PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gabe Thurgood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Jalkalukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jalkalukko is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air . Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Thurgood
vs
Jalkalukko

186 cm
33
186 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

190 cm
30
200 lbs
14 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hardcore Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gabe Thurgood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Jalkalukko!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thurgood dives in and grabs Jalkalukko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jalkalukko pushes down on Thurgood's head and hops out.
Thurgood misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thurgood fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thurgood misses with an uppercut.
Thurgood stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thurgood wants it to stay on the feet.

Jalkalukko darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jalkalukko is keen to just control but Thurgood is a slippery customer.
Jalkalukko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Thurgood is defending against the submission attempts here by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jalkalukko tries to pass to full mount but Thurgood defends it.
Jalkalukko prevents Thurgood from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jalkalukko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jalkalukko is trying to control the action in half guard but Thurgood is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thurgood trying to control here.
Well, if Jalkalukko is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Jalkalukko is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thurgood has managed to free his arm - good work.

Jalkalukko is working for a kimura but Thurgood is defending it quite comfortably.
Thurgood wants to control but Jalkalukko is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thurgood wants to sweep but Jalkalukko has passed to side control!
Jalkalukko moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Jalkalukko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thurgood, who protects the arm well.

Jalkalukko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Jalkalukko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Thurgood has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Jalkalukko but great work by Thurgood.
Thurgood tries to stand but Jalkalukko is controlling his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko is looking for a sweep.
Jalkalukko sneaks back into half guard.
Jalkalukko tries to roll over but Thurgood keeps him under control.
Jalkalukko holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Jalkalukko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thurgood wants to take a breather but Jalkalukko is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thurgood wants to pass the guard but Jalkalukko is defending well.
Thurgood takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Thurgood looks to land a strike but Jalkalukko avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thurgood throws a big elbow that misses.
Jalkalukko keeping moving, preventing Thurgood from controlling successfully.
Thurgood is stalling in the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thurgood throws an elbow that misses. Jalkalukko uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Thurgood's guard. Nice move by Jalkalukko!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Jalkalukko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thurgood pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thurgood with a hook.

Jalkalukko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Thurgood is not content to let Jalkalukko control the position.
Thurgood struggling a bit here.
Thurgood is trying to improve his position.
Thurgood manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jalkalukko's best efforts.
Thurgood is looking to improve his position.
Thurgood blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jalkalukko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thurgood wants to control but Jalkalukko is keeping busy.
Thurgood is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jalkalukko wants to control but Thurgood is keeping him busy.
Jalkalukko trying to mount his opponent but Thurgood defends it.
Thurgood wants to get back to his feet.
Jalkalukko wants to pass the guard but Thurgood is defending well.

Jalkalukko is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thurgood has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jalkalukko trying to mount his opponent but Thurgood defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko is trying to control the action in half guard but Thurgood is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Jalkalukko is trying for a kimura here. Thurgood looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Jalkalukko wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jesse Jalkalukko!
Jesse Jalkalukko decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.