PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joa Pael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Selma Semlan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Pael
vs
Semlan

192 cm
25
194 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
29
190 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Powerful

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joa Pael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Selma Semlan!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Semlan looks for the body kick but Pael saw that one coming.
Pael tries to bum rush Semlan with a series of wild strikes but Semlan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A head kick misses from Semlan.
Semlan throws a head kick that misses.
Pael scores with a three punch combo!

Pael pushes Semlan up against the cage in a clinch.
Semlan throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Pael tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pael tries to stall but Semlan uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Semlan just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pael's brow.
Pael tries to work over Semlan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Pael manages to break the clinch.
Semlan throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Pael's head.

Pael fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Semlan, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A frustrated look appears on Pael's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Semlan misses with an elbow over the top.
Semlan lands a nice elbow.
Semlan misses with an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Semlan throws an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semlan lands an elbow that stopped Pael in his tracks for a moment.
Semlan throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Semlan as Pael tries to tie him up.
Semlan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Semlan pushes off an throws an elbow but Pael leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Pael lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Semlan or not.
Semlan pushes off an throws an elbow but Pael leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Semlan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Semlan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Semlan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Pael is trying to break the clinch but Semlan has him pressed against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Pael.
Pael misses with a punch on the inside.
Semlan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Pael is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pael stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pael swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pael dodges an elbow strike from Semlan.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Pael avoids a wild elbow strike from Semlan.
Pael taking a breather.

Pael manages to break the clinch.
Semlan slips under a jab from Pael.
Pael avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Semlan tries to clinch there but Pael circles away.
Pael throws a series of strikes that have Semlan backpedaling.
Semlan thows a leg kick but Pael checks it
and Pael counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Pael darts in and clinches Semlan up against the cage.
Semlan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Semlan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the cage, Semlan throws an elbow but misses.
Semlan misses with an elbow over the top.

Pael manages to break the clinch.
Pael throws a right and a left that Semlan avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Pael misses.
Semlan tries to clinch but Pael moves away
and Pael counters with a good low kick that Semlan was not able to check.
Selma Semlan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pael lands with a nice body punch.

Pael lands a left and a right that send Semlan crashing to the mat, dazed. Pael thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Semlan is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Pael clinches up with Semlan and pushes him back against the cage.
Semlan is still on wobbly legs! Can Pael finish him?

Pael pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Semlan seems to have recovered his senses.
A head kick misses from Semlan.
A big right from Pael misses.
Semlan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Semlan tries to work over Pael's front leg with a kick but Pael checks it.
Semlan tries to clinch up but Pael circles away and keeps his distance.
Semlan moves out of range as Pael strikes.
Pael blocks a head kick by Semlan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Semlan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Semlan just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pael's brow.
Semlan throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Semlan throws an elbow but misses.
Semlan misses with an elbow over the top.
Pael misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pael blocks an elbow strike.
Pael dodges an elbow strike from Semlan.
Semlan throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pael creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pael gets through Semlan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Semlan.
Pael lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Pael breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Semlan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Pael clobbers Semlan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Semlan tries to clinch up
and Pael counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joa Pael dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A punch combination from Pael misses.

Semlan clinches up against the cage.

Pael escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pael sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Pael scores with a jab to the jaw.
Semlan throws a sloppy head kick and Pael moves out of range easily.
Semlan is looking to clinch.

Pael closes the distance and pushes Semlan back into the cage.

Pael breaks from the clinch.
Pael thows a body shot but no joy.
Semlan tries to close the distance and clinch but Pael swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Semlan wants to clinch up but Pael keeps it at a distance.
Semlan moves in looking to clinch but Pael pushes him off.
Semlan throws the kick towards the body but Pael avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pael throws a big shot that misses.
Semlan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pael.
Semlan tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Pael counters with a stiff right hand.
Pael checks a leg kick.

Pael sends Semlan crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Pael is motioning to the referee to let Semlan up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
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!
Semlan throws a half hearted mid kick.
Semlan lands a leg kick that knocks Pael off balance momentarily.
Pael takes a swing at Semlan's ribcage but misses.
Semlan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Pael's calf.
Semlan tries to close the distance and clinch but Pael swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Semlan tried to score with a low kick but Pael checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pael misses with a low kick.
Semlan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Semlan lands a nice looking kick to the body. Pael takes a step back to recover.
Pael bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Semlan throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Semlan moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Semlan moves into the clinch.
Semlan misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Semlan throws an elbow but misses.
Pael is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Semlan is defending well for now.
Pael trying to stall but Semlan improves his position.
Semlan misses with an elbow over the top.
Semlan gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pael blocks the elbow strike.
Semlan comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Semlan throws an elbow that misses.
Pael effectively controlling the action here.
Pael misses with a body punch.
Semlan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Semlan blocks the elbow strike.
Pael throws a punch but it's blocked by Semlan.
Semlan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Semlan lands an elbow inside that Pael shrugs off.
Semlan throws an elbow that misses.
Semlan misses with an elbow over the top.
Pael creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Semlan lands a damaging elbow.
Pael has had enough of the clinch but Semlan keeps him there for the moment.
Pael tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pael is trying to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Pael fails to land.
Pael blocks an elbow strike from Semlan.
Semlan avoids the elbow strike from Pael, against the cage.
Pael avoids a wild elbow strike from Semlan.
Semlan gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Semlan throws an elbow that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pael blocks an elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Pael breaks from the clinch.

Pael takes the fight into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Semlan just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pael's brow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pael blocks the elbow strike.
Semlan blocks an uppercut.
Semlan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Selma Semlan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Semlan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Semlan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Semlan moves to clinch but Pael breaks away
and Pael connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pael throws a shot from downtown. Semlan moves away and avoids it.
Semlan throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Pael's head.
Pael tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Semlan moves in looking to clinch but Pael pushes him off.
Semlan lands a nice looking body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Semlan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Semlan keeps Pael at a distance using the push kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pael clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semlan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Joa Pael has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Pael breaks the clinch.
Semlan tries to clinch
and Pael counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Semlan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Joa Pael is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crunch! Semlan slams his shin into Pael's torso.
Semlan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Semlan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pael paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Semlan.
Semlan misses with a body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Semlan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Semlan tries to clinch
and Semlan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pael throws a series of punches but Semlan avoids them all with ease.
Semlan lands a nice looking body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semlan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Semlan has Pael up against the cage in a clinch.
Pael blocks the elbow strike.
Pael misses with an elbow strike.
Semlan pushes off an throws an elbow but Pael leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Semlan misses with an elbow over the top.
Semlan gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Semlan pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Semlan throws an elbow that misses.
Pael blocks an elbow strike from Semlan.
A head punch on the inside from Pael fails to land.
Pael scores with an uppercut up the middle.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pael creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pael lands an elbow inside.
Pael misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Pael throws an elbow but misses.
Semlan lands an elbow inside.
Pael lands with a right to the head.
Pael throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Pael misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pael pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Pael avoids a wild elbow strike from Semlan.
Pael misses with the head strike.
Semlan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Pael avoids a wild elbow strike from Semlan.
Pael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Semlan backwards.
Pael has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Semlan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Semlan throws an elbow but it misses.
Pael scores with a shot to the side of Semlan's head.
Semlan blocks an elbow strike from Pael.
Semlan blocking some punches.
Semlan lands a nice elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semlan misses with an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Semlan just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pael's brow.
Pael misses with a punch on the inside.
Semlan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Semlan.
Semlan throws an elbow that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Semlan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Pael stalls.
Semlan pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Pael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Semlan backwards.
Pael trying to control the position but instead, Semlan has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pael into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Semlan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Pael avoids the elbow strike from Semlan, against the cage.
Pael lands a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Selma Semlan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Semlan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 for Selma Semlan!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!