PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ukko Joukahainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juha Leijonanharja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joukahainen's entrance music is Moonsorrow-Sankarihauta. A fine choice. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Joukahainen
vs
Leijonanharja

180 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ukko Joukahainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juha Leijonanharja!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joukahainen misses with a takedown attempt - Leijonanharja sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Joukahainen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Joukahainen gets a takedown into half guard.
Leijonanharja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Joukahainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Leijonanharja is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Leijonanharja is trying to control but can't.
Joukahainen wants to stand up but Leijonanharja has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Joukahainen is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joukahainen stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Joukahainen thows a body shot but no joy.
Joukahainen stuffs the takedown attempt from Leijonanharja. Leijonanharja gets slowly back to his feet.
Leijonanharja fails with the takedown.
Leijonanharja misses with a takedown
and Joukahainen counters with a left to the body.
Ukko Joukahainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juha Leijonanharja.
Joukahainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Leijonanharja fails with a takedown attempt.
Leijonanharja with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Joukahainen to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joukahainen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Leijonanharja sprawls well initially but Joukahainen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Joukahainen is taking a breather. Leijonanharja says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Leijonanharja tries to roll over but Joukahainen keeps him under control.
Leijonanharja controlling the position for now.
Leijonanharja wants to get back to full guard.

Leijonanharja looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Leijonanharja missing with punches from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leijonanharja won't allow Joukahainen to pass to mount.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Joukahainen connects with a high kick.
A head kick misses from Joukahainen.

Joukahainen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Leijonanharja!
Joukahainen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Leijonanharja is looking to escape.
Leijonanharja is in all sorts of trouble here.
Leijonanharja wants to hold on but Joukahainen pushes him away.
Leijonanharja really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Joukahainen is breathing heavily.
Leijonanharja regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen is thwarting Leijonanharja's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leijonanharja moves into full guard.
Leijonanharja throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Joukahainen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Leijonanharja bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Joukahainen's guard.
Leijonanharja wants to control from the top but Joukahainen keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Leijonanharja's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Leijonanharja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Joukahainen wants to sweep here but Leijonanharja controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukko Joukahainen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Leijonanharja fails with the takedown
and Joukahainen counters with an inside leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Joukahainen.
Joukahainen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Leijonanharja has a takedown stuffed.
Joukahainen scores with a kick to the midsection.

Joukahainen moves into the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Leijonanharja.
Joukahainen wants to get back to striking at distance but Leijonanharja won't allow it.
Joukahainen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Joukahainen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Joukahainen fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ukko Joukahainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Good body shot from Joukahainen.
Joukahainen jumps guard but Leijonanharja stands there with Joukahainen around his waist. Joukahainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Leijonanharja tries to pull guard but Joukahainen won't allow it.

Joukahainen breaks from the clinch.
Leijonanharja moves out of range as Joukahainen strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leijonanharja fails to land the takedown.
Leijonanharja shoots in but no luck this time.

Leijonanharja fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Joukahainen sprawls well initially but Leijonanharja persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Leijonanharja wants to take a breather but Joukahainen is having none of it.
Leijonanharja trying to control from Joukahainen's half guard. Joukahainen has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Leijonanharja trying to control but Joukahainen is working from the bottom.
Leijonanharja passes Joukahainen's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Leijonanharja is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Joukahainen has managed to free his arm - good work.

Joukahainen kicks Leijonanharja off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leijonanharja has a takedown stuffed.
Leijonanharja shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Joukahainen but Joukahainen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ukko Joukahainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leijonanharja showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Joukahainen.
Leijonanharja wants to clinch up but Joukahainen keeps it at a distance.

Leijonanharja bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Leijonanharja in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Leijonanharja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Joukahainen defending against the ground and pound.
Leijonanharja in side control lands a decent elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leijonanharja connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Joukahainen some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leijonanharja tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Leijonanharja controlling the position.
Leijonanharja has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Joukahainen wants to control but Leijonanharja postures up.
Leijonanharja tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Joukahainen is trying to buck Leijonanharja off.
Leijonanharja misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Leijonanharja is chipping away with strikes.
Leijonanharja throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Joukahainen works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Joukahainen wants to control but Leijonanharja is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Leijonanharja trying to control from Joukahainen's half guard. Joukahainen has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Leijonanharja trying to control the position from guard on top but Joukahainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joukahainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Leijonanharja on the ground.
Leijonanharja wants to pass the guard but Joukahainen is keeping the position.
Leijonanharja trying to control but Joukahainen is working from the bottom.
Joukahainen is trying to control the position but Leijonanharja postures up.
Leijonanharja wants to pass the guard but Joukahainen is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Leijonanharja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Joukahainen throws a series of punches but Leijonanharja avoids them all with ease.
Nice takedown defense from Joukahainen. No joy for Leijonanharja on that attempt.
Joukahainen throws a right hand that Leijonanharja ducks under and follows up with a left that Leijonanharja also avoids with ease.
Leijonanharja fails with the takedown
and Joukahainen counters with a straight right hand.
Joukahainen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Leijonanharja decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Joukahainen's guard.
Leijonanharja throws a big right hand that misses.
Leijonanharja throws and elbow that misses. Joukahainen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Leijonanharja's guard. Nice move by Joukahainen!
Joukahainen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Joukahainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukahainen won't allow Leijonanharja to sweep him here.
Joukahainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Joukahainen wants to control from the top but Leijonanharja keeps moving.
Leijonanharja is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Leijonanharja looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Leijonanharja is trying to keep Joukahainen in close.
Joukahainen preventing the sweep.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Joukahainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Leijonanharja scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Leijonanharja moves nicely into side control.
Joukahainen can't do much from the bottom here.
Joukahainen takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Leijonanharja creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Joukahainen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Leijonanharja scoring with punches and elbows.
Leijonanharja landing strikes.
Joukahainen is trying to get back to half guard.
Leijonanharja controlling the position from side mount.
Joukahainen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leijonanharja in side control, throwing shots but Joukahainen defends.
Joukahainen wants to get back to his feet.
Leijonanharja controls the position.
Leijonanharja lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Joukahainen down.
Joukahainen wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Leijonanharja controlling the position from side mount.
Leijonanharja passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Joukahainen!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leijonanharja scores with a couple of good head shots there.
A nice elbow there by Leijonanharja.
Leijonanharja in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Joukahainen is rocked!
Poor strikes thrown by Leijonanharja there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Leijonanharja tries to control but Joukahainen wriggling away.
Joukahainen is looking to get to half guard.

Leijonanharja goes for an armbar but Joukahainen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Joukahainen.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joukahainen stopping the sweep attempt from Leijonanharja.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juha Leijonanharja comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Leijonanharja has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juha Leijonanharja!