PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Pickett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Morales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pickett
vs
Morales

153 cm
18
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johnny Pickett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Morales!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Morales has closed the distance and engaged Pickett in a clinch.
Pickett tries to score a body lock takedown but Morales shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Pickett prevents the takedown attempt.
Pickett is trying to drag Morales to the mat but Morales just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Morales prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Pickett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morales prevents the takedown attempt.

Morales has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pickett uses from the top position.
Pickett won't allow Morales to sweep him here.
Morales has control of Pickett's left arm, preventing Pickett from doing any damage.

Morales had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pickett defends it easily.
Pickett might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Morales is trying to keep Pickett in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales wants to sweep but no luck.
Morales thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Morales is trying to keep Pickett in close.
Pickett throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikko Morales has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Morales slips a jab and a cross from Pickett.
Morales throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Pickett.
Morales swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Pickett counters with a two punch combo.
Morales has a takedown stuffed.
Pickett misses with a low kick.
Morales misses with a jab, cross combination.
Morales tries to clinch but Pickett moves out of range.
Morales tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pickett swivels and escapes.
Pickett shoots for a takedown but Morales saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morales fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pickett, pushing him back against the cage.
Morales gets underhooks to prevent Pickett's takedown attempt.
Pickett really is a fat lump.

Pickett turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Morales managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Pickett.
Morales struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pickett working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Pickett tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Pickett looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Pickett is breathing heavily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Morales throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Morales dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Morales scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Morales tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Morales landing a few strikes.
Morales working the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales working away.
Morales trying to control the action but Pickett is working from the bottom.
Pickett trying to remain calm as Morales controls from the top position.

Morales decides to stand up, so the ref orders Pickett to his feet.

Pickett tries to sprawl but Morales drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Morales moves nicely into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morales landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Morales takes a little break here. Pickett wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Morales cracks Pickett with a big elbow.
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!

Morales tries for a kimura but Pickett is defending well.
Pickett seems a little lost for a moment, as Morales dominates the positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morales stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Morales closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Pickett.

Morales gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Pickett regains guard.

Pickett had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Morales defends it easily.

Morales stands up and waves to Pickett to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morales shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pickett but Pickett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pickett showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morales.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morales looks to land a combination. Pickett sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Morales showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Morales shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Morales fails to land the takedown.
Morales tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pickett swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pickett misses with a two punch combination.
Morales darts in trying to clinch
and Pickett counters with a three punch combo that has Morales backing up. Morales nods at Pickett to acknowledge the strikes.
Morales misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Morales shoots in for a takedown but Pickett shows good takedown defense.
Johnny Pickett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikko Morales.
Morales shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pickett pinned against the cage. Pickett gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Morales takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Morales scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Pickett moves into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morales slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Pickett is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morales wants to control but Pickett is keeping him busy.
Morales wants to take a breather but Pickett manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Morales.
Morales looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Pickett tries to strike from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Morales passes Pickett's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Morales is taking a breather. Pickett says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Pickett is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Morales pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morales controlling the action here.

Mikko Morales has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Pickett rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Morales moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikko Morales comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Morales has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikko Morales!