PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antti Atleetti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Korto Grepplund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Atleetti's entrance music is Beyonce - Halo. A fine choice. Antti Atleetti had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.5lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Atleetti
vs
Grepplund

180 cm
30
185 lbs
14 - 18 - 0

179 cm
29
182 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Atleetti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Korto Grepplund!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grepplund throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Atleetti is defended easily by Grepplund.
Grepplund walks into a straight right hand from Atleetti.
Grepplund throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Atleetti's waist but Atleetti gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Grepplund off to one side.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Atleetti enables Grepplund to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Atleetti manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Grepplund stopping the sweep attempt from Atleetti.
Atleetti is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Grepplund looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atleetti lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Grepplund!
Grepplund doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Grepplund is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atleetti throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Grepplund because Atleetti loaded up on that one.
Grepplund is looking to improve his position but Atleetti isn't that keen on the idea.
Grepplund tries to hold on but Atleetti postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atleetti trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Grepplund is trying to escape the mount but Atleetti keeps good control and instead manages to take Grepplund's back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grepplund trying to control the position but Atleetti manages to sink in the hooks.
Atleetti is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atleetti not allowing Grepplund to control his hands.
Atleetti is trying to stick to Grepplund's back but Grepplund is turning into Atleetti. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Atleetti's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Grepplund.
Atleetti will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Atleetti trying to control the position.
Grepplund preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grepplund trying to control the position from guard on top but Atleetti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Atleetti manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Atleetti throwing strikes here but Grepplund is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Atleetti trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Atleetti avoids the attempt from Grepplund to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grepplund is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Atleetti is staying active.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Korto Grepplund will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Grepplund with a nice cross.
Grepplund feints a jab promting Atleetti to slip. Grepplund then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Atleetti slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Atleetti takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Atleetti decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Grepplund manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Grepplund is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Grepplund pulls Atleetti in close to prevent any damage.
Atleetti stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grepplund swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grepplund looking to control.
Atleetti trying to control the position from guard on top but Grepplund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Atleetti tries to free his leg and advance position but Grepplund is retaining full guard.
Grepplund trying to keep a closed guard but Atleetti is proving a slippery customer.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Atleetti won't allow Grepplund to sweep him here.
Atleetti trying to control but Grepplund is working from the bottom.
Grepplund wants to hit a switch here but Atleetti passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Grepplund there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grepplund is squirming around, avoiding Atleetti's attempts to control the action.
Grepplund tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Atleetti can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Grepplund is looking to escape.
Grepplund really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Atleetti is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grepplund tries to lock up and control but Atleetti gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Atleetti prevents Grepplund from getting the reversal.
Grepplund tries to lock up and control but Atleetti gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Grepplund blocking the ground and pound.
Grepplund tries to lock up and control but Atleetti gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Grepplund is squirming around, avoiding Atleetti's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atleetti looking to ground and pound but Grepplund is blocking nicely.
Grepplund really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Atleetti wants to control the pace but Grepplund is squirming around nicely.
Grepplund tries to reverse the position but Atleetti maintains control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Atleetti looking to control but Grepplund is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Korto Grepplund showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Atleetti looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Atleetti is thwarting Grepplund's attempts to control the position.
Grepplund is in trouble now - Atleetti has advanced to mount!
Grepplund is trying desperately to improve position.
Atleetti moves to back control.
Antti Atleetti overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Grepplund tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Grepplund slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atleetti wants to free his trapped foot but Grepplund is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grepplund trying to control here.

Atleetti seems to be working for a kimura but Grepplund defends the submission attempt.
Grepplund regains full guard. Nicely done.
Atleetti won't allow Grepplund to sweep him here.
Atleetti trying to control the position from guard on top but Grepplund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grepplund manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Atleetti manages to get himself to full guard.
Korto Grepplund is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grepplund is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Grepplund preventing the sweep.
Atleetti is trying to control the position but Grepplund postures up.
Grepplund engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Grepplund trying to control but Atleetti is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Atleetti is trying to control the position but Grepplund postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Korto Grepplund was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Grepplund lands an overhand right.
Grepplund throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Atleetti stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Grepplund lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Atleetti circles away quickly and effectively.
Grepplund tries a head kick but it misses.
Grepplund misses with an uppercut.
Grepplund lands a high kick!
Atleetti shoots in but no luck this time.
Grepplund lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Atleetti at a distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Atleetti misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atleetti ducks under a wild hook from Grepplund.
Nice sprawl there from Grepplund as Atleetti shoots in.
Atleetti with a poor takedown
and Grepplund counters with a nice low kick that buckles Atleetti's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Atleetti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atleetti takes one to the side of the head.
Grepplund connects with the punch.
Grepplund fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Grepplund misses with a double jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Atleetti slips a jab from Grepplund.
Grepplund misses with a wild combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grepplund scores with a nice head shot.
Antti Atleetti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grepplund jabs Atleetti to the body, keeping him at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Korto Grepplund comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Grepplund 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Korto Grepplund!