PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Mortensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Palkki Niskavuori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Niskavuori has chosen Torture killer - Obsessed with homicide as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mortensson
vs
Niskavuori

182 cm
27
170 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

192 cm
21
182 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Powerful

MADE IN GERMANY

Control Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Mortensson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Palkki Niskavuori!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niskavuori shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Niskavuori throws a lazy right hand but Mortensson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mortensson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mortensson looks to score with a jab to the body but Niskavuori is just out of range.
Mortensson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Mortensson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Niskavuori to the mat! Niskavuori manages to get full guard.
Niskavuori wants to stand and escape but Mortensson is having none of it.
Mortensson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Niskavuori wants to sweep here but Mortensson controlling him for the moment.
Mortensson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Niskavuori has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mortensson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Mortensson keeps the fight on the outside.
Niskavuori defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mortensson.
Niskavuori throws the kick towards the body but Mortensson avoids it.
Niskavuori thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mortensson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Niskavuori sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mortensson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niskavuori moves in looking to clinch but Mortensson pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mortensson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mortensson misses with a head shot. Niskavuori uses the momentum to regain guard.
Mortensson wants to pass the guard but Niskavuori is keeping the position.
Mortensson is working hard here to advance position.
Mortensson stops Niskavuori from standing up.
Mortensson looking to sit in guard and control but Niskavuori gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Niskavuori being controlled here momentarily.
Mortensson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mortensson feints and as Niskavuori raises his hands in defense, Mortensson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mortensson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Niskavuori is keeping the position for now.
Niskavuori is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niskavuori wants to stand up but Mortensson is controlling him.
Mortensson wants to pass the guard but Niskavuori is keeping the position.
Niskavuori keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.
Mortensson is in close to Niskavuori's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Niskavuori keeping full guard, as Mortensson tries to pass.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Niskavuori tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Mortensson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Niskavuori throws a half hearted mid kick.
Niskavuori lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mortensson shoots in for a takedown but Niskavuori shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A jab from Niskavuori misses.
Mortensson moves out of range as Niskavuori throws a body kick.

Mortensson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Niskavuori is trying to defend but Mortensson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Mortensson is trying to work for a kimura but Niskavuori is defending well.

Mortensson is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niskavuori is staying active underneath Mortensson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Niskavuori won't allow Mortensson to pass to mount.
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. Mortensson connects with a nice short shot to Niskavuori's temple.
Mortensson works his way into side control.
Mortensson in side control, throwing shots but Niskavuori defends.

Mortensson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mortensson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Mortensson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Niskavuori knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Niskavuori is looking to regain half guard here but Mortensson keeps moving and retains side control.
Mortensson working the ground and pound but Niskavuori is defending the strikes.
Mortensson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Niskavuori wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Mortensson wants to control but Niskavuori is keeping him busy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Niskavuori slaps away a takedown attempt from Mortensson, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niskavuori throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mortensson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Niskavuori pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mortensson is out of range and Niskavuori settles back down.
Mortensson closes the distance and clinches up with Niskavuori, looking for a takedown. Mortensson pushes Niskavuori against the cage but Niskavuori circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mortensson closes the distance and clinches up with Niskavuori, looking for a takedown. Mortensson pushes Niskavuori against the cage but Niskavuori circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Palkki Niskavuori is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Niskavuori chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Niskavuori tries to clinch there but Mortensson circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mortensson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Niskavuori.
Mortensson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Niskavuori sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Niskavuori throws the kick towards the body but Mortensson avoids it.
Niskavuori throws a quick inside leg kick.
Niskavuori tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Niskavuori buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Niskavuori throws a nice inside leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mortensson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mortensson trying to control the position from guard on top but Niskavuori 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 second round but I would say that Jesse Mortensson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mortensson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Niskavuori rushes Mortensson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Niskavuori keeps control of Mortensson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Niskavuori throws an elbow but misses.
Mortensson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Niskavuori pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Niskavuori lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Jesse Mortensson has been cut.
Mortensson has Niskavuori pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Niskavuori manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mortensson blocks an elbow strike from Niskavuori.
Mortensson tries to score a body lock takedown but Niskavuori shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mortensson can't break the clinch.
Niskavuori is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mortensson is defending well for now.
Niskavuori lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mortensson blocks an uppercut.
Niskavuori crunches a lovely knee into Mortensson's ribcage.
A body shot lands from Mortensson.
Mortensson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Niskavuori prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niskavuori lands an elbow just above Mortensson 's eye.
Mortensson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Niskavuori avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Mortensson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mortensson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Mortensson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mortensson avoiding damage as Niskavuori throws knees to the body.
Niskavuori lands with a left to the head.
Niskavuori throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mortensson avoiding damage as Niskavuori throws knees to the body.
Mortensson avoiding damage as Niskavuori throws knees to the body.
Mortensson throws a punch but it's blocked by Niskavuori.
Niskavuori creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Niskavuori trying to land knees to the body.
Niskavuori misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mortensson.
Mortensson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mortensson has Niskavuori pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Niskavuori manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mortensson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Niskavuori throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Mortensson can't get the takedown.
Niskavuori lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mortensson.
Mortensson tries to score a body lock takedown but Niskavuori shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mortensson avoiding damage as Niskavuori throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niskavuori putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Mortensson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Niskavuori working Mortensson over with knees to the body.
Mortensson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mortensson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Niskavuori trying to land knees to the body.
Mortensson lands a nice uppercut.
Mortensson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Come on Niskavuori - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A short right from Niskavuori on the inside.
Niskavuori using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Niskavuori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mortensson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mortensson takes an elbow to the forehead.

Jesse Mortensson's cut is getting worse.
Niskavuori lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Niskavuori.
Mortensson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Niskavuori connects with a knee to the head.
Niskavuori using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mortensson can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson tries to pull guard but Niskavuori won't allow it.
Mortensson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Niskavuori walks away with a smile on his face. Mortensson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The fighters circling - Niskavuori throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Niskavuori will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Palkki Niskavuori seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Niskavuori's corner calls for a 1-2. Niskavuori obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Niskavuori fakes the leg kick and cracks Mortensson in the body.

Niskavuori clinches with his opponent.
Good body shot from Niskavuori.
Mortensson fails to pull guard.
Niskavuori tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Niskavuori misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mortensson.
Niskavuori lands a damaging elbow.
Niskavuori misses with the head strike.
Mortensson wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niskavuori lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mortensson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Niskavuori lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mortensson.
Mortensson wants to get back to striking at distance but Niskavuori won't allow it.
Mortensson throws a punch but it's blocked by Niskavuori.
Niskavuori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Niskavuori lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Niskavuori.

Jesse Mortensson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Niskavuori throws an elbow that misses.
Niskavuori tries to throw a body punch but Mortensson avoids it by throwing Niskavuori back against the cage.
Niskavuori misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mortensson.
Mortensson scores with a shot to the side of Niskavuori's head.
Niskavuori throws an elbow but it misses.
Niskavuori pushes off an throws an elbow but Mortensson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mortensson.
Niskavuori prevents a takedown attempt there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Niskavuori tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mortensson avoids it.
Mortensson wants a takedown but no success here.
Mortensson tries to work over Niskavuori's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Niskavuori lands an elbow inside that Mortensson shrugs off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Palkki Niskavuori really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jesse Mortensson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Niskavuori.
Mortensson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Niskavuori ducks under a wild hook from Mortensson.

Mortensson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mortensson showed some decent athleticism there.
Mortensson with the ground and pound but Niskavuori uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Mortensson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Niskavuori swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Niskavuori gets to his feet. Mortensson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mortensson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Mortensson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Niskavuori throws a wild body kick that Mortensson sees coming a mile off.
Mortensson checks a leg kick.
No joy there for Mortensson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niskavuori moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Niskavuori lands with a hook. Mortensson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Jeez, Jesse Mortensson's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Mortensson misses with a takedown attempt - Niskavuori sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Niskavuori attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Niskavuori throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Niskavuori lands a jab to the nose.
Niskavuori misses with a low kick.
Niskavuori looks to score with a jab to the body but Mortensson is just out of range.
Niskavuori motions for Mortensson to come forward. Niskavuori throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson checks a leg kick nicely.
Niskavuori tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Niskavuori pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mortensson is out of range and Niskavuori settles back down.
Niskavuori misses with an attempted mid kick.

Mortensson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Niskavuori's half guard.
Mortensson thows a huge punch but Niskavuori dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mortensson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mortensson wants to free his trapped foot but Niskavuori is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Jesse Mortensson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mortensson wants to take a breather but Niskavuori is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mortensson wants to pass the guard but Niskavuori is defending well.
Mortensson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Mortensson is working for a submission of some sort.
Niskavuori gets back to full guard.
Mortensson trying to control but Niskavuori is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Palkki Niskavuori dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jesse Mortensson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Mortensson. Niskavuori does a little dance to reset his feet.
Niskavuori throws a half hearted mid kick.
Niskavuori scores with a nice body kick.
Mortensson shoots for a takedown but Niskavuori saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Niskavuori tries to score with a low kick but Mortensson moves his leg out of the way.
Mortensson slips a straight right by Niskavuori.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mortensson shoots in for a double leg but Niskavuori sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice defenses there by Mortensson.
Mortensson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Niskavuori on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortensson shoots in and drives through. Niskavuori sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niskavuori is looking to score with low kicks.
Niskavuori pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Mortensson shoots in and bounces Niskavuori off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Niskavuori is on top in guard.
Mortensson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Mortensson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Niskavuori is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niskavuori wanted to stand there but Mortensson had control of the position.

Mortensson is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Niskavuori has his hands clasped together but Mortensson extends an breaks Niskavuori's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Mortensson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jesse Mortensson!
Jesse Mortensson retains his welterweight title!