PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Routalempi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Fenili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gabriel Fenili told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Routalempi
vs
Fenili

176 cm
32
161 lbs
11 - 12 - 0

168 cm
22
163 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pekka Routalempi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gabriel Fenili!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Routalempi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fenili sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Routalempi avoids a kick to the body.

Fenili rushes Routalempi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Routalempi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fenili fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Routalempi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Routalempi misses with a double jab

and Fenili counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Fenili trying to control but Routalempi is working from the bottom.
Routalempi is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Fenili dives into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fenili advances to mount.
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!
Routalempi wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Fenili controls the action.

Fenili is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fenili tightening his grip on Routalempi, looking for the choke.

Fenili is persistently looking for the submission but Routalempi is defending it well.

Fenili is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Routalempi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Routalempi for a finish.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Routalempi rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Routalempi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Routalempi is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fenili is taking a breather. Routalempi 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.
Routalempi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fenili advances position into side control!
Fenili is staying tight to Routalempi's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Routalempi is looking to reverse the position.
Routalempi is not content to let Fenili control the position.
Routalempi is looking for a sweep.
Routalempi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fenili's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Routalempi is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Fenili jumps into side control!
Routalempi is looking to get back to his feet here but Fenili is keeping cool and he's managed to take Routalempi's back.

Fenili has managed to slip his arm under Routalempi's chin. This could be all over... yep, Routalempi is tapping out! Submission win for Fenili.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Gabriel Fenili!