PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Petri Pikkarainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rorst Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Gracie's choice of entrance music: Buttons. On his way into the cage it seems that Petri Pikkarainen has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Petri Pikkarainen seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Pikkarainen
vs
Gracie

180 cm
26
145 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

173 cm
22
155 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
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 Helsinki, Petri Pikkarainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rorst Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pikkarainen looks for a takedown but Gracie sprawls well.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pikkarainen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pikkarainen prevents Gracie from getting back to his feet.
Pikkarainen looking to pass the guard.

Pikkarainen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gracie looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gracie looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gracie!

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pikkarainen, who protects the arm well.

Gracie decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Gracie misses with a double jab
and Pikkarainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie digs a good body shot into Pikkarainen's ribs.
Gracie scores with a nice strike.
Pikkarainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.
Pikkarainen ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Pikkarainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie misses with a two punch combination.
Pikkarainen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gracie checks it well.
Gracie takes a swing at Pikkarainen's ribcage but misses.

Pikkarainen scores a takedown into full mount!
Gracie looks gassed!
Pikkarainen tries to control but Gracie wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pikkarainen jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Gracie is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Gracie and Pikkarainen has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Pikkarainen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gracie, who protects the arm well.
Gracie is trying to get back to his feet.
Gracie is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Pikkarainen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gracie keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gracie is looking to escape.
Gracie tries to roll over but Pikkarainen keeps him under control.
Pikkarainen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.

Pikkarainen is working for an americana but Gracie has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Pikkarainen was thinking about the submission.

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.
Gracie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pikkarainen is controlling him.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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 wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pikkarainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pikkarainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Pikkarainen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gracie manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pikkarainen has Gracie in his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pikkarainen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rorst Gracie will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pikkarainen walks into a left hand.
Pikkarainen moves out of range as Gracie strikes.

Pikkarainen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gracie's half guard.
Pikkarainen trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Pikkarainen is really struggling to control Gracie but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Pikkarainen is working for a submission of some sort.
Gracie is not content to let Pikkarainen control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pikkarainen is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.

Pikkarainen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.

Pikkarainen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie trying to control here.

That's two 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.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Pikkarainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pikkarainen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gracie is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gracie has escaped and now he's on top!

Pikkarainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pikkarainen working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Pikkarainen has a closed guard, preventing Gracie from standing up.

Pikkarainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gracie postures up.
Gracie must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Gracie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gracie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Pikkarainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Pikkarainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gracie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gracie trying to control but Pikkarainen is working from the bottom.

Pikkarainen looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.

Pikkarainen has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gracie stands up from Pikkarainen's guard - Gracie perhaps looking for a knockout.
Pikkarainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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 Petri Pikkarainen 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. 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.

Pikkarainen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gracie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Pikkarainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gracie tries to bum rush Pikkarainen with a series of wild strikes but Pikkarainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pikkarainen takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Gracie rushes Pikkarainen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pikkarainen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gracie's efforts to push away.
Gracie working hard to break the clinch.

Gracie has hold of one of Pikkarainen's legs. Pikkarainen is fighting the takedown attempt but Gracie gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Pikkarainen doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Pikkarainen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pikkarainen manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Pikkarainen's guard.
Pikkarainen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie trying to control but Pikkarainen is working from the bottom.

Pikkarainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracie trying to control but Pikkarainen is working from the bottom.

Gracie stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Gracie misses with a hook.
Pikkarainen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Petri Pikkarainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Pikkarainen's head.
Rorst Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pikkarainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pikkarainen is defended easily by Gracie.
Gracie throws a combination that misses

and Pikkarainen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Pikkarainen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Pikkarainen trying to control from half guard but Gracie is working away.

Pikkarainen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pikkarainen wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie is trying to stand up here but Pikkarainen is controlling him well.

Pikkarainen is looking for a kimura here.
Gracie tries to roll over but Pikkarainen keeps him under control.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Pikkarainen is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pikkarainen stalling.

Gracie manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Gracie swings for the body but Pikkarainen moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie throws a left and a right that both miss

and Pikkarainen counters with a shoot takedown. Gracie fights it but they end up in guard.
Gracie wants to stand but Pikkarainen is controlling the position.
Petri Pikkarainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pikkarainen trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rorst Gracie.
I think Gracie 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rorst Gracie!