PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Myint Htaike (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Veli Pirinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Htaike
vs
Pirinen

176 cm
24
179 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

192 cm
27
180 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Myint Htaike!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Veli Pirinen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Htaike throws a body punch but Pirinen moves out of range.
Htaike takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jab, jab by Pirinen - just one landing.
Htaike blocks a head kick by Pirinen.
Pirinen works Htaike's body with a nice hook.
Pirinen lands with an uppercut that bounces Htaike off the cage and back into range.
Htaike looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pirinen is fending him off so far but Htaike persists. Nope, Pirinen circles away and we're back to standing.
Htaike on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Pirinen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Htaike misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pirinen connects with a crisp jab.
Pirinen misses with a two punch combination.
Pirinen cracks Htaike with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Pirinen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Htaike misses with a takedown attempt - Pirinen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Myint Htaike. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pirinen misses with a straight left.
Htaike throws a looping overhand right but Pirinen ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Htaike scores with a body shot.
Pirinen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pirinen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Htaike fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Htaike avoids a kick to the body.
Myint Htaike seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Htaike misses with a straight right.
Pirinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Htaike is just out of range.
Htaike is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pirinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice straight punches there by Pirinen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Pirinen.
Nice uppercut there from Pirinen.
No joy there for Htaike, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pirinen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Htaike.
Pirinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Htaike sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Htaike shoots in and drives through. Pirinen sprawls well.
Veli Pirinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pirinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Htaike looks to land a left hand but Pirinen moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Htaike looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Htaike slips a jab from Pirinen.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Htaike.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pirinen. Htaike does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pirinen slips a jab from Htaike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Htaike throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pirinen moves out of range as Htaike strikes.
Pirinen looks to land a left hand but Htaike moved out of range nicely.
Htaike checks the leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Pirinen.
Pirinen connects with a high kick.
Htaike connects with the punch.
Pirinen's corner calls for a 1-2. Pirinen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Htaike is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Pirinen's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Htaike is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pirinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Htaike misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pirinen.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Htaike. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Pirinen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Htaike connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Htaike on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Htaike tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Pirinen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pirinen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Pirinen throws a wild body kick that Htaike sees coming a mile off.
Htaike shoots in for a takedown but Pirinen shows good takedown defense.
Pirinen throws a chopping leg kick but Htaike manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Htaike throws a lazy right hand but Pirinen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Htaike swinging wildly here.
Htaike throws a jab but it's blocked by Pirinen.
A nice combination there by Htaike.
Pirinen tests Htaike's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pirinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Htaike.
Pirinen cracks a nice hook into Htaike's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pirinen throws a sloppy head kick and Htaike moves out of range easily.
Htaike takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Htaike slips a jab from Pirinen.
Htaike swings for the body but Pirinen moves out of range.
Pirinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Htaike.
Htaike slips a straight right by Pirinen.
Htaike shoots in for a takedown but Pirinen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Htaike ducks under a wild hook from Pirinen.
Pirinen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Htaike takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Pirinen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Htaike will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pirinen throws the left hand but Htaike avoids the punch easily.
Htaike displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pirinen throws out the jab.
Pirinen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Htaike shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Htaike tries for a takedown but Pirinen circles away easily
letting Pirinen counter with a right hand.
Pirinen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Htaike.
Htaike shoots in looking for a takedown but Pirinen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Htaike's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Myint Htaike. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pirinen throws a big shot that misses.
Pirinen lands a nice hook to Htaike's body. Htaike takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pirinen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Pirinen loads up on a big right hand but Htaike slips the punch.
Pirinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pirinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Htaike is just out of range.
Htaike shoots in for a double leg but Pirinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pirinen misses with a straight right.
Htaike shoots in for a takedown but Pirinen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Veli Pirinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Htaike misses with an uppercut.
Pirinen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Myint Htaike has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Htaike is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Htaike avoids a punch combination nicely.
A swing and a miss from Pirinen.
Pirinen misses with a body kick.
A big left from Pirinen misses.
Htaike is looking to clinch but Pirinen is avoiding it.
Htaike takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Pirinen throws a leg kick but Htaike moved away.
Pirinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pirinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pirinen throws a right hand that Htaike ducks under and follows up with a left that Htaike also avoids with ease.
Pirinen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Htaike throws a big shot that misses.
Pirinen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pirinen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Htaike tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pirinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Htaike on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The fighters circling - Htaike throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Htaike scores with a sloppy right hand. Pirinen should have avoided that one.
Htaike fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pirinen throws a hook but Htaike avoids it easily.
Htaike displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pirinen throws out the jab.
Htaike takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Htaike punishes Pirinen's body with a nice straight punch.
Htaike moves out of range of the strikes.
Pirinen takes a swing at Htaike's ribcage but misses.
Htaike uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pirinen.
Pirinen looks to throw the jab but Htaike is out of range.
Htaike ducks under a wild hook from Pirinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pirinen connects with a body shot.
A jab from Pirinen does it's job there.
Htaike waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pirinen.
Pirinen takes a swing at Htaike's ribcage but misses.
Pirinen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Htaike.
Pirinen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Htaike's head backwards.
Htaike ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Htaike throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pirinen connects with the punch.
Pirinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Htaike sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Htaike throws a looping overhand right but Pirinen ducks down to avoid it.
Htaike is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pirinen.
Htaike scores with a punch to the head.

Htaike closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pirinen to the mat! Pirinen manages to get full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Pirinen has his foot on Htaike's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Htaike works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pirinen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Htaike is working to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Htaike tries to hold on but Pirinen postures up.
Htaike is desperately trying to improve his position but Pirinen has a good base and remains in mount.
Pirinen raining down hammerfists from mount.
Pirinen looking to control but Htaike is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Htaike can't escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pirinen looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pirinen lands a big shot there that rocks Htaike but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Veli Pirinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Myint Htaike's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Pirinen misses with a body shot.
Pirinen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Htaike looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Htaike throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pirinen's waist but Pirinen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Htaike off to one side.
Pirinen swinging wildly here.
A head kick misses from Pirinen.
Htaike is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Pirinen.
Pirinen looks for the body kick but Htaike saw that one coming.
Htaike is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Pirinen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Pirinen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Htaike changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pirinen tries to avoid it but Htaike manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pirinen to the ground. Pirinen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Myint Htaike. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pirinen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Htaike throws a series of punches but Pirinen avoids them all with ease.
Pirinen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Htaike drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Htaike is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pirinen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Pirinen tries to buck Htaike off but Htaike is having none of it.
Pirinen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Htaike's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Htaike is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pirinen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Htaike.
Pirinen wants to improve his position but Htaike is controlling well.
Pirinen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Htaike's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Htaike's back!
Well, with Pirinen on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Htaike is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pirinen lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Pirinen trying to control momentarily.
Pirinen keeps control of the position as Htaike tries to break free.
Pirinen tries to keep control of the position but Htaike is staying busy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pirinen is riding his opponent, not letting Htaike buck him off.
Htaike tries to escape but Pirinen has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Pirinen throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Htaike!
Pirinen lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Htaike hold on?!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Pirinen controlling the positon.
Myint Htaike has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Htaike tries to roll but Pirinen sticks to his back.
Pirinen tries to keep control of the position but Htaike is staying busy.
Pirinen is hanging on to Htaike's back as he tries to escape.
Veli Pirinen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pirinen really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Htaike.
Pirinen is trying to stick to Htaike's back but Htaike is turning into Pirinen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Pirinen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Htaike.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Htaike stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pirinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pirinen is trying to keep Htaike in close.
Htaike pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pirinen is keeping the position for now.
Htaike looking to sit in guard and control but Pirinen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pirinen stays in close to Htaike's body and controls the position.
Pirinen passes Htaike's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Pirinen drops an elbow to the side of Htaike's head.
Pirinen wants to take a breather but Htaike is having none of it.
Pirinen uses his free foot to push down on Htaike's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Htaike.
Pirinen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pirinen working for a guillotine from mount but Htaike is in no mood to give up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pirinen working for a guillotine from mount but Htaike is in no mood to give up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Veli Pirinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pirinen 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Veli Pirinen!