PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dae Jung Pak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Bessmertin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Dae Jung Pak has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Jung Pak
vs
Bessmertin

182 cm
21
180 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

189 cm
20
183 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Heavy handed

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dae Jung Pak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artem Bessmertin!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pak lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bessmertin circles away quickly and effectively.
Pak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bessmertin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bessmertin cracks Pak with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Bessmertin blocks a jab.
Dae Jung Pak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A thudding body kick lands there by Pak!
Bessmertin digs a good hook to Pak's body.
Pak on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A head kick by Pak misses

and Bessmertin counters with a takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Pak's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pak is looking for a sweep.
Bessmertin lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Bessmertin working away.
Pak is looking to reverse the position.
An elbow from Bessmertin crashes against the mat.
Pak pushes Bessmertin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bessmertin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin working the ground and pound from side control.
Bessmertin creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Pak sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Bessmertin advances to mount.
Bessmertin in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Bessmertin wants to control the pace but Pak is squirming around nicely.
Bessmertin working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Bessmertin pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bessmertin landing strikes, looking to finish!
Bessmertin with shots to the head and body - Pak looks very uncomfortable down there.
Pak is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pak in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Bessmertin landing strikes from the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pak slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Bessmertin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pak's head.
Pak is trying to stand back up but Bessmertin is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bessmertin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pak defending well though.
Pak is looking for a sweep. Bessmertin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pak tries to kick Bessmertin off but Bessmertin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pak blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bessmertin.
Bessmertin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pak pushes Bessmertin off looking to stand but Bessmertin dives back in and keeps control.
Pak is breathing heavily.
Pak keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pak keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pak taking some punishment here, with Bessmertin in his half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bessmertin landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Bessmertin lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Pak has hold of Bessmertin's hands but Bessmertin slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bessmertin working Pak over with strikes.
Pak avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bessmertin.
Pak blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bessmertin.
Bessmertin is trying to control. Pak wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pak tries to kick Bessmertin off but Bessmertin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nice strikes from Bessmertin there.
Pak keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pak is in trouble now - Bessmertin has advanced to mount!
Bessmertin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bessmertin connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin landing punches.
Bessmertin controlling from the full mount.
BOOM! Bessmertin connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Bessmertin prevents Pak from getting the reversal.
Pak is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Bessmertin avoids the attempt from Pak to control.
Bessmertin is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Pak can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bessmertin pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Pak is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Pak is bucking up trying to escape but Bessmertin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Bessmertin dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Pak misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bessmertin.
Pak throws a head kick that misses.
Pak pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pak.
Pak throws a sloppy head kick and Bessmertin moves out of range easily.
Bessmertin slips a straight right by Pak.
Bessmertin scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Pak takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bessmertin getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bessmertin fails with a takedown attempt.
Dae Jung Pak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bessmertin.

Bessmertin gets a double leg takedown into Pak's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bessmertin tries to free his leg and advance position but Pak is retaining full guard.
Bessmertin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin wants to pass the guard but Pak is keeping the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bessmertin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pak avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bessmertin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pak is trying to control the position but Bessmertin postures up.
Pak is pulling down on Bessmertin's head to control his posture.
Bessmertin throws a big right hand that misses.
Artem Bessmertin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pak is looking to stand up but Bessmertin isn't so interested in that idea.
Pak is trying to control the position but Bessmertin postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Pak is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dae Jung Pak.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bessmertin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin misses with a body shot.
Pak throws a head kick that misses.
Bessmertin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bessmertin jabs Pak right on the nose. Pak blinks but takes it well.
Bessmertin throws a right and a left that both miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bessmertin looking to score a takedown here. Pak is defending well but Bessmertin drives through and ends up in Pak's guard.
Bessmertin distracts Pak with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bessmertin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bessmertin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bessmertin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bessmertin won't allow Pak to sweep him here.
Pak is trying to control the position but Bessmertin postures up.
Bessmertin wants to control from the top but Pak keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Artem Bessmertin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Bessmertin takes a swing at Pak's ribcage but misses.
Pak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Bessmertin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Pak tries to kick Bessmertin off but Bessmertin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bessmertin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bessmertin prevents Pak from standing back up.
Bessmertin lands strikes from half guard.
Bessmertin drops an elbow to the side of Pak's head.
Pak wants to get back to his feet.
Bessmertin wants to take a breather but Pak is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin passes to side control.
Bessmertin lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pak is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Bessmertin is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Bessmertin lands a heavy elbow.
BOOM! Bessmertin connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Pak is rocked!
Bessmertin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bessmertin with the ground and pound from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Bessmertin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pak's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bessmertin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Still in the clinch, Bessmertin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bessmertin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bessmertin lands with a left to the head.
Oh Pak is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pak is trying to force a seperation but Bessmertin has the dominant position.
Pak seems to have got his legs back now.
Bessmertin prevents Pak from breaking the clinch.
Pak is trying to force a seperation but Bessmertin has the dominant position.
Bessmertin gets through Pak's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bessmertin lands a right hand.
Pak tries to break free but Bessmertin pushes him back against the cage.
Pak can't break the clinch.
Bessmertin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Pak after a bit of a struggle.

Bessmertin tightens his grip and picks Pak up, before dumping him to the ground. Pak manages to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin works over Pak with some ground and pound from guard.
Bessmertin trying to control the position from guard on top but Pak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bessmertin is standing up over Pak. Pak looks to escape but Bessmertin dives into side control.
Pak is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bessmertin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Bessmertin working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Pak throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bessmertin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pak doesn't seem bothered though.
Bessmertin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pak at a distance.
Bessmertin defending well as Pak loads up on a big left hand.

Pak tries to sprawl but Bessmertin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bessmertin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dae Jung Pak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Artem Bessmertin 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.
Bessmertin stalling.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Artem Bessmertin wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bessmertin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bessmertin checks a leg kick.
Bessmertin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Bessmertin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pak did well to prevent Bessmertin getting side control.
Bessmertin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Bessmertin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bessmertin prevents Pak from standing back up.
Bessmertin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Artem Bessmertin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Pak throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bessmertin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bessmertin throws a nice looking combination but Pak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pak ducks right into an uppercut from Bessmertin.
Pak turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Artem Bessmertin seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pak wants to land a leg kick but Bessmertin is out of range.
Bessmertin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bessmertin lands a jab to the nose.
Pak walks into a left hand.
Bessmertin scores with a body shot.
A lazy left from Pak finds it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bessmertin moves into the clinch.
Bessmertin has Pak pressed against the cage, preventing Pak from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pak tries to circle away but Bessmertin has him pinned against the cage.
Pak tries to break free but Bessmertin pushes him back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pak goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pak tries a body shot but Bessmertin blocks it.
Pak is trying to break the clinch but Bessmertin is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artem Bessmertin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bessmertin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Bessmertin!
During a confident post fight interview, Artem Bessmertin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.