PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jens Mestermand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heikki Jaaskelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Jens Mestermand has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Mestermand
vs
Jaaskelainen

165 cm
22
142 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

165 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jens Mestermand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Heikki Jaaskelainen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mestermand lands a nice hook to Jaaskelainen's body. Jaaskelainen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Jaaskelainen loads up on a big right hand but Mestermand slips the punch.
Mestermand fails in his attempt to clinch.

Jaaskelainen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Jaaskelainen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mestermand sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Mestermand is looking to improve his position.
Mestermand gets back to full guard.
Jaaskelainen postures up.
Mestermand is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jaaskelainen won't allow Mestermand to sweep him here.
Jaaskelainen 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.

Jaaskelainen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mestermand tries to clinch up but Jaaskelainen circles away and keeps his distance.

Jaaskelainen scores with a takedown into Mestermand's guard.
Jaaskelainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mestermand is keeping the position for now.
Mestermand is trying to keep Jaaskelainen in close.
Mestermand 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.
Mestermand working a defensive guard here.
Jaaskelainen stays in close to Mestermand's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mestermand lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Jaaskelainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Mestermand is retaining full guard.
Jaaskelainen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Jaaskelainen blocks the strikes from Mestermand.
Jaaskelainen wants to control but Mestermand is keeping him busy.
Jaaskelainen throwing shots but Mestermand is blocking nicely.
Jaaskelainen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Mestermand tries to get to full guard but Jaaskelainen has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mestermand wants to control but Jaaskelainen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jaaskelainen wants to control but Mestermand is keeping him busy.
Mestermand is trying to stand.
Mestermand is breathing heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mestermand gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Jaaskelainen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Jaaskelainen stands up from half guard.
Mestermand tries to clinch but Jaaskelainen moves away

and Jaaskelainen counters with a single leg into guard. Mestermand didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mestermand being controlled here, momentarily.
Mestermand wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mestermand is looking to stand up but Jaaskelainen isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mestermand thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mestermand holds on and takes a little breather.
Mestermand not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Mestermand pushes Jaaskelainen off and gets back to his feet.
Mestermand looks to clinch

and Jaaskelainen counters by moving into the clinch.
Jaaskelainen tries to break the clinch but Mestermand is controlling the position.
Mestermand tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jaaskelainen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mestermand scores with a knee to the head.
Mestermand is trying to break the clinch but Jaaskelainen has him pressed against the cage.
Mestermand lands a body punch.
Jaaskelainen prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jens Mestermand. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mestermand is looking to break free of the clinch but Jaaskelainen has double underhooks.
Mestermand wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mestermand is looking to break free of the clinch but Jaaskelainen has double underhooks.

Mestermand manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heikki Jaaskelainen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mestermand shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jaaskelainen as he jumps to the side.
Jaaskelainen throws a solid leg kick but Mestermand takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Jaaskelainen.
Jaaskelainen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jaaskelainen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mestermand pinned against the cage. Mestermand gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mestermand gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Jaaskelainen moves into the clinch.
Jaaskelainen prevents Mestermand from breaking the clinch.
Jaaskelainen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mestermand prevents it.
Jaaskelainen tries to stall but Mestermand uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Mestermand breaks from the clinch.
Jens Mestermand is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mestermand tries to clinch but Jaaskelainen moves away

and Jaaskelainen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mestermand won't be happy with that.
Mestermand struggling a bit here.
Heikki Jaaskelainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mestermand tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jaaskelainen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaaskelainen is working Mestermand over with some ground and pound from side control.
Jaaskelainen taking a break here but Mestermand is having none of it and regains half guard.
Mestermand slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jaaskelainen wants to control from the top but Mestermand keeps moving.
Mestermand manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Jaaskelainen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Jaaskelainen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Jaaskelainen gets back to full guard.
Jaaskelainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jaaskelainen looking to control.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Jaaskelainen holds on and takes a little breather.
Jaaskelainen looking for a sweep. Not yet Jaaskelainen, not yet.
Jaaskelainen pulls Mestermand in close to prevent any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jaaskelainen is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mestermand has his hands on Jaaskelainen's head, controlling the position.

Jaaskelainen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Jaaskelainen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Jaaskelainen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mestermand uses from the top position.
Jaaskelainen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mestermand's guard.
Jaaskelainen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jaaskelainen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mestermand swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mestermand has momentary wrist control but Jaaskelainen slips an elbow through the middle.
Mestermand is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mestermand is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Jaaskelainen is controlling him.

Mestermand throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mestermand seems keen to control Jaaskelainen's posture.
Jaaskelainen preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heikki Jaaskelainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mestermand wants to clinch

and Jaaskelainen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Jaaskelainen controlling from the top position.

Jaaskelainen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Mestermand throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mestermand blocks a leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jaaskelainen.
Mestermand fails with the takedown

and Jaaskelainen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Mestermand!
Jaaskelainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Mestermand is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mestermand is trying to stand.
Jaaskelainen thowing shots but they're missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mestermand tries to lock up and control but Jaaskelainen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mestermand wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Mestermand staying busy and making it hard for Jaaskelainen to control.
Jaaskelainen punishes Mestermand with strikes from the back mount.
Jaaskelainen connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Mestermand to escape the position.
Mestermand trying to get back to his feet but Jaaskelainen is in full control for now.
Jaaskelainen is riding his opponent, not letting Mestermand buck him off.
Mestermand is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Mestermand avoids the strikes from Jaaskelainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jaaskelainen throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Jaaskelainen trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Mestermand doesn't escape.
Mestermand rolls, trying to escape but Jaaskelainen keeps control of the position.
Jaaskelainen lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Jaaskelainen lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Mestermand hold on?!
Mestermand tries to roll but Jaaskelainen sticks to his back.
Jaaskelainen gets his hands free as Mestermand looks to control.
Mestermand tries to escape the position.
Mestermand turns into Jaaskelainen and is now in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaaskelainen keeping moving, preventing Mestermand from controlling successfully.
Jaaskelainen trying to control the position here.
Mestermand has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Jaaskelainen is proving hard to escape from.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Jaaskelainen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mestermand sprawls well initially but Jaaskelainen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mestermand trying to hold on to Jaaskelainen's head to control him but Jaaskelainen postures up.
Jaaskelainen is looking to advance position but Mestermand won't allow it.
Jaaskelainen prevents Mestermand from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mestermand is working hard here to advance position.

Jaaskelainen is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Mestermand has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mestermand has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jaaskelainen is working away from the top position though.

Mestermand has one foot on Jaaskelainen's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Mestermand closes the distance and clinches.
Jens Mestermand has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jaaskelainen is trying to break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
Heikki Jaaskelainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jaaskelainen 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Heikki Jaaskelainen!