PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cottoneye Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pelle Paniikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Joe might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Cottoneye Joe. Paniikki comes into a darkened arena with his song building. N'sync - Bye Bye Bye kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Cottoneye Joe has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Joe
vs
Paniikki

175 cm
24
154 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

165 cm
22
155 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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, Cottoneye Joe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pelle Paniikki!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paniikki circles away from the clinch attempt

and Paniikki counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

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

Joe is defending against the submission attempts here by Paniikki.

Paniikki seems to be looking for submissions.

Joe is defending against the submission attempts here by Paniikki.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paniikki seems to be working for a kimura but Joe defends the submission attempt.

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

Paniikki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Paniikki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Paniikki is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Joe to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Joe looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paniikki is one step ahead there.
Paniikki wants to pass the guard but Joe is keeping the position.

Paniikki has gone for a leg lock! Joe slips out almost immediately though and dives into Paniikki's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Paniikki has his foot on Joe's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Joe works his way back into a safe position though.

Joe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Paniikki looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Joe passes into half guard.
Paniikki is trying to get back to full guard.

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.

Paniikki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Paniikki looking for submissions off his back.
Joe controlling the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Paniikki actively working from the bottom here.
Paniikki gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelle Paniikki dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Joe forces Paniikki back against the cage and clinches.
Paniikki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Joe walks away with a smile on his face. Paniikki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Joe has managed to clinch.
Joe controlling the action here for a moment.

Joe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paniikki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Joe.
Cottoneye Joe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joe closes the distance looking to clinch

and Paniikki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Paniikki is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paniikki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Joe is just riding it out for now. Paniikki eventually gives up the hold.

Paniikki is trying to work for a kimura but Joe is defending well.

Paniikki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two 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.

Paniikki is looking for submissions but instead, Joe has regained full guard.

Paniikki has gone for a leg lock! Joe slips out almost immediately though and dives into Paniikki's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paniikki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Joe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Joe sitting in guard here, content to control.

Paniikki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Joe stands up and waves to Paniikki to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joe tries to clinch up

and Paniikki counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Joe!
Joe sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Joe trying to hold on to Paniikki's head to control him but Paniikki postures up.

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

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

Joe is defending against the submission attempts here by Paniikki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelle Paniikki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Joe takes the fight into the clinch.
Paniikki tries to pull guard but Joe holds him up against the cage and eventually Paniikki drops back down to his feet.
Joe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Paniikki jumps into guard, dragging Joe to the mat.

Paniikki working for a triangle but Joe defends it easily.

Paniikki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Joe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Joe stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe falls off balance throwing a combination

and Paniikki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paniikki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Joe swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Paniikki looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Joe has picked Paniikki up and slammed him! Paniikki can't keep hold of the triangle and Joe manages to pass to side control!
Paniikki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe advances to mount.
Paniikki working to try and regain half guard.
Joe controlling the pace for now.
Paniikki tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paniikki wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Joe has the hooks in. Paniikki is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Paniikki is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Joe controlling from the back.
Paniikki tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

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.
Paniikki is looking to improve his position but Joe isn't that keen on the idea.

Joe is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Joe misses with a few strikes there.
Joe tries to clinch up

and Paniikki counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Paniikki postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Joe is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Paniikki, into his guard.
Cottoneye Joe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pelle Paniikki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Paniikki wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pelle Paniikki.
I've got Paniikki winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pelle Paniikki!