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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ari Birmiski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jokke Mela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Birmiski comes to the cage accompanied by I'm Back - T.I. Mela has chosen Da Rockwilder as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 170 cm
32
140 lbs
20 - 17 - 0 |
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170 cm
34
144 lbs
26 - 19 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong |
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ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Powerful |
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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
20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ari Birmiski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
26 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jokke Mela!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mela throws a body punch but Birmiski moves out of range.
Mela dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mela misses with a wild body shot.
Birmiski doesn't manage to clinch there - Mela circles away.
Birmiski shoots in and drives through. Mela sprawls well.
Ari Birmiski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Birmiski wants to clinch
and Mela counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Birmiski regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mela wants to control from the top but Birmiski keeps moving.
Birmiski looking for a sweep. Not yet Birmiski, not yet.
Mela pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Birmiski is keeping the position for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mela wants to control from the top but Birmiski keeps moving.
Birmiski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mela's guard.
Mela working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Birmiski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Birmiski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mela is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Birmiski is aware though and is defending well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski trying to control but Mela is working from the bottom.
Birmiski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mela has his foot on Birmiski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Birmiski works his way back into a safe position though.
Birmiski wants to control from the top but Mela keeps moving.
Birmiski throws a big elbow that misses.
Mela looking to control.
Birmiski working some strikes from top position.
Birmiski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Birmiski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Birmiski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mela is keeping the position for now.
Birmiski wants to control from the top but Mela keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mela is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Birmiski stopping the sweep attempt from Mela.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Birmiski working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Birmiski postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mela is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Birmiski, into his guard.
Birmiski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Birmiski 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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mela's guard.
Birmiski won't allow Mela to sweep him here.
Birmiski connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mela preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Birmiski tries to free his leg and advance position but Mela is retaining full guard.
Birmiski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Birmiski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mela had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Birmiski defends it easily.
Birmiski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Birmiski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mela looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mela looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mela keeping moving, preventing Birmiski from controlling successfully.
Birmiski won't allow Mela to sweep him here.
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!
Birmiski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Birmiski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mela works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Birmiski with a nice head shot there.
Mela is looking for a triangle but Birmiski pushes his legs off easily.
Birmiski trying to control but Mela is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Birmiski throws a big right hand that misses.
Birmiski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Ari Birmiski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Birmiski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Birmiski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Birmiski moves into range and clinches up with Mela.
Mela is looking to break free of the clinch but Birmiski has double underhooks.
Birmiski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mela pulls guard effortlessly.
Birmiski passes Mela's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Mela is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Birmiski pulls his head out easily.
Mela is looking for a sweep. Birmiski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Birmiski is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Birmiski connects with a nice short shot to Mela's temple.
Birmiski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Birmiski thows a huge punch but Mela dodges it nicely.
Mela wants to get back to full guard.
Birmiski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mela's head.
Ari Birmiski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Birmiski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mela blocking the ground and pound attempt from Birmiski.
Birmiski is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mela sees it coming and defends easily.
Mela gets full guard.
Birmiski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Birmiski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Birmiski works over Mela with some ground and pound from guard.
Mela is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Birmiski is aware though and is defending well.
Mela bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Birmiski's guard.
Mela postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mela stopping the sweep attempt from Birmiski.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mela trying to control but Birmiski is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Birmiski keeping full guard, as Mela tries to pass.
Mela is looking to work some ground and pound but Birmiski has wrist control.
Birmiski wants to sweep but no luck.
Mela is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Birmiski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Birmiski trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Mela is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Birmiski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Birmiski has escaped and now he's on top!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mela trying to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Birmiski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Birmiski is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mela is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Birmiski wants to control from the top but Mela keeps moving.
Birmiski is in close to Mela's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mela is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Birmiski drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mela looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mela looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mela!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski tries to bench press Mela off him but Mela keeps the position.
Mela tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Birmiski is looking to regain half guard here but Mela keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mela tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mela has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ari Birmiski dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Mela throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Birmiski's waist but Birmiski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mela off to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mela.
Mela tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Birmiski swivels and escapes.
Ari Birmiski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jokke Mela.
Birmiski clinches up with Mela and pushes him back against the cage.
Mela tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Birmiski's elbow.
Birmiski is looking for a takedown.
Mela drags the fight down to the ground.
Birmiski wants to pass the guard but Mela is keeping the position.
Birmiski trying to control but Mela is working from the bottom.
Birmiski lands a couple of digs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mela preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Birmiski controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Birmiski throws a big elbow that misses.
Birmiski sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mela's guard.
Mela blocking the ground and pound attempt from Birmiski.
Birmiski is nestled in close to Mela, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Birmiski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Birmiski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Birmiski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mela's head.
Mela won't allow Birmiski to pass to mount.
Mela moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mela keeping moving, preventing Birmiski from controlling successfully.
Birmiski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jokke Mela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Birmiski distracts Mela with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Birmiski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mela looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Birmiski passes into half guard.
Mela blocking the ground and pound attempt from Birmiski.
Mela is trying to control but can't.
Birmiski prevents Mela from improving his position.
Birmiski trying to mount his opponent but Mela defends it.
Mela looking for submissions off his back.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mela has hold of Birmiski's hands but Birmiski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Birmiski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mela taking some punishment here, with Birmiski in his half guard.
Mela regains full guard. Nicely done.
Birmiski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Birmiski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mela working for a triangle but Birmiski defends it easily.
Mela takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Birmiski is looking to work some ground and pound but Mela has wrist control.
Ari Birmiski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Birmiski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mela's head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mela works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mela has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Birmiski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mela has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Birmiski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mela tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Birmiski is pushing down on Mela's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mela is fighting to maintain full guard but Birmiski has managed to sneak the leg through.
Birmiski works his way into side control.
Mela gets back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Birmiski is trying to control the action in half guard but Mela is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ari Birmiski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Birmiski, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ari Birmiski!
After winning the bout, Ari Birmiski thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
84% |
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