PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juho Pennanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom DeSanctis Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom DeSanctis Jr has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pennanen
vs
DeSanctis Jr

182 cm
23
184 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

182 cm
21
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juho Pennanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tom DeSanctis Jr!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Franklyn Lucas and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pennanen is defended easily by DeSanctis Jr.
DeSanctis Jr digs a good hook to Pennanen's body.
Pennanen shoots in but DeSanctis Jr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
DeSanctis Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pennanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but DeSanctis Jr circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juho Pennanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Pennanen.
DeSanctis Jr throws a shot from downtown. Pennanen moves away and avoids it.
Tom DeSanctis Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DeSanctis Jr connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Pennanen momentarily.
Pennanen blocks a jab.
Pennanen drops his hands momentarily and DeSanctis Jr takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pennanen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
DeSanctis Jr scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSanctis Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pennanen moves away.
DeSanctis Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Pennanen gets a takedown into half guard.

DeSanctis Jr is defending against the submission attempts here by Pennanen.
DeSanctis Jr trying to control from the bottom.

Pennanen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. DeSanctis Jr doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Pennanen.
DeSanctis Jr gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pennanen throws a big right hand that misses.
Pennanen is looking to work some ground and pound but DeSanctis Jr has wrist control.

Pennanen has gone for a leg lock! DeSanctis Jr slips out almost immediately though and dives into Pennanen's guard.

DeSanctis Jr is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
DeSanctis Jr looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
DeSanctis Jr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Pennanen working for a triangle but DeSanctis Jr defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeSanctis Jr sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pennanen's guard.

Pennanen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pennanen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
DeSanctis Jr tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Pennanen looking for submissions off his back.

Pennanen actively working from the bottom here.

That's four 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.
Pennanen works his way to full guard. Good work.

Pennanen looking for a guillotine here but DeSanctis Jr defends easily.
Pennanen is breathing heavily.
DeSanctis Jr wants to pass the guard but Pennanen is keeping the position.
DeSanctis Jr missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Pennanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but DeSanctis Jr can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
DeSanctis Jr is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Pennanen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom DeSanctis Jr dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pennanen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. DeSanctis Jr defends it nicely.
DeSanctis Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pennanen blocks a jab.
A jab lands there for Pennanen.
DeSanctis Jr scores with a body shot.
Pennanen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around DeSanctis Jr's waist but DeSanctis Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pennanen off to one side.
DeSanctis Jr throws a shot from downtown. Pennanen moves away and avoids it.
Pennanen tries for a takedown but DeSanctis Jr sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juho Pennanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DeSanctis Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pennanen.
DeSanctis Jr throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSanctis Jr defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pennanen.
Tom DeSanctis Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A shot to the liver by DeSanctis Jr. Beautiful body shot.
DeSanctis Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Pennanen is just out of range.
DeSanctis Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pennanen was well out of range. Poor timing from DeSanctis Jr.

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

Pennanen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Pennanen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Pennanen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

DeSanctis Jr looking for submissions off his back.

Pennanen is working for a submission of some sort.
DeSanctis Jr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pennanen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pennanen's back!

DeSanctis Jr looking for the RNC.
Pennanen is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pennanen turns into DeSanctis Jr and is now in his guard.
Pennanen advances to half guard.
Pennanen passes to full mount!
DeSanctis Jr is in all sorts of trouble here.

DeSanctis Jr defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Pennanen.
DeSanctis Jr holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Pennanen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Pennanen jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but DeSanctis Jr manages to avoid the submission attempt.
DeSanctis Jr keeps Pennanen under control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeSanctis Jr is looking for a sweep.

Pennanen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, DeSanctis Jr has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pennanen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Pennanen in side control, throwing shots but DeSanctis Jr defends.
DeSanctis Jr is trying to control Pennanen's posture but Pennanen avoids it.
DeSanctis Jr really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pennanen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Pennanen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, DeSanctis Jr has escaped the position, nice work there.
DeSanctis Jr is looking for a sweep.
DeSanctis Jr is trying to control Pennanen's posture but Pennanen avoids it.
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 Juho Pennanen will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Pennanen shoots in and drives through. DeSanctis Jr sprawls well.
Pennanen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
DeSanctis Jr cracks a nice hook into Pennanen's ribs.
DeSanctis Jr moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Juho Pennanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pennanen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says DeSanctis Jr as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juho Pennanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DeSanctis Jr looks to land a right hand but Pennanen moved out of range.
DeSanctis Jr lands a right hook to the body.
Pennanen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts DeSanctis Jr as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
DeSanctis Jr jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
DeSanctis Jr scores with a crisp jab that stopped Pennanen in his tracks.

It looks like Juho Pennanen has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Pennanen ducks under a wild hook from DeSanctis Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSanctis Jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pennanen.
Tom DeSanctis Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pennanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
DeSanctis Jr lands a nice shot that snaps Pennanen's head back.
DeSanctis Jr lands with a shot to the body.
DeSanctis Jr looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
DeSanctis Jr swings for the body but Pennanen moves out of range.
DeSanctis Jr misses with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from DeSanctis Jr.
Pennanen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
DeSanctis Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Pennanen is just out of range.
DeSanctis Jr takes a swing at Pennanen's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeSanctis Jr scores with a punch to the head.
Pennanen shoots in for a takedown but DeSanctis Jr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pennanen is trying hard to land a takedown here. DeSanctis Jr sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
DeSanctis Jr throws a series of punches but Pennanen avoids them all with ease.
DeSanctis Jr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pennanen is defended easily by DeSanctis Jr.
DeSanctis Jr lands a nice shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pennanen shoots in looking for a takedown. DeSanctis Jr tries to sprawl out of it but Pennanen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. DeSanctis Jr manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
DeSanctis Jr misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeSanctis Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab by DeSanctis Jr.
Pennanen shoots in for a takedown but DeSanctis Jr shows good takedown defense.
Pennanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but DeSanctis Jr circles away.
Pennanen fails to land the takedown.
DeSanctis Jr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Decent striking displayed by DeSanctis Jr there.
Pennanen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pennanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

DeSanctis Jr drops Pennanen with a beautiful combination! Pennanen stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - DeSanctis Jr is looking for the KO!

Pennanen is rocked!
DeSanctis Jr scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
DeSanctis Jr scores with a jab to the jaw.
Oh Pennanen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
DeSanctis Jr lands a big right hand and follows it up with an uppercut. Oh and another big punch and a knee - Pennanen can't take much more of this! Another big shot to the jaw from DeSanctis Jr and Pennanen drops to the floor. Beaten and bloodied - he had enough there. A vicious beatdown by DeSanctis Jr.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tom DeSanctis Jr!