PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bam Hook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arto Markkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Markkanen has chosen Mell - Red Fraction as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Bam Hook had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hook
vs
Markkanen

188 cm
19
198 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
188 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Outkast Clothing Line
Outkast Clothing Line

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bam Hook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arto Markkanen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markkanen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hook is out of range and Markkanen settles back down.

Hook closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Markkanen's guard.
Hook throwing strikes but missing.
Hook is looking to work some ground and pound but Markkanen has wrist control.
Hook is fighting to break Markkanen's control of his arms but Markkanen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hook 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hook trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Markkanen pulls Hook in close to prevent any damage.

Arto Markkanen has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hook looks to land a left hand but Markkanen moved out of range nicely.
Hook closes the distance and clinches up with Markkanen, looking for a takedown. Hook pushes Markkanen against the cage but Markkanen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Markkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Markkanen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hook throws a jab but it's blocked by Markkanen.
Hook connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Markkanen.
Hook throws out a loose jab but Markkanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hook gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Markkanen counters with a big head kick but Hook shrugs it off.
Markkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Markkanen throws a nice looking combination but Hook bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Markkanen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Markkanen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Markkanen throws a leg kick which misses Hook's front leg but catches the back leg as Hook tries to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markkanen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hook.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bam Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hook jabs Markkanen right on the nose. Markkanen blinks but takes it well.
Hook takes a kick to the side of the head.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hook.
Markkanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hook tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Markkanen swivels and escapes.
Markkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Markkanen misses with a two punch combination.
Hook tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Markkanen cracks the inside of Hook's front leg.
Hook tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markkanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Hook.
Markkanen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hook.
Hook's corner calls for a 1-2. Hook obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Markkanen scores with a leg kick.
Markkanen checks a leg kick.
Hook wants to clinch up but Markkanen keeps it at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markkanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hook shoots in and drives through. Markkanen sprawls well.
Some wild striking there from Markkanen.
Both fighters circling a little - Markkanen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Hook shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hook throwing shots but Markkanen is blocking nicely.
Markkanen is trying to stand back up but Hook is controlling him
Hook missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Markkanen is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hook trying to pass the guard but Markkanen defending well.
Markkanen is trying to stand.
Markkanen looks gassed!
Markkanen taking some punishment here, with Hook in his half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hook is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Markkanen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hook.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Markkanen is trying to stand.
Hook not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hook not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hook is taking a breather. Markkanen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Markkanen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hook. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Markkanen wants to improve his position but Hook is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arto Markkanen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hook swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hook fails to land the takedown.
Hook is looking to clinch.
Markkanen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nice body kick from Markkanen.
Markkanen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hook finds it's way round the side to connect with Markkanen's head.

Markkanen moves into the clinch.
Markkanen crunches a lovely knee into Hook's ribcage.
Markkanen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Markkanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Hook avoids the damage to the body.
Hook is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Markkanen to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hook avoiding damage as Markkanen throws knees to the body.
Hook fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bam Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hook tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hook jumps guard but Markkanen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Markkanen connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Bam Hook has been cut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Markkanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hook avoids it.

Markkanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hook fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Markkanen avoids it really well and circles away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Markkanen, right into the meat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hook missing with a left hand there. Markkanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hook is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Markkanen drives through and clinches with Hook against the cage.
Markkanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Hook avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hook fails with a takedown attempt.
Markkanen scores with a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markkanen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Markkanen defending well as Hook loads up on a big left hand.
Hook fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Markkanen clinches.
Hook managing to block the knees to the body from Markkanen.
Hook is looking for a takedown.
Markkanen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hook.
Hook tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Markkanen smiles and moves away.
Markkanen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen keeps Hook at a distance using the push kick.
Markkanen slips under a jab from Hook.

Markkanen rushes Hook and presses him up against the cage.

Markkanen breaks the clinch.
Markkanen swats away the attempt to clinch by Hook.

Markkanen clinches with his opponent.
Markkanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hook avoids it.
Hook tries to pull guard but Markkanen holds him up against the cage and eventually Hook drops back down to his feet.
Markkanen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Markkanen landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hook letting Markkanen take a breather here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hook fails to pull guard.

Markkanen manages to break the clinch.
Markkanen connects with a solid leg kick.
Hook throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Markkanen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Markkanen throws a head kick that Hook semi-blocks.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Markkanen.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
Markkanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Markkanen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Markkanen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Markkanen duly obliges.
Markkanen lands with a kick to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Markkanen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bam Hook's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Markkanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hook's sensitive parts.
Markkanen looks to land a body kick but Hook moved away.
Markkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nice body kick from Markkanen.
Hook is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hook pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Markkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Markkanen looks to land a body kick but Hook moved away.
A lazy left from Hook finds it's target.
Markkanen throws a leg kick but Hook moved away.
Markkanen swats away the attempt to clinch by Hook.
Hook throws a big shot that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markkanen lands with a kick to the ribs.
A jab from Hook misses.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Hook moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hook fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Markkanen manages to avoid it.
Hook tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Markkanen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Markkanen throws a push kick but Hook slaps the foot to one side.
Arto Markkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hook lands a jab to the head.
Markkanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Markkanen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Markkanen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hook will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Markkanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hook is defended easily by Markkanen.
Hook swings for the body but Markkanen moves out of range.
Hook dodges the punch combination from Markkanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hook. Markkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hook slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Markkanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hook.
Markkanen lands a front kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markkanen ducks under a wild hook from Hook.
Hook is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a series of punches but Hook moves out of range.
Markkanen throws a leg kick which misses Hook's front leg but catches the back leg as Hook tries to avoid it.
Markkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hook swings for the body but Markkanen moves out of range.
Arto Markkanen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Markkanen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hook throws a jab but it's blocked by Markkanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hook closes this distance looking for a takedown but Markkanen circles away.
Markkanen stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bam Hook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hook missing with a left hand there. Markkanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hook listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hook wants to clinch up but Markkanen keeps it at a distance.
Arto Markkanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hook shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Markkanen pinned against the cage. Markkanen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Markkanen feints and then cracks Hook's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hook down.

Hook gets tackled into the cage by Markkanen. Markkanen maintains the clinch.
Hook wants a takedown.
Hook jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Markkanen walks away with a smile on his face. Hook gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hook walks forward, straight into a front kick from Markkanen.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Markkanen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hook throws an overhand right that lands on Markkanen's shoulder, as Markkanen tries to avoid the shot.

Markkanen darts in and clinches Hook up against the cage.

Markkanen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hook shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Markkanen but Markkanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markkanen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Markkanen throws a right and a left that Hook avoids nicely.
Markkanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Markkanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hook swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Arto Markkanen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Markkanen closes the distance and pushes Hook back into the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Markkanen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Bam Hook has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hook tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arto Markkanen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Markkanen 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arto Markkanen!
Arto Markkanen made sure to mention his sponsor, Outkast Clothing Line in his post fight interview.