PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joel Bailey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauri Pekkarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Bailey might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Welcome to the TerrorDome. Pekkarinen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Elements of Life. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Bailey
vs
Pekkarinen

172 cm
20
152 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
156 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

⇒Exhibit the Pride⇐
[†CoE†]Terror-Trition 155Q[†CoE†]

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joel Bailey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mauri Pekkarinen!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Joseph Jones and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bailey misses with a wild body shot.
Bailey defending well as Pekkarinen loads up on a big left hand.
Bailey lands with a nice body punch.
Pekkarinen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bailey is able to avoid easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Pekkarinen.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bailey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bailey misses with a wild body shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bailey crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Pekkarinen - the referee stops the clock and Bailey gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Pekkarinen. Bailey manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Bailey checks a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bailey. Pekkarinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bailey lands a slapping body shot.
Bailey scores with a sloppy right hand. Pekkarinen should have avoided that one.

Pekkarinen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Pekkarinen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bailey has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bailey tries to buck Pekkarinen off but Pekkarinen is having none of it.

Pekkarinen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bailey is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Pekkarinen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bailey knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Bailey looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Pekkarinen is looking for a kimura here.
Bailey is trying to get back to full guard.
Pekkarinen is keen to just control but Bailey is a slippery customer.
Bailey gets full guard.

Pekkarinen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bailey is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pekkarinen defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bailey is looking for a triangle but Pekkarinen pushes his legs off easily.
Pekkarinen stays in close to Bailey's body and controls the position.

Bailey escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pekkarinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Bailey looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pekkarinen passes Bailey's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Bailey is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Bailey is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pekkarinen pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen stalling.

Bailey actively working from the bottom here.
Bailey is breathing heavily.

Pekkarinen is looking for a kimura here.

Pekkarinen wants to work for an arm triangle but Bailey is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Bailey looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Pekkarinen seems to be working for a kimura but Bailey defends the submission attempt.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bailey misses the jab.
Joel Bailey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pekkarinen misses with a straight left.
Bailey staying out of range there.
Bailey shoots in for a takedown but Pekkarinen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bailey digs a good hook to Pekkarinen's body.
Bailey stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bailey wants it to stay on the feet.
Bailey is looking to wear down Pekkarinen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bailey ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pekkarinen moves away from the strike by Bailey.
Bailey lands a nice shot to the body.
Bailey fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it.
Bailey takes a swing at Pekkarinen's ribcage but misses.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but Bailey checks it.
Bailey ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pekkarinen moves away.

Bailey feints and as Pekkarinen raises his hands in defense, Bailey changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Bailey dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pekkarinen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bailey on the side of the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bailey is defended easily by Pekkarinen.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Pekkarinen. Bailey shrugs it off though.
Bailey tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pekkarinen was well out of range. Poor timing from Bailey.
Pekkarinen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pekkarinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Bailey dives in and grabs Pekkarinen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pekkarinen pushes down on Bailey's head and hops out.
Bailey looks to score with a jab to the body but Pekkarinen is just out of range.
Pekkarinen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pekkarinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pekkarinen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bailey.
Bailey tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pekkarinen swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Bailey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pekkarinen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Pekkarinen feints and then cracks Bailey's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bailey down.
Bailey checks a low kick from Pekkarinen.
Bailey tries for a takedown but Pekkarinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pekkarinen scores with a leg kick.
Pekkarinen tries to bum rush Bailey with a series of wild strikes but Bailey uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen scores with a nice head shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pekkarinen. That's going to slow Bailey down.
A bone on bone clash there as Bailey blocks the leg kick.
Bailey misses with a wild body shot.
Pekkarinen misses with a head kick.
Bailey misses with a takedown attempt
and Pekkarinen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Pekkarinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bailey.
Good standup being displayed there by Bailey as he connects with a hook.
Bailey throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pekkarinen throws a head kick that misses.
Bailey throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bailey tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bailey scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Pekkarinen connects with a crisp jab.
Bailey chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pekkarinen can pounce on him.
Pekkarinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Bailey blocks the leg kick.
Bailey tries to move into range but Pekkarinen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Pekkarinen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bailey.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bailey shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Pekkarinen is trying to defend but Bailey finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bailey trying to pass the guard but Pekkarinen defending well.
Bailey not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bailey with the ground and pound but Pekkarinen uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Pekkarinen has his hands on Bailey's head, controlling the position.
Bailey throwing strikes from guard but Pekkarinen blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bailey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bailey with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bailey in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bailey tries to free his leg and advance position but Pekkarinen is retaining full guard.
Bailey is working hard here to advance position.

That's four 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Pekkarinen gets caught flat footed, as Bailey shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bailey pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pekkarinen is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pekkarinen has momentary wrist control but Bailey slips an elbow through the middle.
Bailey wants to pass the guard but Pekkarinen is keeping the position.
Bailey postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pekkarinen keeping full guard, as Bailey tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mauri Pekkarinen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bailey on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bailey misses the body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bailey misses with a takedown attempt
and Pekkarinen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Pekkarinen avoids the body shot from Bailey.
Bailey cracks Pekkarinen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Pekkarinen tries to work over Bailey's front leg with a kick but Bailey checks it.
Pekkarinen throws a head kick that misses.
Bailey is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Pekkarinen throws a solid leg kick but Bailey takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pekkarinen.
Bailey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bailey throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Pekkarinen to counter with a crisp jab.
Pekkarinen misses with a head kick.
Pekkarinen throws a front kick that sends Bailey stumbling back into the cage.
Pekkarinen tries to score with a low kick but Bailey moves his leg out of the way.
Pekkarinen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pekkarinen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Bailey.
Bailey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bailey sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bailey misses with a looping left.
Pekkarinen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Pekkarinen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pekkarinen wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Pekkarinen as Bailey shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Bailey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pekkarinen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mauri Pekkarinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bailey takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Pekkarinen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Bailey. That snapped Pekkarinen's head back.
Bailey changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bailey misses with a body punch
and Pekkarinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pekkarinen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pekkarinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bailey misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Pekkarinen counters with a low kick, right behind Bailey 's knee.
Pekkarinen cracks the inside of Bailey's front leg.
Pekkarinen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bailey misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pekkarinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bailey throws a predictable looking body shot
and Pekkarinen counters with a leg kick.
Pekkarinen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Pekkarinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bailey's calf.
Pekkarinen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bailey's head.
Bailey takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bailey throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Bailey gets a takedown into half guard.
Pekkarinen won't allow Bailey to pass to mount.
Pekkarinen is holding on to half guard well.
Pekkarinen won't allow Bailey to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bailey.
Bailey makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Bailey drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pekkarinen manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bailey has Pekkarinen in his guard.

Bailey looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Pekkarinen has picked Bailey up and slammed him! Bailey can't keep hold of the triangle and Pekkarinen manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bailey regains half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bailey manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pekkarinen wants to pass the guard but Bailey is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bailey keeping moving, preventing Pekkarinen from controlling successfully.
Pekkarinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bailey swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Bailey looking for a guillotine here but Pekkarinen defends easily.
Bailey keeping moving, preventing Pekkarinen from controlling successfully.
Bailey tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bailey is looking for a triangle but Pekkarinen pushes his legs off easily.
Bailey keeping full guard, as Pekkarinen tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mauri Pekkarinen.
I think Pekkarinen 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29

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