PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Metuselah Paakkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Bright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bright has chosen Joe Purdy - Wash Away 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.

Paakkanen
vs
Bright

188 cm
21
188 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
181 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

recos laboratory
Hell's Balls Fightwear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Metuselah Paakkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Bright!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bright closes the distance and clinches.
Paakkanen has had enough of the clinch but Bright keeps him there for the moment.
Paakkanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Bright won't allow it.
Bright drops down looking for an ankle pick but Paakkanen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Paakkanen throws a right and a left that Bright avoids nicely.
Both fighters circling a little - Paakkanen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Bright walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Paakkanen lands with a nice body punch.
Paakkanen jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Metuselah Paakkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paakkanen scores with a one two! Bright had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bright throws a nice looking combination but Paakkanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A good leg kick by Paakkanen.
Bright looks for a takedown but Paakkanen sprawls well.
Bright looks gassed!
A left and a right from Paakkanen both land. Nice combination.
Paakkanen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Paakkanen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bright takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Paakkanen scores with a three punch combo!
Paakkanen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Paakkanen cracks the inside of Bright's front leg.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bright just misses with a punch to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Paakkanen. Bright shrugs it off though.
Paakkanen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bright if he has to take too many more of those.
Paakkanen stalks Bright and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bright's face. Bright staggers backwards, shaken.
Bright takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bright fails with the takedown.
Metuselah Paakkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Bright.
Paakkanen scores with a leg kick.
Bright has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Paakkanen.
Paakkanen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Paakkanen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Paakkanen thuds his right hand into Bright's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bright tries for a takedown but Paakkanen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Paakkanen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bright.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Paakkanen scores with a one two! Bright had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A solid body kick from Paakkanen.
Paakkanen lands a head kick. Bright smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Paakkanen lands a glancing blow to the side of Bright's head.
Paakkanen lands a nice looking body shot.
Paakkanen lands a high kick!
Paakkanen throws a head kick that Bright semi-blocks.
Paakkanen throws a nice head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paakkanen lands a front kick.
Paakkanen lands a high kick!

Bright is rocked!
Paakkanen is looking to slow Bright down with leg kicks.
Bright has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bright is still on wobbly legs! Can Paakkanen finish him?
Paakkanen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bright.
Bright has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Paakkanen.
Bright shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Paakkanen as he jumps to the side.
A left lands for Paakkanen.
Paakkanen stalks Bright and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bright's face. Bright staggers backwards, shaken.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Paakkanen - that will leave a mark!
Paakkanen thuds his shin into the meat of Bright's side.
Bright seems to have recovered his senses.
Paakkanen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paakkanen lands with a nice combination. Bright backs away looking to recover.
Bright is trying desperately to land a takedown but Paakkanen is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Bright.
Paakkanen lands a jab-cross combination.
Bright shoots for a double leg takedown but Paakkanen sprawls well. He's pushed Bright's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bright shoots for a double leg takedown but Paakkanen sprawls well. He's pushed Bright's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Paakkanen misses with a two punch combination.
A nice leg kick lands there from Paakkanen.
Bright avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bright fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Paakkanen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Paakkanen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Paakkanen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Bright takes a kick to the side of the head.
Bright throws a hook to the side of Paakkanen's head but Paakkanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bright throws a hook to the side of Paakkanen's head but Paakkanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bright takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Paakkanen - that will leave a mark!
Paakkanen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Paakkanen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bright. That did some damage!
Bright closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paakkanen circles away.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bright misses with a looping right.
Paakkanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Bright is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bright has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bright there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bright throws a jab when Paakkanen was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paakkanen misses with a two punch combination.
Paakkanen connects with a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Paakkanen.
Paakkanen is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Paakkanen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Paakkanen scores with a nice right hand.
Paakkanen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bright has time to react.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that half lands.
Paakkanen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Paakkanen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Paakkanen, as that shot connected.
Some wild striking there from Paakkanen.
Bright misses with an uppercut. Paakkanen saw that one coming.
Paakkanen feints and then cracks Bright's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bright down.
Paakkanen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Good leg kick by Paakkanen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A jab from Paakkanen does it's job there.
Bright moves in looking to clinch but Paakkanen pushes him off.
Nice shot lands for Paakkanen.
Paakkanen is looking to slow Bright down with leg kicks.
Paakkanen scores with a hook.
Paakkanen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Paakkanen lands a front kick.
Bright's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Paakkanen pushes Bright away with a front kick.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Paakkanen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Paakkanen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bright sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Bright displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Paakkanen is rocked!

It looks like Metuselah Paakkanen has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paakkanen fails to land with a series of punches.
Paakkanen throws a right and a left that both miss.
An inside leg kick lands from Paakkanen.
Paakkanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Metuselah Paakkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bright misses with a straight left.
Bright fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bright on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Paakkanen. Paakkanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Paakkanen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Paakkanen scores with a head kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Paakkanen - that will leave a mark!
Bright takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Bright closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bright lands in his opponent's guard.
Paakkanen wants to get back to his feet but Bright is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Metuselah Paakkanen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Metuselah Paakkanen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Paakkanen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Paakkanen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bright working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bright stops Paakkanen from standing up.
Paakkanen keeping moving, preventing Bright from controlling successfully.
Paakkanen controlling the position.
Paakkanen controls Bright momentarily but Bright frees himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bright stops Paakkanen from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paakkanen is looking to stand back up but Bright counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Paakkanen.
Paakkanen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Paakkanen is trying to stand.
Paakkanen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Paakkanen tries to get out of the position.

Paakkanen kicks Bright off and gets back to his feet.
Paakkanen lands with a nice body kick.
Bright takes a swing at Paakkanen's ribcage but misses.
Paakkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Paakkanen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
No luck for Bright with that takedown attempt.
Jab from Paakkanen.
Paakkanen is working the combinations to good effect here.
Paakkanen is looking to slow Bright down with leg kicks.
Paakkanen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bright. That did some damage!
Paakkanen connects with a high kick.
Bright shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paakkanen pinned against the cage. Paakkanen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Paakkanen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bright cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paakkanen scores with a one two! Bright had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Paakkanen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bright's head.
Paakkanen bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Paakkanen throws a combination. Bright tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Paakkanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bright's sensitive parts.
Paakkanen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Paakkanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bright's sensitive parts.
Paakkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Paakkanen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bright swinging wilding here.
Bright has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Left hook, right uppercut from Paakkanen.
Paakkanen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Oh Paakkanen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bright rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paakkanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paakkanen lands a jab-cross combination.
Paakkanen seems to have got his legs back now.
Bright pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Paakkanen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Paakkanen misses with a head kick.
Paakkanen fakes the leg kick and cracks Bright in the body.
Horrible takedown by Bright or perhaps it was just good defense by Paakkanen which made him look bad.
Metuselah Paakkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Bright.
Paakkanen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Paakkanen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bright. That did some damage!
A head kick from Paakkanen lands but Bright takes it in his stride.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that Bright semi-blocks.
Jab by Paakkanen.
Paakkanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paakkanen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bright misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Paakkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bright can do to turn this around?
Bright takes a kick to the side of the head.
Bright just misses with a punch to the body.
Paakkanen lands a jab-cross combination.
Bright tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paakkanen swivels and escapes.
Paakkanen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bright counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Paakkanen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Bright looking to pass the guard.
Paakkanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bright is one step ahead there.
Paakkanen is trying to keep Bright in close.
Paakkanen is controlling Bright's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paakkanen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Bright postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paakkanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bright is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Paakkanen lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bright avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bright takes a kick to the side of the head.
A left and a right from Paakkanen both land. Nice combination.
Paakkanen thuds a left hand into Bright's body.
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 Metuselah Paakkanen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Metuselah Paakkanen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Paakkanen throws a shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Paakkanen, right into the meat.
A left and a right from Paakkanen both land. Nice combination.
Paakkanen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Paakkanen lands a head kick!
Bright shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paakkanen pinned against the cage. Paakkanen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Paakkanen. That's going to slow Bright down.
Bright avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bright on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Paakkanen looks to land a combination. Bright sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Paakkanen scores with a head kick.
Paakkanen tests Bright's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paakkanen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Paakkanen scores with a hook to the body. Bright takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Paakkanen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bright closes the distance and clinches up with Paakkanen, looking for a takedown. Bright pushes Paakkanen against the cage but Paakkanen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bright shoots in for a takedown but Paakkanen shows good takedown defense.
Metuselah Paakkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Bright.
Paakkanen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bright takes a step back to recover.
Bright tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paakkanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Bright lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bright shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paakkanen as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Paakkanen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Paakkanen scores with a head kick.
Paakkanen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Paakkanen lands with a nice combination. Bright backs away looking to recover.
Paakkanen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bright's calf.
Paakkanen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bright has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Paakkanen!
Paakkanen throws a quick inside leg kick.
A lazy left from Paakkanen finds it's target.
Paakkanen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bright's head.
Paakkanen connects with a high kick.
Bright misses with a hook. Paakkanen ducked under it nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Paakkanen.
Paakkanen scores with a spinning back kick!
Paakkanen keeps Bright at a distance using the push kick.
Paakkanen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Bright is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Paakkanen.
Paakkanen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Bright throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Paakkanen on the side of the head.
Bright looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Paakkanen is fending him off so far but Bright persists. Nope, Paakkanen circles away and we're back to standing.
Metuselah Paakkanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bright shoots in for a double leg but Paakkanen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bright takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Paakkanen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bright.
Paakkanen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Paakkanen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Paakkanen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bright's head.
Bright fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bright takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bright has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Paakkanen finds it's way round the side to connect with Bright's head.
Paakkanen stalks Bright and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bright's face. Bright staggers backwards, shaken.
Paakkanen fakes the leg kick and cracks Bright in the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bright pushes Paakkanen up against the cage in a clinch.
Bright prevents Paakkanen from breaking the clinch.

Paakkanen breaks the clinch.
Bright shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paakkanen pinned against the cage. Paakkanen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Paakkanen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Paakkanen throws a series of punches but Bright avoids them all with ease.
Paakkanen throws a right and a left that Bright avoids nicely.

Bright looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Paakkanen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bright with a nice head shot there.
Paakkanen pulls Bright in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paakkanen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Paakkanen wants to stand up but Bright is controlling him.

Paakkanen uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Paakkanen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bright has time to react.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Paakkanen.
Paakkanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Paakkanen lands with a nice combination. Bright backs away looking to recover.
Jab by Paakkanen.
Bright takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Paakkanen moves forwards but Bright connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that Bright semi-blocks.
Paakkanen throws a head kick but Bright moves out of range.
Bright takes one to the chin there.
Paakkanen throws a series of punches but Bright moves out of range.
Paakkanen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bright shoots in for a double leg but Paakkanen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bright throws a shot from downtown. Paakkanen moves away and avoids it.
Paakkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Paakkanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bright.
Paakkanen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Paakkanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bright.
Paakkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Paakkanen lands with an uppercut that bounces Bright off the cage and back into rage.
Paakkanen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bright takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Paakkanen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bright backs up against the cage.
Paakkanen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bright takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Metuselah Paakkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Paakkanen throws a right and a left that Bright avoids nicely.
Bright gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Paakkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Paakkanen throws a series of punches but Bright avoids them all with ease.
Bright closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paakkanen circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bright takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Bright shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bright shoots for a double leg takedown but Paakkanen sprawls well. He's pushed Bright's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bright takes a kick to the side of the head.
Paakkanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mike Bright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paakkanen throws a nice head kick!
Paakkanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Metuselah Paakkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Paakkanen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Metuselah Paakkanen!