PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joakim Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Notkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larsson comes into the arena with Dead by April - Trapped blaring out of the sound system. 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?

Larsson
vs
Notkonen

185 cm
19
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

194 cm
21
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joakim Larsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Esa Notkonen!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Notkonen is looking to clinch.
Larsson looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Larsson shoots in for a takedown but Notkonen shows good takedown defense.
Good leg kick by Notkonen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Larsson looks for a takedown but Notkonen sprawls well.
Notkonen lands a jab to the nose.

Notkonen rushes Larsson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.

Notkonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Notkonen is looking to slow Larsson down with leg kicks.
Larsson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Notkonen momentarily.
Larsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Notkonen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Larsson fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joakim Larsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Notkonen has had enough of the clinch but Larsson keeps him there for the moment.
Larsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Larsson keeps control of Notkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Notkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Esa Notkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Notkonen throws a head kick that Larsson semi-blocks.
Notkonen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Larsson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Notkonen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Notkonen misses with a straight left.
Larsson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Larsson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A head kick from Notkonen lands but Larsson takes it in his stride.

Larsson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Larsson has had enough of the clinch but Notkonen keeps him there for the moment.
Larsson is trying to break free.
A body shot lands from Larsson.
Larsson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.
Notkonen is trying to break free.
Larsson keeps control of Notkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Notkonen gets underhooks to prevent Larsson's takedown attempt.
Notkonen wants to break free but Larsson has control.
Notkonen prevents Larsson from breaking the clinch.
Larsson looking to slow down the pace here.
Notkonen wants to break free but Larsson has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Larsson to work.
Notkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
Larsson keeps control of Notkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Larsson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Notkonen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Notkonen can't break the clinch.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.
Notkonen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Notkonen breaks the clinch.

Notkonen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Notkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
Notkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
Larsson keeps control of Notkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Notkonen is trying to break free.
Notkonen can't break the clinch.
Larsson is trying to maintain a safe position but Notkonen gets an underhook and turns Larsson into the cage.
Larsson prevents Notkonen from breaking the clinch.
Larsson landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Notkonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

It looks like Esa Notkonen has been cut.
Larsson wants to get back to striking at distance but Notkonen won't allow it.
Notkonen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Notkonen breaks the clinch.
Larsson shoots for a takedown but Notkonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Notkonen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Larsson takes a step back to recover.
Notkonen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Notkonen lands with a kick to the temple. Larsson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
An inside leg kick lands from Notkonen.
Notkonen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Larsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Larsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Notkonen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Larsson fails to land the takedown.
Larsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Notkonen.
Notkonen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Larsson misses with a wild body shot.
Larsson misses with a takedown attempt - Notkonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson staying out of range there.
Notkonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Larsson manages to avoid it.
Notkonen tries to clinch up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Notkonen, right into the meat.
Notkonen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Larsson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Notkonen throws out the jab.
Notkonen throws a head kick that half lands.
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!
A shot to de liver by Larsson. Beautiful body shot.
A solid body kick from Notkonen.
Esa Notkonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Notkonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Larsson fails to land the takedown.
Larsson swings for the body but Notkonen moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Notkonen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Larsson scores with a hook.
Notkonen thows a body shot but no joy.
Notkonen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Notkonen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Esa Notkonen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Notkonen has closed the distance and engaged Larsson in a clinch.
Larsson keeps control of Notkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Larsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Notkonen prevents the takedown attempt.
Notkonen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Larsson can't get the takedown.
Notkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
Larsson fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joakim Larsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Notkonen dodges an elbow strike from Larsson.
Larsson is trying to break free.
Notkonen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Notkonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Notkonen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Notkonen is trying to break free.
Notkonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Notkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Larsson. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Notkonen is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Notkonen tries to break the clinch but Larsson is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Notkonen holds him up against the cage and eventually Larsson drops back down to his feet.
Notkonen has had enough of the clinch but Larsson keeps him there for the moment.

Notkonen breaks from the clinch.
Notkonen is looking to land body kicks.
Joakim Larsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Notkonen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Larsson tries to score with a low kick but Notkonen moves his leg out of the way.
Notkonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Larsson circles away.
Notkonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Larsson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Notkonen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Notkonen connects with a high kick.
Notkonen clinches but Larsson breaks the clinch
and Larsson counters with a one-two to the body.
Larsson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Larsson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Notkonen tries to avoid it but Larsson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Notkonen to the ground. Notkonen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Larsson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Larsson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Notkonen's waist but Notkonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Larsson off to one side.
Notkonen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson tries to clinch but Notkonen moves out of range.

Larsson moves into the clinch successfully.
Notkonen can't break the clinch.
Notkonen is trying to break free.
Larsson wants to get back to striking at distance but Notkonen won't allow it.
Larsson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Notkonen prevents a takedown attempt there.

Notkonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Notkonen tries to clinch up but Larsson circles away and keeps his distance.
Larsson keeps the fight on the outside.
Notkonen lands with a kick to the temple. Larsson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Notkonen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Notkonen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Larsson's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Notkonen scores with the left hand. Larsson knows he should have avoided that one.
Notkonen tries to clinch but Larsson moves out of range.
Notkonen throws a nice head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Notkonen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Larsson's head.
Notkonen scores with a head kick.
Notkonen is looking to clinch but Larsson is avoiding it.
Larsson has a takedown stuffed.
Notkonen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Larsson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Notkonen on the side of the head.
Larsson lands a nice looking body shot.
Notkonen throws a head kick that half lands.
A combination from Larsson does no damage.
Notkonen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Larsson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Larsson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Larsson gets a clinch.
Larsson keeps control of Notkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Notkonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Larsson is trying to break free.
Larsson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Notkonen smiles and moves away.
Larsson throws a combination that misses
and Notkonen counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson digs a good body shot into Notkonen's ribs.
Notkonen misses with a body punch
letting Larsson counter with a right hand.
Notkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Larsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Larsson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Notkonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Larsson lunges at Notkonen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Notkonen's hand.
Larsson lands a glancing blow to the side of Notkonen's head.
Esa Notkonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Notkonen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Larsson avoids the head kick by Notkonen.
Notkonen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Notkonen misses with a wild body shot.
Notkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Larsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Larsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Notkonen.
Larsson lands a nice shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A decent looking cross lands there for Larsson.
Larsson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Notkonen lands a head kick. Larsson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Notkonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Notkonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Esa Notkonen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Larsson lands a right hook to the body.
Larsson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Larsson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Notkonen misses with the combination.

Larsson has Notkonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Larsson fails to pull guard.
Notkonen tries to break the clinch but Larsson is controlling the position.
Notkonen wants to break free but Larsson has control.
Larsson jumps guard but Notkonen stands there with Larsson around his waist. Larsson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.
Notkonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Larsson keeps control of Notkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Notkonen won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joakim Larsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Notkonen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Larsson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Larsson prevents Notkonen from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Notkonen is trying to break free.
Notkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
Larsson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Larsson wants to get back to striking at distance but Notkonen won't allow it.
Notkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Larsson has him pressed against the cage.
Larsson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.
Larsson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Larsson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Notkonen has him pressed against the cage.

Larsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Larsson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Notkonen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Notkonen is trying to break free.
Larsson wants to break free but Notkonen has control.
Notkonen prevents Larsson from breaking the clinch.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Notkonen holds him up against the cage and eventually Larsson drops back down to his feet.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.
Notkonen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Notkonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

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.
Larsson stalling the fight.
Notkonen stops a takedown attempt from Larsson.

Notkonen breaks from the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Larsson or perhaps it was just good defense by Notkonen which made him look bad.
Larsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Notkonen throws a right and a left that Larsson avoids nicely.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Notkonen. Larsson shrugs it off though.
Larsson avoids the head kick by Notkonen.
Notkonen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Notkonen lands a high kick!
Notkonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Notkonen lands a nice hook to Larsson's body. Larsson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Notkonen tries to clinch up but Larsson circles away and keeps his distance.
Larsson wants to clinch.
Larsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Notkonen throws a body punch but Larsson moves out of range.
Larsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Larsson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Notkonen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Larsson.
Larsson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Larsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Notkonen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Larsson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Notkonen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Larsson rather than just go for the knockout.
Larsson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Notkonen counters with a head kick. That will keep Larsson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Larsson clinches.
Larsson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Notkonen.
Larsson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.
Larsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Notkonen can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Notkonen wants to break free but Larsson has control.
Larsson tries to pull guard but Notkonen won't allow it.
Larsson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Notkonen wants to break free but Larsson has control.
Notkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Larsson won't allow it.
Larsson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Notkonen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Notkonen throws a head kick that Larsson semi-blocks.
Larsson scores with a shot to the body.
Larsson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Joakim Larsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Larsson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Notkonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A big right from Notkonen misses.
Larsson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Larsson throws a sloppy head kick
and Notkonen counters with a big head kick but Larsson shrugs it off.
A slapping leg kick lands for Notkonen.
Notkonen lands with a slapping head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Esa Notkonen.
I've got Notkonen 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esa Notkonen!