PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Gemini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reiska Pekka Retale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Retale comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gemini
vs
Pekka Retale

178 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Gemini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reiska Pekka Retale!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Retale moves into range and clinches up with Gemini.
Retale tries to work over Gemini's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gemini is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Retale is defending well for now.
Retale lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Retale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Retale goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gemini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Retale tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gemini misses with a hook from the clinch.
Retale lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gemini backwards.
Retale has a couple of punches blocked by Gemini.
Retale swings wildly with an uppercut but Gemini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gemini tries to land knees in the clinch but Retale avoids the damage to the body.
Come on Retale - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Gemini.
A hook to the body from Retale.
Retale misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gemini.
Gemini lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Retale struggles to land a body shot inside as Gemini controls his hands.
Retale swings wildly with an uppercut but Gemini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Retale digs a right hand underneath Gemini's ribcage. Gemini let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Retale struggles to land a body shot inside as Gemini controls his hands.
Retale managing to block the knees to the body from Gemini.
Retale prevents Gemini from breaking the clinch.
Retale tries a body shot but Gemini blocks it.
Gemini managing to block the knees to the body from Retale.
Retale avoiding damage as Gemini throws knees to the body.
Retale throws an elbow but it misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Retale.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gemini looking to slow down the pace here.
Retale digs a right hand into Gemini's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gemini's gas tank.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gemini misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gemini prevents a body shot from Retale.
Retale is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Retale lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gemini backwards.
Retale works on Gemini's body with a couple of short punches.
Retale working aggressively here.
Retale doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Retale throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gemini blocks it with crossed arms.
Retale landing knees to the head.

It looks like Mike Gemini has been cut.
Retale pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Retale works on Gemini's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retale managing to block the knees to the body from Gemini.
A bit of stalling here from Retale.
Gemini makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gemini managing to block the knees to the body from Retale.
Retale lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Retale has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gemini regains guard immediately.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Gemini not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Gemini throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gemini looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gemini is breathing heavily.
Retale makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gemini keeping moving, preventing Retale from controlling successfully.
Retale engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
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!
Retale connects with a couple of short punches.

Gemini throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Retale postures up and lands a big shot to Gemini's brow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Retale engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Retale with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reiska Pekka Retale dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Gemini's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Retale gets a clinch.
Retale misses with a body punch.
Gemini blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Retale fails to land.
Gemini blocks an elbow strike.
Retale lands a hook that snaps the head of Gemini backwards.
Retale has a couple of punches blocked by Gemini.
Retale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Retale tries a body shot but Gemini blocks it.
Retale misses with the head strike.
Retale tries to work over Gemini's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Retale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gemini's elbow.
Retale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Retale gets through Gemini's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Retale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gemini's elbow.
Gemini looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale working aggressively here.
Retale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gemini looking to slow down the pace here.
Gemini makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Retale tries to work over Gemini's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gemini scores with a shot to the side of Retale's head.
Retale misses with a hook to the ribs.
Retale lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gemini.
Knees to the body from Retale.
Retale has a couple of punches blocked by Gemini.
Retale using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gemini has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gemini wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Retale has him pressed against the cage.
A hook to the body from Retale.
Retale working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gemini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Retale has Gemini pushed against the cage.
Gemini blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Retale stalling in the clinch but Gemini improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Retale.
Retale throws a punch but it's blocked by Gemini.
Retale can't find room to land a body shot as Gemini controls the action.
Retale misses with an elbow over the top.
A short left from Retale.
Retale throws a knee to the head but misses.
Retale lands a shot to the body.
Gemini wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Retale has him pressed against the cage.
Retale misses with a body punch.
Retale misses with a knee strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Retale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gemini's elbow.
Gemini blocks a body shot from Retale.

Retale gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Retale connects with a nice short shot to Gemini's temple.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Retale working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Gemini's thigh. Gemini counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Retale has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Retale trying to control but Gemini is working from the bottom.

Gemini has his foot on Retale's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Retale works his way back into a safe position though.

Retale avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Retale lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gemini not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Retale's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Gemini throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gemini working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Retale doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Retale manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Retale lands a couple of elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Retale passes Gemini's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Retale in particular looking to stall.
Gemini on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gemini tries to get out of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reiska Pekka Retale showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Gemini's cut.
That's time! Gemini's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gemini ducks under a wild hook from Retale.
Retale takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gemini misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gemini misses with a wild combination.
Retale swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gemini cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Retale throws out a loose jab but Gemini uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Retale. Gemini does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gemini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Retale manages to avoid it.
Gemini thows a body shot but no joy.
Retale takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gemini uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Retale.
A big left from Retale misses.
Gemini uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Retale.
Gemini throws a right and a left that Retale avoids nicely.
Gemini misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Retale thows a body shot but no joy.

Retale rushes Gemini and presses him up against the cage.
Gemini blocks an uppercut.
Reiska Pekka Retale seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Retale tries to throw a body punch but Gemini avoids it by throwing Retale back against the cage.
Retale scores a nice knee to the body.

Retale turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Gemini manages to work his way to half guard, despite Retale's best efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Retale.
Retale wants to pass the guard but Gemini is defending well.
Retale takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Retale passes to side control.
Gemini tries to buck Retale off but Retale is having none of it.
Gemini takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Retale lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Gemini takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Retale is putting a hurting on Gemini here, landing some big shots from side control.
Gemini is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retale wants to control but Gemini is keeping him busy.
A lull in the action here.
Retale working away.
Retale looks up at the clock and then as Gemini takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Retale smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Retale in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Retale lands a few punches from side control.
Retale happy to just control the position for now.
Gemini is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Retale's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Reiska Pekka Retale is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Reiska Pekka Retale has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Let's hope that Retale has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Reiska Pekka Retale.
Retale dips to his left and cracks Gemini with an uppercut!

And that's the end of the fight!
Reiska Pekka Retale comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Retale 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reiska Pekka Retale!