PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jake DeSalvo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauri Pekkarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mauri Pekkarinen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

DeSalvo
vs
Pekkarinen

167 cm
21
145 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

170 cm
22
150 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

M/S Paint Fightwear *** Cheapest in town ***

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jake DeSalvo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mauri Pekkarinen!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DeSalvo cracks Pekkarinen with an open hand slap.
A jab from DeSalvo finds it's way through Pekkarinen's defenses.
A jab from DeSalvo does it's job there.
DeSalvo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pekkarinen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? DeSalvo is fending him off so far but Pekkarinen persists. Nope, DeSalvo circles away and we're back to standing.
Pekkarinen circles away from the clinch attempt.

Pekkarinen has closed the distance and engaged DeSalvo in a clinch.
Pekkarinen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
DeSalvo misses with an elbow strike.
DeSalvo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen avoiding damage as DeSalvo throws knees to the body.
Pekkarinen avoiding damage as DeSalvo throws knees to the body.
DeSalvo lands a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. DeSalvo obliges.
DeSalvo throws an elbow but it misses.
DeSalvo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pekkarinen is defending well for now.
DeSalvo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
DeSalvo gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Pekkarinen tries for a takedown but DeSalvo manages to get underhooks.
Jake DeSalvo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauri Pekkarinen.
DeSalvo has a couple of punches blocked by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen trying to control the position but instead, DeSalvo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pekkarinen into the cage.

Pekkarinen turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSalvo is not content to let Pekkarinen control the position.
DeSalvo is looking to reverse the position.
DeSalvo is trying to get back to his feet.
Pekkarinen in side control lands a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeSalvo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
DeSalvo is looking for a sweep. Pekkarinen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pekkarinen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Pekkarinen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pekkarinen is keen to just control but DeSalvo is a slippery customer.
Pekkarinen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

DeSalvo kicks Pekkarinen off and gets back to his feet.
Jake DeSalvo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DeSalvo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pekkarinen tries to close the distance and clinch up but DeSalvo swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeSalvo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
DeSalvo wants to clinch up but Pekkarinen keeps it at a distance.

DeSalvo clinches up against the cage.

Pekkarinen turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DeSalvo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Pekkarinen prevents DeSalvo from escaping the position.

DeSalvo throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
DeSalvo misses with an uppercut.

Pekkarinen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. DeSalvo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
DeSalvo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Pekkarinen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
DeSalvo is breathing heavily.
DeSalvo is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pekkarinen prevents DeSalvo from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen is controlling the pace.
Pekkarinen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Pekkarinen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Pekkarinen trying to control from half guard but DeSalvo is working away.
Pekkarinen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
DeSalvo is not content to let Pekkarinen control the position.
Pekkarinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
DeSalvo is trying to stand up here but Pekkarinen is controlling him well.
Pekkarinen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
DeSalvo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pekkarinen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pekkarinen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pekkarinen prevents DeSalvo from standing back up.
DeSalvo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Pekkarinen lands a couple of digs.
Pekkarinen trying to control the position from guard on top but DeSalvo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pekkarinen works over DeSalvo with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pekkarinen working some strikes from top position.
Pekkarinen works over DeSalvo with some ground and pound from guard.
DeSalvo looking for a sweep. Not yet DeSalvo, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mauri Pekkarinen will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Pekkarinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
DeSalvo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pekkarinen.
DeSalvo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Pekkarinen moves into the clinch.
DeSalvo misses with a knee strike.
Pekkarinen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Pekkarinen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed DeSalvo clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
DeSalvo has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

DeSalvo is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Pekkarinen gets his way!
DeSalvo is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Pekkarinen loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can DeSalvo hold on?
DeSalvo wants to get back to his feet.
Pekkarinen lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns DeSalvo.
DeSalvo controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Pekkarinen lands shots from the back.
Pekkarinen is looking to control DeSalvo but DeSalvo is wriggling around and keeping busy.
DeSalvo covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
DeSalvo looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pekkarinen lands punches and elbows.
Pekkarinen punishes DeSalvo with strikes from the back mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeSalvo takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Pekkarinen has DeSalvo flattened out and is raining down punches.
DeSalvo wants to get back to his feet.
DeSalvo manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pekkarinen's guard. Nice work there by DeSalvo.
DeSalvo throws a strike but Pekkarinen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
DeSalvo keeping moving, preventing Pekkarinen from controlling successfully.
Pekkarinen looking to pass the guard.
DeSalvo is trying to control the position but Pekkarinen postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeSalvo keeping moving, preventing Pekkarinen from controlling successfully.
Pekkarinen won't allow DeSalvo to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
DeSalvo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Pekkarinen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Pekkarinen lands in his opponent's guard.
Pekkarinen looking to pass the guard.
Pekkarinen controlling from the top position.

DeSalvo pushes Pekkarinen off and scrambles back to his feet.
Pekkarinen closes the distance and clinches up with DeSalvo, looking for a takedown. Pekkarinen pushes DeSalvo against the cage but DeSalvo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jake DeSalvo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen moves in looking to clinch but DeSalvo pushes him off.
DeSalvo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pekkarinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
DeSalvo works the jab nicely.
DeSalvo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pekkarinen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Pekkarinen there as he acknowledges the shot.

Pekkarinen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches DeSalvo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
DeSalvo is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Pekkarinen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Pekkarinen laying and praying for a moment but DeSalvo takes advantage and regains half guard.
DeSalvo trying to control here.
Pekkarinen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauri Pekkarinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

DeSalvo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
DeSalvo misses with a wild combination.
DeSalvo looks to clinch

and Pekkarinen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
DeSalvo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pekkarinen's elbow.
DeSalvo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Pekkarinen lands a takedown into guard.
Pekkarinen won't allow DeSalvo to get back to his feet.
Pekkarinen trying to control but DeSalvo is working from the bottom.
DeSalvo is looking to stand up but Pekkarinen isn't so interested in that idea.
Pekkarinen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Pekkarinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Pekkarinen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Pekkarinen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Pekkarinen taking a breather here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSalvo is trying to get back to his feet.
DeSalvo sneaks back into half guard.
Pekkarinen working DeSalvo over with strikes.
Pekkarinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pekkarinen wants to free his trapped foot but DeSalvo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
DeSalvo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pekkarinen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Pekkarinen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Pekkarinen stalling.
Pekkarinen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeSalvo is trying to stand.
Pekkarinen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
DeSalvo is looking to escape.
Ground and pound from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
DeSalvo is looking to improve his position.
Pekkarinen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks DeSalvo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pekkarinen in particular looking to stall.
Pekkarinen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Pekkarinen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Pekkarinen prevents DeSalvo from standing back up.
Pekkarinen wants to control but DeSalvo is keeping him busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pekkarinen connects with a nice short shot to DeSalvo's temple.
DeSalvo pushes Pekkarinen off looking to stand but Pekkarinen dives back in and keeps control.
Pekkarinen is pressing down on DeSalvo's thigh, looking to free his foot. DeSalvo is holding on for now.
DeSalvo is trying to stand up here but Pekkarinen is controlling him well.
DeSalvo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pekkarinen is nestled in close to DeSalvo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Jake DeSalvo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen stalling.
Pekkarinen working the head and body with strikes.
Pekkarinen working DeSalvo over with strikes.
Pekkarinen lands with a punch from half guard.
Pekkarinen is looking to take a break and control but DeSalvo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pekkarinen scoring with strikes to the body and head.

DeSalvo looking for submissions off his back.

DeSalvo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mauri Pekkarinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pekkarinen 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mauri Pekkarinen!