PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Erkki Elastinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Pep (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Elastinen comes to the cage accompanied by Cascada - Dangerous. Pep has chosen Iron Theme Song (Here Comes The Boom - Nelly) as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Elastinen
vs
Pep

160 cm
38
148 lbs
26 - 25 - 0

169 cm
40
145 lbs
35 - 26 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erkki Elastinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frankie Pep!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elastinen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice sprawl there from Pep as Elastinen shoots in.

Elastinen gets a double leg takedown into Pep's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Pep wants to get back to his feet but Elastinen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pep keeping moving, preventing Elastinen from controlling successfully.
Elastinen wants to pass the guard but Pep is keeping the position.
Pep keeping moving, preventing Elastinen from controlling successfully.
Elastinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Elastinen wants to control from the top but Pep keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Erkki Elastinen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
No luck for Elastinen with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erkki Elastinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Elastinen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pep is looking to escape.
Elastinen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Elastinen trying to control the action but Pep is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Pep is looking to escape.
Pep is not content to let Elastinen control the position.

Erkki Elastinen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Pep smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Pep stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pep wants it to stay on the feet.

Elastinen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Elastinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pep keeps working.
Pep tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elastinen looking to control but Pep is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Elastinen is working for a guillotine from mount but Pep frees his head quite easily.
Pep is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Elastinen scoring with strikes but Pep is staying in there.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Elastinen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Pep is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Elastinen looking to secure an arm triangle but Pep defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pep trying desperately to get to his feet.
Elastinen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pep is looking to escape.
Elastinen looking to control and managing it successfully.
Elastinen'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.
Elastinen wants to control the pace but Pep is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Erkki Elastinen wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Elastinen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Elastinen seems to be working for a kimura but Pep defends the submission attempt.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Elastinen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pep is looking to escape.
Elastinen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Pep is trying to stand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Elastinen wants to pass to mount but Pep is defending the position.
Elastinen is working hard here to advance position.
Elastinen works his way into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erkki Elastinen dominated that 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.

Pep closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Elastinen wants to take the fight to the mat but Pep manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Pep working aggressively here.
Pep wants a takedown but no success here.
Pep's coach down at MMA Sanok Training Center was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Pep's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Elastinen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pep pulls his leg out and moves away.

Pep moves into the clinch.
Elastinen can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erkki Elastinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pep prevents the takedown attempt.
Pep lands a body punch in the clinch.
Elastinen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pep prevents it.
Pep taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Pep tries to throw a body punch but Elastinen avoids it by throwing Pep back against the cage.
Pep throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pep lands an uppercut.
Pep lands with a right to the head.
Elastinen goes for a takedown attempt but Pep pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pep connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Elastinen momentarily.
Elastinen shoots in but Pep avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Elastinen dives in and scores a takedown into Pep's guard.
Pep is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pep keeping full guard, as Elastinen tries to pass.
Elastinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Pep is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Erkki Elastinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Elastinen stops Pep from standing up.
Elastinen sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elastinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Pep is retaining full guard.
Elastinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Pep is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

We're going to have a standup here because Erkki Elastinen wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Elastinen dives in and grabs Pep's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pep pushes down on Elastinen's head and hops out.
Frankie Pep is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Elastinen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Elastinen stops Pep from getting back to his feet.
Elastinen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pep knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Elastinen wants to control but Pep is keeping him busy.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Elastinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pep keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Erkki Elastinen.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Elastinen.
Pep drops his hands momentarily and Elastinen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Elastinen avoids a punch combination nicely.

Elastinen gets a takedown into half guard.
Elastinen wants to free his trapped foot but Pep is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Pep is not content to let Elastinen control the position.
Elastinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pep looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elastinen is trying to control. Pep wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
Elastinen wants to pass the guard but Pep is defending well.
Elastinen is controlling the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pep throws a leg kick but Elastinen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pep throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Elastinen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pep is fending him off so far but Elastinen persists. Nope, Pep circles away and we're back to standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Elastinen shoots for a takedown but Pep saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Elastinen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Elastinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erkki Elastinen dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Pep swats away the attempt to clinch by Elastinen.

Elastinen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Elastinen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Pep!
Elastinen looking to control but Pep is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Elastinen looking for a guillotine from mount but Pep is having none of it.
Elastinen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pep is looking to escape.
Elastinen thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Pep is squirming around, avoiding Elastinen's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pep wants to try and get back to his feet.
Elastinen trying to control but Pep is having none of it.
Elastinen content just to control the position here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Pep really wants to buck Elastinen off and get back to his feet.
Elastinen controlling his opponent.
Pep is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Elastinen wants to control the pace but Pep is squirming around nicely.
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.
Pep is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Frankie Pep has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Elastinen tries to control but Pep wriggling away.
Pep wants to try and get back to his feet.
Pep takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Elastinen misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Elastinen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pep is looking to escape.
Elastinen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Elastinen is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Pep has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pep is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Pep is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Elastinen content just to control the position here.

Elastinen is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Pep has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Elastinen looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Elastinen wants to control the pace but Pep is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elastinen with good strikes from the mount here!
Pep is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Elastinen controlling his opponent.
Elastinen wants to control the pace but Pep is squirming around nicely.
Pep really wants to buck Elastinen off and get back to his feet.
Elastinen working Pep over with strikes here.
Elastinen trying to control but Pep is having none of it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Elastinen working for a submission but Pep is keeping him at bay.
Erkki Elastinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Elastinen blocks Pep's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erkki Elastinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Elastinen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erkki Elastinen!
A very excited looking Erkki Elastinen made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.