PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jori Jujipallo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vihanen Thaikku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jujipallo comes to the cage accompanied by The Mean Kitty Song . Vihanen Thaikku has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Jujipallo
vs
Thaikku

185 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

189 cm
23
189 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jori Jujipallo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vihanen Thaikku!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jujipallo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thaikku throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thaikku looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jujipallo shoots in for a double leg but Thaikku sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thaikku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jujipallo shoots in looking for a takedown. Thaikku tries to sprawl out of it but Jujipallo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thaikku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thaikku is looking to clinch.
Thaikku connects with a high kick.
Thaikku tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jujipallo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jujipallo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vihanen Thaikku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thaikku fails in his attempt to clinch.

Thaikku fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jujipallo, pushing him back against the cage.
Thaikku connects with a knee to the head.
Thaikku gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Jujipallo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thaikku prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jori Jujipallo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jujipallo takes an elbow to the temple.
Thaikku lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Thaikku throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jujipallo blocks it with crossed arms.
Thaikku lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thaikku creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Jujipallo's defenses.
Thaikku lands a knee to the head.

Jujipallo is rocked!
Jujipallo looking for a takedown.
Oh Jujipallo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jujipallo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thaikku walks away with a smile on his face. Jujipallo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jujipallo seems to have got his legs back now.
Thaikku tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jujipallo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jujipallo shoots in for a takedown but Thaikku shows good takedown defense.
Horrible takedown by Jujipallo or perhaps it was just good defense by Thaikku which made him look bad.
Thaikku fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thaikku tries to close the distance and clinch but Jujipallo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jujipallo fails to land the takedown.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Thaikku.
Jujipallo is breathing heavily.
Thaikku wants to clinch.
Vihanen Thaikku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thaikku throws a head kick but Jujipallo moves out of range.
Jujipallo fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thaikku moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thaikku connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Thaikku.
Thaikku connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jujipallo's face.
Thaikku connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jujipallo's face.
Nice elbow from Thaikku.
Jujipallo is trying to break free.
Thaikku gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Thaikku lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thaikku with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thaikku scores with a knee to the head.
Jujipallo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thaikku misses with a knee to the head.
Jujipallo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thaikku walks away with a smile on his face. Jujipallo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jujipallo shoots in looking for a takedown. Thaikku tries to sprawl out of it but Jujipallo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thaikku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Jujipallo with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thaikku looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thaikku doesn't manage to clinch there - Jujipallo circles away.
Thaikku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Thaikku.
Thaikku moves in looking to clinch but Jujipallo pushes him off.
Thaikku is looking to clinch but Jujipallo is avoiding it.
A punch lands to the side of Jujipallo 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Thaikku clinches.
Thaikku connects with a knee to the head.
Thaikku using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jujipallo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thaikku with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jujipallo blocks an elbow strike from Thaikku.
Jujipallo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thaikku fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Thaikku wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jujipallo shoots in but Thaikku avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jujipallo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thaikku but Thaikku pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thaikku swings for the body but Jujipallo moves out of range.
Jujipallo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thaikku tries to clinch but Jujipallo moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thaikku is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thaikku throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Thaikku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vihanen Thaikku dominated that round.
That's time! Jujipallo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thaikku fails with an attempt to clinch.

Thaikku rushes Jujipallo and presses him up against the cage.
Thaikku using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jujipallo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thaikku connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jujipallo's face.
Jujipallo tries to pull guard but Thaikku won't allow it.
Jujipallo jumps guard but Thaikku stands there with Jujipallo around his waist. Jujipallo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Thaikku landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jujipallo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thaikku pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jori Jujipallo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thaikku lands a knee to the head.
Thaikku connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Thaikku.
Thaikku lands an elbow that stopped Jujipallo in his tracks for a moment.
Thaikku lands a damaging elbow.
Jujipallo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Thaikku just stands there and leans against the cage.
Thaikku lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A knee to the head by Thaikku.
Jujipallo is trying to drag Thaikku to the mat but Thaikku just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jujipallo is trying to drag Thaikku to the mat but Thaikku just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jujipallo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Thaikku.
Jujipallo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Thaikku just stands there and leans against the cage.
Thaikku looking to throw knees to the head but Jujipallo is blocking nicely.

Jujipallo lands a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jujipallo pushes down on Thaikku's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Jujipallo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thaikku keeps working.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thaikku pushes Jujipallo off looking to stand but Jujipallo dives back in and keeps control.

Jujipallo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Jujipallo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thaikku doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jujipallo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jujipallo prevents Thaikku from standing back up.

Jujipallo is looking for a kimura here.
Thaikku pushes Jujipallo off but Jujipallo dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jujipallo tries for a kimura but Thaikku is defending well.
Thaikku is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Jujipallo is controlling him well.

Jujipallo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four 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.

Jujipallo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Thaikku has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Jujipallo but great work by Thaikku.
Jujipallo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Jujipallo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Thaikku knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thaikku is looking to escape.

Jujipallo seems to be working for a kimura but Thaikku defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jujipallo blocks a head kick by Thaikku.

Thaikku closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thaikku lands a nice elbow.
Thaikku tries to land a knee to the head but Jujipallo blocks with his arms.
Thaikku misses with a knee strike.
Thaikku throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jujipallo blocks it with crossed arms.
Jujipallo wants a takedown but no success here.
Thaikku lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thaikku comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Thaikku throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jujipallo blocks it with crossed arms.
Thaikku tries a knee to the head but Jujipallo blocks it.
Jujipallo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thaikku prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jori Jujipallo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jujipallo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thaikku misses with a knee to the head.
Thaikku prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jujipallo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thaikku smiles and moves away.
Thaikku is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thaikku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jujipallo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thaikku pinned against the cage. Thaikku gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jujipallo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jujipallo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thaikku wants to clinch.
Jujipallo fails to land the takedown.
Thaikku fails in his attempt to clinch.

Thaikku clinches with his opponent.

That's two 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.
Thaikku lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thaikku prevents the takedown attempt.
Thaikku lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Jujipallo backwards.
Thaikku connects with a knee to the head.
Thaikku throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jujipallo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Thaikku misses with a knee to the head.
Thaikku keeps control of Jujipallo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thaikku throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jujipallo blocks it with crossed arms.
Jujipallo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thaikku walks away with a smile on his face. Jujipallo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Thaikku tries to clinch but Jujipallo is having none of it.
Thaikku tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Jujipallo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Jujipallo is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jujipallo stalling away here and it's allowed Thaikku to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Jujipallo trying to control but Thaikku is working from the bottom.

Jujipallo has gone for a leg lock! Thaikku slips out almost immediately though and dives into Jujipallo's guard.
Thaikku must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Jujipallo working for a triangle but Thaikku defends it easily.
Vihanen Thaikku is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jujipallo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vihanen Thaikku comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thaikku 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vihanen Thaikku!