PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Petri Pikkarainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cranium Cruncher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cranium Cruncher 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!

Pikkarainen
vs
Cruncher

180 cm
25
145 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

170 cm
20
150 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Fight Club Clothing Helsinki™

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Petri Pikkarainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cranium Cruncher!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruncher fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cruncher shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pikkarainen as he jumps to the side.
Cruncher shoots in but Pikkarainen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Petri Pikkarainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cranium Cruncher.
A big right from Pikkarainen misses.
Pikkarainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cruncher was well out of range. Poor timing from Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen throws a head kick that misses.
Cruncher misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruncher avoids the body shot from Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruncher.
Cruncher shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruncher uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pikkarainen.
Cruncher fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pikkarainen avoids it really well and circles away.

Pikkarainen shoots in and bounces Cruncher off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Pikkarainen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cruncher has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pikkarainen has managed to get both his arms back between Cruncher's legs - danger averted.

Pikkarainen drops back looking for a leg! Cruncher is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cruncher manages to kick Pikkarainen off! Pikkarainen jumps back into Cruncher's guard.
Pikkarainen forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruncher is trying to maintain the position but Pikkarainen is very close to passing his half guard.
Pikkarainen wants to stand but Cruncher has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Pikkarainen tries to pass to full mount but Cruncher defends it.

Pikkarainen stands up from half guard.

Cruncher looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Pikkarainen thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Cruncher slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen wants to control but Cruncher postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pikkarainen tries to improve position but can't.
Cruncher tries to move to mount but Pikkarainen blocks the move with his legs.
Cruncher is staying tight to Pikkarainen's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Pikkarainen gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Cruncher is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Pikkarainen can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Pikkarainen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Pikkarainen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Pikkarainen trying to control from the bottom.
Cruncher wants to pass to mount but Pikkarainen is defending the position.

Pikkarainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruncher wants to take a breather but Pikkarainen is having none of it.
Pikkarainen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cruncher looking to pass the guard.
Cruncher trying to control the position from guard on top but Pikkarainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pikkarainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pikkarainen is breathing heavily.
Cruncher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pikkarainen is keeping the position for now.

Pikkarainen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cruncher defends well.
Cruncher won't allow Pikkarainen to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petri Pikkarainen dominated that round.
That's time! Pikkarainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cruncher feints and as Pikkarainen raises his hands in defense, Cruncher changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cruncher stopping the sweep attempt from Pikkarainen.
Cruncher slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Cruncher is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pikkarainen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cruncher wants to control but Pikkarainen is keeping him busy.

Cruncher thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pikkarainen tries to improve position but can't.

Cruncher is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pikkarainen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Pikkarainen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cruncher is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pikkarainen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cruncher pulls his head out easily.

Pikkarainen is defending against the submission attempts here by Cruncher.
Cruncher blocks the strikes from Pikkarainen.

Pikkarainen looking for submissions off his back.

Cruncher wants to work for an arm triangle but Pikkarainen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pikkarainen gets full guard.
Cruncher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pikkarainen is keeping the position for now.

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.
Cruncher won't allow Pikkarainen to sweep him here.
Pikkarainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Pikkarainen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cruncher is aware though and is defending well.
Pikkarainen keeping moving, preventing Cruncher from controlling successfully.
Cruncher stopping the sweep attempt from Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Pikkarainen has Cruncher up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen looking for a takedown.

Pikkarainen jumps guard and drags Cruncher to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cruncher pushing down on Pikkarainen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cruncher trying to mount his opponent but Pikkarainen defends it.
Cruncher wants to take a breather but Pikkarainen is having none of it.
Pikkarainen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pikkarainen trying to control the position.
Cruncher works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruncher is trying to control the action in half guard but Pikkarainen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Cruncher wants to work for an arm triangle but Pikkarainen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pikkarainen is looking to improve his position.

Pikkarainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pikkarainen is looking to improve his position.
Pikkarainen is working hard here to advance position.
Cruncher seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pikkarainen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pikkarainen is looking to improve his position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Cruncher shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Pikkarainen is trying to defend but Cruncher finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cranium Cruncher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Cruncher with a poor takedown

and Pikkarainen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pikkarainen.
Cruncher wants to sweep but no luck.

Cruncher looking for a guillotine here but Pikkarainen defends easily.
Cruncher wants to sweep here but Pikkarainen controlling him for the moment.

Pikkarainen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cruncher manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Pikkarainen can't escape the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruncher manages to capitalize on a mistake by Pikkarainen to take his back!

Cruncher has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Pikkarainen is defending well but eventually Cruncher manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Pikkarainen has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Cranium Cruncher!