PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sampsa Pikari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Mortensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jesse Mortensson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pikari
vs
Mortensson

162 cm
19
183 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Golden Lilium

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sampsa Pikari!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Mortensson!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pikari shoots in for a double leg but Mortensson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Mortensson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Pikari might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pikari can't keep his opponent in guard - Mortensson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mortensson seems to be working for a kimura but Pikari defends the submission attempt.
Pikari moves into full guard.
Mortensson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pikari swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pikari trying to strike off his back.
Mortensson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pikari keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.
Mortensson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pikari trying to strike off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pikari takes a swing at Mortensson's ribcage but misses.
Mortensson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Mortensson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Pikari wants to improve his position but Mortensson is controlling well.
Mortensson throwing shots but Pikari is blocking nicely.
Mortensson is looking to take a break and control but Pikari is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mortensson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pikari is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mortensson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mortensson's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson trying to control the hands but Pikari breaks the grip.
Mortensson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Mortensson is desperately trying to improve his position but Pikari has a good base and remains in mount.
Pikari avoids the attempt from Mortensson to control.
Pikari working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Pikari cracks Mortensson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Pikari landing punches.
Mortensson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mortensson tries to hold on but Pikari postures up.
Mortensson is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson tries to lock up and control but Pikari gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Pikari landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mortensson gets back to half guard.

Mortensson is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Pikari pulls his head out easily.

Mortensson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mortensson looks gassed!
Mortensson is trying to control but can't.
Mortensson is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Pikari seems to be working for a kimura but Mortensson defends the submission attempt.

Mortensson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mortensson wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mortensson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mortensson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pikari.
Pikari takes a swing at Mortensson's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jesse Mortensson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pikari loads up on a big right hand but Mortensson slips the punch.

Mortensson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Pikari tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mortensson smiles and moves away.
Mortensson tries to clinch there but Pikari circles away.
Mortensson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pikari.
Pikari smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pikari circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pikari jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Mortensson clinches up against the cage.
Pikari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortensson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mortensson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pikari fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Pikari feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Pikari trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mortensson trying to keep a closed guard but Pikari is proving a slippery customer.
Mortensson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pikari manages to get himself to full guard.
Pikari looking for a sweep. Not yet Pikari, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson wants to control from the top but Pikari keeps moving.
Pikari manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mortensson manages to get himself to full guard.
Pikari stopping the sweep attempt from Mortensson.

Mortensson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mortensson is trying to control the position but Pikari postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Mortensson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mortensson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Pikari uses it to pass to side control.
Mortensson is breathing heavily.
Pikari in side control lands a decent elbow.
Mortensson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Pikari is looking for a kimura here.
Mortensson is looking to control Pikari's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mortensson avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mortensson.
Mortensson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mortensson is on top in guard.
Mortensson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pikari tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pikari keeping full guard, as Mortensson tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jesse Mortensson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pikari misses with a looping right.
Pikari thows a body shot but no joy.

Mortensson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pikari misses with a short punch on the inside.

Mortensson tightens his grip and picks Pikari up, before dumping him to the ground. Pikari manages to land in guard.
Mortensson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mortensson wants to pass the guard but Pikari is keeping the position.
Pikari looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Pikari is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mortensson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mortensson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortensson trying to control but Pikari is working from the bottom.
Mortensson advances to half guard.
Mortensson blocks the strikes from Pikari.
Pikari is trying to get back to full guard.
Mortensson trying to control the action but Pikari is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Mortensson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Mortensson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mortensson is looking to advance position but Pikari won't allow it.
Mortensson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pikari does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pikari wants to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Pikari misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from Pikari misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Pikari.
Pikari with a lazy takedown attempt

and Mortensson counters with a single leg into guard. Pikari didn't expect that.
Pikari doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Pikari manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mortensson manages to get himself to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mortensson is on top in guard.
Pikari keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.
Pikari punching from the bottom.
Mortensson is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson is pushing down on Pikari's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pikari is fighting to maintain full guard but Mortensson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mortensson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pikari works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mortensson advances position into side control!
Pikari is looking for a sweep.
Mortensson is looking to take a break and control but Pikari is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mortensson tries for a kimura but Pikari is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pikari throws a series of punches but Mortensson avoids them all with ease.
Pikari throws a jab when Mortensson was well out of range.
Mortensson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pikari changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Pikari misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Mortensson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pikari keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.
Mortensson landing some decent shots from guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Pikari looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pikari keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.

Mortensson drops back looking for a leg! Pikari is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pikari manages to kick Mortensson off! Mortensson jumps back into Pikari's guard.
Pikari looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mortensson stands up over Pikari, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pikari keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.
Mortensson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Pikari 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pikari misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Mortensson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mortensson.

Pikari is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mortensson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Pikari to the mat. Pikari regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Pikari working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mortensson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mortensson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mortensson advances position into side control!
Pikari tries to bench press Mortensson off him but Mortensson keeps the position.
Pikari is not content to let Mortensson control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mortensson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pikari knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Mortensson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Pikari is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mortensson looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Pikari is avoiding damage well.
Pikari is looking to reverse the position.
Mortensson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Mortensson lands a big shot there that rocks Pikari but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Mortensson content just to control the position here.
Mortensson trying to control but Pikari is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Mortensson dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pikari bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mortensson's head backwards.
Pikari swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Mortensson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pikari's guard.
Mortensson trying to control but Pikari is working from the bottom.

Pikari had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mortensson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Pikari Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Mortensson's back instead.
Mortensson has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Pikari.
Mortensson covering up well under a series of strikes from Pikari.
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.
Mortensson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pikari's guard. Nice work there by Mortensson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortensson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Mortensson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mortensson wants to control from the top but Pikari keeps moving.
Mortensson slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mortensson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Mortensson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pikari keeps working.
Mortensson is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Mortensson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pikari is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pikari can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mortensson controls the pace.

Pikari keeping busy on the bottom but Mortensson has passed one foot through into half guard.
Sampsa Pikari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mortensson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Jesse Mortensson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mortensson looking to secure an arm triangle but Pikari defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson blocks Pikari's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Mortensson lands a big elbow.
Mortensson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Mortensson breaks from Pikari's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Mortensson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pikari regains half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse Mortensson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mortensson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse Mortensson!
Jesse Mortensson is the new welterweight champion!