PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bj Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penn has chosen Alab ng Puso-Abra as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Michaels
vs
Penn

174 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bj Penn!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michaels throws a right hand that Penn ducks under and follows up with a left that Penn also avoids with ease.
Michaels tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Penn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Penn lands with a kick to the temple. Michaels shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Penn looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Penn lets loose with a powerful body kick. Michaels will feel that in the morning.
A big left from Michaels misses.

Michaels looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Penn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Penn keeping moving, preventing Michaels from controlling successfully.

Penn manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Penn looks winded!
Penn is pressed up against the cage. Michaels has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Penn down to the mat. Penn avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Michaels feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Michaels stops Penn from standing up.

Michaels stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Michaels displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Michaels throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Michaels throws a wild body kick that Penn sees coming a mile off.
Michaels throws a series of strikes that have Penn backpedaling.
Michaels takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Penn takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Penn moves into the clinch.
Michaels jumps guard but Penn turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Penn breaks the clinch.
Michaels throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Penn darts in and clinches Michaels up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Michaels has Penn pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Penn manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Michaels. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Penn controlling the action here for a moment.
Penn digs a right hand underneath Michaels's ribcage. Michaels let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Penn has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

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

Penn instigates a clinch.
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!
Penn stops a takedown attempt from Michaels.

Penn manages to break the clinch.

Penn clinches up with Michaels and pushes him back against the cage.
Michaels is looking to take this one to the mat.
Michaels is trying to drag Penn to the mat but Penn just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Penn lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Michaels's defenses.
Penn softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Penn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Michaels getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Michaels thuds his right hand into Penn's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Penn throws a combination that misses
enabling Michaels to counter with a crisp jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Michaels.
Michaels fails to land the takedown.
Penn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Michaels.
Penn throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Michaels.
Penn fails with an attempt to clinch.
Penn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Michaels circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Michaels tries a head kick but it misses.

Penn clinches.
Penn is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Michaels is keeping busy.
A frustrated look appears on Michaels's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Penn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Penn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Michaels just misses with a punch to the body.
Bj Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Michaels tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Michaels uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Penn.
Penn staying out of range there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Michaels tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bj Penn will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Penn closes the distance and pushes Michaels back into the cage.

Michaels breaks from the clinch.
Penn shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Penn drives through and clinches with Michaels against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Michaels.
Michaels tries to pull guard but Penn won't allow it.
Michaels jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Penn walks away with a smile on his face. Michaels gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Penn explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Penn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Michaels is looking to clinch but Penn is avoiding it.
Penn throws a head kick that misses.
Some wild striking there from Michaels.
Michaels is looking to clinch but Penn is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Michaels misses with a straight left.
Joe Michaels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Penn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Michaels.
Penn avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bj Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Penn connects with an inside leg kick.
Michaels takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Michaels takes a kick to the side of the head.
Michaels lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Penn backs up against the cage.
Michaels lands with a nice combination. Penn backs away looking to recover.
Penn explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Penn rushes Michaels and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels throws a punch but it's blocked by Penn.
Penn lands a damaging elbow.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Penn.

Michaels's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Michaels.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Michaels. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Penn works over Michaels's head and body with a nice combination.
Michaels wants to clinch.
Penn avoids the head kick by Michaels.

Penn moves into range and clinches up with Michaels.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Penn breaks from the clinch.
Penn throws a head kick but Michaels moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn looks to score with a jab to the body but Michaels is just out of range.
Michaels looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Michaels tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Penn lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Michaels showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Penn.
Michaels cracks Penn with a right hand to the side of the head.
Michaels just misses with a punch to the body.
Penn throws a nice looking combination but Michaels bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A telegraphed right hand from Michaels misses the target.
Michaels dives in for a single leg takedown but Penn sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Michaels's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Penn obliges.
Michaels misses with a short punch on the inside.
Penn pressing his opponent against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Penn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Michaels escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Michaels tries to clinch up
and Penn counters with a nice body kick.
Penn fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Michaels checks it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Michaels cracks the inside of Penn's front leg.
Michaels fails to land with a series of punches.

Penn fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Michaels, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bj Penn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A thudding body kick lands there by Penn!
Michaels shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Penn eats them both and turns towards Michaels to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Joe Michaels is winning the standup battle so far.
Penn misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A jab from Michaels does it's job there.
Michaels swats away the attempt to clinch by Penn.
A head kick misses from Michaels.

Penn gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Michaels drops down looking for an ankle pick but Penn pulls his leg out and moves away.
Michaels swinging wildly here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Penn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn working Michaels over with knees to the body.
Penn stalls.
Michaels wants to break the clinch but can't.

Michaels manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Penn is looking to work some ground and pound but Michaels has wrist control.
Penn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Michaels trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Penn slips nicely into half guard.
Penn thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Michaels blocking the ground and pound attempt from Penn.
Michaels is looking to escape.
Penn thows a huge punch but Michaels dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels pushes Penn off looking to stand but Penn dives back in and keeps control.
Michaels flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Penn sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Michaels defending well though.
Michaels blocking the ground and pound attempt from Penn.
Michaels avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Penn.
Penn has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Penn sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Michaels defending well though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Penn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Michaels throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Michaels is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Penn's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Penn's back!
Michaels gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Penn trying to get back to his feet but Michaels is in full control for now.

Michaels has his opponent's back but Penn is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Michaels.
Penn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Michaels.
Michaels misses with a lunging right hand
and Penn finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Penn tries to clinch but Michaels is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Michaels moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Penn clinches up against the cage.

Penn breaks the clinch.
Michaels catches Penn with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Penn closes the distance and clinches.
Michaels will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Michaels lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Michaels fails to land.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Michaels tries to pull guard but Penn won't allow it.
Michaels can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Michaels. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Michaels is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Penn gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Michaels tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Penn works on Michaels's body with a couple of short punches.
Michaels is working for takedown but Penn is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nice body punch from Penn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn scores with a hook to the body.

Penn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Penn throws a series of punches but Michaels avoids them all with ease.

Penn pushes Michaels up against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Michaels wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Penn manages to break the clinch.
Penn takes a swing at Michaels's ribcage but misses.
Michaels misses with an uppercut.
Michaels tries to close the distance and clinch but Penn swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Michaels throws a nice looking combination but Penn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Penn clinches up with Michaels and pushes him back against the cage.
Michaels wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Joe Michaels has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Penn manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bj Penn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Penn winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bj Penn!
In his post fight interview, Bj Penn started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.