PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yury Vesnev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reiska Pekka Retale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Retale has chosen The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vesnev
vs
Pekka Retale

170 cm
25
159 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

169 cm
24
154 lbs
17 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Fenrir Fightgear - Steel Penn

Unique Wear and Custom Design

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yury Vesnev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reiska Pekka Retale!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Retale connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vesnev's hands.
Yury Vesnev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vesnev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Vesnev throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Retale throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Vesnev misses with a straight left.
Vesnev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Retale ducks under a wild hook from Vesnev.
Retale misses with a looping left.
A big left from Retale misses.
Vesnev moves away from the strike by Retale.
Retale misses with a body shot.
Vesnev looks to land a left hand but Retale moved out of range nicely.
Retale looks to land a combination. Vesnev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A big right from Vesnev misses.
Retale misses with an uppercut. Vesnev saw that one coming.
Vesnev works the jab nicely.
Retale looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Retale misses with an uppercut. Vesnev saw that one coming.
Retale fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale scores with a jab. Vesnev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Vesnev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Vesnev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Retale moves away.
Retale walks into a jab.
Retale takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Retale lands a body shot.
Retale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vesnev.
A nice leg kick lands there from Retale.
Vesnev shoots in but no luck this time.
Retale takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Vesnev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Retale. Vesnev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Retale thows a body shot but no joy.
Vesnev avoids the body shot from Retale.
Vesnev lands a nice hook to Retale's body. Retale takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vesnev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Retale.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev misses the jab.
Retale lands a right hook to the body.
Retale swings for the body but Vesnev moves out of range.
Vesnev throws a body punch but Retale moves out of range.
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!
Retale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Retale avoids a kick to the body.
Retale ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A solid body kick from Retale.
Retale misses with an uppercut. Vesnev saw that one coming.
Retale misses the jab.
Retale bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Retale misses with an uppercut.
Reiska Pekka Retale is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Vesnev. That's going to slow Retale down.
Retale checks a leg kick.
Retale slips a straight right by Vesnev.
Vesnev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Retale checks it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev misses with a low kick as Retale jumps back.
Vesnev throws a sloppy body shot
and Retale connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vesnev scores with a nice right hand.
Retale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vesnev.
Retale bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Vesnev swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Retale.
Vesnev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Vesnev lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Retale has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Retale and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Vesnev misses with a right hand
and Retale counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vesnev lands with a good body shot.
Vesnev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Retale stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Vesnev looks to land a combination but Retale avoids it well.
Retale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vesnev.
Retale changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Vesnev swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Retale makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Retale throws the left hand but Vesnev avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Retale.
Retale keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Retale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vesnev.
Retale throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vesnev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Vesnev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Retale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Vesnev finds it's way through Retale's defenses.
A clash of legs there as Vesnev blocks the low kick.
Retale swings for the body but Vesnev moves out of range.
Retale cracks Vesnev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Retale lands the left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Retale fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vesnev.
Retale punishes Vesnev's body with a nice straight punch.
Retale waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vesnev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Reiska Pekka Retale will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vesnev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Retale throws out the jab.
Vesnev lands a head shot.
Vesnev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Retale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vesnev was well out of range. Poor timing from Retale.
A punch combination from Vesnev misses.
Vesnev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vesnev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Vesnev throws out a leg kick but Retale moves out of range and Vesnev only half commits.
Vesnev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Retale moves away.
Retale bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Vesnev tried to score with a low kick but Retale checks it.
Retale blocks a low kick nicely.
Vesnev misses with a low kick.
Retale slips under a jab.
Retale lands an overhand right.
A big left from Retale misses.
Retale changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesnev lands a nice shot that snaps Retale's head back.
Vesnev misses with an uppercut. Retale saw that one coming.
Vesnev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vesnev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Retale thows a body shot but no joy.
Vesnev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Vesnev looks to land a combination but Retale avoids it well.
Vesnev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Retale throws out the jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Vesnev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Retale walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vesnev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Reiska Pekka Retale seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vesnev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Retale was well out of range. Poor timing from Vesnev.
Vesnev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Retale moves away.
Vesnev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A big right from Vesnev misses.
Retale lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retale throws a low kick but Vesnev avoids it.
Vesnev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Vesnev throws a lazy uppercut
and Retale counters with a right hand to the body.
Retale misses with a two punch combination.
Retale scores with a hook to the body. Vesnev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Retale misses.
Retale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vesnev manages to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Retale jabs Vesnev right on the nose. Vesnev blinks but takes it well.
A slow jab from Retale misses its intended target.
Retale with a jab.
Vesnev takes a jab right on the kisser.
Vesnev jabs Retale to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Retale.
Vesnev shoots in for a takedown but Retale shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Retale fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev takes a swing at Retale's ribcage but misses.

Retale gets caught flat footed, as Vesnev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Vesnev works over Retale with some ground and pound from guard.
Vesnev lands a couple of elbows.

Vesnev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Retale is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Retale has escaped and now he's on top!
Retale trying to control the position from guard on top but Vesnev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Retale content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale wants to control from the top but Vesnev keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Retale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Retale must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Retale is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Retale passes easily into side control. Nice work.
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!
Vesnev gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vesnev wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Reiska Pekka Retale will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Vesnev misses with a takedown attempt - Retale sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vesnev moves out of range as Retale strikes.
Retale misses with a straight right.
Vesnev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Retale.
Retale just misses with a punch to the body.
Retale connects with a body shot.
Vesnev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Retale has time to react.
Vesnev throws a hook but Retale avoids it easily.
Retale scores with the left hand. Vesnev knows he should have avoided that one.
Retale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Retale ducks under a wild hook from Vesnev.
Retale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vesnev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Vesnev misses with the combination.
Vesnev throws a nice looking combination but Retale bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesnev throws a low kick but Retale avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Retale. Vesnev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Retale scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Vesnev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vesnev swings for the body but Retale moves out of range.
Vesnev throws a low kick but Retale moves out of range easily.
Retale feints a jab promting Vesnev to slip. Retale then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Vesnev slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A jab from Retale does it's job there.
Vesnev avoids the body shot from Retale.
Retale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vesnev manages to avoid it.
Vesnev scores with a shot to the body.
Retale lands a nice hook to Vesnev's body. Vesnev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vesnev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retale throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Vesnev misses with a body kick.
Retale misses with a wild body shot.
Vesnev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Retale at a distance.
Retale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vesnev.
A big left from Vesnev misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vesnev staying out of range there.
Vesnev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Retale takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Retale misses with a jab, cross combination.
Retale tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Vesnev is able to avoid easily.
Retale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Retale lands a body shot.
Vesnev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Retale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vesnev.
Vesnev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retale misses with a few strikes there.
Vesnev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Retale avoids the body shot from Vesnev.
Vesnev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Retale bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Vesnev's head.
Vesnev misses with a hook. Retale ducked under it nicely.
Vesnev defending well as Retale loads up on a big left hand.
Vesnev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vesnev looks to throw the jab but Retale is out of range.
Vesnev missing with a left hand there. Retale was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vesnev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Vesnev walks into a left hand.
Retale throws a big shot that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vesnev. Retale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vesnev lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Retale.
Retale feints and then cracks Vesnev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vesnev down.
Retale throws a low kick but Vesnev moves out of range easily.
Retale tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Retale misses with a two punch combination.
Vesnev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vesnev throws a shot from downtown. Retale moves away and avoids it.
Retale throws a hook to the side of Vesnev's head but Vesnev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vesnev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vesnev misses with a takedown attempt - Retale sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yury Vesnev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Retale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vesnev moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A lazy left from Vesnev finds it's target.
Retale just misses with a punch to the body.
Retale connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reiska Pekka Retale really dominated that round.
That's time! Vesnev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A slow jab from Vesnev misses its intended target.
Retale swings for the body but Vesnev moves out of range.
Vesnev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Retale.
Retale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Retale lands a head shot.
Vesnev just misses with a punch to the body.
Vesnev lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Vesnev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Retale pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Retale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vesnev.
Vesnev dips to his left and cracks Retale with an uppercut!
Retale ducks under a wild hook from Vesnev.
Vesnev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Vesnev is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale scores with a shot to the body.
Vesnev throws a shot from downtown. Retale moves away and avoids it.
Retale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vesnev.
Retale tries a head kick but it misses.
Retale avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Retale looks to score with a jab to the body but Vesnev is just out of range.
Good exchange - Retale coming out on top.
Retale throws a leg kick which misses Vesnev's front leg but catches the back leg as Vesnev tries to avoid it.
Vesnev fakes the leg kick and cracks Retale in the body.
Retale with a hook.
Retale looks to land a left hand but Vesnev moved out of range nicely.
Vesnev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vesnev takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Retale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters circle momentarily. Retale darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retale throws a body kick that misses.
Vesnev throws a looping overhand right but Retale ducks down to avoid it.
Vesnev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Retale moves away.
Retale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vesnev.
Jab from Vesnev.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Retale checks a leg kick.
Retale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vesnev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Retale.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vesnev misses with a body kick.
Vesnev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Retale looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Retale scores with a jab to the body.
Retale moves out of range as Vesnev strikes.
Vesnev tries for a takedown but Retale sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yury Vesnev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vesnev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Retale has control of Vesnev's left arm, preventing Vesnev from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev won't allow Retale to sweep him here.
Retale bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Vesnev's guard.
Retale trying to control but Vesnev is working from the bottom.
Vesnev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Retale is one step ahead there.

Vesnev looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Retale passes into half guard.
Retale controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vesnev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vesnev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Retale showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Retale is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vesnev keeping moving, preventing Retale from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Reiska Pekka Retale will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Vesnev thows a body shot but no joy.
Retale cracks a nice hook into Vesnev's ribs.
A decent looking cross lands there for Retale.
Vesnev with a hook.
Vesnev has a takedown stuffed.
Retale takes a swing at Vesnev's ribcage but misses.
Retale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Retale fails to land with a series of punches.
Vesnev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Vesnev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Retale lands a jab to Vesnev's midsection.
Retale checks the leg kick.
Retale throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale throws the left hand but Vesnev avoids the punch easily.
Vesnev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Retale.
Retale blocks a jab.
Vesnev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vesnev pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Vesnev scores with a kick to the body.
Retale connects with a body shot.
Vesnev scores with a nice right hand.
Nice shot lands for Vesnev.
Vesnev just misses with a punch to the body.
Retale throws a right and a left that both miss.
Retale misses with a wild body shot.
Retale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vesnev manages to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Vesnev.
Yury Vesnev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retale scores with a crisp jab that stopped Vesnev in his tracks.
Retale swings widly with a right hand
letting Vesnev counter with a right hand.
Vesnev shoots in for a double leg but Retale sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Retale scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Vesnev doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd cheers as Retale lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vesnev doesn't seem phased though.
Vesnev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Retale misses with a wild body shot.
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!
Vesnev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Vesnev finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Retale is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Vesnev rather than just go for the knockout.
Retale lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Retale leaves Vesnev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yury Vesnev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Retale looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Retale connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev misses with a hook
and Retale connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick from Retale misses
and Vesnev counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Retale works over Vesnev's head and body with a nice combination.
A jab lands there for Retale.
Retale looks for the body kick but Vesnev saw that one coming.
Reiska Pekka Retale is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Retale displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vesnev.
Retale lands a body shot.
A jab from Retale finds it's way through Vesnev's defenses.
Vesnev misses with a looping left.
Retale scores with a jab.
Retale displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vesnev throws out the jab.
Retale scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Vesnev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev with a nice cross.
Vesnev tries for a takedown but Retale sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vesnev throws a hook but Retale avoids it easily.
Vesnev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vesnev just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vesnev misses the shot to the body.
Vesnev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Retale.
Retale lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Retale feints and then cracks Vesnev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vesnev down.
Retale lands with a right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vesnev dodges the punch combination from Retale.
Vesnev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reiska Pekka Retale comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Retale 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 45:50
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Reiska Pekka Retale!
Reiska Pekka Retale is the new featherweight champion!
Reiska Pekka Retale seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.