PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Amisviiksi Tolonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pops Maellard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tolonen comes to the cage accompanied by Machinae Supremacy - Death From Above. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Tolonen
vs
Maellard

180 cm
34
178 lbs
12 - 5 - 2

183 cm
28
188 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Museum of Monsters & Madmen
Conviction

Sun-Tzu
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Amisviiksi Tolonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pops Maellard!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tolonen lands a jab to the nose.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tolonen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Maellard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tolonen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Donk. Tolonen catches Maellard right on the button with a cross.
Tolonen tries a low kick but Maellard avoids it.
Maellard missing with a left hand there. Tolonen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maellard throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tolonen.
Tolonen looks to land a combination. Maellard sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Maellard avoids the head kick by Tolonen.
Maellard looks to throw the jab but Tolonen is out of range.
Maellard takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tolonen cracks Maellard with an open hand slap.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Maellard.
Maellard stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maellard wants it to stay on the feet.
Tolonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maellard.
Maellard tries a head kick but it misses.
Tolonen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tolonen looks to land a left hand but Maellard moved out of range nicely.
Maellard throws a lazy right hand but Tolonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolonen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Maellard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tolonen throws a hook but Maellard blocks it.
Maellard throws a leg kick
and Tolonen counters with a straight right hand.

Tolonen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Maellard looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Maellard avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Tolonen.
Maellard struggling a bit here.
Maellard takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Tolonen tries to move to mount but Maellard blocks the move with his legs.
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!

Tolonen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Maellard rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Tolonen's guard! Nice work there by Maellard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tolonen working for a triangle but Maellard defends it easily.

Tolonen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maellard controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Tolonen working for a triangle but Maellard defends it easily.
Tolonen pulls Maellard in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maellard wants to pass the guard but Tolonen is keeping the position.
Maellard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Tolonen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Maellard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tolonen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Tolonen is looking for a triangle here but Maellard uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Tolonen struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tolonen tries to buck Maellard off but Maellard is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tolonen being controlled for a moment.
Tolonen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Tolonen looking for submissions off his back.

Tolonen with the active half guard here but Maellard passes nicely into side control.
Maellard trying to control the position but Tolonen is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amisviiksi Tolonen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A low kick from Maellard is predictable there

and Tolonen counters with a single leg into guard. Maellard didn't expect that.
Tolonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maellard is keeping the position for now.
Maellard has momentary wrist control but Tolonen slips an elbow through the middle.

Tolonen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tolonen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Tolonen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Maellard is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Maellard has escaped and now he's on top!

Tolonen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maellard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tolonen throws his legs up looking for a submission but Maellard uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maellard trying to control the action but Tolonen is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maellard in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
My spies in Outer Heaven Dojo inform me that Maellard has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Tolonen tries to improve position but can't.
Tolonen sneaks back into half guard.
Maellard controlling the action here.
Tolonen tries to get to full guard but Maellard has control of the leg.

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.
Maellard trying to control the action but Tolonen is working from the bottom.
Tolonen is trying to maintain the position but Maellard is very close to passing his half guard.

Tolonen actively working from the bottom here.
Maellard works his foot free and advances to mount.
Maellard trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maellard controlling from the full mount.
Tolonen is looking to improve his position but Maellard isn't that keen on the idea.
Maellard trying to control but he's not successful this time.

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.
Maellard might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Tolonen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Tolonen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Tolonen looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maellard is trying to control the action in half guard but Tolonen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pops Maellard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

A slow jab from Tolonen misses its intended target.
Maellard tries to counter by closing the distance.
Maellard throws the kick towards the body but Tolonen avoids it.
Maellard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tolonen throws out the jab.
Tolonen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Maellard momentarily.
Tolonen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tolonen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tolonen avoids the head kick by Maellard.
A bone on bone clash there as Tolonen blocks the leg kick.
Tolonen misses with a body shot.
Maellard's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tolonen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Maellard scrambles back to his feet.
Tolonen walks into a jab.
Maellard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Amisviiksi Tolonen has been cut.
Maellard misses the shot to the body.
Maellard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tolonen's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maellard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maellard does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maellard. Tolonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tolonen misses with a hook. Maellard ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolonen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A jab from Tolonen misses.
Maellard misses with a low kick.
Maellard misses with a head kick.
A swing and a miss from Tolonen.
Maellard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tolonen throws a hook to the side of Maellard's head but Maellard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maellard was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Tolonen takes a kick to the side of the head.

Tolonen has Maellard up against the cage in a clinch.
Tolonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maellard has a couple of punches blocked by Tolonen.
Tolonen lands with a short shot to the head.
Tolonen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Maellard tries to work over Tolonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Tolonen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tolonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tolonen misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen throws a punch but it's blocked by Maellard.
Maellard tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tolonen's elbow.
Maellard tries a body shot but Tolonen blocks it.
Tolonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tolonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maellard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maellard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tolonen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tolonen working aggressively here.
Tolonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tolonen wants a takedown but no success here.
Maellard misses with a body punch.
Tolonen lands a nice uppercut.

Tolonen jumps into guard, dragging Maellard to the mat.
Maellard trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tolonen looking to control but Maellard passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tolonen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Tolonen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tolonen tries to roll over but Maellard keeps him under control.
Maellard works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's four 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.
Maellard controlling the position easily from mount.
Tolonen regains half guard.
Tolonen desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Tolonen is trying to control but can't.
Tolonen is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Amisviiksi Tolonen did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Amisviiksi Tolonen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tolonen misses with a looping left.
Tolonen cracks Maellard with an open hand slap.
Tolonen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tolonen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tolonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Maellard throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tolonen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maellard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maellard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tolonen.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tolonen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Maellard has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Maellard and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tolonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maellard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Tolonen here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Tolonen cracks Maellard with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maellard looks to score with a jab to the body but Tolonen is just out of range.
Maellard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tolonen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tolonen loads up on a big right hand but Maellard slips the punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maellard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tolonen staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolonen misses with a body kick.
Tolonen throws the left hand but Maellard avoids the punch easily.
Jab from Tolonen.
Tolonen throws a head kick but Maellard moves out of range.
Maellard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tolonen.
Tolonen looks to land a body kick but Maellard moved away.
Tolonen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tolonen scores with a punch to the head.
Tolonen is looking to slow Maellard down with leg kicks.
Maellard tries a head kick but it misses.
Maellard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tolonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Maellard is just out of range.
Amisviiksi Tolonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Maellard throws a push kick but Tolonen slaps the foot to one side.
Maellard throws a low kick, looking for Tolonen's leg but Tolonen calmly moves out of range.
Tolonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maellard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maellard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tolonen throws out the jab.
Maellard connects with a solid leg kick.
That kick from Tolonen tenderised Maellard's leg. Maellard is trying to keep his angry face on.
A big left from Maellard misses.
Maellard moves away from the strike by Tolonen.
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!
Tolonen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tolonen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Maellard misses with a body punch
and Tolonen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maellard lands with a nice body kick.
Maellard throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Maellard.
A jab from Maellard does it's job there.

Tolonen closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Maellard.
Maellard pushes Tolonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tolonen misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen is looking for a takedown.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Tolonen working aggressively here.
Tolonen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maellard.
Tolonen blocks an uppercut.
Tolonen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tolonen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Maellard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tolonen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maellard backwards.
Tolonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tolonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amisviiksi Tolonen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tolonen has Maellard pressed against the cage.
Maellard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tolonen tries to work over Maellard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maellard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A body shot lands from Tolonen.
Tolonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maellard misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tolonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tolonen pushes Maellard back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Tolonen has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Maellard is trying to keep an underhook but Tolonen manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maellard is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Tolonen wants to control but Maellard is keeping him busy.
Tolonen wants to pass the guard but Maellard is defending well.
Maellard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tolonen is working away from the top position though.
Tolonen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amisviiksi Tolonen had his way with Pops Maellard in that round.
The cut man is working on Amisviiksi Tolonen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice shot by Maellard.
Maellard keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tolonen.
A swing and a miss from Tolonen.
Tolonen misses with an uppercut.
Maellard wants to counter the offense by Tolonen and move into the clinch position.
Maellard takes one on the button.
Tolonen moves out of range as Maellard strikes.
Maellard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Maellard.
Maellard tries to counter with a clinch but Tolonen shakes him off and moves away.
Tolonen blocks the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maellard misses with an attempted mid kick.
Maellard lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tolonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maellard looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maellard misses with a low kick.
Maellard thuds his right hand into Tolonen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maellard walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tolonen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tolonen half committed to a counter leg kick.
Maellard misses with a low kick as Tolonen jumps back.
Maellard takes one to the side of the head.
Tolonen tries to land a body kick
and Maellard counters with an outside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Maellard.
Maellard tries to clinch but Tolonen moves out of range.
Tolonen lands with a good body shot.
Maellard is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Tolonen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tolonen swings wildly with an uppercut but Maellard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tolonen lands a nice uppercut.
Tolonen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tolonen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tolonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maellard wants to stall.
Tolonen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maellard backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maellard scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maellard lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tolonen backwards.
Maellard working aggressively here.
Tolonen is trying to drag Maellard to the mat but Maellard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tolonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right hook to the body lands for Maellard.
Maellard lands with a light punch inside.
Maellard lands a body shot.
Maellard struggles to land a body shot inside as Tolonen controls his hands.
Tolonen tries to throw a body punch but Maellard avoids it by throwing Tolonen back against the cage.
Tolonen prevents a body shot from Maellard.
Tolonen throws a head punch that misses.
Tolonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maellard tries to stall but Tolonen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maellard misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tolonen.
Maellard blocks a body shot from Tolonen.
Maellard lands a right hand.
Pops Maellard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maellard blocking some punches.
A short left from Maellard.
Maellard misses with the head strike.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tolonen.
Tolonen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maellard backwards.
Tolonen has a couple of punches blocked by Maellard.
Maellard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maellard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maellard can't find room to land a body shot as Tolonen controls the action.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tolonen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tolonen misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tolonen.
Tolonen pushes Maellard back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen lands with a right to the head.
Tolonen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maellard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tolonen tries to work over Maellard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Maellard fails to land.
Maellard blocks an uppercut.
Tolonen scores with a hook to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tolonen.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tolonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tolonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maellard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maellard struggles to land a body shot inside as Tolonen controls his hands.
Tolonen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short left from Tolonen.
Tolonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Tolonen - that landed with a thud.
Tolonen blocks a body shot from Maellard.

Tolonen has Maellard pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Tolonen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Maellard tumbling to the mat - Tolonen dives into Maellard's guard.

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 Amisviiksi Tolonen.
Well Tolonen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Atkins scores the fight 49:46
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amisviiksi Tolonen!
Amisviiksi Tolonen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.