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). DeSalvo comes to the cage accompanied by Nine Inch Nails - All The Love In The World. The key to victory for Jake DeSalvo has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

DeSalvo
vs
Pekkarinen

167 cm
22
145 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

170 cm
23
150 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 8 - 6 - 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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mauri Pekkarinen!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pekkarinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by DeSalvo.

Pekkarinen clinches.
Pekkarinen is trying to stall.
DeSalvo is pressed up against the cage. Pekkarinen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag DeSalvo down to the mat. DeSalvo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
DeSalvo avoids the body shot from Pekkarinen.
DeSalvo defending well as Pekkarinen loads up on a big left hand.
DeSalvo scores with a shot to the body.

Pekkarinen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
DeSalvo wants to stand and escape but Pekkarinen is having none of it.

DeSalvo is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Pekkarinen breaks the clinch.

Pekkarinen drives through with a takedown into guard.
DeSalvo wants to get back to his feet but Pekkarinen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
DeSalvo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pekkarinen trying to control but DeSalvo is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen looking to pass the guard.
Pekkarinen won't allow DeSalvo to get back to his feet.

DeSalvo pushes Pekkarinen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Pekkarinen clinches up with DeSalvo and pushes him back against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Pekkarinen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
DeSalvo tries to break free but Pekkarinen pushes him back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Pekkarinen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. DeSalvo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

DeSalvo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pekkarinen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. DeSalvo defends it nicely.
Jake DeSalvo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauri Pekkarinen.
DeSalvo tries to bum rush Pekkarinen with a series of wild strikes but Pekkarinen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Some wild striking there from DeSalvo.
DeSalvo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeSalvo throws a jab when Pekkarinen was well out of range.
Pekkarinen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with DeSalvo but DeSalvo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
DeSalvo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
DeSalvo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Pekkarinen tries to clinch up but DeSalvo circles away and keeps his distance.
Pekkarinen throws out a loose jab but DeSalvo uses good head movement to avoid it.
DeSalvo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
DeSalvo throws a sloppy head kick and Pekkarinen moves out of range easily.
Nice defenses there by Pekkarinen.
DeSalvo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pekkarinen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pekkarinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pekkarinen thows a body shot but no joy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen is trying hard to land a takedown here. DeSalvo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen wants to clinch up but DeSalvo keeps it at a distance.
DeSalvo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pekkarinen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says DeSalvo as he avoids it easily.
DeSalvo misses with the combination.
DeSalvo scores with a nice head shot.
Pekkarinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
DeSalvo misses with a series of wild punches.
Pekkarinen misses with a wild body shot.
Pekkarinen slips a jab from DeSalvo.
DeSalvo misses with a double jab.
DeSalvo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pekkarinen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pekkarinen wants to clinch.
Pekkarinen misses with a low kick as DeSalvo jumps back.

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.
DeSalvo scores with a nice head shot.

Pekkarinen darts in and clinches DeSalvo up against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Pekkarinen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pekkarinen keeps control of DeSalvo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Pekkarinen manages to break the clinch.
Pekkarinen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but DeSalvo circles away quickly and effectively.
Pekkarinen shoots in for a takedown but DeSalvo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
DeSalvo scores with a body shot.

Pekkarinen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with DeSalvo, pushing him back against the cage.
DeSalvo working hard to break the clinch.

Pekkarinen has hold of one of DeSalvo's legs. DeSalvo is fighting the takedown attempt but Pekkarinen gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Pekkarinen scoring with some ground and pound.
Pekkarinen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
DeSalvo is looking to stand up but Pekkarinen isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pekkarinen trying to control the position from guard on top but DeSalvo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 Jake DeSalvo 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.

DeSalvo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Pekkarinen counters with a nice double leg into side control. DeSalvo won't be happy with that.
Pekkarinen landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Pekkarinen is looking to take a break and control but DeSalvo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
DeSalvo tries to escape but Pekkarinen is in control.
Pekkarinen wants to control but DeSalvo is keeping him busy.
DeSalvo wants to get back to his feet.
Pekkarinen is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt DeSalvo will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
DeSalvo is trying to buck Pekkarinen off.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
DeSalvo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen dodges the punch combination from DeSalvo.
Pekkarinen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pekkarinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pekkarinen misses with a double jab.
DeSalvo wants to land a leg kick but Pekkarinen is out of range.
Pekkarinen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Pekkarinen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down DeSalvo rather than just go for the knockout.
Pekkarinen is looking to clinch but DeSalvo is avoiding it.
DeSalvo wants to slow Pekkarinen down by chopping away at his legs.

Pekkarinen feints and as DeSalvo raises his hands in defense, Pekkarinen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DeSalvo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pekkarinen trying to control but DeSalvo is working from the bottom.
DeSalvo wants to stand up but Pekkarinen is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen wants to pass the guard but DeSalvo is keeping the position.
DeSalvo wants to stand and escape but Pekkarinen is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pekkarinen wants to control from the top but DeSalvo keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
DeSalvo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pekkarinen circles away quickly and effectively.
DeSalvo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
DeSalvo looks to land a combination but Pekkarinen avoids it well.

Pekkarinen feints and as DeSalvo raises his hands in defense, Pekkarinen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
DeSalvo keeping moving, preventing Pekkarinen from controlling successfully.
DeSalvo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pekkarinen controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen trying to control the position from guard on top but DeSalvo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

DeSalvo pushes Pekkarinen off and gets back to his feet.
Jake DeSalvo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Donk. DeSalvo catches Pekkarinen right on the button with a cross.
Pekkarinen is looking to clinch.
DeSalvo misses with a wild combination.

DeSalvo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pekkarinen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Pekkarinen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeSalvo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeSalvo keeping moving, preventing Pekkarinen from controlling successfully.
DeSalvo wants to get back to his feet but Pekkarinen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pekkarinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
DeSalvo wants to get back to his feet but Pekkarinen passes into half guard.
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.
DeSalvo looks like he's trying to stand up.
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 fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

DeSalvo loads up on a big right hand but Pekkarinen slips the punch.
DeSalvo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pekkarinen.
DeSalvo misses the body punch

and Pekkarinen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen is struggling to control the position.
DeSalvo wants to get back to striking at distance but Pekkarinen won't allow it.
DeSalvo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen is struggling to control the position.
DeSalvo takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Jake DeSalvo has been cut.
DeSalvo wants to break free but Pekkarinen has control.

Pekkarinen breaks from the clinch.
Jake DeSalvo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
DeSalvo throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeSalvo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
DeSalvo throws a combination that misses
and Pekkarinen counters with a two punch combo.
DeSalvo looks to throw the jab but Pekkarinen is out of range.
Pekkarinen lands a jab to the nose.
Pekkarinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Pekkarinen clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

DeSalvo breaks from the clinch.
Pekkarinen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pekkarinen is looking to clinch.
DeSalvo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
DeSalvo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Pekkarinen moves out of range of the strikes.
DeSalvo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Pekkarinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
DeSalvo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pekkarinen landing some decent shots from guard.
Pekkarinen trying to control but DeSalvo is working from the bottom.
DeSalvo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pekkarinen is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

DeSalvo pushes Pekkarinen off and gets back to his feet.

Pekkarinen moves into range and clinches up with DeSalvo.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
DeSalvo gets underhooks to prevent Pekkarinen's takedown attempt.

DeSalvo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pekkarinen missing with a left hand there. DeSalvo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
DeSalvo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
DeSalvo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pekkarinen tries to close the distance and clinch up but DeSalvo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pekkarinen lands with a shot to the body.
DeSalvo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jake DeSalvo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pekkarinen slips under a jab from DeSalvo.
DeSalvo throws a right and a left that Pekkarinen avoids nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by DeSalvo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from DeSalvo.

Pekkarinen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
DeSalvo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
DeSalvo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

DeSalvo breaks from the clinch.

Pekkarinen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Pekkarinen in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
DeSalvo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Pekkarinen scores with punches from side control.
Pekkarinen scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at DeSalvo to see if he's OK.
Pekkarinen working the ground and pound.
DeSalvo is not content to let Pekkarinen control the position.
DeSalvo wants to get back to his feet but Pekkarinen drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen trying to control the action but DeSalvo is working from the bottom.
DeSalvo is looking to get back to his feet here but Pekkarinen is keeping cool and he's managed to take DeSalvo's back.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Pekkarinen. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Pekkarinen tightening his grip on DeSalvo, looking for the choke.
Pekkarinen lands strikes to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mauri Pekkarinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

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