PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Akira Hayabusa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Possu Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hayabusa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bombs Away. Possu Jokinen 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!

Hayabusa
vs
Jokinen

167 cm
23
166 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

178 cm
21
167 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Global Empire MMA Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Hayabusa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Possu Jokinen!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hayabusa wants to clinch up but Jokinen keeps it at a distance.
Jokinen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hayabusa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No joy there for Hayabusa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jokinen.
Jokinen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jokinen ducks under a wild hook from Hayabusa.
Horrible takedown by Hayabusa or perhaps it was just good defense by Jokinen which made him look bad.

Jokinen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hayabusa's guard.
Hayabusa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jokinen wants to control from the top but Hayabusa keeps moving.
Jokinen wants to pass the guard but Hayabusa is keeping the position.
Hayabusa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Jokinen wants to control from the top but Hayabusa keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Possu Jokinen wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hayabusa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jokinen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Possu Jokinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hayabusa is looking to clinch.
Hayabusa thows a body shot but no joy.
Hayabusa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jokinen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hayabusa.
Jokinen misses with a two punch combination.
Jokinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jokinen misses with a two punch combination.
Hayabusa misses with a looping right.
Jokinen throws a good cross that connects.
Hayabusa slips a jab and a cross from Jokinen.
Jokinen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hayabusa's head backwards.
Jokinen misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a chopping leg kick but Hayabusa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hayabusa throws a good cross that connects.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jokinen shoots in but Hayabusa avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Hayabusa drives through with a takedown into Jokinen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hayabusa wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Hayabusa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jokinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hayabusa looking to pass the guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hayabusa preventing the sweep.
Hayabusa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jokinen wants to stand but Hayabusa is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen trying to control the position here.
Hayabusa 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.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Possu Jokinen hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hayabusa shoots for a double leg takedown but Jokinen sprawls well. He's pushed Hayabusa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hayabusa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hayabusa thows a body shot but no joy.
Jokinen lands a lovely overhand right.
Jokinen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hayabusa.
Jokinen's corner calls for a 1-2. Jokinen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Jokinen avoids a kick to the body.
Jokinen misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A left and a right from Jokinen both land. Nice combination.
Jokinen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akira Hayabusa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Possu Jokinen.
Jokinen scores with the left hand. Hayabusa knows he should have avoided that one.
Jokinen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hayabusa scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hayabusa gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Jokinen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hayabusa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jokinen.
Jokinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jokinen won't allow Hayabusa to sweep him here.
Hayabusa throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hayabusa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jokinen is one step ahead there.
Hayabusa keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jokinen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Possu Jokinen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hayabusa connects with a good right hand that stumbles Jokinen. Jokinen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Jokinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A lazy left from Jokinen finds it's target.
Jokinen throws a big shot that misses.
Hayabusa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hayabusa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jokinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jokinen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Jokinen throws a series of punches but Hayabusa moves out of range.
Jokinen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hayabusa defends it nicely.
Hayabusa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jokinen circles away.
Possu Jokinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jokinen throws the left hand but Hayabusa avoids the punch easily.
Jokinen throws a right hand that Hayabusa ducks under and follows up with a left that Hayabusa also avoids with ease.
Jokinen shoots in but no luck this time.
Left hook, right uppercut from Jokinen.
Jokinen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Jokinen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hayabusa.
Nice shot lands for Jokinen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hayabusa misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayabusa tries to clinch there but Jokinen circles away.
Hayabusa takes a swing at Jokinen's ribcage but misses.

Hayabusa has Jokinen up against the cage in a clinch.
Hayabusa gets underhooks to prevent Jokinen's takedown attempt.
Akira Hayabusa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Possu Jokinen.
Hayabusa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Hayabusa fails to land.
Hayabusa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Jokinen tries to pull guard but Hayabusa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Jokinen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hayabusa wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa throws a big right hand that misses.
Jokinen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jokinen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hayabusa wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Jokinen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Possu Jokinen wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hayabusa just misses with a punch to the body.
Jokinen lands a nice shot that snaps Hayabusa's head back.

Jokinen clinches up with Hayabusa and pushes him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hayabusa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jokinen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen jumps guard but Hayabusa stands there with Jokinen around his waist. Jokinen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Jokinen is pressed up against the cage. Hayabusa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jokinen down to the mat. Jokinen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Jokinen drives through with a takedown into Hayabusa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Jokinen wanted to stand there but Hayabusa had control of the position.
Jokinen forces his way into half guard.
Jokinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jokinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hayabusa trying to hold on to Jokinen's head to control him but Jokinen postures up.
Jokinen is looking to take a break and control but Hayabusa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hayabusa is defending against the submission attempts here by Jokinen.
Hayabusa regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jokinen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Hayabusa kicks Jokinen off and gets to his feet.
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!
Jokinen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hayabusa looks to land a right hand but Jokinen moved out of range.
Hayabusa fails with a takedown attempt.
Jokinen dips to his left and cracks Hayabusa with an uppercut!
Jokinen throws a right hand that Hayabusa ducks under and follows up with a left that Hayabusa also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Possu Jokinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jokinen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hayabusa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jokinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hayabusa.
Jokinen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Jokinen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hayabusa's guard.
Jokinen trying to control but Hayabusa is working from the bottom.
Jokinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Hayabusa is retaining full guard.
Hayabusa keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
Hayabusa trying to control the position.
Hayabusa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Possu Jokinen was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Jokinen tries to bum rush Hayabusa with a series of wild strikes but Hayabusa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hayabusa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Hayabusa closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Jokinen quickly recovers to half guard.
Hayabusa prevents Jokinen from standing back up.
Hayabusa trying to control the action but Jokinen is working from the bottom.

Hayabusa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jokinen defends it well.
Jokinen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hayabusa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hayabusa's back!
Jokinen is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Hayabusa up.
Jokinen is trying to stick to Hayabusa's back but Hayabusa is turning into Jokinen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Jokinen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hayabusa.
Hayabusa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jokinen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jokinen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hayabusa pushing down on Jokinen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Jokinen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jokinen has Hayabusa pulled in close to control his posture.
Jokinen wants to stand and escape but Hayabusa is having none of it.
Hayabusa passes into half guard.
Hayabusa lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Jokinen desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Jokinen is trying to get back to full guard.

Hayabusa seems to be looking for submissions.
Jokinen flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Hayabusa takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa prevents Jokinen from improving his position.
Jokinen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Jokinen looking for submissions off his back.
Jokinen is looking to improve his position.
Hayabusa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jokinen trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Hayabusa manages to pass to mount!
Hayabusa prevents Jokinen from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Possu Jokinen just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jokinen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hayabusa with a jab.
Hayabusa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jokinen circles away.
Jokinen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jokinen lands a lovely overhand right.
Hayabusa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Jokinen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hayabusa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jokinen jabs Hayabusa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hayabusa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hayabusa gets a clinch.

Hayabusa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Possu Jokinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jokinen dives in and grabs Hayabusa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hayabusa pushes down on Jokinen's head and hops out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hayabusa misses with a few strikes there.
Hayabusa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jokinen sprawls well. Jokinen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hayabusa gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jokinen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Jokinen is thwarting Hayabusa's attempts to control the position.

Jokinen escapes and gets back to his feet.
Jokinen misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Hayabusa.
Hayabusa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jokinen.
Jokinen lands with a right hand.
Jokinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hayabusa moves away.
Jab by Hayabusa.
Jokinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hayabusa.
Hayabusa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hayabusa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jokinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hayabusa wants to clinch.
Hayabusa fails in his attempt to clinch.

Jokinen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jokinen wants to pass the guard but Hayabusa is defending well.
Hayabusa is looking to improve his position.
Jokinen is looking to advance position but Hayabusa won't allow it.
Jokinen is keen to just control but Hayabusa is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa trying to control from the bottom.
Hayabusa wants to get back to full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Jokinen is looking to advance position but Hayabusa won't allow it.
Jokinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Jokinen is stalling here. Hayabusa is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Jokinen seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Hayabusa has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Jokinen is looking for a sweep.

Hayabusa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Jokinen is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Hayabusa is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen is trying to escape the mount.
Hayabusa scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Jokinen?
Jokinen sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Jokinen trying to control here.
Hayabusa trying to control the pace.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jokinen works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Possu Jokinen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hayabusa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jokinen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jokinen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hayabusa misses the shot to the body.
Jokinen thuds his right hand into Hayabusa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Jokinen throws a right hand that Hayabusa ducks under and follows up with a left that Hayabusa also avoids with ease.
The fighters circling - Jokinen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jokinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hayabusa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jokinen moves away.
Jokinen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jokinen scores with a jab.
Jokinen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Jokinen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hayabusa to the ground. Jokinen is now in Hayabusa's guard.

Hayabusa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jokinen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jokinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Hayabusa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayabusa is trying to keep Jokinen in close.
Jokinen trying to control but Hayabusa is working from the bottom.

Hayabusa has an active guard here but Jokinen has managed to pass into half guard.
Hayabusa is not content to let Jokinen control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa moves into full guard.
Jokinen trying to control but Hayabusa is working from the bottom.
Jokinen wants to stand and escape but instead Hayabusa has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Akira Hayabusa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hayabusa trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Jokinen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jokinen wants to sweep here but Hayabusa controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa throws a big elbow that misses.
Hayabusa slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Jokinen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Jokinen regains half guard.
Jokinen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hayabusa.
Jokinen trying to hold on to Hayabusa's head to control him but Hayabusa postures up.
Jokinen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hayabusa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hayabusa!
Jokinen looking to finish Hayabusa with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hayabusa!
Jokinen controlling the pace for now.

Jokinen is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Hayabusa has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Hayabusa!
Possu Jokinen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jokinen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hayabusa tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Possu Jokinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jokinen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 46:50
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Possu Jokinen! Possu Jokinen retains his lightweight title!