PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arto Markkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chong Harper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Markkanen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Mell - Red Fraction. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Chong Harper enters the cage!

Markkanen
vs
Harper

187 cm
23
188 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

188 cm
20
198 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Experienced

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arto Markkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chong Harper!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harper takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Harper just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice shot lands for Harper.
Harper missing with a left hand there. Markkanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Markkanen scores with a nice body kick.
Harper throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Markkanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Harper misses with a hook
and Markkanen counters with a body kick that stops Harper in his tracks momentarily.
Markkanen lands with a nice body kick.
Markkanen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Harper. That did some damage!
Harper looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Markkanen moves into the clinch successfully.
Markkanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Harper avoids the damage to the body.
Markkanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Markkanen with a knee to the head.
Markkanen lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Chong Harper has been cut.
Markkanen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Markkanen lands a knee to the head.
Harper avoiding damage as Markkanen throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Markkanen breaks from the clinch.
Markkanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Harper throws out the jab.
Harper avoids the body shot from Markkanen.
Markkanen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Markkanen pushes Harper up against the cage in a clinch.
Markkanen misses with a knee to the head.
Markkanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Harper blocks it with crossed arms.
Harper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Harper jumps guard but Markkanen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Markkanen is pressed up against the cage. Harper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Markkanen down to the mat. Markkanen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Markkanen connects with a high kick.
Markkanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Harper. Markkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.

Markkanen gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Markkanen throws a right and a left that Harper avoids nicely.
Markkanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Harper dives in and scores a takedown into Markkanen's guard.
Harper trying to control but Markkanen is working from the bottom.
Markkanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harper is one step ahead there.
Harper scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Harper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Harper preventing the sweep.
Harper works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Harper is trying to control the action in half guard but Markkanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Harper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Markkanen.
Harper wants to control from the top but Markkanen keeps moving.
Markkanen wants to stand but Harper is controlling the position.
Harper postures up in Markkanen's guard and throws a big left but Markkanen blocks it.
Harper looking to pass the guard.
Harper stops Markkanen from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Markkanen is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markkanen controls Harper momentarily but Harper frees himself.
Markkanen pulls Harper in close to his closed guard and prevents Harper from doing any damage or advancing position.

Arto Markkanen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Markkanen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Arto Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chong Harper.
Markkanen stuffs the takedown attempt from Harper. Harper gets slowly back to his feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Markkanen.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Harper fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Markkanen sprawls well initially but Harper persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markkanen wants to get back to full guard.

Harper is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Markkanen has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Markkanen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chong Harper'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.

Harper throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Markkanen closes the distance and clinches.
Markkanen tries a knee to the head but Harper blocks it.

Markkanen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A solid body kick from Markkanen.
Arto Markkanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Markkanen scores with a kick to the midsection.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Harper moves out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Markkanen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice inside leg kick there by Markkanen. That's going to slow Harper down.
Markkanen scores with a push kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Markkanen. Harper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Arto Markkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Markkanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Harper avoids the head kick by Markkanen.
Harper is breathing heavily.
Markkanen connects with an inside leg kick.
Harper has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Markkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen stuns Harper with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Crunch! Markkanen slams his shin into Harper's torso.
A slapping leg kick lands for Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markkanen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Markkanen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Harper takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Harper misses with a few strikes there.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Harper moves out of range.
Markkanen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Harper moves out of range.
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!
Markkanen scores with a spinning back kick!
Markkanen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Markkanen wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Harper.
Markkanen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Markkanen looks to land a combination but Harper avoids it well.
Harper takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Markkanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Markkanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Harper is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Markkanen.
Markkanen feints and then cracks Harper's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Harper down.
Harper's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Harper fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Markkanen avoids it really well and circles away.
Harper fails to land with a series of punches.
Markkanen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Harper showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Markkanen.
Harper shoots in and drives through. Markkanen sprawls well.
Arto Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chong Harper.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Markkanen clobbers Harper with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Markkanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Harper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Harper tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Markkanen takes a swing at Harper's ribcage but misses.
Harper misses the jab.
Harper blocks a head kick by Markkanen.
Markkanen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Markkanen lands a glancing blow to the side of Harper's head.
Markkanen takes a swing at Harper's ribcage but misses.
Markkanen throws a push kick but Harper slaps the foot to one side.
Harper displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A big left from Markkanen misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Markkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Markkanen sprawls well. Markkanen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Harper gets slowly back to his feet.
Harper shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Markkanen eats them both and turns towards Harper to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Arto Markkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harper on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Markkanen. Markkanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Markkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harper can do to turn this around?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markkanen looks to land a combination but Harper avoids it well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Harper.
Harper fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Markkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Markkanen thows a body kick. Harper tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Markkanen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chong Harper's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Markkanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Markkanen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Markkanen throws a series of strikes that have Harper backpedaling.
Markkanen is looking to clinch.
Harper blocks a head kick by Markkanen.

Markkanen has closed the distance and engaged Harper in a clinch.
Markkanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Markkanen obliges.
Harper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees in the clinch landing for Markkanen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markkanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Harper avoids it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Markkanen tries a knee to the head but Harper blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen trying to land knees to the body.
Markkanen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Harper is defending well for now.
Markkanen landing knees to the head.
Markkanen tries a knee to the head but Harper blocks it.
Harper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Markkanen misses with a knee to the head.
Harper jumps guard but Markkanen stands there with Harper around his waist. Harper gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Markkanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Markkanen looking to throw knees to the head but Harper is blocking nicely.
Harper is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Arto Markkanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen looking to throw knees to the head but Harper is blocking nicely.
Markkanen looking to throw knees to the head but Harper is blocking nicely.

Harper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Arto Markkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Markkanen tries to clinch up but Harper circles away and keeps his distance.
A punch combination from Harper misses.
A slow jab from Harper misses its intended target.
Markkanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harper was well out of range. Poor timing from Markkanen.
Harper with a nice cross.
A slow jab from Harper misses its intended target.
Harper shoots for a takedown but Markkanen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Harper tries to move into range but Markkanen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Markkanen works Harper's body with a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markkanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Markkanen connects with a solid leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen lands a nice looking body kick.

Harper feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Harper with a flurry of punches that miss.
Markkanen has Harper pulled in close to control his posture.
Harper works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Harper lands strikes from half guard.
Harper looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Markkanen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Markkanen is trying to stand back up but Harper is controlling him
Markkanen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Harper is working away from the top position though.
Harper lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen is looking to escape.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harper takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Harper seems to be working for a kimura but Markkanen defends the submission attempt.
Harper passes to side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harper trying to control the position but Markkanen is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arto Markkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Markkanen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arto Markkanen!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Arto Markkanen waved his t-shirt featuring Outkast Clothing Line's logo in front of the cameras.