PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jaer Emilson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reima Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Emilson
vs
Jokinen

186 cm
26
205 lbs
1 - 4 - 1

206 cm
22
217 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jaer Emilson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reima Jokinen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emilson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jokinen's waist but Jokinen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Emilson off to one side.
Jokinen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Jaer Emilson has been cut.
Jokinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jokinen misses with the combination.
Jokinen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Emilson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jokinen throws a lazy head kick

and Emilson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emilson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Jokinen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Emilson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Emilson pushing down on Jokinen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Jokinen pushes Emilson off looking to stand but Emilson dives back in and keeps control.

Emilson seems to be working for a kimura but Jokinen defends the submission attempt.
Emilson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emilson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Emilson seems to be working for a kimura but Jokinen defends the submission attempt.

Emilson is trying to work for a kimura but Jokinen is defending well.

Emilson wants to work for an arm triangle but Jokinen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Emilson seems to be working for a kimura but Jokinen defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emilson is looking to advance position but Jokinen won't allow it.
Emilson is just content to waste time from the top position. Jokinen takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Jokinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Emilson postures up in Jokinen's guard and throws a big left but Jokinen blocks it.
Emilson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Jokinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Emilson wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Jokinen looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emilson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emilson wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Emilson postures up and lands a big shot to Jokinen's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emilson content to stall in guard here.
Jokinen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Emilson distracts Jokinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Jokinen 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.
Emilson controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emilson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Emilson tries to free his leg and advance position but Jokinen is retaining full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jaer Emilson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Jokinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Emilson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Emilson feints and as Jokinen raises his hands in defense, Emilson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emilson with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emilson trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Jokinen controls Emilson momentarily but Emilson frees himself.
Emilson stays in close to Jokinen's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaer Emilson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jaer Emilson's cut.
That's time! Emilson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jokinen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Emilson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Emilson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jokinen's guard.
Emilson wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Emilson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Emilson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Emilson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Emilson trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emilson landing some decent shots from guard.
Emilson throws a big right hand that misses.
Emilson throwing strikes but missing.
Emilson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Emilson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jokinen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jokinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Emilson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Emilson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Emilson 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.
Emilson throwing strikes but missing.
Jokinen controls Emilson momentarily but Emilson frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emilson throwing strikes but missing.
Jokinen looking to control.

Reima Jokinen has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Emilson dives in and grabs Jokinen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jokinen pushes down on Emilson's head and hops out.
Emilson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jokinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaer Emilson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emilson takes a kick to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A clash of legs there as Jokinen blocks the low kick.
Jokinen tries to bum rush Emilson with a series of wild strikes but Emilson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Reima Jokinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Jokinen.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Emilson is defended easily by Jokinen.
Emilson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen misses with a head kick.
Emilson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jokinen as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Emilson shoots in and gets a takedown into Jokinen's guard.
Emilson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jokinen is keeping the position for now.
Emilson wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Emilson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Jokinen is looking to stand up but Emilson isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emilson trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jaer Emilson just wasn't active enough.
Jokinen misses with the combination.
Jokinen throws a head kick that misses.
Jokinen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jokinen misses with a wild combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice sprawl there from Jokinen as Emilson shoots in.

Emilson feints and as Jokinen raises his hands in defense, Emilson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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!
Emilson throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaer Emilson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jaer Emilson's cut.
That's time! Emilson'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.

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Jokinen. Emilson shrugs it off though.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Emilson.
Emilson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jokinen pinned against the cage. Jokinen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Emilson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaer Emilson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jokinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Emilson looks to land a right hand but Jokinen moved out of range.
Emilson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jokinen. Jokinen obviously looking to wear him down.
Emilson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A head kick from Jokinen lands but Emilson takes it in his stride.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emilson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Jokinen.
Jokinen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Emilson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Jaer Emilson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Jokinen.
Jokinen misses with a head kick.
Jokinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Jokinen throws a head kick but Emilson moves out of range.
Reima Jokinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jokinen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jokinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Emilson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Emilson shoots in for a double leg but Jokinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jokinen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a head kick but Emilson moves out of range.
Reima Jokinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jokinen throws a head kick that Emilson semi-blocks.
Jokinen throws a head kick that Emilson semi-blocks.
Jokinen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Jokinen lands with a slapping head kick.
Jokinen scores with a head kick.
Jokinen throws a sloppy head kick and Emilson moves out of range easily.
Jokinen throws a sloppy head kick and Emilson moves out of range easily.
Jokinen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Emilson circles away quickly and effectively.
Emilson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Emilson blocks a head kick by Jokinen.
Jokinen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emilson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jokinen as he jumps to the side.
Jokinen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Jokinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jokinen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Emilson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Emilson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Emilson avoids the head kick by Jokinen.
Jokinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jokinen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Emilson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jokinen avoids the body shot from Emilson.
Jaer Emilson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a head kick but Emilson moves out of range.
Jokinen misses with a head kick.
Jokinen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Emilson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jokinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Emilson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Emilson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jokinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Reima Jokinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jokinen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck for Emilson with that takedown attempt.
Jokinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head kick misses from Jokinen.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Jokinen - that will leave a mark!

And that's the end of the fight!
Reima Jokinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Emilson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jaer Emilson!
A victorious Jaer Emilson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.