PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jyrska Velmu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Lemieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Velmu might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to UFO - Doctor Doctor. David Lemieux will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Velmu
vs
Lemieux

177 cm
22
177 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

180 cm
22
185 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jyrska Velmu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Lemieux!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velmu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lemieux defends it nicely.
Velmu misses with a series of wild punches.
Velmu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Lemieux gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lemieux trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Lemieux is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Velmu thows a big elbow that misses.
Lemieux looking to control.
Velmu wants to control from the top but Lemieux keeps moving.
Lemieux keeping full guard, as Velmu tries to pass.

Lemieux is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux keeping moving, preventing Velmu from controlling successfully.
Velmu is pushing down on Lemieux's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lemieux is fighting to maintain full guard but Velmu has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lemieux is in trouble now - Velmu has advanced to mount!
Velmu looking to finish Lemieux with some ground and pound. This is bad for Lemieux!
Velmu tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lemieux can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lemieux tries to lock up and control but Velmu gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu misses with a head shot.
Lemieux wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Velmu.
Velmu lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velmu thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Velmu connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Velmu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Velmu looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Velmu throws some wild stikes that Lemieux manages to avoid easily.
Lemieux takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Velmu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Velmu with the ground and pound from mount.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Lemieux is desperately trying to improve his position but Velmu has a good base and remains in mount.
Velmu with shots to the head and body - Lemieux looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velmu working the ground and pound effectively.
Velmu scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Lemieux?
Velmu cracks Lemieux with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Velmu with shots to the head and body - Lemieux looks very uncomfortable down there.
Velmu raining down shots from the mount!
Velmu scoring with strikes but Lemieux is staying in there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velmu looking to finish with strikes here!
Velmu trying to control but Lemieux is having none of it.
Velmu working the ground and pound effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux is squirming around, avoiding Velmu's attempts to control the action.
Velmu lands a big elbow.

Velmu goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Lemieux turns into him and now he's in Velmu's guard.
Velmu wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Velmu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lemieux really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Velmu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Velmu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jyrska Velmu dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Velmu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lemieux.
Velmu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lemieux but Lemieux pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lemieux scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Velmu doesn't seem bothered though.
Lemieux looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lemieux connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Velmu slips under a jab.
Lemieux lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Velmu slips a straight right by Lemieux.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Velmu.
Lemieux throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Velmu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lemieux misses with a series of wild punches.
Lemieux throws out a loose jab but Velmu uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
No joy there for Lemieux, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Velmu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lemieux.
Lemieux throws a nice looking combination but Velmu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Velmu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lemieux tries to avoid it but Velmu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lemieux to the ground. Lemieux escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jyrska Velmu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velmu connects with a body shot.
Lemieux is breathing heavily.
Lemieux throws a series of punches but Velmu avoids them all with ease.
Lemieux throws out a loose jab but Velmu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Velmu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lemieux defends it nicely.
Velmu closes the distance and clinches up with Lemieux, looking for a takedown. Velmu pushes Lemieux against the ropes but Lemieux circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lemieux misses with a wild body shot.
David Lemieux is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu throws a jab when Lemieux was well out of range.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown but Lemieux shows good takedown defense.
Velmu thows a body shot but no joy.
Velmu walks into a jab.
Velmu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lemieux's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Lemieux duly obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lemieux lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Velmu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lemieux but Lemieux pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Velmu shoots in for a double leg but Lemieux sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lemieux scores with a nice strike.
Velmu's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lemieux connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Velmu scrambles back to his feet.
Velmu throws a jab but it's blocked by Lemieux.
Lemieux throws a left and a right that both miss

and Velmu counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Lemieux's guard now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Velmu trying to control but Lemieux is working from the bottom.
Velmu is pushing down on Lemieux's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lemieux is fighting to maintain full guard but Velmu has managed to sneak the leg through.
Velmu trying to pass the guard but Lemieux defending well.
Lemieux is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lemieux blocking the ground and pound attempt from Velmu.
Lemieux trying to control but Velmu postures up.
Velmu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Velmu is keen to just control but Lemieux is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Velmu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Velmu is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lemieux won't allow Velmu to pass to mount.
Velmu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lemieux defending well though.
Lemieux keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jyrska Velmu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Velmu passes to full mount!
Velmu postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Lemieux looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lemieux is squirming around, avoiding Velmu's attempts to control the action.
Lemieux taking shots to the head.
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 Jyrska Velmu will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lemieux feints a jab promting Velmu to slip. Lemieux then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Velmu slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Lemieux connects with a good right hand that stumbles Velmu. Velmu circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Velmu throws a shot to the body.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Velmu tries for a takedown but Lemieux sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Velmu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Velmu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lemieux lands a right hook to the body.
A big right from Lemieux misses.
Lemieux throws a shot from downtown. Velmu moves away and avoids it.
Velmu ducks under a wild hook from Lemieux.
Lemieux misses with a double jab
enabling Velmu to counter with a crisp jab.
Lemieux takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lemieux defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Velmu.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jyrska Velmu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velmu ducks right into an uppercut from Lemieux.
Lemieux stuffs the takedown attempt from Velmu. Velmu gets slowly back to his feet.
Lemieux pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Velmu throws a body punch but Lemieux moves out of range.
Lemieux displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Velmu.
Lemieux might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Velmu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lemieux defends it nicely.
Lemieux looks to score with a jab to the body but Velmu is just out of range.
Velmu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lemieux.
Lemieux jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lemieux sprawls well. Lemieux wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Velmu gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux slips a jab from Velmu.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Velmu.
Lemieux misses with an uppercut.
Lemieux scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Lemieux throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Velmu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lemieux defends it nicely.
Velmu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lemieux scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Velmu shoots for a takedown but Lemieux saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
David Lemieux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velmu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lemieux avoids it really well and circles away.
Lemieux throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Velmu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lemieux pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Velmu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lemieux swivels and escapes.
Lemieux cracks Velmu with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Velmu shoots in looking for a takedown but Lemieux manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Velmu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lemieux sizes up Velmu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Lemieux lands with a cross.
Velmu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lemieux swivels and escapes.
Jab, jab by Lemieux - just one landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lemieux gets caught flat footed, as Velmu shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lemieux utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lemieux pulls Velmu in close to his closed guard and prevents Velmu from doing any damage or advancing position.
Lemieux not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lemieux keeping moving, preventing Velmu from controlling successfully.
Lemieux trying to keep a closed guard but Velmu is proving a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by David Lemieux.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown but Lemieux shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lemieux throws a series of punches but Velmu avoids them all with ease.
Velmu shoots in for a double leg but Lemieux sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Velmu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lemieux pinned against the ropes. Lemieux gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Lemieux really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lemieux moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Lemieux looks to score with a jab to the body but Velmu is just out of range.
Lemieux lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Velmu is looking to wear down Lemieux with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A jab from Lemieux misses.
Velmu fails with a takedown attempt.
Velmu swings for the body but Lemieux moves out of range.

Velmu shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lemieux's guard.

Lemieux is looking for a triangle but Velmu pushes his legs off easily.
Lemieux is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Lemieux throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velmu advances to half guard.
Velmu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Velmu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lemieux defending well though.
Lemieux keeping control of the position.
Velmu is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Lemieux!
Velmu connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Lemieux is in all sorts of trouble here.
Velmu avoids the attempt from Lemieux to control.

Lemieux defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Velmu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velmu working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Velmu tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Velmu looking to control but Lemieux is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lemieux is in a horrible position here. Velmu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Velmu raining down shots from the mount!

Velmu is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lemieux has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velmu with good strikes from the mount here!
Velmu working Lemieux over with strikes here.
Velmu raining down hammerfists from mount.
Lemieux is squirming around, avoiding Velmu's attempts to control the action.
Lemieux taking shots to the head.
Velmu wants to control the pace but Lemieux is squirming around nicely.
Velmu landing shots from mount.
Lemieux takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Velmu looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lemieux keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lemieux is squirming around, avoiding Velmu's attempts to control the action.
Velmu lands a nice shot to the head.
Velmu looking to finish with strikes here!
Velmu avoids the attempt from Lemieux to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Velmu with a couple of short strikes.
Velmu lands with some strikes.
Velmu has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lemieux's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jyrska Velmu had his way with David Lemieux in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Velmu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
David Lemieux seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lemieux sprawls well. Lemieux wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Velmu gets slowly back to his feet.
Lemieux scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nice defenses there by Velmu.
Velmu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lemieux.
Velmu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lemieux is fending him off so far but Velmu persists. Nope, Lemieux circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jyrska Velmu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lemieux looks to land a right hand but Velmu moved out of range.
Velmu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lemieux's waist but Lemieux gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velmu off to one side.

Velmu decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Velmu wants to free his trapped foot but Lemieux is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Velmu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lemieux's head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velmu stops Lemieux from getting back to his feet.
Velmu wants to control but Lemieux is keeping him busy.
Lemieux blocking the ground and pound attempt from Velmu.
Velmu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Velmu is looking to advance position but Lemieux won't allow it.
Lemieux moves into full guard.
Velmu landing some decent shots from guard.
Lemieux keeping moving, preventing Velmu from controlling successfully.
Velmu slips nicely into half guard.
Velmu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lemieux can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu uses his free foot to push down on Lemieux's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lemieux.
Velmu raining down shots from the mount!
Velmu unloads with some shots from mount but Lemieux bucks and avoids them well.
Lemieux tries to hold on but Velmu postures up.
Lemieux might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Velmu kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Velmu lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Velmu takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Velmu breaks from Lemieux's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux is looking to get to half guard.
Velmu wants to control the pace but Lemieux is squirming around nicely.
Velmu raining down shots from the mount!

Lemieux defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Velmu.
Velmu landing strikes from the mount and Lemieux is in trouble!
BOOM! Velmu connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Velmu has control of Lemieux's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lemieux regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Lemieux is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
David Lemieux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velmu has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lemieux's face.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lemieux holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Velmu tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Velmu looking to finish Lemieux with some ground and pound. This is bad for Lemieux!
Jyrska Velmu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Velmu controlling the pace for now.
Velmu tries to control but Lemieux wriggling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lemieux tries to hold on but Velmu pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jyrska Velmu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Velmu has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:47
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 49:47
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jyrska Velmu!
Jyrska Velmu retains his welterweight title!