PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joao Pequeno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauri Pekkarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pequeno comes to the cage accompanied by Cão da Morte by Mão Morta. Pekkarinen has chosen Elements of Life as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pequeno
vs
Pekkarinen

177 cm
23
156 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

182 cm
25
156 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joao Pequeno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mauri Pekkarinen!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pequeno misses with a straight right.
Pequeno on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pequeno moves away from the strike by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen throws a hook but Pequeno blocks it.
The fighters circling - Pekkarinen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Pequeno gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pequeno lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Pekkarinen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Pekkarinen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pequeno just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pekkarinen tries a body shot but Pequeno blocks it.
Pekkarinen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pekkarinen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pekkarinen fails to pull guard.
Pequeno digs a right hand into Pekkarinen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pekkarinen's gas tank.
Pekkarinen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Pequeno lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pequeno works on Pekkarinen's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch on the inside from Pequeno fails to land.
Pekkarinen is trying to drag Pequeno to the mat but Pequeno just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Joao Pequeno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauri Pekkarinen.
Pequeno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pequeno lands a hook that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.
Pequeno pushes Pekkarinen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A hook to the body from Pequeno.
Pequeno lands with a right to the head.
Pekkarinen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Pekkarinen.
Pequeno misses with some punches.
Pekkarinen trying to stall but Pequeno improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Pequeno.
A hook to the body from Pequeno.
Pequeno gets through Pekkarinen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pekkarinen wants a takedown but no success here.
Pequeno is pressed up against the cage. Pekkarinen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pequeno down to the mat. Pequeno avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Pekkarinen throws a jab but it's blocked by Pequeno.
Mauri Pekkarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pequeno takes the fight into the clinch.
Pequeno works on Pekkarinen's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch on the inside from Pequeno fails to land.
Pekkarinen's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Pequeno has a couple of punches blocked by Pekkarinen.
Pequeno tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pekkarinen trying to control the position but instead, Pequeno has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pekkarinen into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Pekkarinen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A hook to the body from Pequeno.
Pequeno lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Pekkarinen is trying to break the clinch but Pequeno is controlling him.
Pekkarinen is looking to control Pequeno's arms but Pequeno gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pekkarinen has his back to the cage.
Pequeno swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pequeno lands with a short shot to the head.
A right hand to the body from Pequeno.
Pequeno misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pequeno lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pekkarinen or not.
Pekkarinen misses with a punch to the body.
Pequeno lands a hook that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.
Pequeno lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen is trying to stall.
Pequeno lands a nice uppercut.
Pekkarinen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pequeno doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pekkarinen blocking some punches.
Pekkarinen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pequeno lands a hook that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.
Pequeno lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen looks gassed!
A short left from Pequeno.
Pequeno lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Pequeno.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pekkarinen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pequeno lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pekkarinen or not.
Pekkarinen blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pequeno rushes Pekkarinen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Pequeno.
Good body shot from Pequeno.
A head punch on the inside from Pequeno fails to land.
Pequeno lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pekkarinen.
Pequeno pushes Pekkarinen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Pekkarinen trying to control the position but instead, Pequeno has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pekkarinen into the cage.
Pekkarinen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pekkarinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pequeno scores with a shot to the side of Pekkarinen's head.
Joao Pequeno has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Pequeno prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pekkarinen is breathing heavily.
Pequeno lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pekkarinen blocking some punches.
Pekkarinen misses with a body punch.
Pekkarinen wants to stall.
Pequeno lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pekkarinen wants to stall.
Pequeno lands a body punch.
Pequeno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pequeno.
Nice body punch from Pequeno - that landed with a thud.
Pekkarinen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pequeno scores with a shot to the side of Pekkarinen's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Pequeno.
Pekkarinen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Good body shot from Pequeno.
Pequeno has a couple of punches blocked by Pekkarinen.
Pequeno keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pekkarinen's efforts to push away.
A short right from Pequeno on the inside.
Pequeno stops a takedown attempt from Pekkarinen.
Pequeno has a couple of punches blocked by Pekkarinen.
Pequeno scores with a hook to the body.
Pequeno misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Pequeno.
Pekkarinen misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Pequeno as the two fighters clinch.
Pequeno works on Pekkarinen's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pequeno works on Pekkarinen's body with a couple of short punches.
Pequeno lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Pequeno.
Pequeno lands a body shot.
Good body shot from Pequeno.
Pequeno pushes Pekkarinen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pequeno swings wildly with an uppercut but Pekkarinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pequeno working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pequeno pushes Pekkarinen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pequeno lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pekkarinen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pequeno lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Pekkarinen is rocked!
Pequeno lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Pekkarinen is still on wobbly legs! Can Pequeno finish him?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen blocking some punches.
Pequeno lands an uppercut.
Pequeno lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Pequeno lands a body shot.
A short right from Pequeno on the inside.
Pequeno lands a right hand.
Pequeno lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Pequeno.
Pequeno lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pekkarinen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Pekkarinen seems to have recovered his senses.
A short right from Pequeno on the inside.
Pequeno works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pequeno makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Pequeno dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pequeno tries to clinch up but Pekkarinen circles away and keeps his distance.

Pequeno clinches.
Pekkarinen is trying to break the clinch but Pequeno has him pressed against the cage.

Pekkarinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pekkarinen misses with a looping left.
Pekkarinen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pequeno throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pekkarinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pequeno.
Pekkarinen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A bone on bone clash there as Pequeno blocks the leg kick.
Pekkarinen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Pequeno.
Pekkarinen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The fighters circling - Pekkarinen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pequeno blocks a leg kick.
Pequeno tries to clinch up but Pekkarinen circles away and keeps his distance.
Pequeno tries to close the distance and clinch but Pekkarinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen motions for Pequeno to come forward. Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pequeno scores with a jab to the body.
Pequeno getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Pequeno misses with a body kick.
Pekkarinen throws a lazy head kick
and Pequeno counters with a one-two to the body.
Pekkarinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pekkarinen moves out of range as Pequeno strikes.
Pekkarinen scores with a head kick.
Pekkarinen throws a looping overhand right but Pequeno ducks down to avoid it.
Pequeno wants to clinch up but Pekkarinen keeps it at a distance.
Pequeno thuds his shin into the meat of Pekkarinen's side.
Pequeno lands a front kick.
Pekkarinen throws a body kick the misses
and Pequeno counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Pequeno moves into range and clinches up with Pekkarinen.
Pequeno softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pequeno lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pequeno lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pequeno lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pequeno has Pekkarinen pressed against the cage, preventing Pekkarinen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pequeno has a couple of punches blocked by Pekkarinen.
Pequeno swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pequeno throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pequeno.
Pekkarinen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pequeno gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
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!
Pequeno lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Pequeno lands a hook that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.
Mauri Pekkarinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pekkarinen takes a shot to the head.
Pequeno doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pekkarinen takes a shot to the head.
Joao Pequeno is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Pekkarinen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A right handed body shot lands from Pequeno.
Pekkarinen blocks an uppercut.
A short left from Pequeno.
A short left from Pequeno.
Pekkarinen tries to break free but Pequeno pushes him back against the cage.
Pekkarinen is looking to control Pequeno's arms but Pequeno gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pekkarinen has his back to the cage.
Pekkarinen taking a breather.
Pequeno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's four 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.
Pekkarinen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pekkarinen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pequeno just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pekkarinen is trying to stall.
Pequeno lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.
Pequeno makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Pequeno lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Pequeno stops a takedown attempt from Pekkarinen.
Joao Pequeno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauri Pekkarinen.
Pequeno cracks Pekkarinen with a nice body shot.
Pequeno scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Pequeno on the inside.
Pekkarinen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pekkarinen tries a body shot but Pequeno blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joao Pequeno showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Pequeno has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao Pequeno!