PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexi Laiho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Backscratcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laiho kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Children of Bodom - Follow the Reaper. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Brian Backscratcher was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Laiho
vs
Backscratcher

188 cm
22
201 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
190 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexi Laiho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Brian Backscratcher!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Backscratcher.
Laiho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Backscratcher was well out of range. Poor timing from Laiho.
Laiho lands with a slapping head kick.
Laiho cracks the inside of Backscratcher's front leg.
Some bone on bone action there as Laiho checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Laiho avoids a kick to the body.
Backscratcher tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Laiho keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Backscratcher moves out of range of the strikes.
Laiho misses with a wild body shot.

Backscratcher clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laiho misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Backscratcher.

Laiho breaks from the clinch.

Laiho clinches up with Backscratcher and pushes him back against the cage.
Laiho working Backscratcher over with knees to the body.
Laiho with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Laiho with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laiho breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Backscratcher throws a right hand that Laiho ducks under and follows up with a left that Laiho also avoids with ease.
Laiho avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice body kick from Laiho.
Backscratcher works Laiho's body with a nice hook.
Laiho misses with a jab to the body
and Backscratcher counters with a series of strikes. Laiho will be more careful next time no doubt.

Laiho tries to keep at a distance but Backscratcher has taken the fight into the clinch.
Laiho tries to land knees in the clinch but Backscratcher avoids the damage to the body.
Laiho is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Backscratcher is defending well for now.

Backscratcher breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
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!
Laiho fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Laiho with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Backscratcher falls off balance throwing a combination
and Laiho counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher tests Laiho's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Laiho checks a leg kick.

Backscratcher gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Backscratcher is trying to push Laiho away but Laiho has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Laiho manages to break the clinch.

Backscratcher clinches up against the cage.
Laiho using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Backscratcher has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Laiho escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Laiho fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Backscratcher manages to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Laiho looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Laiho wants to clinch up but Backscratcher keeps it at a distance.
Laiho lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher throws a nice inside leg kick.
Backscratcher thows a leg kick but Laiho checks it
and Laiho counters with a straight right hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Laiho, as that shot connected.
Brian Backscratcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Backscratcher fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Backscratcher lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Laiho circles away quickly and effectively.
A chopping leg kick lands by Laiho.
Backscratcher lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Backscratcher lands a left and a right that send Laiho crashing to the mat, dazed. Backscratcher thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Laiho is rocked!
Laiho throws a sloppy head kick and Backscratcher moves out of range easily.
Oh Laiho is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Backscratcher fires a straight punch through the middle that cracks Laiho square on the jaw! Damn, Laiho is out cold on his feet and topples face first to the canvas! Wow, I haven't seen a knockout that brutal in a long time!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Brian Backscratcher!
After winning the bout, Brian Backscratcher thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.