PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Deangelo Flagg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pikku Pioneeri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flagg kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is What Its Like. Pioneeri has chosen Lenin-setä asuu Venäjällä as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Flagg
vs
Pioneeri

176 cm
28
163 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

172 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Deangelo Flagg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pikku Pioneeri!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flagg stuffs the takedown attempt from Pioneeri. Pioneeri gets slowly back to his feet.
Pioneeri misses with a head kick.
Pioneeri tries to bum rush Flagg with a series of wild strikes but Flagg uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Flagg moves in looking to clinch but Pioneeri pushes him off.
Flagg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like Flagg was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Pioneeri throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Flagg stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Pioneeri fails to land with a series of punches.
A head kick misses from Flagg.
Flagg blocks a jab.
Pioneeri feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Flaggs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pioneeri blocks a head kick by Flagg.
Pioneeri scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Flagg enables Pioneeri to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Flagg manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Flagg scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Flagg throws a head kick that half lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pioneeri misses with a jab, cross combination.
As Pioneeri tries to get set, Flagg tries to push him back and clinch up but Pioneeri manages to avoid the attempt.
Pioneeri misses with a double jab

and Flagg counters with a takedown into side control.
Pioneeri tries to improve position but can't.
Flagg wants to control but Pioneeri is keeping him busy.
Pioneeri is trying to improve his position.
Flagg tries to stand but Pioneeri is controlling his head.
Flagg lands some shots froms side control.
You can see the frustration on Pioneeri's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pioneeri tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Flagg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flagg remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Flagg tries to advance to mount but can't.
Pioneeri is looking for a sweep.
Pioneeri struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pioneeri is looking to regain half guard here but Flagg keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Flagg works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Pioneeri's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pioneeri manages to get back to half guard.
Pioneeri slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Pioneeri had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Flagg defends it easily.

Flagg got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pioneeri has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Flagg has managed to get both his arms back between Pioneeri's legs - danger averted.
Flagg wants to control from the top but Pioneeri keeps moving.
Pioneeri lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Pioneeri throws a big elbow that misses.

Flagg working for a triangle but Pioneeri defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pioneeri landing with the ground and pound.
Flagg looking for a sweep. Not yet Flagg, not yet.
Pioneeri keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Flagg's head.

Pioneeri drops back, looking for a kneebar! Flagg looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Flagg looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Flagg!

Flagg working away.
Pioneeri is trying to improve his position.
Flagg tries to move to mount but Pioneeri blocks the move with his legs.

Flagg tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Deangelo Flagg will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Good shot there by Pioneeri.
Pioneeri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Deangelo Flagg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Flagg takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Pioneeri looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Flagg is fending him off so far but Pioneeri persists. Nope, Flagg circles away and we're back to standing.
Pioneeri throws a hook but Flagg blocks it.
Pioneeri lands a jab to the head.
Pioneeri throws the left hand but Flagg avoids the punch easily.
Flagg half committed to a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pioneeri throws a looping overhand right but Flagg ducks down to avoid it.
Pioneeri moves away from the strike by Flagg.
Flagg looks for the body kick but Pioneeri saw that one coming.
Flagg lands with a thumping leg kick.
Flagg keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pioneeri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flagg chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Flagg avoids the head kick by Pioneeri.
Flagg looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Deangelo Flagg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pioneeri misses with a hook.
Flagg is looking for a counter combo.
Pioneeri misses with an uppercut. Flagg saw that one coming.
Flagg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pioneeri.
Pioneeri falls off balance throwing a combination

and Flagg counters with a shoot takedown. Pioneeri fights it but they end up in guard.

Pioneeri is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Flagg defends well.
Flagg won't allow Pioneeri to sweep him here.
Our spies down at at Elite Burn inform us that Pioneeri has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Pioneeri looking for a guillotine here but Flagg defends easily.

Pioneeri looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Flagg has picked Pioneeri up and slammed him! Pioneeri can't keep hold of the triangle and Flagg manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flagg just content to control the position.
Pioneeri is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Flagg off and has taken his back!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pioneeri missing with strikes from the back.
Pioneeri has the hooks in. Flagg is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Pioneeri has Flagg flattened out and is raining down punches.
Pioneeri landing with strikes.
Pioneeri gets his hands free as Flagg looks to control.
Deangelo Flagg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Flagg wants to escape the position.
Pioneeri trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Pioneeri connects with a big shot to the side of Flagg's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flagg tries to escape the position.

Flagg showing good submission defense here.
Flagg tries to escape but Pioneeri has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Pioneeri is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Flagg tries to break free.

Pioneeri looking for the RNC.
Flagg takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Flagg tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flagg is in a horrible position here. Pioneeri smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Pioneeri cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Pioneeri looking to secure an arm triangle but Flagg defends it well.
Pioneeri punishing his opponent with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pioneeri lands a nice shot to the head.
Pioneeri trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pioneeri lands a big shot there that rocks Flagg but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Flagg is working to get back to half guard.
Pioneeri pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pikku Pioneeri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Flagg keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pioneeri.
Flagg looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pioneeri tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pioneeri lands a jab to Flagg's midsection.
A solid leg kick lands there for Flagg.
Pioneeri misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Flagg counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pioneeri lands with a hook. Flagg tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Pioneeri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Flagg circles away quickly and effectively.
Flagg seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Flagg is looking to clinch.
Pioneeri shoots and misses
and Flagg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Flagg tries to clinch but Pioneeri moves out of range.
Pioneeri misses with a combination
and Flagg counters with a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pioneeri fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Flagg avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pioneeri connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Flagg momentarily.
Pioneeri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Flagg moves away.
Pioneeri jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pioneeri just misses with a punch to the body.
Flagg blocks a jab.
Flagg appears to be looking for a big counter.
Flagg scores with a head kick. Pioneeri tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Pioneeri misses with a body shot.
That kick from Flagg tenderised Pioneeri's leg. Pioneeri is trying to keep his angry face on.
Pioneeri cracks Flagg with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Pikku Pioneeri seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pioneeri tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Flagg defends well and Pioneeri ends up having to push Flagg into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Deangelo Flagg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pikku Pioneeri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flagg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pioneeri misses with an uppercut. Flagg saw that one coming.
Pioneeri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Flagg.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Flagg.

Flagg drives through and clinches with Pioneeri against the cage.
Pioneeri drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Flagg gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Pioneeri fails to land.
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!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Flagg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Flagg lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pioneeri backwards.
Pioneeri throws a punch but it's blocked by Flagg.
Pioneeri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Flagg's elbow.
Pioneeri scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Pioneeri working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pioneeri throws a head punch that misses.
A short body shot lands from Flagg as the two fighters clinch.

Pioneeri manages to break the clinch.
Pikku Pioneeri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Flagg.
Pioneeri swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nice uppercut there from Flagg.
Flagg lands a high kick!
Pioneeri connects with a body shot.
Flagg looks to land a body kick but Pioneeri moved away.
Flagg on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Pioneeri lands with a nice combination. Flagg backs away looking to recover.
Flagg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Flagg's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Pioneeri connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Flagg scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pioneeri falls off balance throwing a combination
and Flagg counters with a low kick, right behind Pioneeri 's knee.
Flagg fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Pioneeri is out of range.
Flagg moves away from the strike by Pioneeri.
Flagg blocks a jab.
Pioneeri swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Flagg counters with a low kick, right behind Pioneeri 's knee.
Flagg doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Flagg is looking to clinch.
Flagg connects with a looping right hand.
Flagg slips a straight right by Pioneeri.
Flagg thinks about countering with a body kick.
Good leg kick by Flagg there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Pioneeri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Flagg sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pioneeri swats away the attempt to clinch by Flagg.

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 Deangelo Flagg.
I think Flagg has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

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