26
150 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

175 cm
28
146 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Powerful

MADE IN GERMANY

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 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olle Koskinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Rmarkas Fletcher!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koskinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fletcher sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Koskinen misses with a hook

and Fletcher counters with a nice double leg into side control. Koskinen won't be happy with that.
Koskinen is trying to improve his position.
Koskinen struggling a bit here.
Fletcher wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koskinen keeps working.
Koskinen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fletcher's best efforts.
Koskinen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Koskinen is on top in guard.

Fletcher looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Koskinen passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fletcher is looking to improve his position.
Koskinen is looking to take a break and control but Fletcher is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Koskinen is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Fletcher is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Koskinen throwing shots but Fletcher is blocking nicely.
Fletcher gets back to full guard.
Koskinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Fletcher looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Koskinen has picked Fletcher up and slammed him! Fletcher can't keep hold of the triangle and Koskinen manages to pass to side control!

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.
Koskinen tries to stand but Fletcher is controlling his head.
Fletcher regains half guard, as Koskinen was trying to land strikes.

Fletcher looking for submissions off his back.
Koskinen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fletcher wants to improve his position but Koskinen is controlling well.
Nice strikes from Koskinen there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Koskinen passes Fletcher's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fletcher slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Fletcher throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Koskinen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Fletcher has his foot on Koskinen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Koskinen works his way back into a safe position though.
Koskinen postures up in Fletcher's guard and throws a big left but Fletcher blocks it.

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

Fletcher throws his legs up looking for a submission but Koskinen uses it to pass to side control.
Fletcher gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Koskinen wants to stand up but Fletcher is controlling the position.
Koskinen lands strikes from half guard.
Koskinen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Fletcher gets full guard.
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 Olle Koskinen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Koskinen throws a lazy uppercut

and Fletcher decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Koskinen's guard.
Rmarkas Fletcher has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koskinen 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.
Koskinen is working hard here to advance position.
Fletcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fletcher postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Koskinen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Fletcher, into his guard.
Koskinen wants to pass the guard but Fletcher is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koskinen preventing the sweep.

Fletcher throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Koskinen escapes and throws Fletcher's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The ground and pound from Koskinen seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Koskinen is working Fletcher over with some ground and pound from side control.
Koskinen throwing strikes but Fletcher manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Fletcher scores with a couple of short elbows.
Koskinen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Koskinen throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Fletcher manages to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen tries to bench press Fletcher off him but Fletcher keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koskinen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Fletcher works his foot free and advances to mount.
Fletcher landing punches.
Fletcher landing shots from mount.
Fletcher cracks Koskinen with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Fletcher thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Fletcher raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher landing punches.
Koskinen takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Koskinen is working to get back to half guard.
Fletcher unloading with bombs!
The referee warns Koskinen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Fletcher landing shots from mount.
Koskinen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Fletcher postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Koskinen looks a forlorn figure.
Koskinen taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher scoring with strikes but Koskinen is staying in there.
Fletcher raining down shots from the mount!
Koskinen is squirming around, avoiding Fletcher's attempts to control the action.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fletcher scoring with strikes but Koskinen is staying in there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fletcher jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Koskinen is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Koskinen and Fletcher has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Koskinen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Fletcher.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rmarkas Fletcher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fletcher misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheers as Fletcher lands an impressive looking overhand right. Koskinen doesn't seem phased though.
Koskinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot lands for Koskinen.
Koskinen misses with a right hand

and Fletcher counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fletcher passes into half guard.
Koskinen is in trouble now - Fletcher has advanced to mount!
Fletcher punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koskinen is trying to escape the mount.
Koskinen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Fletcher looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Koskinen puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Koskinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fletcher gets full guard.
Koskinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Fletcher is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen is looking to stand up but Fletcher won't let him.
Koskinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fletcher has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Fletcher is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Koskinen defends well.
Koskinen is pushing down on Fletcher's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fletcher is fighting to maintain full guard but Koskinen has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fletcher manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen throws a big right hand that misses.

Fletcher escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Koskinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koskinen forces his way into half guard.

Koskinen decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Koskinen throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Koskinen misses the target.
Koskinen misses with a jab to the body
and Fletcher counters with a left to the body.
Koskinen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fletcher.
A jab from Koskinen finds it's way through Fletcher's defenses.
Koskinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fletcher uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Koskinen.
Fletcher's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Koskinen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Fletcher scrambles back to his feet.
Koskinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Koskinen throws a poor cross that misses

and Fletcher counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rmarkas Fletcher really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koskinen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Koskinen throws a lazy uppercut
and Fletcher counters with a stiff right hand.
Koskinen scores with a shot to the body.
Koskinen misses with a left hand

and Fletcher counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Koskinen is looking for a sweep. Fletcher is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fletcher passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Koskinen!
Fletcher cracks Koskinen with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koskinen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Fletcher lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Fletcher looking to control but Koskinen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Fletcher is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Koskinen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Fletcher goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Koskinen turns into him and now he's in Fletcher's guard.

Fletcher working for a triangle but Koskinen defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fletcher swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Koskinen tries to stand but Fletcher is controlling from the bottom.
Koskinenis looking to pass into half guard but Fletcher pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Fletcher is in guard.
Fletcher pushes down on Koskinen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Koskinen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher chips away with some ground and pound.
Fletcher looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Koskinen is on top in guard.

Fletcher had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Koskinen defends it easily.
Fletcher looking for a sweep. Not yet Fletcher, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fletcher escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Koskinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koskinen wanted to stand there but Fletcher had control of the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koskinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fletcher looking for a sweep. Not yet Fletcher, not yet.

Koskinen stands up from guard. Let's bang!
No joy there for Koskinen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Koskinen swings for the body but Fletcher moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rmarkas Fletcher dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Koskinen lands with a hook. Fletcher tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Fletcher avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fletcher fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Koskinen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Koskinen misses with an uppercut. Fletcher saw that one coming.
Koskinen scores with a hook.
Koskinen throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koskinen tries to work over Fletcher's front leg with a kick but Fletcher checks it.
Fletcher avoids the body shot from Koskinen.
Nice shot by Koskinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fletcher fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koskinen manages to avoid it.
Koskinen misses with a lunging right hand
and Koskinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A clash of legs there as Fletcher blocks the low kick.
Fletcher lands with a good body shot.
Fletcher stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Koskinen.
Koskinen misses with a body kick.
Koskinen connects with a nice looking jab.
Koskinen misses the body punch
and Fletcher counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fletcher takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Olle Koskinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Koskinen throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Fletcher to counter with a crisp jab.
Koskinen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Koskinen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fletcher with a poor takedown
and Koskinen counters with a right hand to the body.
Koskinen staying out of range there.
Koskinen slips under a jab from Fletcher.
A slow jab from Koskinen misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Koskinen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Koskinen misses with a hook
letting Fletcher counter with a right hand.
A head kick by Fletcher misses
and Koskinen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Koskinen tries to clinch up but Fletcher circles away and keeps his distance.
Fletcher blocks a leg kick.
Koskinen throws a leg kick that is checked

so Fletcher counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Koskinen is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koskinen landing some decent shots from guard.
Fletcher working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Koskinen.
Olle Koskinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Koskinen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rmarkas Fletcher is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fletcher is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Koskinen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Fletcher trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Fletcher is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Olle Koskinen.
I think Fletcher 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 47:49
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rmarkas Fletcher!
Rmarkas Fletcher is the new featherweight champion!